Simple Yule Ritual for Beginners
Materials
Needed:
Dirt
from the land you live on (to represent the Earth)
A
candle (bright yellow to represent fire, and the sun)
Water
(to represent, of course water. From
your tap is fine)
Incense
(to represent air. Any scent you
feel is appropriate will do)
An
evergreen branch (small or large will do)
A
small offering to the Reborn God (incense, something handmade by you, a string
of beads, ect)
And
most important, a quiet ritual space where you will not be disturbed.
Additional
materials, such as pinecones, antlers, flowers, ect can be added to the ritual
space as desired. I usual have many
things around me, that have special meaning to me, but this is meant to be a
very simple ritual for the newcomer, so I will forgo adding more than needed.
Place
the Earth element in the North, the Air in the East, the Fire in the South, and
the Water in the East. Try to place
them so that you can reach each of them easily from one position.
This can be on a small table, a tree stump, or the ground. If you wish, cover the area with a cloth that you will only
use for ritual to help put you in the right frame of mind for it.
Light the Fire candle, and meditate on what Yule means to you.
If you are still learning, and are not quite sure of what it does mean to
you, read this- https://www.angelfire.com/ca5/witchcraftstudies/yule.html
This
was written by Mike Nichols, and should help you understand the day even more.
After
meditating, pick up the bowl of Dirt, and say (or think), “I am of this Earth,
forever linked to the Gods.” Draw
a pentacle in the dirt. Replace.
Next
pick up the Incense, drawing a pentacle in front of your with it say, “This is
the breath of the Gods, which gives me life.”
Replace.
Picking
up the candle, say, “This is the Flame that warms our heart, just as the love
of the Goddess and the God warms our souls.”
Replace.
Last,
pick the bowl of Water up, and say, “And this the ever-changing waters and
nourishes life, without which we would not be.”
Replace.
Think
on the God’s rebirth, and the lengthening days that follow the Winter
Solstice. Say what is in your heart at this time to the Goddess and the
God. If you are in a situation that
you are not comfortable to speak aloud, then think those words.
Next,
take the offering you are giving to the Gods up in your hands, hold it to the
sky and say, “This is my gift to you, for you have given many gifts to me.
This symbolizes my pledge to you.”
Replace. Add why to this why
you chose this offering.
Now
for the closing of your ritual. Take
up the Earth again, saying, “Thank you for watching over my rite.”
Pour the dirt back onto the ground if outside, if not, wait till you are
completely finished then do it. Say
the thank you for each of the elements. Pour
the water out onto the ground as well. Take your offering to a favorite tree or plant of yours, and
either place it on the branches where it won’t be disturbed, or bury it near
the roots. Place the incense
under/over the offering, and leave it to burn itself out.
Take the candle inside, and place in a window. Let it burn all the way out.
(Make sure there aren’t any curtains or other flammable materials
nearby that could catch fire. Be
safe.) Spend the rest of the day
aware of the significance of the day.
If
you have any changes that you would like to make for yourself in this ritual, go
ahead. Paganism is a living religion, always growing and expanding.
To the new person, I would suggest keeping it as simple as possible.
This is why you will not see the usual tools, such as the knife or a
circle used here. It is not needed. They have their purposes.
Go
with the Gods, Blessed Be.
