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Ritual for the Winter Solstice
Let all be properly prepared and purified.
In or near the center of the Circle place the Cauldron of
Cerridwen and wreathe it in pine boughs, holly, ivy and mistletoe. It is inside the caulsron that you will lay a balefire of nine woods: rowan, apple, elder, holly, pine, cedar,
juniper, poplar and dogwood, if you can find them.If not, choose from the beginning of the list onward, (starting with Rowan) until you find one.
Both the altar and the Cauldron are decorated with two red candles as well as an unlit red candle or torch for each covener participating in the ritual. Doing this outside is perfect but if you must do it inside, then you will want to extinguish all other lights except the altar candles and those within the Circle. If inside, make the balefire either in a vented room or use incense instead of an actual fire.
The High Priest will first cast the Circle, calling forth the Ancient Ones to bear witness.
Then he will draw down the moon upon the High Priestess. Then the balefire is lit.
The High Priest will then move to the north quarter, before the altar, as the High Priestess will stand in the south quarter.
< The coveners, alternately man and woman, will be gathered in a circle, about the Cauldron.
The circle now moves slowly deosil once around with each covener, in turn, kissing the High Priestess on her cheek; as they pass the High Priest, he will hand each one a candle which they will proceed to light from the balefire.
Coveners dance slowly deosil as the High Priest chants:
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High Priest
Goddess of the Moon, Earth Mother,
Mother of the Sun, Lady of the Stars,
Goddess of all Waters, Lands and Heavens,
Goddess of the Earth and Lover of the God,
Bring to us this Child of Light!
To whom you have given birth;
Our Lord is renewed once again and now reborn.
The Darkness will no longer frighten us
For The Sun shall shine down upon our upturned faces.
The Sun is here once more!
The Oak King has returned to gladden us.
To illuminate the lands again,
To light up the world again,
To warm the oceans and the seas and rivers again,
To renew life once more,
Our sorrows have been laid to rest and our joys countless!
Blessed be the Great Goddess,
Who loves, protects, and replenishes,
As above, So below,
Until Eternity.
Blessed we give thee!
Now everyone will raise their tapers in the air and repeat this:
Our sorrows have been laid to rest and our joys countless!
Blessed be the Great Goddess,
Who loves, protects, and replenishes,
As above, So below,
Until Eternity.
Blessings we give thee! |
High Priestess now joins in the dance, and leads it to a softer and slower rhythm. Many have music played to this.
Now the dancers jump over the burning cauldron by
couples hand in hand. Make sure the fire is very low and that your cauldron is not too large. No one appreciates an accident on a holiday. The last couple over the fire returns after jumping once to offer a sacrifice, usually more incense or anything the coven has chosen beforehand that suits the season. NOTE:This is not a human or blood sacrifice just in case anyone wants to know. We do not do those. You must be thinking of cannibals or some other native tribe.
Now is the time for Cakes and wine. Then you close the circle and proceed to your festivities. When I was small, we usually had a family oriented dance with much feasting, storytelling and games. I always had such a terrible time choosing between all the candies and pies and cakes that my family made. It was like going out to a restaurant and having your choice of desserts from the menu. The worst part about it all was my mom and grandma both making me eat my supper first. lol! I could have done without it, you can be sure, after sneaking handfuls of divinity, fudge, and other candies while they weren't watching. Merry Feasting to you all! May the Goddess Bless your Holiday with your family, whatever you celebrate.
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