Yule 2003
This ritual was done as part of a multi-tradition service that also included Christmas and Chanukah. Most of the church part is missing. What was saved is in green. This service was done two years before the Chapter was formed. At that time we were known simply as The Pagan Circle.
Materials needed: God and Goddess candles, corresponding direction candles, Athame, 100 to 200 pieces of yellow paper, golf pencils, altar cloths in appropriate colors, pentacle for altar, elements for altar direction positions (no incense), etc,
Priestess: For a few months the days have been growing shorter and the nights longer. After today, little by little, the hours of light will increase. The days will grow longer until, once again, it is summer.
Priest: We celebrate now the time of midwinter, which is called Yule. It marks the birth of the sun. Let us call on the yuletide spirits to speak of this time.
Call the directions/Cast the circle
(As each direction is called, Priestess will light corresponding candle on altar at front of church. Priest will hand Athame to east and in turn it will be passed to each to cast and call simultaneously.)
East: Spirit of the East, spirit of air, cold winds and freezing breezes, be with us the sun rises, in times of beginning, times of quiet. Inspire us with the fresh breath of courage as we go forth into new adventures. Be with us now.
All: We cast this circle of light so that naught but love shall enter or leave.
South: Spirit of the South, spirit of roaring fires for warmth and blazing candles for light, be with us as we await the sun’s return. Warm us with strength and energy for the work that awaits us. Be with us now.
All: We cast this circle of light so that naught but love shall enter or leave.
West: Spirit of the West, spirit of water, of falling rain and snow flakes, be with us as the sun sets and help us enjoy a rich harvest. Flow through us with healing quiet and bring us peace. Be with us now.
All: We cast this circle of light so that naught but love shall enter or leave.
North: Spirit of the North, of night time and winter, when the ground is bare and the trees are empty, be with us in the darkness, in the time of gestation. Be with us now
All: We cast this circle of light so that naught but love shall enter or leave.
All directions, Priestess and Priest: Ground us in the wisdom of the changing seasons as we celebrate the spiraling journey of our lives.
Call Goddess and God
Priestess: Goddess of all seasons, we see you as mother with child, be with us tonight. (Light Goddess candle)
Priest: God of all seasons, we see you now as the dying sun, and yet as a tiny baby, the sun reborn. Be with us tonight. (Light God candle)
Pageant
Reader: As the darkness increases we feel the death of the sun god approaching. But in the darkest of winter he is reborn as the light of the infant sun. It is the great mother who gives birth to him, who brings the child of promise to earth. It is the lord of light and life who is born again.
Activity: We are now passing out among you small symbols of the hearth fire. On this piece of paper, write down your wish for the new year, your hope of renewal or rebirth. We will collect them after our ritual. We will send them to the heavens in a bon fire.
Releasing the directions an opening the circle
North: Spirit of earth, we thank you for being with us tonight and bid you hail and farewell.
ALL: Hail and farewell
West: Spirits of fire, we thank you for being with us tonight and bid you hail and farewell.
ALL: Hail and farewell
South: Spirits of fire, we thank you for being with us tonight and bid you hail and farewell.
ALL: Hail and farewell
East: Spirits of air, we thank you for being with us tonight and bid you hail and farewell.
ALL: Hail and farewell
Priestess: Lovely mother, tiny child, we thank you for blessing us with you presence tonight and as the days grow longer we will know that you are always with us. Father God and Mother Goddess we bid you hail and farewell. (Extinguish the God and Goddess candles.)
ALL: Hail and farewell
(All of the Northwest Pagan Circle gather in front of altar in Namaste hand position facing congregation)
Priest: Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you, and deep peace of the infinite peace to you. 1
All: Blessed be
Closing song: May the circle be open but unbroken 2
(NWPC sings it through once then congregation joins in. Words to be printed in order of service.)
1. Deep Peace Adopted from Gaelic Runes. Quoted in Singing the Living Tradition, Unitarian Universalist Association, 1993, #681
2. Found at BryteUnicorn's Enchanted Forest
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