Yule Ritual


Yule group ritual

Tools:
Yule log with white, red and black candles in the middle
Silver and gold candle for Goddess and God
Chalice of wine
white candle for each person
Small piece of paper and pencil for each person
Cakes and wine

Calling of the quarters

Statement of intent

Priestess
Since the beginning of time, we have gathered in this season to celebrate the
rebirth of the Sun.
On the Winter Solstice, the darkest of nights,
 the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and once again gives birth to the Sun and
the new yearly cycle,
bringing new light and hope to all on Earth.
On the longest night of winter,
the dark night of our souls,
there springs the new spark of hope,
the Sacred Fire,
 the Light of the World. We gather tonight to await the new light.
On this night, the Maiden, who is also Mother and Crone,
 prepares to welcome the Sun.
Let us now prepare to welcome the new light within.

Invocation of the Goddess:
Priest:
I light this fire in your honor Mother Goddess
You have created life from death, warmth from cold
The Sun lives once again, the time of light is waxing.
We invite you, Great Mother, to our circle
Bring us new light, the light of your glorious Son.
Maiden (light the white candle on the Yule log)
I come to you as Maiden
Young and free, fresh as springtime
Yet within me a yearning stirs to create and share
and so I become....

Mother (light the red candle)
The Mother
I bring forth the fruit of my creativity
Yet an ancient prophet once told me, as I stood with my son,
A sword shall pierce through thy own heart also
And I knew that I must become...

Crone (light the black candle)
The Crone
The ancient wise one, Lady of Darkness
We three-in-one who brought forth that special child
so long ago, also anointed him for burial -
A bright light that grew and was sacrificed to be reborn as a new light.

Invocation of the God
Priestess
Ancient God of the forest, we welcome you
Return from the shadows, O Lord of Light.
The wheel has turned. We call you back to warm us.
Great God of the Sun
I welcome your return
May you shine brightly upon the Earth

Consecration of the Yule Log
Priestess
Yule is the end of the old solar year and the beginning of the new one.
Traditionally, the end of the year is a time to look back and reflect. It is a
time to look ahead to the future, to make plans and set goals.
On your piece of paper, write something you hope to accomplish during the
coming year. When you are finished, attach the slips of paper to the Yule Log.

The slips are attached to the log. When all have done this, the priest picks up
the chalice:

Priest: We toast the new year (sprinkles wine on the log) and in token of its
promise, we consecrate this sacred wood
as a focus for the energies through which we accomplish our tasks and manifest
our desires during the coming cycle.

Priestess: You who have died are now reborn. Lend us your light through the
winter months as we await the spring.

Priest: My thanks to you all for your care and devotion.
To bring good fortune to your hearths for the new year, let us now light the
Yule Log and pass the flame to each of you.
Once having burned with the Yule fire, these candles will contain the luck of
the log for you to take home to your own hearth.

The priest and priestess light the Yule log.
(if you are doing this indoors, light two candles on each end of the log to
symbolize lighting the log.)
The priest and the priestess light tapers from the log and pass the light to
each candle around the circle until all candles are lit.

Priest:
I who have died am alive again today.
I fell into deep darkness
I knew death
But, ablaze with glory, I was reborn
To start again the cycle
that drives me through death and birth alike
We are born again
We shall live again
I have been reborn through the Mother
With me, we each are reborn
So Mote it Be!

Cakes and Wine

Priest:
This food and this wine is the blessing of the God and Goddess to our bodies.
Let us partake of it freely.
As we share, let us remember to share all that we have with those who have
nothing.

Closing:
Priest   (extinguishing the candle)
Thank you most gracious Lady for your freshness of spirit, your nurturing care
your infinite wisdom
Live within each of us throughout the coming year.
Priestess  (extinguishing the candle)
Thank you Bright Lord
for the light you have brought to us this night
May we carry it within us throughout the coming year.

Closing of the circle