Winter solstice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Great Release Challenge – 21 — Friday by Silver RavenWolf copyright 2012
Winter Solstice occurs today, Friday, 21 December, when the Sun enters Capricorn at 6:12 AM EST or 3:12 AM PST. The 2nd Quarter Moon will be in Aries.
The modern Sabbat Ritual (representing one of the eight High Holy Days) can be as intricate or as simple as you desire. The ceremony’s main function is to honor the season and the gods, and to ask for their harmonious intervention in our lives in the coming months. Each ritual celebrates one portion of the cycle of life. Where Yule (today) represents birth, those of you in the southern hemisphere will be celebrating Midsummer (maturity). – The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation Witch – Solitary Witch by Silver RavenWolf, published by Llewellyn World Wide, page 73.
Winter Solstice occurs when the sun is at one degree in Capricorn (earth). The Summer Solstice unfolds when the sun is at one degree of the astrological sign Cancer (water). The celebration of birth by the northern hemisphere is balanced by the celebration of maturity in the southern hemisphere, thereby creating an even flow of energy from the souls residing in either hemisphere.
The Eight High Holidays go by different names depending upon the type of Wicca/Witchcraft you practice. Winter Solstice is also called Yule, Mean Geimhridh, Alban Arthuan, and Modranicht (Mother Night). Summer Solstice is also known as Litha, Alban Heruin, and Mean Samhraidh. Yule means “wheel” (Scandinavian) and solstice means “Sun Stands Still”. Yule is currently calculated to be at least 5,000 years old (long before the birth of Christ). Midsummer is thought to be at least 10,000 years old. Popular Mythos surrounding Yule include the Battle of the Oak and Holly King (Oak King wins), the Divine King, the Stag and the Wolf; and the Festival of the Dark God as seen in the German Belsnickle, and the birth of the Sun. Summer Solstice is considered the primary festival of the Horned God, the Battle of the Oak and Holly Kings (Holly wins), and the descent of the God and Goddess to the earth.
Yule Invocation for Northern Hemisphere Participants by Silver RavenWolf
Today, you may wish to do a full ceremony, or simply light a candle and meditate. Here is my Yule invocation as found in my book, Solitary Witch.\Morning light will flood the chamber – winter solstice sun.
Energy unfolding, Saturn’s rule has just begun. Crystals formed of ice and frost, freeze field and forest green. While Mighty Oak and Holly fight for favors from our Queen. The Great Wheel brings conception, birth, and death as days of yore Each bonfire on a ley line, honors what has gone before. Seven planets, seven spheres, seven gates wing open I lift my arms and call the charge, the incantation spoken!
I conjure water spirits, pour forth the sacred winds Come higher, O great fire! The magick now begins! Solar vapors, starry heavens, clouds and earth and waves unite in your perfection, on this shortest solstice day! I hold the keys of secrets, and the phantoms will avail the crossroads shimmer open, as the rod connects to grail.
Seven planets, seven spheres, seven gates swing open. I lift my arms and call the charge, the incantation spoken!
Beribboned Yule logs burning, each spark a blessing brings. Red and green, the sacred blood, of past and future kings. Mistletoe and bayberry, the winter’s leaves and resin. Spice and myrrh and evergreen, connect the Earth to Heaven. Through scented smoke and sacred prayer, I manifest good will. Bring peace and joy to hearth and home, and every will fulfill.
Seven planets, seven spheres, seven gates swing open. I lift my arms and call the charge, the incantation spoken!
Midsummer Incantation for Southern Hemisphere Participants by Silver RavenWolf
Today, you may wish to do a full ceremony, or simply light a candle and meditate. Here is my Summer Solstice invocation, a portion of which can be found in my book, Solitary Witch.
Gemini to Cancer, the Moon becomes the Queen Mighty Herne pursues her, in the forests dark and green. Summer’s bright enchantment, workings of my will “I know” begins the power, that turns the magick wheel!
Oceans glitter in the heat, as passions raise the tide the Oak and Holly navigate for the favors of the bride! Summer’s bright enchantment, workings of my will “I know” begins the power, that turns the magick wheel!
Faeries dance upon the air, making circles round luring humans to the earth beneath the sacred mound. Summer’s bright enchantment, workings of my will “I know” begins the power, that turns the magick wheel!
Roman Fanus plays the flute, the notes a binding spell of love and healing conjured from the waters of the well. Summer’s bright enchantment, workings of my will “I know” begins the power, that turns the magick wheel!
Shakespeare’s night of potions, bright world in-between where gnomes hide buried treasure, and devas dance unseen. Summer’s bright enchantment, workings of my will “I know” begins the power, that turns the magick wheel!
A thousand sparks roam skyward, to celebrate this day Morning dew elixir, will honor all the fey! Summer’s bright enchantment, workings of my will “I know” begins the power, that turns the magick wheel!
Today’s Challenge – Your choice.
Summary:
(1) Do your Morning Braucherei Ritual and light your goal candle. (2) Do Today’s Challenge associated with cleaning, clearing and arranging your bedroom. (3) If you can, add your Speed Cleaning Activity (4) Get ready for tomorrow!
Tomorrow: Your Vehicle – no vehicle? You get to do your silverware drawer. No silverware? Pick something from your Wish List.
Give yourself One Gold Star if you remembered to do your morning ritual. Two gold stars if you completed today’s challenge of releasing at least one item. Three gold stars if you performed a Yule/Midsummer Ritual, or a spiritual ritual of your choice. Four gold stars if you did something from your Wish List. Five gold stars if you squeezed in a speed cleaning challenge! Six Gold Stars if you continue to use your Sea of Potential exercise!
Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace Within.
Silver
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Ritual and Yule (naturalpantheist.wordpress.com)
The Renewal of Yule in 2012 (reclaimingaphrodite.wordpress.com)
What I shall be doing for Yule (theasatrucommunity.wordpress.com)
Braucherei Morning Ritual – Excellent for Use in the Great Release Program 2012 (silverravenwolf.wordpress.com)