JUNE 21^st SOUTHERN DECEMBER 21^st NORTHERN

Also known as: winter solstice; alban; arthuan; wolfmoon; saturnalia; sol invictus.

There has always been a miraculous child born at the winter solstice, Dionysus, Attis, Mithras, Baal, and Jesus to name a few.

The norsemen also celebrated the birth of frey and freya at this time.

The house is decked with as much greenery as possible and gifts are exchanged at this time. It is the high feast of the pagan year.

Guardians light green candle in cauldron & red candle in bank of greenery before rite. As each one enters they light their red candle and any other candles they have brought for loved ones and friends that they wish to remember at this time. These are placed in the bank of greenery. Each one then washes their hands in the herb water and dries them on a towel provided.

All move to places in circle.

Priest: Cast circle

All: Visualise its blue flame. Dance deosil around circle .

Air : Make banishing pentacle . Make invoking pentacle. Silent call to Air. Light incense. Walk incense around circle.

Fire: Make banishing pentacle . Make invoking pentacle. Silent call to Fire. Light elemental candles. Walk fire's candle around circle.

Water: Make banishing pentacle. Make invoking pentacle. Silent call to water. Walk water around circle.

Earth: Make banishing pentacle. Make invoking pentacle. Silent call to Earth. Walk salt around circle.

All: Face east

Water: rings bell 3 times

Air says:

It is early morning in spring. The greenwood land is alive with birdsong, and spring flowers nod their heads in the breeze. Mist gathers in pockets, amidst the trees. We are aware that something approaches. It is Merlin and with him is Cernunnos, the stag of the seven tines. We watch them approach through the misty glade and welcome them in our hearts.

All: Turn south

Fire says:

It is a hot summers day. It is almost time for the mid-day break. We pause to take a rest under a large leafy tree. In the distance we hear the sound of a single horse. It is Arthur, king of the round table who approaches on the white mare of the sacred hills. Welcome! Arthur and Epona to our circle this Yule tide.

All: Turn west

Water says:

Its a beautiful autumn glowing sunset over a darkened sea. We taste the salt as we gaze out to sea, enjoying the sunset glow. Along the shoreline, we see a woman approach, leading the sacred cow of the western isles. The setting sun highlights the woman's beautiful long red hair. We welcome Morgan Le Fey and Mona the sacred cow.

All: Turn north

Earth says:

It is midnight and all is still, it is cold and dark. We can barely make out the distant hills, the trees are dark and bare. We crunch snow beneath our feet and shiver beneath our cloaks. A female figure approaches through the sleet, accompanied by a bear. She is Guinevere and with her is Artos, great bear of the north. We welcome them this night.

All: Face altar

Priest says:

Sylphs, salamanders, nymphs and gnomes and the guardians of the stones, we call you now and welcome you.

All: We welcome you

Priestess says:

O! Crescent one of starry skies,
Flowered one of fertile plains,
Flowing one of oceans sighs.
Hear our call in circle rightly cast
and open up your mystic light to all.
Let the wind carry the sound of bells
To waken our souls to higher realms.
(rings string of bells)
Charge our circle this night with your love.

Priest says:

O! Ancient one, king of the sun, master of all that is wild and free, O winged one of shining skies, o fiery lord your time has come. Descend we pray with your solar ray of power upon our circle here.

Water: Rings bell 3 times

All: Meditate on tarot card. Temperance xiv (14)

Priest says:

In silence and wonder we stand before the sacred cauldron of rebirth knowing that one day each one of us must pass through the cauldron and be reborn. For this we give honour to the triple goddess. (light white goddess candle). Fair maiden may you plant your seeds of joy and new life within our lives. (lights red goddess candle). Dear mother may you grant us gifts of creative ideas and the strength to bring them to completion. (lights black goddess candle). O wise crone, goddess of magic, may you give us wisdom to understand the magical mysteries.

Priestess says: (lights green candle)

Greetings to the new born lord of the forests, the divine sun child who comes once more into the world. We welcome you child and consort of the goddess.

Water: Takes bell to the east and rings 3 times

All: Rejoice o powers of air, welcome the divine child

Water: Takes bell to the south and rings 3 times

All: Rejoice O powers of fire, welcome the divine child

Water: Takes bell to the west and rings 3 times

All: Rejoice o powers of water, welcome the divine child

Water: Takes bell to the north and rings 3 times

All: Rejoice o powers of earth, welcome the divine child

Water: Takes bell to altar and rings 3 times and returns to place.

All: Hail to the god of the wood lands and new life, we give you honour and ask your blessing.

(stand in silence to receive blessing)

Water: Rings bell 3 times

All: Hail triple goddess, bringer of light out of darkness and new life out of the cauldron of rebirth,

we give you honour and ask your blessing. (stand in silence to receive blessing)

Water: Rings bell 3 times

Cakes and ale

Priest: Blesses ale and says "Hail to the returning sun, to the old gods."

Priestess: Blesses cakes and says "To the holly and the oak and the lady."

1st guardian says:

We give thanks to all present may they go in power, so mote it be

All : So mote it be

2nd guardian says:

Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again. This rite is done. (snuff out candles)

Priest says:

These go out but not the sun, we do not end what has begun

All: So mote it be.

Water: Rings bell 3 times.

All: Dance widdershins around circle

Take offerings outsides. Exchange of presents . And feast.

Make bonfire prior to dawn. Form circle around fire.

East: Make pentacle and do silent call. Lights incense.

South: Make pentacle and do silent call. Lights red candle.

West: Make pentacle and do silent call. Sprinkles water on each one present.

North: Make pentacle and do silent call. Throws herbs and a small amount of cinnamon onto fire.

Priest: This is winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Darkness reigns triumphant, yet gives way and changes into light. Our sun King approaches from the underworld. Within the sacred cauldron he awaits rebirth. Once again he will be transformed into the new-born divine child of Light.

All: Hail lord of light.

Priestess: All is cold, we await the coming of the dawn. As the sun rises the triple goddess once more gives birth to the divine child. In silence and wonder we stand before the sacred cauldron of rebirth, knowing that one day we too must pass through the cauldron and be reborn. For this we give honour to the triple goddess.

All: Blessed be our mother.

East: Rejoice O powers of air.

South: Rejoice O powers of fire.

West: Rejoice O powers of water.

North: Rejoice O powers of earth.

All: We welcome the divine child.

Priest: We ask a blessing on this house and all who are gathered here, this happy solstice time. We sing and dance and make carouse, to celebrate deep winters clime. For Herne is here and mistletoe, the holly and its berries bloom, we dance and sing around we go on our bonfire night.

Each one present places a pine cone on the fire.

Music starts, dancing starts.

Water rings bell 3 times.

Priest raises ale and says: to the bright sun king.

Priestess raises cakes and says: to the mother.

Cakes and ale are passed around the circle and then the solstice eve wine is given to the elements.

1st guardian: We thank the elemental realms, bright blessings on the Lord and lady, we thank them for their presence.

2nd guardian: Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again. This rite is done.

Fire: Snuffs candle.

All dance deosil around the fire . When the coals are right, breakfast is cooked.

This breakfast consists of sausages and eggs, toast, milk, honey and butter.

These represent the goddess and god and the harvest.

Those attending should bring: their tarot cards; red candle for themselves and one for each person they wish to remember at this time; a pine branch and cones; rosemary; an apple / an orange; a home-made gift for each one present; they should bring something to eat and drink

Foods to choose from: braai meat; curried fish; dried meat; soup; meat stews;

All vegetable dishes and salads

Dessert: ginger bread; fruit cake; mince pies; nut cakes & cookies; hot puddings

Bread: whole wheat; garlic; nut

Drinks: ale / beer; cider; sweet wine; spiced wine; cherry / ginger brandy, Mead; ginger beer; fruit juice

Dress: any; black robe; with red / karmic headband