Solstice Story

There was the snow, and the snow fell from the heavens, slowly, thoughtful and deliberate, silent contemplation of a million spirits, crystalline and filled with logic, diversity infinite, and yet, each one did come to bless the child.

There was the night, and she was quiet, she was holy, as all nights are, and even when the nights were dancing, loud and full of whirling stars...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Solstice Story

Winter Solstice Song for Yule

 LYRICS:

On the longest night we search for the light,
And we find it deep within.

I'm so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com), the lyrics can be found here: Winter Solstice Song for Yule -  the video is still here. Enjoy!

The Dōngzhì Festival

The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term (winter solstice) on or around December 22 when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: The Dongzhi Festival

The Death of Tammuz

The Death of Tammuz also known as Noosardel (sprinkling water on the path of God) was another Yultide holiday celebrated with an early morning worship service, a tree, and a burning log.

 “Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house 

which was toward the north; and, behold, 

there sat women weeping for Tammuz.” 

~Ezekial 8:14

In the legend, Tammuz dies young and his birth is honored on his birthday which coincided with the Winter Solstice. ...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: The Death of Tammuz

Solstice Wheels of Fortune

In Sweden and Norway at the Solstice, people made wheels of fortune. Some of the wheels were wrapped in straw, set on fire, and rolled down hill. Other wheels were decorated and kept. These were used in two ways: One, the wheel was rolled away from a person to take away misfortunes; two, it was rolled toward a person to bring all kinds of good fortune....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Solstice Wheels of Fortune

To Dismiss Winter Greens

All trees or boughs

That have been cut

And kept for luck

Within the house...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Book of Shadows, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: A Spell to Dismiss Winter Greens

Mother Night

Mother Night is traditionally celebrated on the third day of the twelve days of Christmas. I couldn't find much lore, but I did find this nice little article in The Winter Solstice about Mother Christmas (Frau Holle, Holda, Hulda, Holla):

Honoring the Mothers

There are so many male figures associated with the Winter Solstice, we should give room to at least one female character, and who better than Mother Christmas? On this day, include a figure of Holda upon your Winter shrine....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Mother Night

King Wren

The wren, the wren, The king of all birds,

On St. Stephen's Day Is caught in the furze.

One of the most remarkable and dramatic Solstice customs involving animals is the Hunting of the Wren, which traditionally takes place on Boxing Day or St. Stephen's Day. The custom lasted longest in Wales and the Isle of Man and still takes place today in Ireland. A description from 1840 describes it thus:

For some weeks preceding Christmas, crowds of village boys may be seen peering into hedges, in search of the tiny wren...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Day of the Wren

Mistletoe Lore

According to the Celtic mythology of trees, Mistletoe is the tree of the day after the Winter Solstice (Aprox. December 23).

• Latin name: Viscum Album
• Celtic name: It is said that Mistletoe is too sacred to have a written word.
• Latin name :Loranthaceae Phoradendron flavescens
• Folk or Common names: Mistletoe, Birdlime, All Heal, Golden Bough, 
• Parts Used: leaves, berries, twigs

Magical History and Associations: Mistletoe is one of the Druid's most sacred trees - as Ovid said, "Ad viscum Druidae cantare solebant. (The Druids are wont to sing to the Mistletoe.)." In Druidic lore Mistletoe is an herb of the Winter Solstice and is the special plant for the day after Yule. The Druids gathered their Mistletoe at Midsummer or at the 6th day of the moon....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: More Mistletoe Magick and Lore

Invocation to the Sun

O Sun, great Oriental, my proud mind's golden cap,

I love to wear you cocked askew, to play and burst

in song throughout our lives, and so rejoice our hearts....

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Silver Fir Lore

According to Celtic tree mythology, the Silver Fir is the tree of the day of the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice. This usually takes place on December 20th or 21st, although it does sometimes occur on the 22nd or 23rd (check your calendar as it changes from year to year).

• Latin name: Abies alba.
• Celtic name: Ailim (pronounced: Ahl' em).
• Folk or Common names: Common Silver Fir, Balm of Gilead Fir, Balsam Fir, American Silver Fir.
• Parts Used: Needles, wood, sap.

Magical History and Associations: The Silver Fir is associated with the moon and with the planet of Jupiter. Its colors are piebald and light or pale blue....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Silver Fir Magick and Lore

Yew Lore

According to Celtic tree mythology, the Yew is the tree of the day before the Winter Solstice (Approx. December 21).

• Latin name: Taxus baccata.
• Celtic name: Idho (pronounced: Ih' huh).
• Folk or Common names: English Yew.
• Parts Used: Needles, wood, berries.

Magical History and Associations: The name "Yew" is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon word 'eow'. The word 'Taxus' is from the Greek word 'Taxon', meaning 'bow'. The 5000 year old "Ice Man", discovered in the Alps, had a bow and axe handle made of Yew....

...I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Yew Magick and Lore

Lighting The Yule Log

Here are two different ways to celebrate with a Yule Log.

One practice consists of lighting and burning a Yule Log. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log of oak or pine. Carve (with your Bolline) or chalk upon it a figure of the Sun (a rayed disc) or the Horned God (a horned circle). Set it alight in the fireplace at dusk, on Yule....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Lighting The Yule Log

About The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice or Yule is one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats, and it is also the shortest day of the year, and hence - the longest night. This usually takes place on December 20th or 21st, although it does sometimes occur on the 22nd or 23rd (check your calendar as it changes from year to year).

Other than the most common name of Yule, various other names for the Winter Solstice include Midwinter, Yuletide (the Teutonic version), Alban Arthan (Caledonii Tradition, or the Druids), Feill Fionnain (Pecti-Wita Tradition, which falls on December 22nd)...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found here: More About The Yule Sabbat

Midwinter Celebrations - A History

Here is a nice little article about the history of midwinter celebrations from Delaware Online:

Ancient Worship:

Long ago, people worshiped the sun as a god. His cycles were watched and measured with great care because it was thought the quality of life on Earth changed dramatically according to his whims.

As the season changed and winter fell, survival became much harder for ancient man. Many would not live through a cold winter, when food became scarce. As the days shortened, they feared the sun would disappear completely and leave them helpless in the dark....

I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Midwinter Celebrations

Winter Tea

When the chill winds blow and you feel the need for something warming, try this- it even smells of Yule.

1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
4 whole cloves...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Eating To Live (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Winter Tea

Calling Up The Sun

About an hour before sunrise, plant yourself outside, preferably on a hill, or the top of a building. Face the direction where the sun will rise and begin to call the sun. Forcefully project the sound so that you imagine your body shaking; then the room or space where you are shakes; then the world, and finally the whole universe - by which time, you should be sweating. Eventually, you will feel that the sound is coming through, rather than from you....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Ritual To Bring The Sun

Hogmanay Trollolay!

The roots of Hogmanay perhaps reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Norse, as well as incorporating customs from the Gaelic New Year's celebration of Samhain. In Rome, winter solstice evolved into the ancient celebration of Saturnalia, a great winter festival, where people celebrated completely free of restraint and inhibition. The Vikings celebrated Yule, which later contributed to the Twelve Days of Christmas, or the "Daft Days" as they were sometimes called in Scotland. The winter festival went underground with the Protestant Reformation and ensuing years, but re-emerged near the end of the 17th century....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in its entirety here: Hogmanay Trollolay!

"Yule - A Celebration of Light and Warmth"

Yule, also known as Midwinter and Winster Solstice, occurs on the Winter Solstice. This is the time of year when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky (Northern Hemisphere) and the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn. This usually happens between December 20th and December 23rd. The sun will only rise higher and higher in the sky from this point onward. Since it appears that the sun's light is growing as each day passes after this one, this holiday is celebrated as the birth of the sun.

The word Yule comes from the Old Norse "iul," meaning wheel ,and refers to the 'wheel of the year', (or the idea of the year, seen as a wheel turning as the seasons change)....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in it's entirety along with even more information here: Yule

Raven Power for the Winter Solstice

The Raven's keynote is that of magic, shapeshifting, and creation. While its cycle of power is that of winter solstice. The raven is one of those birds that has a tremendous amount of lore and mythology surrounding it, and it is often contradictory. It is a bird of birth and death, and it is a bird of mysticism and magic....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Powers That Be, and can be found in its entirety here: Raven Power