Yule

Sabbat Ritual

“The Tree” is the basic liturgical and organization writing and the basis for Seax-Wica, but it is a ‘base’. It provides the rituals as if being practiced by a coven, but nowadays most Wiccans, especially those of the Seax-Wica tradition, are solitary practitioners (they work alone). The following ritual for Yule is adopted from “The Tree” and can be followed as is or used for inspiration for your own ritual.

Celebrate this Sabbat on the Winter Solstice, around December 21^st. Set up your Altar as normal, then place two unlit candles on it, one on either side of the Altar Candle. Perform the Erecting the Temple Ceremony and, when you are ready, read or recite the following:

“Now is the sun well on its course
Through the long dark months of winter.
Let me show my love for the Gods
By sending them strength where it is needed.
Let me kindle here fresh fires
To light my Lord upon his way.
Fires to give him confidence;
To show him our love burns forth
Even though the hardships of winter be upon us.
So be it!”

Take one of the unlit candles and hold it up, then continue:

“Let Woden bear the blessings of my Lady Freya
As he guards me and guides me
Through the long dark days ahead.
May all our power, Wiccans all,
Be symbolized by this light
As it burns with steady flame,
Aiding and strengthening that which is there.”

Light the candle from the Altar Candle and stand it to the side of it, then take up the other candle and continue:

“To that do I add a further prayer.
One light to take him into the winter.
Yet another light to lead him back.
That my Lady Freya be ever with my Lord Woden
Is meet and right, and be it so.
Let my prayers and thoughts go with him
For as he guards and guides me
So do I love him,
And so have I trust in all things.”

Light the candle from the Altar Candle and place it on the other side, then continue:

“Let these lights burn
Till Imbolc time.
When I shall know
The worst of winter is behind me.
So be it!
And so here be the love
Of the God for the Goddess.”

Pick up your Seax and kiss the blade, then return it to the Altar. Continue with the Ceremony of Cakes and Ale.

Recipes

Holiday Ham and Bean Soup

The cold night of Yule is great time to gather together with friends and family with a hot meal.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: about 30 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients:
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 cups cooked ham, cubed
16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
2 cans (15 ounces) black-eyed peas
2 cans (15 ounces) navy beans
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced

In a spacious soup pot, mix together 4 cups of vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns, and 1 bay leaf. Set the heat to high.

Introduce 2 cups of cubed cooked ham and 1 package of thawed mixed vegetables. Open and drain the 4 cans, rinsing both the black-eyed peas and navy beans. Add them into the soup mixture.

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Dice 1 red bell pepper and 1 gree bell pepper, combing the pieces. Sprinkle the diced peppers on top of the soup.