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Blessings are listed first. Below the blessings is a section for Calling in the Directions and opening and closing the circle. |
2016 Yule Dinner Blessing “As we begin this meal with grace, let us become aware of the memory carried inside the food before us. The quiver of the seed awakening in the earth, unfolding in a trust of roots and slender stems of growth on its voyage toward harvest;..." (There's a blessing for before we eat and after we finished.)
Winter Solstice Blessing: "As the earth grows colder, the winds blow faster, the fire dwindles smaller, and the rains fall harder, let the light of the sun find its way home, into your soul."
Wisdom Blessing from 2004 Ritual: (anointing with frankincense, myrrh and evergreen essential oils)
Yule is the season when the wisdom of past experiences begins to glimmer. Tonight, let the experiences yielded over the harvest seasons of times gone past, begin to be reborn in you as wisdom--a new light. Allow this wisdom to guide you further down the path you have chosen.
Yule is the season when the wisdom of past experiences begins to glimmer. Tonight, let the experiences yielded over the harvest seasons of times gone past, begin to be reborn in you as wisdom--a new light. Allow this wisdom to guide you further down the path you have chosen.
This is the time for...(an uncited poem from 2002): A lovely poem that invites us to consider what "this is the time for..." It would be a nice way to open a ceremony. "In this time of the White Goddess it is time for entering the wilderness and seeking its magical strengths..."
Blessing to enter: (4 women)
1. (Placing a black shawl over their head): "You are now entering the longest night, a place of stillness and deep contemplation, making way for the light and the creation of new possibilities." (Take off shawl)
2. (bowl of steaming water with rosemary and bay leaves): "This sacred water is a symbol that passes from the womb of the mother into rain and rivers and back again."
3. (with Frankincense (or another oil), placing on hand near thumb) "You who nourish us and quench our thirst, you who can slip through cracks and erode even the strongest of obstacles,"
4. (kissing them on each cheek and placing crowns on them): "Help us to dive into the depths of the darkest night and ask for a dream."
1. (Placing a black shawl over their head): "You are now entering the longest night, a place of stillness and deep contemplation, making way for the light and the creation of new possibilities." (Take off shawl)
2. (bowl of steaming water with rosemary and bay leaves): "This sacred water is a symbol that passes from the womb of the mother into rain and rivers and back again."
3. (with Frankincense (or another oil), placing on hand near thumb) "You who nourish us and quench our thirst, you who can slip through cracks and erode even the strongest of obstacles,"
4. (kissing them on each cheek and placing crowns on them): "Help us to dive into the depths of the darkest night and ask for a dream."
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Calling in the Directions /
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Calling in the Directions at the beginning of the celebration, sets the intention of creating sacred space. Although it is a Native American practice, calling on a higher power to bless the circle that is being created is a common practice with many cultures. By bringing in specific Spirits and attributes, protections are placed and the tone is set for the day's work. We are creating a circle wherein we are open to each other, our higher selves, and any powers that arise to guide us on our journey.
Is there a correct sequence for opening the circle and calling in the Directions? I've looked at many sites that have varied the order (as have we over the years). As with everything you do in ritual, your intention should guide you. Anything you use on this site, can be changed to meet your needs. However, I did find the following guidelines if you choose to use them:
"Note that the South is the starting point of the Q’ero Wheel, (South, West, North, East), whereas in the Native American tradition the East is the beginning of the cycle (East, North, West, South)" (https://www.gaia.com/article/four-directions-ceremony)
Our group has chosen: East, South, West, North (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). To close the circle we reverse the order. We also add at times, above, below, and center. We also add:
Is there a correct sequence for opening the circle and calling in the Directions? I've looked at many sites that have varied the order (as have we over the years). As with everything you do in ritual, your intention should guide you. Anything you use on this site, can be changed to meet your needs. However, I did find the following guidelines if you choose to use them:
"Note that the South is the starting point of the Q’ero Wheel, (South, West, North, East), whereas in the Native American tradition the East is the beginning of the cycle (East, North, West, South)" (https://www.gaia.com/article/four-directions-ceremony)
Our group has chosen: East, South, West, North (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). To close the circle we reverse the order. We also add at times, above, below, and center. We also add:
"We begin by acknowledging that our celebration takes place on the ancestral and unceded land of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Maidu People. We pay our respects to elders both past and present, and to their stewarding of the land throughout the generations. We pledge ourselves to respect and honor the earth, our Mother, through our celebration."
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(To open the circle)
By the Earth that is her body, By the air that is her sweet breath, By the fire of her bright spirit, And the water of her living womb, Our circle is cast, and we are between the worlds. And what happens between the worlds changes the world. |
(And to close the circle…)
By the Earth that is her body, By the air that is her sweet breath, By the fire of her bright spirit, And the water of her living womb, Our circle is open and yet unbroken. May the peace of the goddess be forever in your heart. Merry meet and merry part / And merry meet again. |
2017 Calling in the Directions-Yule: "Come ye spirits of the North, powers of Earth. Your bounty sustains us through the winter. Be with us as the silent cavern, a place of renewal. Be with us this Yule..."
2017 Closing Yule and Releasing the Directions: "Great Mother, who gives birth to the Light and gives our world form, thank you for your presence this Yule. We ask for yiur blessings as we return to the mundane. We bid you farewell..."
2016 Calling in the Directions for Winter Solstice: "Awaken, Guardians of the East! On this winter night, come into our Circle. Bring on the wind, the fragrances of the season, pine, cedar and juniper.” (Also used in 2004 ritual.)
Winter Solstice-Calling in the Directions: "East:The light of the East reminds us that in weeks to come, the daylight will grow stronger. The Sun will warm the Earth and our hearts..."
3. Calling in the Directions
The following is from "A Circle is Cast-Invocations for Winter Solstice" by Gretchen Faulk.
"East: We call to you to join us, Spirits of the East. Without your gifts of vision and illumination, how could we light our way. Deep in Winter, we are warmed by the promise of Spring. Sorrow not, though feeble is the sun, bring dawn back into our lives. Blessed be..."
The following is from "A Circle is Cast-Invocations for Winter Solstice" by Gretchen Faulk.
"East: We call to you to join us, Spirits of the East. Without your gifts of vision and illumination, how could we light our way. Deep in Winter, we are warmed by the promise of Spring. Sorrow not, though feeble is the sun, bring dawn back into our lives. Blessed be..."
4. Calling in the Directions
"Oh Great Spirit of the East, Land of the rising Sun, Bringer of Air, the winds that blow across the lands-of new beginning each day and of open horizons. Show us the mountains we only dare to dream of. Teach us to fly. Oh Great Spirit of the East, we ask that your wisdom and blessing be here with us tonight..."
"Oh Great Spirit of the East, Land of the rising Sun, Bringer of Air, the winds that blow across the lands-of new beginning each day and of open horizons. Show us the mountains we only dare to dream of. Teach us to fly. Oh Great Spirit of the East, we ask that your wisdom and blessing be here with us tonight..."
