Yule Ritual 2008
Compiled by Gemma Holt
Focus
"Today, the sun is renewed. The long descent into darkness is ended; the long night is halfway over. We look forward at this time, remembering what we have done, knowing what we will do. We make promises to ourselves and to the Gods. Most of all, though, we welcome in the sun himself, and pray that the increase of his light also show an increase in our blessings. Tonight we stand to celebrate the wealth of myths, legends and lore behind our own beloved Yule tradition.
Hail the Sun!"
Ritual
(as we stand around the fire, please hold hands with the people either side of you as we read the Druids Prayer)
Grant Oh Spirit Thy Protection
And in Protection, Strength
And in Strength, Understanding
And in Understanding, Knowledge
And in Knowledge, the Knowledge of Justice
And in the Knowledge of Justice, the Love of it
And in the Love of it, the Love of All Existences
And in the Love of All Existences, the Love of the God and Goddess
God, Goddess and All Goodness
So Mote It Be.
(Tree Meditation)
Now that we’re all together and protected we can continue.
Opening the ways
Land
Open the way cross fields and glades for nature’s spirit to pass our way
Open the way, Lord Cernunnos, Open the way.
Sea
Open the way through rivers and streams to let oceans’ tides ebb away our fears.
Open the way Lady Cerridwen Open the way.
Sky
Open the way over mountains and clouds to let the moon bath us in her protection.
Open the way, Lady Arianrhod, Open the way.
May the ways be Opened!
The Spirits
Children of the earth call out to the spirits of this place
Hear us, spirits of nature!
Though it is cold outside
And many of you sleep beneath the ground
Or in nests high above our heads,
We ask that you hear our voices,
And join your call to ours
As we call the sun back to the skies
To bring his warmth and shining love
For all of us to feel.
Welcome, and thanks to the Nature Spirits!
The Ancestors
We call out to those who came before us
Hear us, O ancestors!
The sun has travelled through your lands
In an ever-lengthening journey.
We ask that you remember the cold winters of your lives
Remember the piercing winds,
Remember the ice and the darkness.
Remember that your descendants feel this now.
We call out to you, and ask that you join us.
Together, let us encourage the sun to return,
For he has travelled in your world long,
And now it is time for him to travel in ours.
Welcome, and thanks to the Ancestors!
The Deities
Your children call out to you, Elder Gods.
Hear us, O deities!
The sun has fulfilled his old bargain,
He has taken the long roads through the Underworld.
He has distanced himself from the lands of the living.
He has allowed the cold, the snow, and the ice
To gather about us, as you have declared He should.
Now is the time that we may ask for his return.
Tonight, we call out to your sense of justice,
Your sense of love for us,
And ask that you join with us in calling him back.
Welcome, and thanks to the Deities!
Welcome to my Ancestors, the Nature Spirits, and the Gods!
Now, I ask that you join me in my call to the Patron of this rite!
Golden child
Bright wheel in the sky!
Hear us as we call out to you
And pray for your safe return
And increase this solstice day!
Six months ago, we revelled in your height
we sang in the fields as you rose,
Strong and proud and full of splendour.
Since then, we have watched you lessen
until the equinox, when you gave summer to the Underworld.
Your path has been long and dark
But you have lit the way for souls
Who have long departed this world.
You spent time under the earth
Moving through tunnels and caverns
Each day longer than before
And our ancestors appreciate the light.
But now it is time for you to return.
You have not forgotten those still living
Who now need your light more than ever
For our nights have become too long,
Too cold, too quiet.
It is right that you should return to us.
So, Golden child, Father sky
We ask you that you return to us,
Bringing with you the warmth
We so desperately need.
Find shorter passages through the Underworld;
Take the fastest route back to us.
Do not leave us to freeze in this cold winter.
With these candles lit,
Find your way through the dark of the Underworld.
With these candles lit,
Find your strength, and remember the old bargains.
Golden Child the light of the world has returned!
In the moments ahead, use this time to reflect on the things you have achieved and the things you strive for. Enjoy this moment of soul searching as the year spins madly on gaining speed and power. With life so crazed and busy, especially at this time of year, enjoy a moment’s stillness and tranquillity.
We have made offerings to the lord of the sky
The Deities, the Nature Spirits, and our Ancestors.
Now, Lord, we pray you accept our offerings
and that you bring the sun back for another bright year.
Closing the ways
Land
Close the way cross fields and glades Thanking nature for its company
Close the way, Lord Cernunnos, Close the way.
Sea
Close the way through rivers and streams thanking the oceans for easing our troubles.
Close the way, Lady Cerridwen Close the way.
Sky
Close the way over mountains and clouds thanking the moon for her guiding light.
Close the way, Lady Arianrhod, Close the way.
May the ways be closed for now but always be with us in our hearts!
The Spirits
Spirits of this place
Hear us, spirits of nature!
Return to your warmth and your dark winter sleep.
Thank you for joining your voices with ours in celebration
Goodnight until spring when we will see you again.
Hail and Farewell!
The Ancestors
Those who came before us
Hear us, O ancestors!
The travelling sun will bring memories of you.
It will make everyday brighter till the strength of summer.
We may not see you but we feel you always
Thank you for your presence this evening
Return to your sleep this dark winter’s night
Hail and Farewell!
The Deities
Elder Gods.
Hear us, O deities!
As the sun travels back to us so does your power
In the coming months, May we feel your presence in our lives
And your workings in our destinies.
Hail and Farewell!
The Ancestors, the Nature Spirits, and the Gods!
Hail, thanks and fairwell
(Tree meditation closing)
A Norse Yule Blessing
Beneath the tree of light and life,
a blessing at this season of Jul!
To all that sit at my hearth,
today we are brothers, we are family,
and I drink to your health!
Today is a day to offer hospitality
to all that cross my threshold
in the name of the season.