YULE Whatever your religious persuasion, Christmas/Yule is a holiday of merry making. Families and friends gather in festive spirit. Houses are festooned with tiny lights and garlands of fresh pine and there is a general up swelling of a celebratory heart. One of the cheeriest ways to commune on this day is to participate in the ancient rite of sumbling. This is a sharing of toasts and boasts that gets everyone laughing and sharing in spirit and good cheer. You will need a huge chalice full of brew, wine, nog or mead. Gather friends ‘round in a circle. Whoever is the host shall be the first to begin the sumble. Raise the chalice and proclaim something that you want to brag about, some accomplishment of yours this year. You can make this very dramatic and overly full of your self. Then take a sip of brew and pass the chalice to the next celebrant. He then raises the chalice and boasts of his achievement this year or something he is very proud of. Make it loud and boisterous. The second round is about gloating over how fabulous you are. Each participant in turn will raise the chalice and say something about themselves that they think is their best quality. Be imaginative and in good humor. The Third and final round is an oath, kind of like a New Years resolution where you swear to something important to you. Don’t forget to save a last sip to pour into the fire as an offering to the attending gods and goddesses. Merry Meet! ~ Igraine from Llewellyn's 2010 Witches Spell-A-Day |
| Astrology, Tarot & Inspiration |
The Winter Solstice The return of the Oak King! *Light ascends* Here comes the Sun The Sun moves into Capricorn at the Winter Solstice This year it occurs on December 21st @ 12:47 PM EST The Sabian Symbol for the Solstice is: "An indian chief claims power from the assembled tribe" This is especially interesting as PLUTO is conjunct the SUN as he enters over the threshold this year allowing him access to POWER and DOMINION We can see the light and shadow of this metaphorically in this Sabian Symbol |
Exploration Tarot Spread for the Winter Solstice Sabian Symbol Shuffle your tarot deck, cut to the left with your left hand 2 times Restack the deck and fan out Pick 4 cards to answer these questions: #1 In WHAT WAY do I need to claim authority? #2 HOW can I best show my light? #3 WHERE might I struggle for control? #4 WHAT is my true place in the tribe? |
Carol for Yule Sing a song ~ of holiday and magic Voices strong ~we’re honoring this day Join along ~in Solstice celebration Merrily, merrily Winter’s here! Circle ‘round, ~PanGaia is rejoicing Our Lord’s found ~his way back to this world Love’s abound ~the Sun King reigns in glory Joyfully, joyfully Yuletide cheer! La! La! La! Gather all together Fa! Fa! Fa! Spirited and gay Holly leaves, mistletoe, kiss my lips, all aglow Take me by the hand and we’ll make angels in the snow! Capricorn ~ has entered in the heavens Blow the horn ~as Saturn takes the throne We’re reborn! ~The winter nights grow longer Heralding, heralding this New Year! Apples, nog, ~the chestnuts are aroasting Solstice log ~is blazing in the fire Spit the hog ~and turn him five times over Cheerily, cheerily feasting's near! Chorus ~Igraine sans music |
Wishing you all a Happy Yuletide! |
