Yule ~ December 21^st.

(A Victorian Grimoire ~ Patricia Telesco ~ Llewellyn Publishing 1996 ~ PPS 55-58)

This is the longest night of the year and the time for awakenings. Fires are kindled to give the sun strength for its long voyage back to the skies. Fire also invokes the magick of protection and fortitude. Victorian ornaments depicted fruits, nuts and berries, which were reminiscent of the earliest ornaments made and were meant to appease the tree spirits and bring fruit back to the bare branches.

          Invocation

What is this dream that comes to me

This longing in the spring

To whisper with a playful glee

Of Magick, wondrous things?

So it is that I am born

The child with gossamer wings

Appearing with a sounding horn

And ageless songs to sing

I ring the bells amidst the green

I spread the dewdrops round

I become the faerie queen

And dance with holly crowned

What is this dream that come to me?

These thoughts of summer days

To wish that I were flying free

In forest filled with fae

So it is that I am born

The lass with harp in hand

Strumming tunes to grow the corn

And bring life to the land

I move the winds all through the glade

A dance the moon gold sun

I become the merry maid

And dance till day is done

What is this dream that comes to me?

This muse as fall draws nigh

To speak of things still yet to come

As winds that bend and sigh

So it is that I am born

The woman at the well

With songs of love upon this morn

And stories yet to tell

I aid the ladies giving birth

I harvest ripened fields

I become as Mother Earth

And dance till daylight yields

What is this dream that comes to me?

Reflections in the white

T o share of things that I have seen

Of Grails still shining bright

So it is that I am born

The Old one close to death

With wisdom writ on pages worn

And humor in each breath

I speak now with a quiet tone

I look with inner sight

I become the Ancient Crone

And dance with darkest night

This invocation is a celebration of the Goddess in all her aspects, including the dark that now covers the Earth. It speaks of the cycle of hope, and the knowledge of the dawn still to come. There is music to this particular piece which may be obtained by sending and SASE to the author via Llewellyn Publications.

          Prayer

Winters quiet with blowing snows

Greets the night and halts all foes

Till comes the light and she who knows

Touch the stones with crystal veils

The stag returns to tell the tale

With lessons learned, the Goddess hail!

          Activities

A season for new awareness is upon us, calling us to take on new projects and make changes. The world is still in hibernation, but each time the ground is warmed something starts to grow. Plant a seed in the rich soil of self and nurture it until spring. Light a Yule log to warm both home and heart and spend time with old friends.

          Tools and Ritual Components