A Yule Ritual-Author Unknown

This Ritual shall be performed during the evening hours, sometime after Sunset. Sweep area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and “sweep away” any lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters. Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with a red or green altar cloth. Place all of the items listed below in their proper places upon it. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with holly, mistletoe, evergreen, pine cones, ivy, berries, ribbons, and whatever else feels right. Having a Yule Tree nearby the altar will add a lot to the ritual. Along with your usual ritual tools and items, have upon the altar:
Red or Green Altar Cloth

Holly Sprig (placed upon the altar)

Mistletoe Sprig (placed underneath the altar, for use later)

Three Candles in Holders for the Triple Goddess
(1 White, 1 Red, and 1 Black - arranged around the Cauldron)

Cauldron with a Green Candle inside

Incense - Any of the following either alone or mixed together to make a Winter Blend:
Cinnamon, Myrrh, Cloves, Frankincense, Aloes Wood, and Saffron
When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your Ritual Robe or other ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while - to ground and center. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the ritual.

Cast the Circle… Light the God and Goddess candles. Leave all the other candles unlit until the appropriate time within the ritual. Have the green candle placed inside the Cauldron, surrounded by the white, red, and black candles. Also have the sprig of Holly upon the altar, and the Mistletoe sprig tucked away underneath the altar. Sit quietly meditating within the cast Circle for a little while… When you feel ready, begin your ceremony with these words:
“Blessed be the season of Yule.
This is the Winter Solstice,
the longest night of the year.
Darkness reigns triumphant,
yet gives way and changes to Light.
The Sun King has gone into the realms of Death —
yet, within the Sacred Cauldron of Rebirth,
he is once again transformed into
the Newborn Divine Child of Light.
Blessed be the young Virgin Goddess
who gives to her people tonight
a Newborn God.
Blessed be the Newborn Sun King.”
Pause and reflect on the meaning of this spoke in the Wheel of the Year for a few moments, then continue… saying:
“All is cold, and I await the coming of Dawn.
As the Sun rises, the Triple Goddess once more
gives birth to the Divine Child.
In silence and wonder I stand before
the Sacred Cauldron of Rebirth,
knowing that one day I too must pass
through the Cauldron to be reborn.
For this I now give honor to the Triple Goddess.”
Light the White candle near the Cauldron, saying:
“White is for the Maiden.
Blessed be the Virgin, innocent and fresh.
May you plant your seeds of joy and
new beginnings within my life.”
Light the Red candle near the Cauldron, saying:
“Red is for the Mother.
Blessed be the Mother, fertile and loving.
May you grant me gifts of creative ideas and
the strength to bring them to completion.”
Light the Black candle near the Cauldron, saying:
“Black is for the Crone.
Blessed be the Crone, powerful and wise.
May you give me wisdom to
understand the Magickal Mysteries.”
Light the Green candle inside the Cauldron, saying:
“Green is for the Newborn Lord of the Forests,
the Divine Sun Child who comes once more into the world.
I welcome you, Child and Consort of the Triple Goddess.”
Face the North, raise your arms and say:
“Rejoice, O Powers of Earth!
Welcome the Divine Child.”
Face the East, raise your arms and say:
“Rejoice, O Powers of Air!
Welcome the Divine Child.”
Face the South, raise your arms and say:
“Rejoice, O Powers of Fire!
Welcome the Divine Child.”
Face the West, raise your arms and say:
“Rejoice, O Powers of Water!
Welcome the Divine Child.”
Take up your Athame and banish the Old Year by drawing a banishing Pentagram in the air, saying:
“Farewell to the Old Year.
Farewell to the Holly King.”
Now draw an invoking Pentagram in the air and say these words:
“Welcome to the New Year.
Welcome to the Oak King.”
When you are done, replace your Athame on the altar.
Next, remove the Holly from the altar and place it out of sight. Then place the Mistletoe, the symbol of the Oak King, on top of the altar in a place of honor. Say these words:
“Blessed be the King of the Waxing Year.
I pray you will guide your children safely
through to the season of warmth and light.”
Take the Goddess candle in your left hand and the God candle in your right, saying these words:
“Tonight the Goddess and God are reunited.
Tonight Life begins anew, and Light begins anew.
Blessed be the One Light.
Blessed be the Divine Force of Creation.”
Move the candle flames together so that they are one. Spend a moment reflecting on its meaning, and then replace the candles side by side on the altar. Continue with these words:
“Hail, O God of the Woodlands and New Life!
I give you honor and ask your blessing.”
Sit in silence to receive His blessing… then continue, saying:
“Hail, Triple Goddess, bringer of Light out of Darkness
and New Life out of the Cauldron of Rebirth.
I give you honor and ask your blessing.”
Again sit in silence to receive Her blessing. Drink from the Chalice, pour a Libation to the Lord and the Lady and save some to be put outside for the little people. When you are finished, proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony. followed by Releasing the Circle in your usual manner.

Please note this ritual is based on the Northern Hemisphere correspondences of elements and their colors, and directions and so on.

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Spring Purification Ritual with Incense

By Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (SkyLight Paths,
2003).

Simple Solution

Many indigenous people know the power of natural incense as a means of
purification, prayer, and transformation. As we watch incense smoke rise
up to the realm of clouds, birds, stars, and sky, we can’t help but be
uplifted as we envision our intentions and prayers rising up as well.
Here is a simple incense purification ritual based on native ways:

1. Choose 1/8 cup or so of any of the following, or use a combination:
Dried needles of–

Cedar

Juniper

Pine

Dried flowers or leaves of–

Lavender

Peppermint

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

If no dried natural material is available, use an all-natural incense
stick in a scent that is pleasing to you.

2. Find a flameproof container, such as an ashtray, and take it, some
matches, and your incense to a place with adequate ventilation and a
container of water nearby (just in case your flame gets out of hand).

3. Heap the dried materials you have chosen in the middle of your
container, knowing that the ritual you are about to perform has been
used by people for millennia. When you do this, you are making a
connection to your ancestors, and to the traditional earth-based ways
that have comforted and connected humans since before the dawn of
history.

4. Make a clear intention, silently or aloud, for purification, a fresh
beginning for this new growing season. Light the incense materials until
they flame, then gently blow out the flame so that the incense smokes.

5. Visualize placing your deep desire for a clean start into the smoke.
Watch it for
a time as it curls upward. Imagine that the smoke is carrying your
prayer to the sky, to the great Above.

6. When the incense has burned out (you may need to relight it a few
times to accomplish this), give thanks, and use the ashes to fertilize
your houseplants.

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Imbolc Cream Cheese Pound Cake 

3 cups sugar

3 sticks butter

3 cups cake flour

2 tsps vanilla

6 eggs

1 8-oz cream cheese

Cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add sugar; cream well. Add eggs 

one at a time and beat well. Add vanilla, then add cake flour slowly, 

creaming well. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 325° 

for 1 hour 10 minutes.

 ~author unknown ~

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RITUAL: HOW TO MEET A FAERIE

Don’t take this lightly. The Fey Folk are wild, and their integrity so
strong and unusual that you must be careful with them. However, if you
approach one correctly, he\she can be an honorable, powerful and
delightful friend and ally.

If you find you cannot handle the power of this rite, courteously end
the visit. If an evil entity arrives by accident, end the visit, either
with courtesy or rudeness, whichever is safest and most effective.
Do each numbered step before going onto the next.

1. Focus on the darkness of the mind’s eye, the darkness that’s
automatically there when your eyes are closed.

2. See that darkness filled with a glowing green, a Faerie green, a
magic glow.

3. Feel that magic, green, Fey glow start swirling around you, bathing
you in its beauty, bathing you in its magic.

4. Enjoy drinking in that magic for a minute.

5. Let that Fey power feed you, cleanse you, and give you things you
need. Let it work its magic on you.

6. Into that green mist, call out for a Faerie friend. Don’t demand a
visit, for we do not control the Fey Folk. Invite with warmth, courtesy,
good will and good cheer.

7. Greet and welcome your visitor with dignity and courtesy. Ask his\her
name and his\her need of you. If no name is given you, usually you
should end the visit. When you meet someone on the physical plane who
will not tell you their name, there is usually something awry, right?

8. Never lightly make an agreement with a Faerie. They take commitments
seriously. And are tricksters, who often have an unusual view as to what
life should be like. You may not want the same goals as they.

9. Visit. Then do the following steps. If you fall asleep, your visit
might be happening on an unconscious level so you wouls still need the
following steps upon awakening.

10. If you would like, ask your visitor for something you need.

11. Make thanks for the visit, and for any help you were given. At this
point it may be appropriate to give or promise a gift, EG a bit of food
and drink left out at night.

12. Perhaps this spirit will become your friend for a while or even a
lifetime. You can use this ritual to visit with him\her again. But for
now say “Farewell.”

13. After doing something like this ritual, one might be in an altered
state without realizing it. If you then do something like drive, walk at
night along a city street, or cook, you could possibly go through a red
light, get mugged, or burn yourself, all because you were off in another
world! So, after you finish step 12, do the following two steps:

A. Spend some time consciously focusing on the embodied, mundane plane
by making your mind concentrate on physical things.

B. Then continue this focusing by looking both ways carefully when
crossing streets or paying special, conscientious attention to kitchen
safety or whatever focus is appropriate to the activity in which you
become involved. Use these two steps until you are well focused onto the
embodied plane.

You may feel very sharp and alert, so think there is no need for step

13. Please do it anyway. For one thing, alert as you are, you might be
alert only to the SPIRIT plane! Take the time to become alert to the
physical realm. If you’re feeling really spacy or “out there” add body
stretches or do some other very physical but safe activity that will
focus you onto your own body.

by Francesca De Grandis, copyright 1994.

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A Solitary Full Moon Ritual

Tonight is the Full Moon.  Here is a Solitary Ritual for the Full Moon.-Loki

You will need:
Two white candles
A bell
Wine or lunar liquid
Your chalice (or cup)
Spell material if you are doing something afterwards.

Cast your circle. Stand before the altar facing East and say:

“This is the time of the full moon,
A time of great power for positive manifestation,
A time of increasing and gaining.
The tide of Moon-power is strong.
I am of the Goddess.
I stand before You at Your altar,
In love and adoration.
Be with me Goddess.
Let me feel your presence here tonight.”

Go to the East. Ring the bell once and say:
“Hail Aphrodite. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my body.”
Go to the South. Ring the bell once and say:
“Hail Cerridwen. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my spirit.”
Go to the West. Ring the bell once and say:
“Hail Athene. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my emotions.”
Go to the North with the bell. Ring it once and say:
“Hail Selene. Help me feel the Lady’s power and presence within my mind.”

You will probably have an amazing wave of feelings come over you. Let them
sink into your body and soul. When you are ready, return the bell to the
altar, face East, and raise your arms high above your head. Say:

“Hail Goddess! Moon Mother, Lady of Light,
Mistress of Magick and Animals.
You are the white light of the Moon
Upon the Earth, the brilliant rays of Sun upon life.
You are the beginning and ending,
The One who creates and takes away.
Within You, I see myself and all women.
In this time, You come to me and fill me with your presence.”

Communicate with Her now. Tell Her your problems, wishes and anything you
wish to tell her. When you are finished say:

“All honor and love to the wonderful Goddess,
For She is the power behind all powers,
The Goddess behind all Gods,
The Eternal Life behind Death.
I see Her loving face within the Moon and rejoice.
All Hail Queen of the heavens and the earth, the eternal on of Wisdom!”

Raise the chalice to toast her and say:

“To Diana and all the Goddesses!”

Now is the time for divination, meditation, and spellwork of any kind.

Close the circle when done.

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Dark Moon Ritual

The dark moon is a good time to do protective magick and to banish things from your life.

Supplies you will need: two black candles, cauldron, paper and pen.

Place the cauldron in the center of the altar and put the paper and pen beside it. Cast the circle in a counter clockwise way. When it is cast, return to the altar and face the North. Light the black candles. Say:
The moon is dark. She hides her face from humans. Only women can know the true secrets of the Dark Mother. Wise one, let me feel Your presence and power. I need Your wisdom of releasing and removing. If Consequences be needed by those who work against me, I leave it within your hands.

Move counterclockwise to the East and say:
Remove all negatives from my thoughts and mind, Dark Mother. Let them bear no fruit within my life.

Go to the North and say:
Remove all negatives from my body, Dark Mother. Let them bear no fruit in my life.

Go to the West and say:
Remove all negatives from my emotions, Dark Mother. Let them bear no fruit in my life.

Go to the South and say:
Remove all negatives from my spiritual life, Dark Mother. Let them bear no fruit in my life.

Return to the altar and stand facing North. Say :
I accept no negative thoughts, words, or deeds from others. They are destroyed by the powers of the Dark Mother. If these negatives come from within myself, turn them into lessons of good. Help me to become balanced, a true Goddess-daughter/son of light and wisdom.

Face the altar now. Write down on the a paper negative things you wished removed from your life (ie.. negative thoughts about yourself, bad habits, negative influences of people.) Read each one out loud to the Dark Mother to release them to Her. Light the paper from one of the black candles and drop it into the cauldron and watch it burn. Say:
I release these unto Your keeping. Show me how to move beyond these negatives into a position of light and power.

burn the paper until it is reduced to ashes. Raise your arms in reverence to the Goddess when the paper is finished and say:
Dark Mother, Crone Goddess, Wise and Elder One, teach me Your deep mysteries, the Ancient Goddess magick known to my foremothers and fathers. Guide and protect me, Dark Mother.

Now would be a good time to meditate and see what insight you may receive from the Mother. Or do a spell of some sort. When finished, release the circle as usual. Bury the ashes of the paper somewhere off of your property.

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