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Planetary Ritual for Yule: Magical Astrology - Sarolta
<Editors Note: The following article is an
excerpt from the book: "The Magical Astrology Guide for the Year 2000" by Sarolta
DeFaltay-Bell.)>
Planetary Ritual for Yule: Magical Astrology by Sarolta
by Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
The following is an excerpt from the book:
Magical Astrology Guide 2000 by Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell, ©1999. 2001 Edition
available at: http://www.moonspells.com
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.
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 anointing 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 anointed 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 yourbath, bring your candles with you to the circle,
and place on the altar or at the quarters.
The Altar: Decorate with an abundance of ever-greens, 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: pink, red 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.
Planetary Meditations:
I have chosen three aspects that are active now as a focus for our meditation.
Candles: The pink candle represents Mars in Libra trine Juno in Pisces.
[Juno is an asteroid that represents the goddess of marriage and partnerships; for more
on the asteroid goddesses, go to: http://www.enteract.com/~deepsky/goddess.html]
Write down how you can expand your awareness of balance and harmony within. Who are you,
truly? Who are you in relationship? Focus on harmony between you and your loved ones.
Light your candle as you say your goal aloud, or meditate on its meaning.
Repeat with the following:
The red candle represents the the Sun/Mars sextile, representing conviction and courage
to shine in a poweful way. Focus intently on changes you'd like to make, and focus
intently as you light your candle.
The brown candle represents the Sun in Capricorn. 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, anoint 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 Year, in perfect love and perfect trust. Blessed Be.
©1999 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
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