SECTION V - ONLINE RESOURCES
Yule: A Season of Rebirth - Sarolta G. DeFaltay
Web of Light ritual - Brenna Fey D'Amaurot
Yule: A Season of Rebirth
Planetary Ritual for Winter Solstice 1999
© 1999 Sarolta G. DeFaltay
The Yuletide season is drawing near; as the nights grow longer and darker, we have an opportunity to review and complete the current cycle
during these final weeks of the waning year.
Rituals of purification have been traditional in many cultures just before the Winter Solstice, to prepare the body, mind and spirit for a conscious
rebirth in awareness and focus.
The Winter Solstice marks the time in our yearly cycle when the Sun is reborn again, and darkness is dispelled: the beginning of the waxing phase
of the year. It is the birth of the Sun Goddess, Lucina, who grants wishes to those who light fires in her name, and in her role as patroness of
midwifery, assists us in our rituals of rebirth.
Astrology and the magical path have long shared a history, and can add clarity and focus when used together. Every planetary alignment holds an
opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, and contains symbolism that is universally shared. By meditating on current planetary themes, we
can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, and apply it experientially to our lives, through ritual, meditation, and the gradual
unfolding of our own personal myth.
The astrological charts of the Solstices and Equinoxes have been read by astrologers since ancient times for news of the upcoming season, especially
as it pertains to the well-being of nations, their leaders, and the condition of the people. Ingress charts (as they are called) are drawn for the exact
moment the Sun enters one of the four cardinal signs: Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn). Cardinal energy is
initiating, and an excellent time for magickal workings, as practitioners of earth spirituality have known for a long, long time.
Winter Solstice 1999-
This year’s ingress is exact on Dec. 22nd, 1999, 01.44 AM CST
Planetary Themes-
This year's Winter Solstice is highly charged, since the Full Moon is exact this afternoon as well! Festivities will be highly animated, nurturing and
cozy with the Full Moon in Cancer. Magical energy will be high, and those that take the time now to focus on their spiritual practices could be pleased
with their level of concentration.
This year’s chart symbolizes a few different themes, the dominant one growth and self-empowerment, symbolized by the Sun/Jupiter trine, and
spiritual ritual and compassion, symbolized by the Neptune/Vesta sextile.
The Sun, so central to the mythology of Yule, represents the self, identity, empowerment and success; it is in a harmonious aspect with Jupiter, the
planet of growth and expansion. This aspect signals a powerful time to perform rituals of growth, empowerment and mind expansion. We can
move beyond outmoded concepts of who and what we are... let's live our true selves now, and embody those goals we know are within our reach.
Vesta is an asteroid, named after the Goddess of the hearth. She is the preserver of ancient ceremonies, and helps in the transmutation of the
sexual force. She represents dedication and aspiration, and the sacrifices that must be made to attain any goal. In aspect with Neptune, the focusing
principle of Vesta combines with Neptune's urge to transcend, and long term commitment to a spiritual path can be reinforced now through ritual
and introspection.
Sun Goddesses-
Amaterasu: Japanese; arrows, kites
Bast: Egyptian Cat Goddess; represents beneficient power of the Sun; joy, music, dancing
Igaehindvo: Cherokee Sun Goddess
Hsi-Ho: Chinese, "Mother of the Suns"
Knowee: Australian Aborigine Goddess
Lucina: Roman; birth, midwifery
Nahar: Syrian Sun Goddess
Sapas: Phoenician; "Torch of the Gods"
Sekhmet: ("The Powerful")Egyptian Lion-Headed Goddess, represents the destructive power of the Sun
Shapash: Sumerian Sun Goddess
Suwa: early Arabian Sun Goddess
Wurusemu: Hittite; Goddess of Battles
Yhi: Australian Aborigine Goddess
Yuletide Herbal Lore-
Bay Laurel: write wishes on bay leaves and burn in Yule fire (or put into incense)
Blessed Thistle: use in incense or ritual cup to invoke the newly born Sun. Chamomile:To invoke solar energy, use in incense, ritual bath or cup.
Frankincense: Solar incense for purity, strength; use oil on orange/gold candle.
Holly: Decorate the altar for protection and devotion; burn at Candlemas. Hyssop: Spiritual bathing, clarity, washing ritual items and temple space.
Ivy: Fidelity, valour, victory; Yule altar decoration burned at Candlemas. Juniper: Purification, potency, love, psychic powers; use berries in Yule
incense, decorate altar with branches.
Mistletoe: Protection, love, fertility; altar decoration burned at Candlemas Oak: Health, healing and potency; wood often used as "Yule Log"; associated with Vesta and fire rituals.
Rosemary: Empowers memory, love and loyalty; use in ritual bath or cup to invoke the Sun’s energy.
These herbs can be utilized in ritual by making an incense, or annointing candles with essential oil. They can be sewn into a charm bag and
consecrated (dedicated to a single purpose), and worn when needed.
Ritual Bath: Bay Leaves, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Hyssop, Rosemary. Place any or all herbs in cheesecloth and tie well; run under tap. You can
also make a strong tea from the herbs, and strain into the bath. Light orange or gold candles annointed with frankincense oil or solar tea, and
imagine a golden glow in your bath and around your aura. Bathe yourself in the herbs and the solar energy, clearing away anything you no longer
need to hold on to. After your bath, bring your candles with you to the circle, and place on the altar or at the quarters.
The Altar: Decorate with an abundance of evergreens, to welcome the nature spirits to the festivities. Keep the greenery on the altar for
protection until Candlemas, when they can be burned in honor of Brigit at her fire ritual.
You will need three candles: gold, pale blue, and brown.
Ritual: Cast the circle, call in the quarters, and call upon a Solar Deity, if you choose, or just imagine your circle infused with orange-gold solar
power. Prepare incense.
Incense: Bay, Blessed Thistle, Cedar, Chamomile, Frankincense, Juniper Berries, Oak Bark, Rosemary. Bring any or all of the above ingredients
into your ritual circle and add each herb one at a time, while grinding by hand with a mortar and pestle and focusing on the properties of each herb
as it is added. Consecrate your incense by dedicating it to the Sun or one of the Sun Goddesses, and charge it full of solar light. When the incense is
prepared, burn some on a charcoal as you focus in on your goal.
Candles: The gold candle represents the Sun/Jupiter trine. Write down how you can expand your awareness by letting go of outmoded beliefs
about who you are. Who are you, truly? What can you learn/study in order to expand your sense of self-empowerment? Light your candle as you say
your goal aloud, or meditate on its meaning.
Repeat with the following:
The pale blue candle represents the Vesta/Neptune sextile. Write down what you will dedicate yourself to in the upcoming year, and what you are
willing to sacrifice in order to attain your goal. Focus intently as you light your candle.
The brown candle represents the Sun in Capricorn/Moon in Cancer. Write down where you need discipline in order to manifest your most cherished
goals. This is where you ground the energies of your ritual. As you light the brown candle, imagine that you have roots that extend deep into the earth, and affirm that the energy of your ritual will be given substance, and will
manifest in tangible ways for the highest good of all.
When you feel the ritual is complete, thank the Sun Goddess, and burn each paper as you focus once again on the intention of the goal, releasing
the energy to the wind and elemental helpers. Thank the nature spirits, Deities or elementals, and close your circle, allowing the candles to burn
all the way down, or instead, burn them for a little while for the next several days, symbolizing the newly waxing year.
I always like to "charge" a few candles during a Sabbat ritual; I use the large glass-encased candles, annoint them with oil, light them during ritual
as above with full intent, add appropriate herbs, and consecrate. I always use them later when I need to focus or bring in some extra energy. You can
burn your candle anytime you’re working on your goal; they can bring you back to your Yuletide ritual , reinforcing your focus on the dreams for the
future. May the magic of rebirth take you where you need to be in the New
Millenium, in perfect love and perfect trust. Blessed Be.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beyerl, Paul. A Compendium of Herbal Magick. Custer, WA: Phoenix Publishing, Inc., 1998.
Budapest, Zsuzsanna. The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries.
Oakland, CA: Wingbow Press, 1989.
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1985.
Farrar, Janet & Stewart. The Witches’ Goddess. Custer, WA: Phoenix Publishing, Inc., 1987.
George, Demetra. Asteroid Goddesses. San Diego, CA: ACS Publications, 1986.
Hopman, Ellen Evert. A Druid’s Herbal. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 1995.
Simms, Maria Kay. The Witch's Circle. St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1998.
Smith, Steven R. Wylundt’s Book of Incense. York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1996.
Starck, Marcia. Healing With Astrology. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1997.
Starhawk.The Spiral Dance. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1988.
Walker, Barbara G. The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1988.
Zalewski, C.L. Herbs In Magic and Alchemy. Dorset, UK: Prism Press, 1990.
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Sarolta G. DeFaltay is an astrologer and tarot consultant, and works with clients to create personal rituals based on individual needs and astrological cycles. Her book: "Magical Astrology Guide for the Year 2000", is NOW available! Call 773.227.1066 for information. She also writes Daily Horoscopes and New Moon Magic for every sign...
http://www.i.am/deepskies.
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Web of Light ritual
By Brenna Fey D'Amaurot
Copyright 1999
Materials:
12 white votive candles
1 white or vanilla votive or taper candle in special candle holder
quartz crystals
bowl of spring water, cleansed and charged
Timing:
December 31st start before 12PM, (rec: 11:30 PM)
Setup:
place all 12 votives in a circle. You will be sitting inside this circle. In the
center, have your altar or just white cloth with your bowl of water and your thirteenth candle. Also have your quartz crystals in a pouch or pile
near the center.
Ritual:
1. Sit in the center of the circle and light the 12 perimeter candles. As you
light them, imagine a chain of golden light connecting each one. This is how you are casting your circle. Chant "we are a circle within a circle,
with no beginning and never ending." This chant is chosen to enable you to connect to all your friends and loved ones, wherever they may be. Envision
them, your coven mates, your friends, your fellow witches, all across the world. Feel the connection. When you light all the candles, you will be
encased in a golden thread.
2. Settle yourself in the center of the circle with the thirteenth candle and bowl of water in front of you. Take a few deep breaths. Go into alpha.
3. Stretch out your awareness to touch the perimeter of light around you. Feel its vibrating. Reach above it to feel the threads of destiny between
your loved ones. They are faint but there.
4. Place the quartz crystals around the circle interspersed between the candles. As you do so, feel the thread of light amplify. See silver threads
begin to work their way through the gold. Feel it vibrate faster. Reach out again to your brothers and sisters. The connections are stronger now.
5. In the center again, place your hands into the water. You are reaching into the very womb of the earth, the waters of the Cauldron. Here you can
feel the liquidity of love that flows through the Mother and is there for all Her children. Feel the water warming to your touch. Move your fingers
around in it. Absorb the peacefulness from the water. You are as clean and pure as the water.
6. Remove your hands from the water, still dripping, and reach them up and out. In the air you can feel the vibrations of all the people around you,
hundreds, thousands, millions and billions from all over the world. Feel it all around you. Wrap it around yourself if you can.
7. Light the thirteenth candle in front of you. As you do this, know that you
are joining yourself to the web of light across the planet. That candle is you, the one point of light, added to the many. Now you can feel the
vibrations IN and THROUGH you, you are a part of it all. A great cosmic awareness.
8. 12 PM : at this moment on earth, the new millennium is coming in. All across the planet, people's thoughts are tuned in to this event. Even though
it is happening at different times as the Earth turns, within a few hours of each other all the nations of the world will embrace the 21st century. For
these few moments, the universe will be aligned and all life will be focused together. You can feel the heightening and undulating of the energy waves.
Luxuriate in it. Be with it. Talk to it.
9. After a few moments you will feel the light receding as the event passes and people start to lose focus. Let it go, let it fall back from you like the
waves on the beach. Slowly let yourself come back down. Breathe deeply.
10. Settle back into your own body. Listen for your heartbeat and lower your arms. Focus on your heartbeat until it is the only sound you hear and
you are firmly grounded. Come out of alpha.
11. Sit in peace as long as you like, and when you are done, extinguish the middle candle, then remove the crystals, then extinguish the other candles
one by one widdershins. Pull the light into yourself so it does not go to waste, or pull it into the crystals and keep them for use in later circles or
as power amplifiers on your altar.
