Yule is the time of year that the Goddess gives birth to the sun. It is the time when the father God is seen as a young child, and the Goddess seen as a robust, beautiful mother, represented in Christianity of course by Jesus and Mary. Today, we think of Yule as the time to mark the slumber of the Earth. As winter takes over and the world turns from orange to brown, the Earth slumbers and mankind is supposed to watch over it with love, peace and care. During this time, is it common for people to exchange gifts, both as a comfort to ease the sadness of the dying eath, but also as a sign of hope. The act of giving is very important, because it designates the spirituality of man. The Goddess gave us the sun, so we give to each other as well. Many Wiccans find it difficult to reconcile Yule with Christmas, and feel that if they don't celebrate Christmas, they are left out of the entire season, and their children will be sad. I, however, find that the celebration can indeed last for five days--starting on the 21st and ending on the 25th. Five happens to be the number of man (remember the pentagram? 5 senses, 5 points on the body . . .) And there are five days to the celebration of Yule. In celebrating in this way, it is truly a celebration of humanity and the greatness that we have the potential to become. Enjoy the ritual.

YULE CELEBRATION FOR WOMEN***
*THE CAULDRON IS PLACED BY THE SOUTH CANDLE WITH AN UNLIT CANDLE IN IT AND WREATHED WITH HOLLY, IVY AND MISTLETOE. NEED A VEIL. SAY:

"I GROW DESIROUS OF MY LORD,
HIS SEED STIRS WITHIN ME.
THE TIME OF LIGHT IS UPON US."

*DRAWS A VEIL OVER YOUR HEAD AND CIRCLE DOESIL SEVEN TIMES, SAYING:
"RETURN, OH RETURN!
GOD OF THE SUN, GOD OF THE LIGHT RETURN!
WHEN I SEE THEE NOT,
MY HEART GRIEVES FOR THEE,
RETURN! RETURN! RETURN!"

*STAND BEFORE THE ALTAR WITH ARMS UPRAISED, SAYING:
"QUEEN OF THE MOON, QUEEN OF THE SUN,
QUEEN OF THE HEAVENS, QUEEN OF THE STARS,
QUEEN OF THE WATERS, QUEEN OF THE EARTH,
BRING TO US THE CHILD OF PROMISE!
IT IS THE GREAT MOTHER WHO GIVES BIRTH TO HIM;
IT IS THE LORD OF LIFE WHO IS BORN AGAIN;
DARKNESS AND TEARS ARE SET ASIDE WHEN THE SUN SHALL COME UP EARLY!"

*TAKE A CANDLE FROM THE ALTAR AND LIGHT THE CANDLE IN THE CAULDRON, SAYING:
"GOLDEN SUN OF HILL AND MOUNTAIN,
ILLUMINE THE LAND, ILLUMINE THE WORLD,
ILLUMINE THE SEAS, ILLUMINE THE RIVERS,
SORROWS BE LAID, JOY TO THE WORLD!
BLESSED BE THE GREAT GODDESS,
WITHOUT BEGINNING, WITHOUT ENDING,
EVERLASTING TO ETERNITY, IO EVO! HE! BLESSED BE!
IO EVO! HE! BLESSED BE!...."

YULE
(FOR MEN)

*THE CAULDRON IS PLACED BY THE SOUTH CANDLE WITH AN UNLIT CANDLE IN IT AND WREATHED WITH HOLLY, IVY AND MISTLETOE.

*STAND BEFORE THE ALTAR WITH ARMS UPRAISED, SAYING:
"QUEEN OF THE MOON, QUEEN OF THE SUN,
QUEEN OF THE HEAVENS, QUEEN OF THE STARS,
QUEEN OF THE WATERS, QUEEN OF THE EARTH,
BRING TO US THE CHILD OF PROMISE!
IT IS THE GREAT MOTHER WHO GIVES BIRTH TO HIM;
IT IS THE LORD OF LIFE WHO IS BORN AGAIN;
DARKNESS AND TEARS ARE SET ASIDE WHEN THE SUN SHALL COME UP EARLY!"

*TAKE A CANDLE FROM THE ALTAR AND LIGHT THE CANDLE IN THE CAULDRON, SAYING:
"GOLDEN SUN OF HILL AND MOUNTAIN,
ILLUMINE THE LAND, ILLUMINE THE WORLD,
ILLUMINE THE SEAS, ILLUMINE THE RIVERS,
SORROWS BE LAID, JOY TO THE WORLD!
BLESSED BE THE GREAT GODDESS,
WITHOUT BEGINNING, WITHOUT ENDING,
EVERLASTING TO ETERNITY, IO EVO! HE! BLESSED BE!
IO EVO! HE! BLESSED BE!...."