The magick of Yule.
Yule takes place the day of the winter
solstice each year. Four thousand years ago, the Ancient Egyptians
took the time to celebrate the daily rebirth of Horus - the god of
the Sun. As their culture flourished and spread throughout
Mesopotamia, other civilizations decided to get in on the
sun-welcoming action. They found that things went really well...
until the weather got cooler, and crops began to die. Each year, this
cycle of birth, death and rebirth took place, and they began to
realize that every year after a period of cold and darkness, the Sun
did indeed return.
Winter festivals were also common in Greece and Rome, as well
as in the British Isles. When a new religion called Christianity
popped up, the new hierarchy had trouble converting the Pagans,
and as such, folks didn't want to give up their old holidays.
Christian churches were built on old Pagan worship sites, and
Pagan symbols were incorporated into the symbolism of
Christianity. Within a few centuries, the Christians had
everyone worshiping a new holiday celebrated on December 25.
The Yule celebration comes from the Celtic legend of the
battle between the young Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak
King, representing the light of the new year, tries each year to
usurp the old Holly King, who is the symbol of darkness.
Re-enactment of the battle is popular in some Many rituals.
Ideas for yule magick include a snow
poppet, ice candles, snow ball negative energy clearing, water or ice
scrying, and table tipping.
Yule logs are decorated and lit in
celebration as well as making Yule logs as a dessert.
It is a time when past present and
future all converge for a brief moment in time before starting anew.
Yule honors this as we say good bye to the old year, while briefly
standing in the present, hoping for a bright future.
This is how you can incorporate this
idea into your ritual and Yule celebration.
The past:
As part of the ritual go around the circle, each reliving an account of a lost loved ones life as you welcome them to the nights festivities.
Make a food that was favorite of the
lost loved one or a food from their childhood.
Discuss what you need to let go of and
then let it go.
The Present:
Show gratitude for family, life and
those around you. Telling why you are thankful.
Using a favorite food from your family
traditions or a heritage dish.
Make a poppet to send protection or
healing ( or to banish someone from your life)
The Future:
Scrying by water or ice. And if enough
people are there table tipping is always a great tool to call upon
the lost loved ones to ask questions or say what was never said.
Dream work is also a great tool to
envision your future life. Make plans for your future and set goals.
Make a dish your family has wanted to
try.
Also during the evenings festivities:
decorate the yule tree,
Call the 4 corners,
have a ritual,
do crafts,
invite woodland faeries in for the
winter,
Gather by the fire and eat drink and
make merry.
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Elf fire incense
3 parts musk crystal
4 parts dittany of crete
6 parts cinnamon
3 parts dragon’s blood
4 parts frankincense
1 part cardamom
use in rituals
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