We welcome Winter, season of the Guardian of the North. Now we honor the Element of Earth, the physical world, our bodies, our homes. It is the realm of practical matters, work, and abundance. This is the energy of the dark, fertile womb of the Mother, the realm of plants, animals and the Wild. It … Read more
Joy to the worldThe Light is bornPeace on Earth, Good will to all May our hearts be merry and brightBlessings of the Season,Love all ways,— Beth
The holly and the ivyNow both are full well grown,Of all the trees that are in the wood,The holly bears the crown.O the rising of the sunAnd the running of the deerThe shining of the winter starsAs the longer days draw near. — Hilda Marshall’s Pagan adaptation of the traditional carol. One of the ancient … Read more
Join together beneath the mistletoe.By the holy oak whereon it grows.Seven Druids dance in seven time.Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.Ring out these bells.Ring out, ring Solstice bells.Ring Solstice bells. — Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull ©1977 Mistletoe is probably the most magical of the plants associated with Yuletide and has, from very ancient … Read more
Welcome Winter! Halcyon days, now wars are ending.You shall find where-e’er you sailTritons all the while attendingWith a kind and gentle gale. — Halcyon Days by Thomas Shadwell (1642 – 1692) Once upon a time, Alcyone (also called Halcyon) was the daughter of Aeolus, King of the Winds, and the wife of Ceyx, King of … Read more
Yule Blessings!Happy Winter Solstice!Hail to the returning Sun.We drink to the Old Gods.To the Holly, to the Oak, and Lady.A Merry Yule to all! — A very old Yuletide toast, shared from my dear Crone sister Alruna The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The precise moment of … Read more