This year it seems I welcome the growing darkness of the incoming winter storms with greater anticipation than before. I find myself nourished by the deep waters invoked at Samhain, and although the November ritual has not made my fears any less painful, and the Ancestors have guided me to many a bitter conclusion, I feel Solstice is near.
This is it. This is the point where I become one with nature's order, and my own will. I've been here before. I am a mother. I know this urge. I know its pains. And I know its joys. The birth of a new Sun.
Winter Solstice ritual to be performed at home, among your own tribe.
Preface
All invited guests participate in the preparations: prepare offerings, light candles, clear the space; focus on the love and anticipation of the coming event.
Consecration of Time
3 x sound of bells
This is the Time of the Turning!
Come, Tribe, for the time has come
Bring ivy and holly, water and light
The Mother is ready and soon the Sun
Shall conquer the many shades of the Night
Calling of the Quarters
Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born
Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire sleeps
Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred waits
Let there be peace in the North, where the Shadow reigns
Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to our Grove.
Casting the Circle
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the scent and fumes of incense]
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light candles around the circle, clockwise]
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle water using a sprig of juniper]
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of salt and sprinkle it around the circle, clockwise]
Let us join hands, and hold each other dear
The Night is upon us, but soon the Sun will return.
Invocation
Hear me! Oh, Mother and Child!
Hear me! Oh, Steadfast Tribe!
Hear me! Oh, Spirits of the Night!
[face North, where the heart of winter has its seat]
I summon the cold Dark of the North, to strengthen us in its harshest winds,
I summon the Tribe of the Past, to teach us how to outlast the winter, to stand as one,
I summon the growing Light in each one of us, to ache us once more and burst outside.
Beloved Sun, as you die on this longest of nights, we keep vigil until your safe return in the happiest of all mornings. The world is trembling in fear of the cold, and yet here, at the heart of our Tribe's hearth, we kindle love and peace and unison. Together, we have faced the blizzards of the past year, we have overcome the many strikes of people who wished us ill, and we are healing our wounds. Let us bathe in light of the newborn Invincible Sun, gloriously returning from the shadows of naught. Let us stand as one, stronger, wiser, bolder and with new hope. The Goddess never fails her promise, remember.
[Turn towards center of the circle to light a smaller circle of kandles, around the festive wreath of ivy, holly and mistetoe with a great candle in the middle, symbolising the Sun]
With this, we welcome the Great Sun on its way from the Underworld. Behold!
This, we offer - to the Gods [place festive bread on white cloth near the wreath] - most of all to be honoured at Winter Solstice is the Divine Child, the Sun - grant us, oh Invincible Light, the laughter and ever growing curiousness of a child, so that we never lose hope that all things are just as they should be and shall always return to their natural balance. And most of all to be worshipped at Winter Solstice, is the Great Goddess, our Mother Earth - grant us, oh Mother of All, your strength, kindness and love so that we we give birth to the beauty and good in our souls [place honey and dried fruit near the wreath]
This, we offer - to the Tribe [pour whisky into festive quaich near the wreath] - to honour all of our Ancestors, throughout mankind, who honoured the Sun on the night of its renewal, and by celebrating hope on the darkest of nights, teach us about the power of community.
This, we offer - to the Spirits of Winter [place bowl with nuts and buckwheat near the wreath, to be scattered for animals in the forest on the following day] - grant us, Sidhe of the Night, your kind companionship and protection, let us feast tonight as kin, in anticipation of our beloved Sun.
[after offerings have been made, the wreath is lifted and a joyous dance, clockwise, is introduced; when the dance reaches its peak, all suddenly stop at the sound of bells]
Behold, the Sun is near! Bless, oh Divine Voyager, this mistletoe, the Heavenly Herb that grows on the Tree of Life. May your rays shine in its berries and make them radiate with your glory throughout the year. Bless this home, this family, these guests.
[meditation, accepting the blessings, using the power; thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]
Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out candles]
Final benediction: Awen.
End.
