Wiccan Yule Solitary Ritual Guide
Supplies
A Green Altar Cloth
Altar Pentacle
A Cauldron w/Lid or Cover Plate
Mistletoe Sprig Wreath
1 Black Votive Candle with a Holly Sprig Wreath around it
1 Yellow Votive Candle
1 Red Votive Candle
1 Blue Votive Candle
1 Brown Votive Candle
1 Green Taper Candle and holder
1 White Taper Candle and holder
1 Gold Pillar Candle
Athame
Yule Incense
Bowl of Water with a Pine Sprig in it
Plate of Sand
Preparation
This ritual should be performed right after sunset. About an hour before,
sweep the area moving in a deosil manner. Yule symbols, such as Poinsettias,
Pine Cones, and even a decorated Yule Log nearby (if too big for the altar)
add to the atmosphere. Place the proper candles and symbols at the four cardinal
directions. Place the gold God pillar candle at right top of altar. Place the
white Goddess taper candle at the top left. Place your Pentacle (or a plate
with a Pentagram drawn on it) in the center of the altar. Place the black votive
candle with the holly sprig wreath around it, inside the cauldron. Place your
cauldron on the right side of the altar. Cover the cauldron with lid or cover
plate. Place the green taper candle and mistletoe wreath where they will be behind
you at the beginning of the ritual. Place the rest of your tools and props
according to personal preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly
for a period to ground and center. When ready put on some soothing music associated
with the Sabbat and your ritual.
Opening
Step up to the altar and begin:
"From the darkness is born the light. From the void,
fulfillment emerges. The darkest night of the year is at the threshold. Open now
the door, and honor the darkness."
Take the lid/plate off the cauldron and light the black votive candle inside.
Step back from the cauldron and give silent honor to the Holly King, the ruler of
the dark half of the year.
Casting The Circle
Cast the circle, walking around the circle three times deosil:
"Here the circle I do cast
Call the elements to bind it fast
Beyond the boundaries of Time and Space
I create in here a Sacred Place
Where none but love has entered in
And with Love I now begin."
Invocation Of The Elements
Call the quarters, starting by lighting the yellow candle in the East:
"Guardians of the East, Powers of Air
I ask you convey your gift of thought
To enlighten me with the wisdom of common sense
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you the essence of pine trees
Remind me of Springtime
As I face the Solstice Night
Guardians of the East, be welcome."
Light the Yule incense and place it on the pentacle.
Light the red candle in the South:
"Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire
I ask you convey your gift of a warm and loving heart
To spread love everywhere I go
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you the first glint of tomorrow
Remind me of Summer
As I face the Solstice Night.
Guardians of the South, be welcome."
Pick up the Athame and brandish it in the flame of the candle to reflect the light.
Place it on the pentacle.
Light the blue candle in the West:
"Guardians of the West, Powers of Water
I ask you convey your gift of strength
To wash over me that I may always
Offer a hand to those who need
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you bittersweet memories
Remind me of Autumn
As I face the Solstice Night.
Guardians of the West, be welcome."
Pick up the bowl of water, sprinkle water with pine sprig on the pentacle. Lay
the pine sprig on the pentacle.
Light the brown candle in the North:
"Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth
I ask you convey your gift of the joy of life
So I can appreciate every day I have,
And share that joy with all I love
Step forth from the darkness and
Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light
Bring along with you the land that now slumbers
Remind me of Winter
And this cold Solstice Night.
Guardians of the North, be welcome."
Pick up the plate of sand and sprinkle it in a line around the other symbols
on the pentacle.
Invocation Of The God And Goddess
"I welcome the God to my circle this Yule
The Ivy King, the Winter King, the Sage.
Bless my celebration and circle,
Grace me with your presence this night.
I welcome the Goddess to my circle this Yule
The Mother Goddess, the Winter Queen, the Crone
Bless my celebration and circle,
Grace me with your presence this night."
Step back from the altar for a moment and contemplate the seasons of the past
year, and how their lessons have brought you to where you are today. When ready,
begin again:
"Dark my surroundings, and cold be this night
But Thy labor, Blessed Mother Has reborn the Sacred Light
The Child Divine, The most honored Sun
Shall return with the sunrise
Again, Two will be One."
Remove the Holly wreath from around the black votive candle. Face the North and
present the wreath, saying:
"Powers of Earth, bid farewell to the Holly King!"
Face the East and present the wreath, saying:
"Powers of Air, bid farewell to the Holly King!"
Face the South and present the wreath, saying:
"Powers of Fire, bid farewell to the Holly King!"
Face the West and present the wreath, saying:
"Powers of Water, bid farewell to the Holly King!"
Finally, in a clockwise motion, place the wreath behind you, to signify the
passing of the Holly King. Bring forward the Mistletoe wreath and the green
candle. Slide the wreath over the green candle and place the candle in its holder
in the cauldron. Light the green candle with the black votive candle:
"Hark! Behold the Rebirth of the King of the Woodlands!
Behold the Oak King, strong and vital he rises!"
Face the North, raise your arms and say:
"Rejoice, O Powers of Earth
Welcome the Divine Child!"
Face the East, raise your arms and say:
"Rejoice, O Powers of Air
Welcome the Divine Child!"
Face the South, raise your arms and say:
"Rejoice, O Powers of Fire
Welcome the Divine Child!"
Face the West, raise your arms and say:
"Rejoice, O Powers of Water
Welcome the Divine Child!"
Snuff the black votive candle and place it behind you. Turn back to the cauldron,
close your eyes, and silently honor the Oak King. Begin again:
"Awake now Thy Mother, Thy Lover, Thy Lady
Awake now Thy Goddess of Life, Death, and Rebirth."
Take the green candle out of the cauldron and light the white Goddess candle on
the altar. Replace the green candle in the cauldron. Take the white Goddess candle
with both hands and hold out at arm's length over the cauldron:
"Awaken my Lady
Look upon Thy Divine Child
His rebirth while You slumbered
Was subtle and silent
The Stag King, the Green Man,
Lord of Fertility
Awaits Thy wakening
Gentle and benevolent"
Place the white Goddess candle back in its holder at the left top of altar. Step
back and assume the Goddess position. In a bold voice:
"All hail the Oak King
His rebirth; a promise
All hail the Divine Child,
Giver of Life
All hail the Blessed Sun,
Reborn to the Mother
For he retakes His throne
At the end of Solstice Night!"
Now is the time for meditation and any spell workings. Spell workings associated
with Yule include those for peace, harmony, love, and happiness. Next celebrate
with the Cakes and Ale ceremony, saving some for the wee Folks, outside.
Thanks To The God And Goddess
"Lord and Lady, I thank you for joining my circle this
evening
Bringing your love, joy and warmth to me.
Stay if you want, go if you must.
Blessed Be."
Thanks To And Dismissal Of The Elements
Thank and release the elements:
"Carry sweet tidings,
'round the world and beyond
I charge thee as messengers
Earth, Water, Fire, and Air
Let all rejoice loudly
In the Oak King's return
Teach all that you meet,
With the glad tidings you bear."
Snuff each Quarter candle in a widdershins manner.
Step back and face the cauldron and the green and white candles still burning bright.
"Before my circle tonight I close,
Blessings I ask for this hearth and my kin
Tomorrow at daybreak, when I arise
A special flame I will carry, within
And a gold candle upon my altar I'll light
Adding my will to the Sun King's intent
To climb aloft in the vaulted skies
And for strength back to me; three times, strength I've sent."
Snuff the green and white candles. Take the Mistletoe wreath and place it on the
other symbols on the Pentacle/Center Plate. Release the circle. Clean up, leaving
the gold God pillar candle in the center front of the altar to light upon rising
in the morning.
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