Here are my interpretations of the eight festivals of the year. There are severals different ways to celebrate ... the following are brief descriptions of what I do *s* .
To me this sabbat celebrates rebirth as the wheel turns anew. On December 21 I like to light a yule log. I use a pine log and carve the symbol of the God and the sun onto it and then burn it within the fire of the Goddess. It symbolizes the coming of warmer days. Also, I like to have a tree. We call it our yule Tree. I try to always use a potted tree. If the tree is cut down then i bring herbs etc in offering to the Goddess. I then like to decorate it with colorful potpourri saches and cinnamin sticks, and saches of spices, and use cranberries or popcorn for garland. Further decorations can be made with dried cut fruit and quartz crystals wrapped in wire to illude to icicles. thus a beautifuuly natural tree.
Ritual:
If you use an altar you may want to place some boughs, bay, cedar and rosemary upon with a lightable alochol in a cauldron.
Invoke the god and goddess as you normally would then add:
I sorrow not, though the world is wrapped in sleep I sorrow not, though the icy winds blast I sorrow not, though the snow falls hard & deep I sorrow not, this too shall soon pass (( light the red candle if u have not already )) I ignite this fire in youe honor Mother Goddess You have created life from death, warm from cold The sun lives once again; the time of light is waxing Welcome, ever returning God of the sun Hail Mother of all ~~~~
Think of the ever continuing turning wheel of life and the energies that have been dormant within the winter. Feel the stirring of these energies with the return of the God~~ 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 & fertilizing the land All blessings be upon you God of the Sun~~
my persoanl manifestations ..... this is a good time to try and overcome depression and despair ~~~
~~So Mote It Be~~~
The first stirrings of life in the darkness beneath the earth.
On the altar you may want to place white flowers and an orange candle anoited with cinnamin oil .
On this night I light several candles in honor of the sun's rebirth .... not that I ever need an excuse to light lots of candles,
Invoke the God and Goddess in your own way
then:
This is the time of the feast of torches When every lamp blazes & shines to welcome the rebirth of the god I celebrate the Goddess All the Earth celebrates Beneath its mantle of sleep ~~~
(( light the candle))
All land is wrapped in winter The air is chilled & frost envelops the Earth But the Lord of the Sun Horned one of animals & wild places Unseen you have been unborn for the Gracious Mother Goddess Lady of fertility Blessings to the God Blessings and Welcome ~~~
Visulaize your life blossoming with creativity and strength. It is a good time for seedling projects as well as a good time to look into the past or future ~~~
personal manifestations and works
~~So Mote It Be~~