Yule

Circle is cast and Quarters erected. High Priestess: We now stand at the turning of the year. Dark Lord: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, All fades and passes, day to night. Dark Lord extinguishes candles leaving only altar candles alight. High Priestess: Let us dance for the long year's end, for the sun sets quickly in the west, and we begin the long night of hope. Coven do Wheel or Cord dance widdershins about the cauldron chanting: Time and Death, Life and Seasons, All must pass, All must change. Star Child now leaves the circle, and stands behind the veil in the North. High Priestess stands at the cauldron in the centre, wearing a black veil. High Priestess: I am the Hag who engendered you all; I am the Three and the One who is here; I am the log that is ripe for burning; In my end is your hope of beginning. High Priestess now lifts the cauldron aloft and presents it to each quarter. She returns to the centre, and lights the cauldron candle, from which she lights a quarter candle for each member of the coven. The quarter candles are placed in their respective quarters. Narrator: This is the night of the Solstice; the Mother Night. Now darkness triumphs, and yet gives way and changes to light. Time stops, and all wait while the cauldron of the Dark King is transformed into the infant Light. We watch for the dawn when the Mother again gives

birth to the sun, who is the bringer of hope and the promise of summer. Holly gives way to Oak, the Wren to the Robin, Old to New. We stand now in the long night, we pray for the sun's return. In darkness and shadows the Great Mother groans. The Mother labours to bring forth the sun from her pain. From her cries of labour comes forth our cries of welcome; from her toil and anguish our hope is reborn. Let us now call forth the Great Mother, and the Lord of Life, her husband and son. The Star Child emerges from behind the veil, and lays at the feet of the High Priestess. The High Priestess points to the Star Child and proclaims: Behold the Child! Here lies our king! The High Priestess crowns the Star Child with a crown of misteltoe. She removes her veil and announces: I am the Mother who brought forth the child; I am the inspiration, and I am the rebirth. Narrator: You are the ecstasy of the blessed. You are the light of the sun's beams. You are the lordly door of welcome. You are the guiding star. Yours is the step of the roe on the hill. Yours is the step of the white-faced mare. Yours is the grace of the swimming swan. You are the jewel in each mystery. Coven now do Wheel or Cord dance deosil about the cauldron chanting: Power of soil and power of air, Power of fire and power of water, Power that spins the wheel of birth, Spins the wheel of joy and mirth, Spins the wheel of sun and moon, Push, push, push, Open the gate. Power of spell and magic free, Eternal power that binds the sea, Weaves the web of infinity, Light of dark and light of day, Speed the spokes fast on their way,

Push push push - ah ah Open the gate, So Mote It Be! High Priestess now invokes the Lord of Misrule into the circle. He is challenged upon entry by the Dark Lord, and must explain who he is, and why he is there. The Lord of Misrule is now in charge of the circle, and may behave as he sees fit. At some point, he must take the burdens of the coven for the previous twelve moons and pack them in his bag. Cakes and Wine. The Lord of Misrule must be ritually hunted as a wren to bring about his downfall. The coven mime hunting the wren chanting, Burn the bush, Hunt the wren When he is discovered, the coven point their athames at his neck to symbolise his death. Close ritual. I call you to lend your essence to this rite and protect us from all negativity from the west.

Hail guardians of the north, spirits of Earth, powers of Stability I call you to lend your essence to this rite and protect us from all negativity from the north.

I conjure ye O Circle of Light to be a temple between the worlds In the name of the Silver Lady and the Golden Lord. Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, So Mote It Be

Invocation Lady, you who are the beauty of the snowy earth and the white moon among the stars the mystery of the waters the desire in the heart of humanity

We invite to you to come among us and attend this rite, for you are the soul of nature that gives life to the universe.

Lord, You who are the freedom of the wild things the bright sun that lights the day the mystery of the forest The resolve in the heart of humanity We invite you to come among us and attend this rite, for you are the body of nature who gives life to the universe.

Meditation The old solar year has run it’its course and completed it’its cycle. So to have some of our habits or traits completed their cycles and outlived their usefulness. This is a time for shedding that which is no longer needed. Take a few moments now to consider which things you would leave behind as you go into the coming year. (pause) As the old year dies away so to will these old ways will fade into memory.

In the beginning we came from the darkness of the womb. There we were created, nourished and prepared for our birth into the light. Within us, we still carry that fertile darkness. there we hold the seeds of hopes and dreams to come. There we nourish are hopes for love, joy and peace for all. We shield these tender roots until they are strong enough to come forth and flourish in the light. Spend a little time now tending these creations to come. Name them, nurture them for they will grow with you and bloom in the coming year. (pause) As the sun strengthens above, so will our new ways grow.w.

Reading We light this candle for the infant Solstice Sun One small flame to pierce the darkness

A ray of hope A symbol of the Light within us all Light that can never be extinguished Light that will grow in glory Waxing strong, despite the cold to come Light that dispels despair and resignation Giving us a glimpse of golden days ahead

Behold the light that can never die Reborn anew in the Solstice Sky!

Chant Think of those who you would send positive energy to: Loved ones perhaps, those in need of healing or added strength. Perhaps people who’s names you do not know, who are living with war or hunger. You may wish to focus on that which important to you, your values, Perhaps the earth itself, or the animals who share it with us Whatever it is you wish to send your healing energy to. As we chant we will build the our energy with the turning of the wheel. As you chant feel the energy of change resonate within you. When I stop the chant, visualize the positive energy bursting forth, like the sun coming out from behind a thick cloud, and imagine strong rays of streaking out, empowering your wishes, and carrying your healing thoughts to their targets. Hoof and horn, hoof and horn All that dies will be reborn Corn and grain, corn and grain All that falls will rise again

Blessing of Cakes and Wine This food and wine is the blessing of the Goddess and God to our bodies. Let us partake in it freely. As we share, let us remember to share what we have with those who have nothing.

Releasing

Thank you, Goddess of the Moon for attending these rites in your honor, and for sharing with us your gifts of compassion and wit. Hail, and farewell. Thank you, God of the Sun for attending these rites in your honor, and for sharing with us your gifts of freedom and rejuvenation. Hail, and farewell. Guardians of the north, we thank you for your presence here and for your gift of stability. Hail and farewell Guardians of the west, we thank you for your presence here and for your gift of empathy. Hail and farewell Guardians of the south, we thank you for your presence here and for your gift of purity. Hail and farewell Guardians of the east, we thank you for your presence here and for your gift of clarity. Hail and farewell The circle is open, yet never broken, merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.