Yule: Celebration Layout

Merry Meet,

Below I've listed a few ideas for celebrating this sabbat.


An apple juice toast to the Holly King

"Winter day of longest night

Step aside now for the light

Thank you for the things you’ve brought

That only darkness could have wrought."

(Name all gifts of darkness like: dreams, peace, regeneration, organisation, quietude)

Decorate Yule log with evergreens, holly and green, white and red candles. 

Light candles and say:

(Green candle)

"Old King, we thank You for all You’ve done

For lessons learned, and victories won

We must, however, bid you adieu

For Your reign is finished – ‘tis over and through"

(White candle)

"Come forth, Young King, of newest light

Be born with ease; grow strong and bright"

(Red candle)

"Gain strength and stature in the sky

Shed Your warmth on us now from on high"

Prayer to Apollo, Greek God of the Sun 

– associated with music, poetry, illumination, knowledge and prophecy

Apollo challenges us with the message inscribed at his temple in Delphi: “Know thyself”.  Be true to yourself, dare to follow your own path and to challenge yourself to learn and to grown.  Then use your will and create a positive change, accomplish your personal and magical goals, not only for yourself but for the loved ones in your life.

"Apollo, ancient god of the Sun now hear my call,

Bring illumination whether rain or snowflakes fall.

On this the darkest and longest of the winter’s bleak nights,

I celebrate the return of the Sun’s strength and light.

May my own truth shine free for all to see,

And as I will it, then so must it be."

Brief History

Yule is a solar festival that falls on the first day of winter which is the day that the Sun is reborn to the Earth again. Traditions seem to be similar to that of Christians Christmas, they are over 4,000 years old and originate from Ancient Egypt.  This festival started with a 12-day party in celebration of the rebirth of Horus – the son of Isis and Osiris – whose Earthly guise took the form of the Sun.  The ancients saw greenery as a magical growth tool – they wanted the Sun to strengthen and stay in the skies longer – they decorated everything in sight with it, and they prospered. Soon the Babylonians began to worship the newborn Sun with a celebration called Zagmuk.  The Persians and Greeks started their own solar celebrations called Sacaea. When the Roman’s named their solar celebration Saturnalia, they really kicked it up a notch by including candles, singing, gourmet feasting and lavish gift-giving. Winter Solstice spread throughout the whole of Europe and the Yule festival, as we know it today, was born.

☮ ❤ & ツ

Blessed Be

SRM

☽✪☾