Happy Yuletide! My interview with the ABC for the Solstice & some more facts about Yule

I had a lovely interview with the ABC two days ago which was aired on ABC774 yesterday which you can read all about here.

Winter solstice - Yule

One of the eight sabbats (sun cycles), Yuletide is a time to provide one another with gifts and coax the sun back into shining down into our lives for the harvest while we feast with abandon over the winter stores as the sun returns - but to make sure that the sun did return, ancient pagans would make sure to have their Winter Solstice rite.

The Holly King (God of the Waning Year) is overtaken by the Oak King (God of the Waxing Year) – a tree who is about to regrow its leaves into the warmer months and strengthen as the holly plant is at its weakest point and is ‘overtaken’ by the oak.   The Goddess gives birth to the Child of Promise and Pagans celebrate the Sun (Son)’s return.  Yule celebrates the birth of the child of promise whose birth signifies the renewal of the land so that we may all feast again on the harvest of the coming year - also our psychological harvest.  

Though Samhain is really a time to put the last year behind you, it's time to consider your harvest of the last year which you are now using up and how you will chose to sew the seeds of the next year until Yule.  Consider planting seeds around this time to see through the following year.

In Mythos Osiris (of Harvest) is killed by his brother Set (of night) and ripped into pieces.  Isis, wife of Osiris, finds all of the body parts of her husband, binds them together with magick and revives him for long enough to mate with him and produce their child Horus 'The Lamb' or 'The Light' which are also used to describe Jesus as the Mother Mary and Jesus are also archetypes for Isis and Horus.  The keening of Isis with her sistrum is incorporated into the Winter Solstice ritual in 'A Witches' Bible' as she encircles Osiris' body seven times.

Yule is one of the lesser sabbats, as the lesser sabbats fall on equinoxes or solstices and mark the changes of the four seasons and the greater sabbats are Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lammas which represent that season at its highest point.

    

Solstice means ‘the sun stands still’ and sabbat means 'repose' or 'to rest' so this particular sabbat is a time to rest, feast and enjoy but also to let go of what is holding you back.

More on this Sabbat...

Etymology of 'Yule'

From the Norse “Iul” meaning ‘wheel’ to represent the turning of the sun at solstice where the people would feast on the last of their winter stores with abandon with ale & slaughtered livestock, leaving some for the nisse.  The nisse are the little people or gnome/troll-like creatures that demanded food on that eve, or else there could be trouble, particularly from the Julenisse...

"...the Julenisse is a kind of cross between Father Christmas and a nisse. The most characteristic features of Norway's answer to Santa Claus are his red stocking cap and long white beard. The Julenisse wears knee breeches, hand-knitted stockings, a Norwegian sweater and a homespun jacket. On top he wears a heavy fur coat — it can get cold in Norway in the winter. He is jolly and happy, but can also be stern and even a jerk. If you don't stay in good with him through bribes, he can sabotage your happiness in any number of ways."

(Source: Norweigan Christmas by Rick Steves )

The Wild Hunt

Rather than re-hash this information on The Wild Hunt I thought I'd send you to a very well written and researched article by Cassandra Eason which you can find here on The Wild Hunt which is celebrated/marked at this time of year.

Symbology in the current Christian Church.  From 'The Witches' Bible':

At Dewsbury in Yorkshire, for nearly seven centuries, church bells have tolled ‘the Devil’s Knell’ or ‘the Old Lad’s Passing’ for the last hour of Christmas Eve, warning the Prince of Evil (Holly King/Winter) that the Prince of Peace (Oak King/coming spring and grain) is coming to destroy him.  Then, from midnight on, they peal out a welcome to the Birth (the Sun/Son/Jesus/Horus archetype).

Worship in Ancient Britain

‘Wooden pillars throughout Europe were aligned with the rising of the sun of winter solstice have been recently dated to 3200 – 3000 BC. (Newgrange in Ireland, Maes Howe in Scotland, Stonehenge and the Dorset Cursus in Britain), enabling us to currently calculate this holiday to be at least 5,000 years old.’

(Source: Solitary Witch [listed below])

Welsh winter solstice (‘Alban Arthan’)

The chief Druid would cut mistletoe from the oak tree as a protection against fire and lightning

Befana

In Italy a witch Befana (Epiphany) would fly on the Twelfth Night and put gifts for children down chimneys

(Source: 'A Witches' Bible')

References: 

The Witches Bible (1984) by Janet and Stewart Farrar,Phoenix Publishing Inc

Solitary Witch - The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation (2009) by Silver Ravenwolf, Llewellyn Publications.

The Witches Bible (1984) by Janet and Stewart Farrar,Phoenix Publishing Inc

Intentions set at Lughnasadh

I realise this is a week late for those in the southern hemisphere, but it could be a good reminder for you given that it's only less than one week!  I'm also only just celebrating Lughnasadh with sisters today and wanted to share this with everyone.

The Goddess gives birth to the child conceived at Beltane: the dark God and the death of the Holly God hail the beginning of the sun's waning path. The harvest is collected for the winter, manifested as we share our personal harvest of the last year: our successes and proud achievements.

This is the first harvest of the year, which now is represented by a psychological and practical harvest of the past year’s achievements.  As the sun wanes and ‘sets’ towards Yule, we seek to ‘set’ patterns for the winter months.  The collection of our successes, achievements and recognition of our abilities is beautifully represented in this story of Lugh:

As a young man Lugh travels to Tara to join the court of king Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The doorkeeper will not let him in unless he has a skill with which to serve the king. He offers his services as a wright, a smith, a champion, a swordsman, a harpist, a hero, a poet and historian, a sorcerer, and a craftsman, but each time is rejected as the Tuatha Dé Danann already have someone with that skill. But when Lugh asks if they have anyone with all those skills simultaneously, the doorkeeper has to admit defeat, and Lugh joins the court and is appointed Chief Ollam of Ireland. He wins a flagstone-throwing contest against Ogma, the champion, and entertains the court with his harp. The Tuatha Dé Danann are at that time oppressed by the Fomorians, and Lugh is amazed how meekly they accept this. Nuada wonders if this young man could lead them to freedom. Lugh is given command over the Tuatha Dé Danann, and he begins making preparations for war.

From this story we can see the empowerment of seeing our strengths and the year’s achievements in front of us – to prepare for the rest of the year and perhaps in the sense of war ‘fight to keep our rights’ and to also focus on what this new moon represents for us as an esbat which focuses on independence, originality, progressive ideas, reformation, universal love, inventiveness, heightened perception, resourcefulness and individualism.  Just as Lugh approached the doorkeeper with individual skills, combine yours & the year’s past achievements to pass the doorkeeper that is in your mind which may hold you back.  The new moon is a time to restart and set new intentions, so with what skills and strengths you have – push them forward and celebrate those who have helped you to achieve these milestones.  This ritual looks at setting those skills and strengths of the last year in place to move forward.  This is the time to ignite your torch of inspiration for winter.

Merry Mabon

Mabon, a time of reflection.  It's such a time of reflection in the underworld I've ended up being too introverted - staying inside rather than going out to a potential three social occasions on the one day which I wish I could do but cannot.  Tonight will be the biggest full moon in twenty years, so I can't wait to see it in the sky.  Doreen Valiente said herself that in the March and September equinoxes we can expect 'psychic stress' which I definitely felt last night and today.  I had a beautiful mabon ritual with pine cones, acorns, a potato (!), an orange and brown candle and the following for a really soft and fresh incense ground up in the mortar and pestle:

- Frankincense
- Sandalwood chips
- Neroli oil (2 drops)
- Cypress oil (3 drops)
- Sandalwood oil (2 drops)

I wish I could go out with friends but lack the social energy and my body aches.  It's a weird time of year.  Melbourne is so much more bearable in this time of year, so whilst some people are complaining that they had no summer I'm very glad to see in the autumn.

Write down two lists: one of the year's achievements - spiritually or otherwise on yellow paper and another on red paper listing your spiritual goals until next Mabon.  Acknowledge the crone and lift the red card to her to reveal any future images of your spiritual journey.

For more detail on the sabbat, go here for the full story of the god Mabon.

Autumn is a perfect time for this tune - and what a strange film it looks like!  The singer looks a lot like James Franco.

Druidic Dawn - what is happening to the land with each Sabbat?

This is a really interesting website, where I made a Google search for "Melbourne Beltane" and it came up with

www.druidicdawn.org

This website can tell you what is happening to the land and weather around this time and, well, you can read:

Beltane In Melbourne, Australia - Southern Hemisphere

Sat, 10/20/2007 - 15:29 — Elkie Synopsis:

WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE DURING THIS TIME?

According to the 6-Season Calendar proposed by Alan Reid and modified by Glen Jameson, October is classified as 'True Spring'. This classification continues throughout November, gradually becoming 'High Summer' as December approaches. On the seven-season calendar based on the observation of local wildlife, November is classified as 'Grass-Flowering Season' (see examples below*).

The Skies

Days
Although we get the occasional downpour and some strong winds, the days are mostly mild, with soft showers and gentle breezes. The temperature can climb into the 30’s or sink as low as 10 degrees Celsius, but it’s more often in the 20’s.

Nights
We look North to see Pisces becoming increasingly clear as summer approaches. It actually looks more like a bird than a fish from our hemisphere.

Indigenous flora and fauna

Flowering
*Flowering grasses include Kangaroo Grass, Wallaby Grass, Spear Grass, Tussock Grass and the Common Reed. The Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata) flowers from October to January. This tree, which grows up to 30 metres in height, gives off a strong peppermint fragrance, hence the name. It has thin, weeping leaves, white flowers & small cup-shaped fruit. Then beginning in November the Victorian Christmas Mint Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) exhibits its white flowers, which are spotted with orange and purple. (We have one near our Grove). Blooming through spring to late summer is the Black Wattle, with its pale yellow blossoms and also the Rainforest and Soft Crane's Bill. The Common Raspwort, Astral Brooklime, Yellow Wood-sorrel, Slender Knotweed and Water Pepper flower through to autumn. Tall Lobelias flower from November to March in damp areas. Blanket-leaf daisies flower in November & December and can be seen in cool forest gullies.

Animals and Fish
Holes appear as bandicoots dig for grubs and echidnas search for ants.
As in days of old, fishermen use the flowering of the Coast Tea-tree in early November to mark the entry of the Snapper into the Bay.

Birds
White-browed scrub-wrens with their harsh, raucous calls can be seen and heard at our local Reserve along with Rufous Whistlers and Crimson Rosellas. Baby rosellas are losing their green birth feathers, as their chests redden. Many birds are moulting. Gangs of cockatoos roam the area. Shortly after the Spring Equinox, the pair of ravens that share our part of the world, bring their babies down from the forest. Then for the remainder of the year, we are entertained with the antics of these youngsters. Powerful owls hatch around Beltane.

Reptiles & Insects
Snakes & skinks are becoming more active. Imperial white butterflies fly around the mistletoe, and scarab beetles cluster around the streetlights.

Compiled by Elkie

Imbolc, what to do what to do?

It comes in 8 days now - on Saturday the 1st of August is Imbolc, signifying the end of Winter. The southern hemisphere is soon going to start getting warmer... although I don't look forward to the scorching Melbourne days!

IMBOLC

Clean your room and your house, light !

Place a yellow altar cloth upon the altar and bless Brigid -

The Celtic goddess Brigid is the traditional patroness of healing (represented by twin serpents), poetry (the ancient Celtic tradition of see-poets and Bardic lore were the primal retainers of culture and learning), and smithcraft (her sisters carry the alchemical sword and blacksmithing tongs). All of these elements are all practical and inspired wisdom and creativity.

Consistent with Celtic lore, Brigid's women are honoured and highly respected. Brigid is not compromised by allegiance to one lover or husband, so is free to utilise her healing powers for the good of all.

from www.goddess.com.au

In one of her many aspects, Brighid is known as the bride. She is a symbol of fertility and good fortune, and is seen as yet one more step in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

from www.paganwiccan.about.com

Place snowdrop flowers on the alter, or another variety of white flower to signify the return of Spring.
I MAY also make this (also from paganwiccan.about.com):

Braided bread is found in many forms, in many cultures. This one is a simple one, and is perfect for serving at your Imbolc feast. The braid symbolizes Brighid in her aspect as the bride, representative of her fertility and position as a hearth goddess. Serve this tasty braided bread with warm butter for dipping.

Prep Time: 1 hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 loaves frozen bread dough, thawed (this is in the frozen foods section at the grocery store)
• 1 egg
• Water
• Sesame seeds

Preparation:

Allow the bread loaves to defrost at room temperature. Before it begins to rise, cut each loaf in half with a large pizza cutter or a knife. Roll each half out until it's about 18" long, and about an inch thick. You'll end up with six of these long strips.

Take three of the strips, and braid them together, trying not to stretch them out too much. When you've reached the end of the braid, tuck the ends underneath themselves. Repeat the process with the other three strips, making a second braid.

Place the braids either on a baking stone, or on a pan that has been sprinkled with cornmeal.

Beat the egg in a small bowl, and add 2 Tbsp. water. Lightly brush the egg and water mixture over the braids, and then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let them rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

Bake at 375 (or 190 celsius) for 30 minutes, or until a light golden brown color. Remove from baking sheet, and allow to cool for 15 minutes or more before serving.

** Note: if you want to really jazz this up, use different types of bread, such as white and wheat. The end result is visually very appealing, with the different colors braided together.

I'm also going to be leaving my favourite green scarf on the doorstep for Brigid to bless:

In Celtic Pagan stories, Brighid's mantle carries with it blessings and powers of healing. Many people believe that if you place a piece of cloth out upon your hearth at Imbolc, Brighid will bless it in the night. Use the same cloth as your mantle each year, and it will gain strength and power each time Brighid passes by. The mantle can be used to comfort and heal a sick person, and to provide protection for women in labor. A newborn baby can be wrapped in the mantle to help them sleep through the night without fussing.

To make a Brighid's mantle of your own, find a piece of green cloth long enough to comfortably wrap around your shoulders. Leave it on your doorstep on the night of Imbolc, and Brighid will bless it for you. In the morning, wrap yourself in her healing energy.

from paganwiccan.about.com

I'm going to make an oil blend rather than gather these forms of incense... hard to say - OR I will be burning an oil combination of simply cinnamon, orange and rose...... it could get too complicated otherwise!:

• 2 parts cedar
• 2 parts frankincense
• 1 part pine resin
• 1 part cinnamon
• 1 part orange peel
• 1/2 part rose petals

HAPPY IMBOLC!

Southern Hemisphere rites

Samhain: ( April 30th )
It's the Wiccan New Year. A time for meditation and remembering of those who have passed away, coinciding with the end of the harvest, and when they say the veil between this world and the other thins to it's most. In the anglosaxon countries it's celebration lived on with the Halloween feasting, taking some of it's symbols like Jack o'Lanterns. A sabbath traditionally considered as excellent for divination, and on which offerings are left at the doorsteps for the souls of the Dead which come to visit. At this Sabbath we celebrate de death of the God and the promise of his rebirth in Yule
Yule: ( June 21st )
The Winter Solstice Festival, when the sun, after it's withdrawal and the longest night of the Year, starts to come back closer to the Earth. This new closeness marks the rebirth of the God from his own seed planted on the Goddess, and was later taken by christianity as Christ's birth day (keep in mind Yule falls near christmas in the northern hemisphere). It's a solar festival, in which traditionally all lights and fires were put down, lighting a new one by midnight using rubbing methods. Then, from that first fire all the rest were lit. We find something similar in the England of the victorian period with the Yule Log, which was burnt slowly all along the year and was said to prevent the house from being struck by lighting.
Imbolc: ( August 2nd )
Fire festival, taken by the christians later to their Candlemass celebration. At this time we celebrate the first hints of spring after the long winter. It's the childhood of the God, and a celtic traditions honours on this day the Goddess, calling that feast Brigantia.
Ostara: ( September 21 st )
Spring Equinox. The God is young, and him and the Goddess fall in love, their love renowing Nature like the sun that gently caress the earth, also inspiring the animals to multiply. It's a feast of love and growth.
Beltane: ( Octubre 31st )
Celebrated with famous fires, it's perhaps the most well known Sabbath after Samhain. It's THE fertility festival, where we celebrate the union of the Goddess and the God. It still survives in the May Poles in some places of the Northern Hemisphere. This celebration was condemned by the Church, saying it promoted indecent sexual behaviour.
Midsummer: ( December 21st )
Summer's Solstice, where the God reaches the peak of it's power before starting it's withdrawal again. The shortest night of the year, and traditionally good for magick and love rites.
Lughnassadh: ( February 2nd )
The feast of the celtic god Lugh, identified with the Sun, and one of the names the God can take upon Himself. The power of the God is lesser, but even then he blesses the cattle in a traditional ceremony where they're driven over the ashes of the fires lit during the festival.
Mabon: ( March 21st )
The Autumn Equinox, when the Earth gets ready for the absence of the God and the days start to get sensibly shorter. It's a good time for meditation and introspection.



Source:
http://www.puertasdebabel.com/wicca/beliefs/wheel2.htm