SOLSTICE/YULE RITUAL

by Peacesine

Many years ago I created a ritual for my young daughter and myself to bridge the days between my celebration of Yule and the rest of the family's Christmas celebration. I would like to share that with you. To make it easy, I start it on the evening of Dec. 20, regardless of when the solstice actually occurred.

Five candles are placed in a star pattern. The centre candle is white, the top candle is orange and, looking clockwise, the candles should be blue, green, red and yellow. While it would be nice to light the candles each evening at sunset, it's more practical to light them later, perhaps just before the evening meal. A white taper is used as the lighting candle, representing winter. If desired, the candle can be marked with a symbol that is meaningful, such as a peace sign.

On the first night, light the lighting (white) candle. From it, light the spirit candle. On the second night, light the lighting candle, then the spirit candle, then the water candle. So on the fifth night, all five candles (plus the lighting candle) are lit. Say any words or perform a short ceremony which is meaningful to you.

From one evening until the next, make a conscious effort to celebrate and acknowledge:

• December 20-21 - Spirit (spirit – orange candle)
• December 21-22 - Ourselves (water – blue )
• December 22-23 - Environment (earth – green)
• December 23-24 - Others (fire – red)
• December 24-25 - Family (air – yellow)

Plan activities around each day's celebrations. Some suggestions:

• Spirit – On the first evening, December 20, celebrate – sing, dance, eat, thank the God and Goddess for your blessings. Create traditional Yule decorations. For instance decorate evergreen boughs with gifts from nature – pinecones, holly berries and nuts. Light a yule fire, light lots of candles throughout the house and wait for the arrival of the sun. Through the following day take time to meditate, pray, or be in silence. Be aware of the spiritual nature of yourself.
• Ourselves – On the second evening, forget the television and socializing; quietly nuture yourself and show your family how to be good to themselves. The following day should be one of rest and rejuvenation. This is a good day to make your personal plans and set your one- through five-year goals.
• Environment – On the third evening, December 23, clean up your space! Select items for recycling, regifting or reusing. On the following day go out in nature. Listen to the birds sing. Hear the message that the trees are whispering to you. Breathe deeply! Feed the birds, take a walk in the forest, bike or bus it to work.
• Others – On the fourth evening go quietly into the night and anonymously do services for others. Leave packages on doorsteps or drop contributions off in mailboxes. On the following day, do as much for others as you can – volunteer, contribute, donate, help someone. And enjoy it while you're doing it!
• Family – On the fifth evening, the traditional Christmas Eve, be with family. Celebrate in ways that everyone enjoys. Observe others' traditions while creating your own new ones. On the following day, let pettiness go, give love, share, contribute, listen, forgive and don't judge.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again!