Friday Form A Circle - Yule Ritual Bath & Ritual

Pre-Solstice  Yule Ritual Bath
By: Karri Allrich
(I could not find a page for her  - -I found many thing written
by & about her, but not a page of just Karri : (
December 13th, 2003

During the Winter Solstice, we often place emphasis on celebrating and sharing this joyous, but often difficult, holiday. For Witches, however, now may also serve as a time to attune to a quiet, internal spirituality. To begin to do so (with the solstice less than ten days away now), prepare a ritual bath with oils of rosemary, pine, and orange. Add a touch of patchouli for grounding. Light gold and green candles, and immerse yourself in watery solitude to refresh your weary holiday spirit. Meditate on the winter goddess and her lesson of stillness. Find the cool and clean space she offers, free of clutter and activity. It is the season for centering and grounding ourselves, and for defining who we really are. After the bath, take your journal and write down your goals by candlelight. Contemplate the coming rebirth, and identify which direction you wish to channel your energy and focus your intentions.

Suggested Ritual
This came from my online"stash," but a quick Google shows it originally came from The Silver Line

 

Cleanse yourself and your space in your normal manner (there's suggested Cleansing instructions for the Ritual Bath, Self and your Sacred Space in our Glade of Worship section that you may like to try). Cast the Circle in your usual manner (there's a suggested Circle Casting Instructions in our Rituals section you may like to try!), invoking your personal Goddesses and  Gods. Then bring the God candle used on Samhain to the front of the altar. Say:

"As this candle represents the Lord of the Sun,
As did it's blowing out represent His passing,
As will it's lighting represent His return."

Take an altar candle and light the God candle. Bringing the altar candle with you, move around the altar to the Yule log at the rear. Light the first candle, saying:

"Blessed be the Goddess
In her maiden form, fresh and young.
May all the world be born
Young again with her."

Light the second candle, saying:

"Blessed be the Goddess
In her motherly form,
Lovely and heavy with child.
May all that springs from her womb
Be strong and fruitful."

Light the third candle, saying:

"Blessed be the Goddess
In the form of the crone,
Powerful and wise.
Guardian of magic
And the wheel of life."

Now the Yule log has been lit, put the altar candle in it's place. Return to the front of the altar and stand, facing East. Speak these words:

"On this night the Lord of the Sun is reborn and the Goddess and the God are reunited. As the sun returns and the wheel of the year turns once more, we honor the Goddess and the newly born God, our Mother and Father."

Now is the time for any seasonal activities that you had planned for this evening. Magic is not really appropriate, though introspection upon peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness may be undertaken. Other activities may include singing, decorating the Yule tree, etc. Once finished, celebrate with Cakes and Ale, then release the circle in your normal manner.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.