The Seasonal Festivals

What I am writing here is from 'Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner' By Scott Cunningham.
Yule

(circa December 21)

The altar is adorned with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper and cedar, and the same can be laid to mark the same can be laid to mark the Circle of Stones. Dried leaves can also be on the altar.
The cauldron, resting on the altar on a heat-proof surface (or placed before it if too large), should be filled with ignitable spirit (alcohol), or a red candle can be placed within it. At outdoor rites, lay a fire within the cauldron to be lit during ritual.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Stand before the cauldron and gaze within it. Say these or similar words:
I sorrow not, through the world is wrapped in sleep.
I sorrow not, through the icy winds blast.
I sorrow not, though the snow falls hard and deep.
I sorrow not; this too shall soon past.

Ignite the cauldron (or candle), using long matches or a taper. As the flame(s) leap up say:
I light this fire in Your honor. Mother Goddess.
You have created life from death; warmth from cold;
The Sun lives once again; the time if light is waxing. Welcome, ever-returning God of the Sun!
Hail Mother of All!
Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flames. say the following chant for some time:
The wheel turns; the power burns.
Meditate upon the Sun, on the hidden energies lying dormant in winter, not only in the Earth but within ourselves. think of birth not as the start of life but as its continuance. Welcome the return of the God.
After a time cease and stand once again before the altar and flaming cauldron. Say:
Great God of the Sun,
I welcome Your return.
May You shine brightly upon the Goddess;
May You shine brightly upon the Earth,
scattering seeds and fertilizing the land.
All blessings upon You,
Reborn One of the Sun!
Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.
Yule Lore
One traditional Yuletide practice is the creation of a Yule tree. This can be a living, potted tree which can later be planted in the ground, or a cut one. The choice is yours.
Appropriate Wiccan decorations are fun to make, from strings of dried rosebuds and cinnamon sticks (or popcorn and cranberries) for garlands, to bags of fragrant spices which are hung from boughs. Quarts crystals cab be wrapped with shiny wires and suspended from sturdy branches to resemble icicles. Apples, oranges and lemons hanging from boughs are strikingly beautiful, nature decorations, and were customary in ancient times.
Many enjoy the custom of lighting the Yule log. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God withing the sacred fire of the Mother Goddess. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log (traditionally of oak or pine). Carve or chalk a figure of the Sun (such as a rayed disc) or the God (a horned circle or a figure of a man) upon it, with the white-handled knife, and set it alight in the fireplace at dusk on Yule. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days.
As to food, nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cakes and carraways soaked in cider, and (for non-vegetarians) pork are traditional fare. Wassil, lambswool, hibiscus or ginger tea are fine drinks for the Simple Feast or Yule meals.

Imbolic
(February 2)

A symbol of the season, such as a representation of a snowflake, a white flower, or perhaps some snow in a crystal container can be placed on the altar. An orange candle anointed with musk, cinnamon, frankincense or rosemary oil, unlit, should also be there. Snow can be melted and used for the water during the circle casting.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Say such words as the following:
This is the time of the feast of the torches,
when ever lamp blazes and shines to welcome
the rebirth of the God.
I celebrate the God;
All the Earth celebrates
Beneath its mantle of sleep.

Light the orange taper from the red candle on the altar (or at the Southern point of the circle). Slowly walk the circle clockwise, bearing the candle before you. Say these similar words:
All the land is wrapped in winter.
The air is chilled and the frost envelopes the Earth.
But Lord of the Sun,
Horned One of animals and wild places,
Unseen you have been reborn of the gracious Mother Goddess,
Lady of all fertility.
Hail Great God!
Hail and welcome!

Stop before the altar, holding aloft the candle. Gaze at its flame. visualize your life blossoming with creativity, with renewed energy and strength.
If you need to look into the future or past, now is an ideal time.
Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.

Imbolic Lore

It is traditional upon Imbolic, at sunset or just after ritual, to light every lamp in the house-if only for a few moments. Or, light candles in each room in honor of the Sun's rebirth. Alternately, light a kerosene lamp with a red chimney and place this in a prominent part of the home or in a window.
If snow lies on the ground outside, walk in it for a moment recalling the warmth of summer. With your projective hand, trace an image of the Sun on the snow.
Foods appropriate to eat on this day include those from the dairy, since Imbolic marks the festival of calving. Sour cream dishes are fine. Spicy and full-bodied foods in honor if the Sun are equally attuned. Curries and all dishes made with peppers, onions, leeks, shallots, garlic or chives are appropriate. Spiced wines and dishes containing raisins-all foods symbolic of the Sun- are also traditional.

Ostara
(circa March 21)

Flowers should be laid on the altar, placed around the circle and strewn on the ground. The cauldron can be filled with spring water and flowers, and buds and blossoms may be worn as well. A small potted plant should be placed on the altar.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God in whatever words please you.
Stand before the altar and gaze upon the plant as you say:

O Great Goddess, you have freed yourself from your icy prisob of winter. Now is the greening, when the fragrance of flowers drifts on the breeze. This is the beginning. Life renews itself by Your magic, Earth Goddess. The God stretches and rises, eager in His youth, and bursting with the promise of summer.

Touch the plant. Connect with its energies and, through it, all nature. Travel inside its leaves and stems through your visualization- from the center of your consciousness out through your arm and fingers into the plant itself. Explore inner nature; sense the miraculous process of life at work within.
After a time, still touching the plant, say:

I walk the earth in friendship, not in dominance.
Mother Goddess and Father God, instill within me through this plant a warmth for all living things.
Teach me to revere the Earth and all its treasures.
May I never forget.

Meditate upon the changing seasons. Feel the rousing of energies around you in the Earth.
Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The circle is released.

Ostara Lore
A traditional Vernal Equinox pastime: go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers. Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their magical meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you've chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.

It is important at this time of renewal life to plan a walk (or ride) through gardens, a park, woodlands, forest and other green places. This is not simple exercise, and you should be on no other mission. It isn't even just an appreciation of nature. Make your walk celebratory, a ritual for nature itself.

Other traditional activities including planting seeds, working on magical gardens and practicing all forms of herb work- magical, medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and artistic.

Foods in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a fine method of attuning with nature) include those made of seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, as well as pine nuts. Sprouts are equally appropriate, as are leafy, green vegetables, flower dishes such as stuffed naturtiums or carnation cupcakes also find their place here.





(Just as a side note. I do not take part in these rituals. I simply thought that explaining the seasons and providing this information would help those who are wondering about this.)

Beltane
(April 30)

If possible, celebrate Beltane in a forest or a living tree. If this is impossible, bring a small tree within the circle, preferably potted; it can be of any type.

Create a small token or charm in honor of the wedding of the Goddess and God to hang upon the tree. You can make several if you desire. These tokens can be bags filled with fragrant flowers, strings of beads, carvings, flower garlands- whatever your talents and imagination can conjure.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Stand before the altar and say, with want upraised:
O Mother Goddess Queen of the night and of the Earth;
O Father God, King of the day and of the forests,
I celebrate Your union as nature rejoices in a riotous blaze of color and life. Accept my gift, Mother Goddess and Father God, in honor of Your union.

Place the Token(s) on the tree.

From Your mating shall spring forth life anew; a profusion of living creatures shall cover the lands, and the winds will blow pure and sweet. O Ancient Ones, I celebrate with You!

Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The Circle is released.

Beltane Lore

Weaving and plaiting are traditional arts at this time of year, for the joining together of two substances to form a third is in the spirit of Beltane.
Foods traditionally come from the dairy, and dishes such as marigold custard and vanilla ice cream are fine. Oatmeal cakes are also appropriate.

Yule


Posted by Sabriel_sama on Dec 11, 2009

With Yule fast approaching I thought I would post a ritual that I have done for Yule with a group, as well as some seasonal chants, recipies and meditation focus's..I also have a couple of solitary Yule rituals if people are interested.

Yule is the time of the year where the day is at its shortest and the night prevails over the light. It is in the depths of winter and in ancient times they beleived they must welcome the light back in order to ensure its return for Spring. Where I come from, up in snowy ol Canada, that doesn't usually happen till about May...So I have always found a few of the ''spring'' rituals that come early in the new year to be laughable, but Yule has always been close to my heart.

The story of Yule has some similarities to the Christian Christmas story, which just proves again and again that all religions are connected in some way and deserve equal respect. Both have something that is born (in our case the sun/God), both have a Goddess figure (in Christianity it is the Virgin Mary, the very icon of Purity..For us it is the Crone turned Maiden) and both celebrations are of light, love, and joy.

Contemplation wise, this time of the year is a period of reflection. We are thinking of the future, of the New Year and all we hope it to bring. At this point we should be asking ourselves what we're envisioning, what we're hoping for, what dreams are we keeping close to our hearts and also how do we keep our faith burning bright? It is a very good time to meditate on these questions, and do a little self discovery. Some activities you can do to accomplish this is:

Light a candle in the dark to honor your dream or long term vision of what you want for the coming year. The flame is your spirit, pass it along to others and keep it burning bright in yourself.

Make or give candles as gifts

Stay up all night and watch the sunrise (only if you can sleep in I'd wager)

For all you singers out there..The best site I have found for some modified Christmas Carols as well as some new original Yule/Solstice carols is here: http://member.tripod.com/~Willow_Firesong/YulCarls/index .html

For the bakers and craft lovers..I just recently found a site..There's also some Solstice stories on there for you's who have young ones at home: http://crystalforest3.homestead.com/Yule.html

Now...Onto the ritual

This ritual is a spiritual drama called: Grandmother Give me Shelter...I cannot remember which book this was in at this point, when I find the book again I will give it the credit it deserves.

Props: Enough birthday candles for everyone, with holed cards to catch the wax.
Altar tools include: Several large chalices and a tray of Yule cookies.
Yule log decorated with holly and ivy, ribbons and three lit candles (white, green and red)
'The King': A beautiful box containing a lifesize effergy of a feather wren wrapped in red and gold ribbon. Gold foil crown on its head in a mossy nest.

Costumes:
Winter King: Grey cloak over red robes or santa suit,
scyth and hourglass. Holly wreath for head
Wintry Queen: Voluminous white cloak over black robes.
Headdress of stars and icycles.
Corn King: An ear of dried Indian Corn with shusks
Madrone: A mistletoe branch with berries
Bear: A bear mask
Coyote: A Coyote mask
Woman: A fringed scarf
Jesus: A white robe and a crown of thorns
Lucia: A huge red candle and a holly wreath. Festive
Yule clothing.

(Ritual begins with the procession of the Yule Log. Carried in by the youngest members of your gathering and led by a youth carrying 'the king')

Youths: Joy, health love and peace
Be all here in this place
By your will we will sing
Concerning our King!
Our king is well dressed in silks of the
best
In ribbons so rare no king could compare!
We have traveled many miles
Over hedges and stiles
In search of our king and to you we bring
Joy, health love and peace (repeat)

(The Yule log is set on the Hearth and the king is placed on the altar. All the people find their places and settle down. The Circle is cast, and the elements invoked. Cue song by Gwyndion Pendderwen The Wint'ry Queen or other atmospheric music. The Winter King comes forward (hood drawn) and envokes the Wint'ry Queen. She envokes the Winter King. He then raises his hood and lowers it to his eyes. They bow to each other then return to their respective places: the King by the Yule Tree, the Qyeen by the door to the hall using her cloak as a portal.)

Priestess: (Comes forward to explain the significance of what is to come by telling a story about the time of the year. This can be improvised or you can find a small story about how Yule came to be, and talk about the turning seasons etc)

(Bob Dylan's Shelter From the Storm is played. A number of people apprach the the Wintry Queen)

CORN KING: Grandmother, give me shelter! I am tired and I want to rest. I have spent my pollen and begotten a bountiful harvest.

WINTRY QUEEN: Well done my good and faithful son! As the Corn King you have given your all and many have been fed by your sacrifice. Erpoiuweqnter my doorway. You have earned your peace of mind. (He enters into her cloak)

MADRONE: Grandmother, give me shelter! My limbs are weary and my bark has fallen away. I am lonely and naked to the cold winter wind.

WINTRY QUEEN: No, my daughter Madrone. Your task is not yet done. For though your bark has fallen away, your berries are just ripening. You must provide winter food for the birds and squirrels (Madrone leaves, taking her place in the circle again)

BEAR: Grandmother, give me shelter! The land is barren and cold and my bare feet are freezing on the icy ground. I have grown fat on the summer salmon and blackberries but now the stream is frozen and the berry patch is only sharp brambles.

WINTRY QUEEN: Poor Bear, come in from the cold and sleep in warmth and comfort, dreaming of ripe summer berries and salmon leaping the the running streams.

COYOTE: Gramma, gimme shelter! All my prey are hiding in their nests, safe from the cold where I can't reach them. I sing to the moon and she only brings me rabbits! If I eat one more rabbit, my nose will start twitching!

WINTRY QUEEN: Coyote, Trickster, Teller of Tales, you told the rabbits in the dark of the moon that they must hasten her return by making more rabbits! Now there are so many there isn't enough food for all! You must stay out there and eat those that die of starvation and so be punished for your greed.

JESUS: grandmother, give me shelter! I am here, for I can do no more. My 2000 year experiment has failed. Where it only myself I could abide my failure. But it is the people-the women, men, the children who suffered on my account. I wanted to change the world for the better, to aid the advancement of Man and create a world united in Peace. Verily, I say, my dreams have turned to gall and ashes and all the natural world has been twisted and poisoned in my name. Grant me rest and forgetfullness.

WINTRY QUEEN: My son, your burden must still be born. The men who followed you and who built on what you started, were not the same quality as you. They could not gave followed your example and built the dream you had, for they never understood it, or you. I pity you, but the law is immutable. You have had your age of glory and now must stay to help clean up the mess that was made in your name. You have a final cup of bitterness to drink. (She offers him a drink from her chalice) Go. But fist....Let me take your crown of thorns. (He leaves)

WOMAN: Mother, give me shelter! I am weary unto death of the creulty of humanity. I have given all my love and nurturing to all the world and I have been repaid with betrayl and lies. I was abused by my brothers and sold into slavery by my father. I was seduced by a lover and then denounced as a whore by my sisters. I have given birth to many children who have taken all I have and not even repaid me with gratitude and finally the whole family left me alone to clean up the terrible mess they made of my life. All my life I have lived for others, only to find my best efforts were all in vain. I no longer know what to beleive, so I have come to seek peace in your shadow.

WINTRY QUEEN: My beloved daugher, my door is always open to you. You sold your freedom for security when this age began and found it was only lies and illusions. Come in and rest and be renewed. Your time is coming soon. Your task is first to learn the wisdom of Sybil. Lulled by my poppies, sleep to dream the healing and teaching dreams. For when the time is fulfilled, you will take my place as the Ancient Crone.

WINTER KING: (entering circling in a spin, sweeping the room with scyth) I am the winnower, I am the Reaper, I am the shadow behind your back. I take the living in their prime and I await at the end of time. After me comes but the darkness, after me comes but the cold. Through the long and lonely nights you feel the fear of growing old. (Fades out of the circle to stand by the Yule Tree like the specter at the Feast)

PRIESTESS: And darkness now enfolds the sleeping world on this longest, darkest night. (Extinguishes all light, including all candles. Leads Ayisha's chant)
Deepest Darkest longest night
Gather round the fire bright
Singing power unto the Sun
Rise again when morning comes!

(after the chant stops)
WINTRY QUEEN: Granddaughter, Awaken!

(She slowly unfolds her cloak to reveal a young girl, Lucia within the folds. She is dressed in brightly coloured Yule garments and holds a large red candle. She wears a crown of holly. Wintry Queen lights the candle)

WINTRY QUEEN: Your beauty rest has ended and the time of the kore has come. The world is weary of strife and longing for love, Now at this darkest time when the need is greatest, innocence must re-enter the world and be the bearer of light and truth. Someday, my child, you will return to this door and wearily seek entrance. I will be sleeping the sleep of metamorphisis and your mother will sit in my place, welcoming you with the promise of renewal. But today is your quickening and all the world rejoices. Evoe Kore! Evoe Lucia!

(Lucia comes forward with the lit candle and lights the candles on the Yule log. Then she brings the candle to the Priestess who lights the small candle from Lucia's large one. Then the Priestess passes her candle around the circle till everyone has a lit candle. Then the tenders of the log ceremoniously place the log into the fire and lights it. Yule carols are sung, my recommendation is ''Bring a Torch'' found on the page I linked in my last post)
(Winter King comes forward again, circling in a spin faster and faster finally throwing off the cloak to reveal the red robes/santa suit. With a merry Ho ho ho Winter King and Wintry King distribute presents. The circle is opened and thanks are given to the Gods, the elements and whatever else was envoked. End with Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet again..And disperse to enjoy the party.)