Yule

Description:  The renewal and birth of the sun during winter.
Date:  Winter Solstice

    Begin by erecting an altar, facing north.  Around it cast your circle.  Lay down a red altar cloth (if you choose to use none or you have a usual color that is your choice).  Decorate the altar with evergreen twigs, (holly, mistle toe, pine, etc.)  or potted plants.  In the center of the altar place a white candle.  Place a chalice of wine (or juice), and a censor of incense (bayberry, cedar, pine, or rosemary), to the left of the candle.  To the right of the candle place a consecrated athame and a dish of salt.
     Take the athme in your right hand and scoop up alittle salt with the tip of the blade.  Drop the salt into the circle.  Repeat three times and say:
          Blessed be this sacred sabbat circle
          In the name of the Goddess and the God
          Oh MOther divine
          Blessed be this sacred sabbat circle
          In your name
    
     Return the athame to its place on the altar.  After lighting the incense and white candle, once again take the athame in your right hand.  Dip the blade into the wine (or juice) and say:
          O great Goddess
          Earth mother of all living things
          Blessed be
          O great God of the hunt
          Earth father of all living things
          Blessed be

          Water, air, fire, earth
          We celebrate the suns rebirth
          On this dark and longest day
          We burn the sacred candles bright

    Return the athame to the altar.  Pick up the chalice with both hands, and as you raise it to your lips say:
          This wine i drink to honor thee
          O Goddess of wisdon
          O God of all things wild and free
          We thank thee for the light of the sun
          Hail to the Goddess and God

    Drink the wine and then return the chalice to its place on the altar.  LIght the candles (or fire) in the cauldron (if you dont have one just use lots of candles to symbolize it) and end the winter solstice rite saying:
          The sacred fire burns
          The great solar wheel once again turns
          So mote it be.

    Close the circle.
    Celebrate merrily and feast with family and friends until the last candle (or yule log) in the cauldron burns itself out.