Hello, all:
Our local full moon group had a Yule ritual this evening (held in advance of the solstice in order to keep peoples' calendars free for the leadup to Christmas), where we honored the Goddess and Her child, the Sun which will be "reborn" at the solstice itself. We raised energy with a chant and used that energy to infuse cakes, mead, and jars of homemade jelly with the power of new hope, light, and inspiration, and spoke of our dreams and hopes for the coming year.
What are you doing for Yule this year? Are you holding a ritual? If so, what do you plan to do (if you're willing to share)?
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to respond.
2007-12-15 14:49:23 · 18 answers · asked by prairiecrow 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Our Coven will be holding a ritual and feast on the Solstice. For the feast, we'll be having a roast turkey, green bean casserole, corn on the cob, honey ginger carrots, fresh homemade bread, apple pie and pumpkin pie. Since we're a family Coven with lots of little ones running around, we'll be drinking red and white sparkling cider. For our Ritual we'll be consecrating and lighting the Solstice Candle that will burn all night, and making a "money wreath" for a neighbor of mine who has recently lost her job and can't afford presents for her kids. We'll also be burning a huge Yule Log. And of course we'll be opening presents and singing Yule Carols. Blessed Be and Merry Yule!
2007-12-16 14:51:03 · answer #1 · answered by wiccamama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greensong Grove (of about 300 Pagans) had a Yule circle tonight. The hubby and I will probably also do something on the night of Yule -- I need to write a ritual. It makes me feel so invigorated after coming out of a sacred circle all smelling like sage and incense with memories of the ritual still fresh. After years of it, I still get goosebumps sometimes.
Ultraviolet, remember that the Full Moon is Dec. 23. Great time to consecrate tools after letting them sit under the moon for awhile!
**Spiderman, no worries...we weren't talking about you.
Raj, you're so right about the Honey Mead ;)
I didn't have time to make mine this year, but luckily I have a store nearby that carries it.
Thundor...my Witches' Calendar says the full moon (Wishing Moon, Grael Moon this month) is on the 23 -- Sunday. Where was your info found?
2007-12-15 14:58:01 · answer #2 · answered by wiccanhpp 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
We will have a gathering on the Solstice with good friends, good food and drink. After dark I will do a small blot (ritual) to the female goddesses and female ancestors (It's Mother's Night). The Yule log will be burned - one large enough to last all night and some of the ash kept for next year's fire.
There's a ritual every night after that until New Year's eve. At sunrise on the next morning, the Yule wreath will be burned and the sun greeted.
2007-12-15 14:56:33 · answer #3 · answered by Aravah 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to do my traditional Yule Mead and feed around a huge bonfire. If it's warm enough to get the snow to stick together I make a snow man and carve it into Old Man winter and build the bonfire around him and proceed to melt the heck out of him. Driving off the cold and dreariness of winter as he melts in the bonfire. If not, as is most likely, (as it's usually around minus 15 or so around here on the Solstice) then the bonfire will suffice as a gathering area for all concerned. I usually have a small, hardy group who are wiling to brave the frigid temps and stand around a fire, slowly rotating to warm ALL sides of themselves. The nice thing is, the mead won't have to be chilled. It'll chill just standing around outside after only 10 minutes or so. LOL
Brightest blessings,
Raji the Green Witch
2007-12-15 18:21:16 · answer #4 · answered by Raji the Green Witch 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Staying home and spending it with the family. Doing some crafts, having a special dinner, reading a Yule story, opening presents, maybe sing some Yule carols.
2007-12-16 08:58:07 · answer #5 · answered by mari_aset 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No ritual this year, but we'll spending time with family all weekend. Our family celebrates a traditional secular American Christmas, you know, lots of food and presents and just being together for the holidays.
Interesting thought about the mead that someone mentioned, I know a store nearby that sells it. I think I just might stop by and pick up a couple of bottles. :)
2007-12-15 20:48:12 · answer #6 · answered by Lone 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I will be spending this years Yule on my own.
I will hunt down a bottle of mead, do some baking and prepare a meal. Later I will burn the yule log, light candles, incense and listen to some very atmosphereic music.
The full moon falls on Dember 24th....a Monday (moonday).
Celebrations all round.
2007-12-15 23:45:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Wiccan but my best friend is so I thought I would answer for her and help you out. This year she is far away from her coven so she will be celebrating with a few close friends and her daughters. We (I am one of the lucky ones that gets to share this time with her) will be spending an evening together sharing our wishes and hopes for the coming year. Each of us will also share a favourite recipe with the others to combine into a huge feast! I can't wait, it is going to be a lot of fun!
2007-12-15 15:00:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Dedication to the Gods/Godesses, enjoying mother natures foods that are available for the season, family and friends united for the meal followed by a peace ritual.
2007-12-15 15:26:52 · answer #9 · answered by kymm r 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I usually hold a low-key ritual, and celebrate a fairly non-religious Christmas with my family (because none of us are actually Christian... but come on. Christmas is fun). I also try to find more traditional "Yuley" music to learn to play.
2007-12-15 15:45:47 · answer #10 · answered by xx. 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋