Vagabond Soul

Winter Solstice – December 20-23

At Yule the Goddess gives birth to her Son, the God. This is also the origin of the idea that Jesus and Mithras were born at this time of year. Yule is the shortest day of the year. Earlier peoples noticed such changes and supplicated the forces of nature to lengthen the days and shorten the nights. Witches sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun rise as a fitting finale to their efforts. Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the Sun is reborn as well. Thus, Witches light fires or candles to welcome the Sun’s returning light. The Goddess, slumbering through the winter of Her labour, rests. At Yule, We celebrate the return journey of the Sun, and the life it will bring.

Yule is the Winter Solstice. It is the time of the shortest daylight hours in the year, and of course, the longest night. The Goddess gives birth to the God at this time, representing a rebirth of light.

It is the time of year when the Earth (wood) spirits are encouraged to rest, in preparation for all the hard work ahead of them to replenish the Earth with the fresh blooms of new life, the forthcoming of spring. Celebrations were held in honor of the wood spirits. Trees were brought into the homes, and decorated with bells, candles and brightly colored threads to attract the spirits. Bread, fruit and nuts were hung from the branches to provide food for the spirits. Group singing (caroling) was also a way of guiding the spirits towards the shelter of the homes and Yule logs were lit to provide warmth. This festival has been adapted since its earlier Pagan origin to be known as the more popular festival Christmas.

Yule coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. This Sabbath represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of the year, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and hope for new light is reborn. Some covens hold a Festival of Light to commemorate the Goddess as Mother giving birth to the Sun God. Others celebrate the victory of the Lord of Light over the Lord of Darkness as the turning point from which the days will lengthen.

The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present. Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree.

The colors of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts. A solar festival, Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. A piece of the log is saved and kept throughout the year to protect the home. That piece is used to light the next year’s log.

Direction: North
Color: Green
Signs: Capricorn, Tarus, Virgo
Runes: Rad, Fehu, Sigel, Gyfu, Jera
Plants/Herbs: Bistort, Fern, Honeysuckle, Horehound, Jasmine, Mandrake, Patchouly, Sage
Tree: Cypress, Pine

Aspects of Earth

Earth is element of the everyday hero, the hunter, the chieftain, and the mother, of  abiding patience and of abundance.

Earth teaches us how to care for ourselves. It is the establishment we rebelled against in our youth and to which we return when we realize how important our connection to home and family can be. It is the element with which we define our home, our family, our planet, our Selves.

Earth gets things done.  It is self-recognition. It calls us to task and sometimes to the carpet and encourages us to achieve.  It shows us the sacred duties inherent in being human in its fullest potential.

Earth is the element of sacred choice that comes with the acceptance of personal, spiritual destiny and is the full understanding of the forms we have chosen for our lives and for the life of our planet. It is the element with which we assume authority and responsibility in our own lives, and in so doing, become the creators of our own destiny.

It is the element by which we regain our connection to natural spiritual wisdom, the revealed truth that comes to us unmasked, as we face our lives directly, head on, for what they truly are.

Earth teaches us the ancient rites of power, the secret ceremonies that connect us to the real inner workings of what we call magick. It is the element of  celebration, ceremony, and ritual traditions.

Earth is humble gratitude,  the grace of accepting the experiences of our lives as part of a greater pattern. It teaches us to relax and enjoy our lives. It shows us how to make that which is routine become ceremonial rituals of honor.

Earth is the element of magnetic force, the inner compass. It always remembers the way home. The element of endurance, it sustains us so long as we do not strain its material limitations.

It is the ancient keystone of power.

for things un-said, un-done
for opportunities missed through ignorance or fear
for the short sightedness of those blinded by hate or greed
for the narrow-mindedness of those who claim enlightenment
and for those who suffer despite their innocence

May we not act in haste and REGRET even more

KeileDe 2007