YULE

illustration derived from a woodcut by Monika De Vries-Gohlke

Tools

Holly branches
Sun Child in Creche
Directional Candle Altars
Yule Log with candles
Sabbat/Esbat Lottery Cards
Pentagram decorated with seasonal lights
Mini Gift Boxes
Yule Tree (a potted rosemary bush)
Sun Child Candle (gold)
God Candle (red) & Goddess Candle (green)
Birthday Cake (for cakes)
Black Current Mead (for toast to Sun Child)
Hot Lemonade (for ale)
Sparkler to light Sun Child candle
Paper Cups
Joyful Noisemakers
and the essential ritual implements

1. Claim Space/Purify

Using Yule insence and holly branches

2. Call Directions

adapted by Riannon-Lia
from a ritual by Makaan & Willow Burt

We call out to the aethers, the vapors,
The humors, the essences
to fill this space with their presence.

We call out to the energies of the East
The sweet spirit of air, of illumination
New beginnings, foresight,
Come be with us, now!

CHORUS:
East, Air, Morning, Spring
East, Air, Morning, Spring
East, Air, Morning, Spring
East, Air, Morning, Spring......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)

We call out to the energies
of the South
The passionate fire,
Sensuality, sexuality,
Creative power of witchery,
Come be with us, now!

CHORUS:
South, Fire, Noon, Summer
South, Fire, Noon, Summer
South, Fire, Noon, Summer
South, Fire, Noon, Summer......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)

We call out to the energies of the West
The energies of the purpoise, dolphin, Merman, mermaid,
The rivers and lakes, cold, iced over
Yet harboring life.
The watery feelings, the well,
the tears of joy.

CHORUS:
West, Water, Evening, Autumn
West, Water, Evening, Autumn
West, Water, Evening, Autumn
West, Water, Evening, Autumn......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)

We call out to the energies of the North
The keeper of the cauldron,
Winter, earth,
Wisdom, silence, snowpeople,
Cyrstal palaces, ice castles,
Stalagmites, stalagtites
Come be with us.

CHORUS:
North, Earth, Night, Winter
North, Earth, Night, Winter
North, Earth, Night, Winter
North, Earth, Night, Winter......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)

We call out to the energies
of the Above
The celestial spirits, stars,
Lady moon, sister comets,
The angels, guardians and watchers,
Come be with us,
Protect us, here, now.

CHORUS:
Above, the Stars, the Moon, the Clouds
Above, the Stars, the Moon, the Clouds
Above, the Stars, the Moon, the Clouds
Above, the Stars, the Moon, the Clouds......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)

We call out to the energies of the Below
Mother earth, our foundation, supporting Our abundance, giving us life
Come be with us, support us now.

CHORUS:
Below, the Earth, Ancestral Spirits
Below, the Earth, Ancestral Spirits
Below, the Earth, Ancestral Spirits
Below, the Earth, Ancestral Spirits......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)

We call in to the energies of the Center
The oneness in our hearts,
The union of Lord and Lady,
That winds through all directions
Curving inward
To the web of oneness.

CHORUS:
Heart, Space, One, Within
Heart, Space, One, Within
Heart, Space, One, Within
Heart, Space, One, Within......(repeat, then drift off to quiet)
Makaan & Willow Burt

3. Cast Circle

With holly branch:

Holy sphere,
On this night,
We cast the circle,
With this light.

We fill the boundary
With trust and love.
We seal at below,
As above

As sacred space,
Filled with joy.
Waiting for the sun,
Our Lady's little boy!

So Mote it Be!
Riannon-Lia

4. Lighting of the God, Goddess & Sun Child Candles

With remarks from the High Priest.

5. Invocation of The Goddess

Queen of the Moon
Queen of the Sun
Queen of the Heavens
Queen of the Stars
Queen of the Waters
Queen of the Earth,
Bring to us the child of promise!

For it is the Great Mother
Who giveth birth to him;
It is the Lord of Life who is born again;
Darkness and tears are set aside
When the sun shall come up early.

Golden sun of the mountains,
Illumine the land,
Light up the World,
Illumine the Seas and the Rivers;
Sorrows to be laid,
Joy to the World!

Blessed be the Great Goddess,
Without beginning,
Without end,
Everlasting to Eternity!
Io Evohe! Blessed Be!
Io Evohe! Blessed Be!
Io Evohe! Blessed Be!
(Gardnerian - attributed to Doreen Valiente)

6. Invocation of The Sun Child

The Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and brings him to the Yule tree where he is gently awakened with a song...

Wake, little sun, come out and shine,
We're gonna have a really good time.
Wake, little sun, come out and play,
Make today a sunny day.
Wake, little sun, stay longer in the sky;
We know you can do it if you try!
Wake, little sun so bright and new,
Shine for us; we'll sing for you.
Lyrics by Mama Moon; tune "Hush Little Baby" (trad.)

7. Charge of The Sun Child

I am the Light
that bursts through the darkness
and the smile on the young child's face
I am the warmth that melts the winter chill
and the sparks that dance
from the old fireplace

I am the smell of oranges and apples
And the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg & clove
I am the holly, the ivy, the mistletoe ball,
and the jocularity of the Great God, Jove

I am found in the twinkling of an aged eye
And in the hope of children everywhere
Yes, joy and love and warmth am I
Where kindness abounds, I too, am here.

I am your brother, your father,
the wise one
And I warm you gently in the light
of my love.
I lighten your worries, bring good health
and speed growth
By shedding my rays down on you
from above

But remember, my children, be grateful
For my brother, the darkness,
and winter's deep chill
for without them,
there would be little reason
For this holiday season
of peace and good will.
Dorothy Morrison

8. Raise Power!

Make joyful noise, and dance 'round the tree while chanting:

The Wheel is turning
The Light is Returning...

9. Presentation of Gifts/Toast to the Sun Child

Each participant receives a little ornamental box that represents that person's gift to the sun child. The boxes are placed on the Yule Tree. The toast uses Black Current Mead.

10. Lighting of Yule Log / The Lottery

During which next year's sabbats, plus two esbats! - are selected.

Each covener lights a candle on the yule log, then selects a card from a shuffled desk to learn which sabbats/esbats he/she will be responsible for leading the next year.

The cards were specially designed for the occasion by Dumuzzi.

11 Meditation - The Ladder of Ice

Written and led by Riannon-Lia

12. Cakes and Ale

The Coven sings Sun Songs, including...

DAY-O

REFRAIN:
Day-o, Day-ay-ay-o,
  Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, Meester Day, Meester Day,
Meester Day-ay-ay-o.
  Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.

Tonight we dance till the morning come.
  Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Tomorrow we greet the newborn Sun.
  Daylight come......
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
  Daylight come......
The darkness flies before his face.
  Daylight come......
Light is returning to this place.
  Daylight come......

REFRAIN

The Lady has given birth to her son.
  Daylight come...
When he grow up they gonna have some fun.
  Daylight come...
The season wheel it will forever turn.
  Daylight come...
As the fire within, it will ever burn.
  Daylight come...
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
  Daylight come...
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
  Daylight come...

REFRAIN

Now is the darkest season of the year but.
    Daylight come...
Now is the darkest season of the year but.
    Daylight come...

REFRAIN

13. Closing

May the light of the Yule candles
Burn in our hearts
All throughout the coming year.
Blessing of the Season on you all.

Bid farewell to the God, Goddess & Directions
Open the Circle

A poem...

Our Little Sun

Our little sun
is born today
and very soon
He'll come out to play.

He'll warm our hearts
and lift our day,
Because we'll know
Spring is on the way!

Riannon-Lia