Yule Sabbat
December 21
The year begins at different times depending upon the tradition. It can be Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, or Ostara, but my family has always used the Yule holidays as the turning of the wheel of the year with the departure of the Holly King (known today as the Dark Lord, old Saint Nick, and Father Time) and arrival of the Oak King (known today as the Sun King, Jesus, and the New Year’s Baby). Incenses shown are only suggestions; you may prefer to drop herbs onto a charcoal block.
As I have mentioned previously, in my childhood our family observances would have been considered a secular form of the socially acceptable holidays of Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. In addition, it was easy to celebrate May Day, Summer, and Halloween as these were already in the secular realm. Nevertheless, for us these times had earth-centered meanings that can be used for the Green-level practice of the Craft as easily as the accepted Sabbat dates used in contemporary Witchcraft.
Years after I put aside the trappings of Christianity in my search for a basic form of religious expression, I subsequently adopted the Sabbats of the Craft and have been very satisfied with this. You may want to follow a different course or blend Witchcraft with the mainstream to feel yourself united with society as a whole. At the worst, you may be considered a secular Christian or a humanist. At the best, you may help affect the acceptance of the Craft by your example of kinship with the earth and her inhabitants. The Sabbat rituals shown form the framework for my own practice of the Craft, yet I always improvise, add, or subtract by inspiration.
As a child, going outside to gaze at the full moon and being told the various names for the moons (which are still found today in almanacs) and perhaps singing a song like “Shine On Silver Moon” or playing “Moonlight Sonata” formed the family’s basic recognition of the changing faces of the moon. Sometimes there were stories, other times simply a nighttime romp out-of-doors when all the neighbors were in their homes. This was a time filled with its own essence and sense of closeness to the mystery of magical presence. The new moon was acknowledged for the absence of moonlight in the night sky, but everything was casually done as a naturalist observing the surroundings as if for the first time. The odors and atmosphere of the evening air were always different from that of the daylight hours, and it was enough to take the time to pause and partake of nature.
If you celebrate a Sabbat on a full or new moon, you may begin with the Esbat and moon rite, and insert the Sabbat ritual before going on to the Cakes and Wine. Prepare in advance with the appropriate altar decor and candles. There are suggested Sabbat activities given with each Sabbat, and while spells are generally not conducted at a Sabbat, they may be if in conjunction with an Esbat. Seasonal decorations may be used around the circle along with the four candle settings for the quarters. Incenses and altar candles may vary by Sabbat, and some suggestions are given with each Sabbat.
Preparing Your Altar
• Altar candles should be red-green-red.
• Circle candles remain the usual colors for the elementals (green, yellow, red, and blue).
• Incense may be bayberry.
• Circle may be decorated with holly, mistletoe, ivy, pine, pine cones, etc. A Yule Log (half of a log cut to set on the altar, has three holes in it to hold candles, decorated with greenery and pine cones) may substitute for a candle holder.
• Place ash twigs in the cauldron.
Instructions for the Ceremony
Sweep circle area; lay out circle and altar items; bathe and robe. Light incense and altar candles. Ring bell three times and say:
The circle is about to be cast and I freely stand within to greet my Lady and my Lord.
Take center candle from altar and light each candle of the circle moving north, then east, south, and west, and say:
(N) I call upon light and earth at the north to illuminate and strengthen the circle.
(E) I call upon light and air at the east to illuminate and enliven the circle.
(S) I call upon light and fire at the south to illuminate and warm the circle.
(W) I call upon light and water at the west to illuminate and cleanse the circle.
Take athame in upraised hand, begin circle at north and move around the circle north to east to south to west, and say:
I draw this circle in the presence of the Goddess and the God where they may come and bless their child, (name).
Lower the athame at the north. As you walk around the circle, envision a blue light shooting out from the point and forming the circle boundary, and say:
This is the boundary of the circle. Only love shall enter and leave.
Return to altar and ring bell three times. Place point of athame in the salt and say:
Salt is life and purifying. I bless this salt to be used in this sacred circle in the names of the Goddess and the God, (names).
Pick up salt bowl and use tip of athame to drop three portions of salt into the water bowl and set salt bowl back in its place. Stir three times with athame and say:
Let the blessed salt purify this water that it may be blessed to use in this sacred circle. In the names of the Goddess and the God, (names), I consecrate and cleanse this water.
Take the salted water bowl in hand, sprinkle water from it as you move deosil around the circle (N-E-S-W-N), and say:
I consecrate this circle in the names of the Goddess and the God, (names). The circle is conjured a circle of power that is purified and sealed. So mote it be!
Return the water bowl to the altar and pick up censer; take it around the circle to cense it; return censer to altar. Take anointing oil and make a Solar Cross ringed by a circle on your forehead and say:
I, (name) am consecrated in the names of the Goddess and the God, (names), in this their circle.
If working with family members or a Green-focused coven, open a door in the circle with the athame now for all to enter, then close the door with the athame. The text is for solitary use but may be thus altered for family or coven participation.
Take the wand and hold it aloft, with both arms open and upraised, at the north of the circle (envision a powerful bull arriving) and say:
I call upon you, Elemental Earth, to attend this rite and guard this circle, for as I have body and strength, we are kith and kin!
Lower wand and move to east, raise up wand (see devas, fairies, or an eagle in flight) and say:
I call upon you, Elemental Air, to attend this rite and guard this circle, for as I breathe and think, we are kith and kin!
Lower wand and move to the south, raise up wand (see a dragon) and say:
I call upon you, Elemental Fire, to attend this rite and guard this circle, for as I consume life to live, we are kith and kin!
Lower wand and move to west, hold wand aloft (see an undine, a sea serpent, or a dolphin) and say:
I call upon you, Elemental Water, to attend this rite and guard this circle, for as I feel and my heart beats, we are kith and kin!
Return to altar and use wand to draw the symbol of infinity (an 8 lying on its side) in the air above the altar, the sign of working between the worlds. Set wand on altar, raise up athame in both hands overhead, and say:
Hail to the elementals at the four quarters! Welcome Lady and Lord to this rite! I stand between the worlds with love and power all around!
Set down athame and pick up goblet of wine. Pour a little into the cauldron. This is a libation to the Divine in which they are honored by offering to them the first draught, then you take a sip. You may prefer to have a bowl specifically for the libation. Ring bell three times. Raise up arms and say:
Blessed are the Lord and the Lady who turn the mighty wheel of the year. Welcome the Yule for the turning point of winter is here at last. The end of the solar year has come; a new year has begun.
Arms down, take up wand and hold it aloft and say:
This is a new beginning, and I send my power forth to join with the energies of the Sun God that the sun’s rebirth rekindles my strength.
Place wand back on the altar. Take the middle candle and light the kindling in the cauldron, and say:
This new fire is lit to bid farewell to the Dark Lord of the solar night and greet the rebirth of the sun. May my power be added to the strength of the newborn Lord, and his to mine.
Return candle; take up the athame in both hands, hold aloft and say:
Hail to the Sun God! Hail the movement of time eternal! Hail the death and rebirth of Yule! Hail the God (name)!
Return the athame to the altar and ring the bell three times. With candles in Yule Log, light the candles at the start of the ritual, and when the ritual is ended, let the candles burn very low and then snuff the reds, replace them with green candles and light them from the still-lit green in the middle. Then snuff the green, replace it with a red candle and light it fresh and say:
May the Yule Log bring light and may all good enter here. Good health, good cheer, good fortune in the coming year! For as I will, so mote it be!
Cakes and Wine—Ring bell three times. Feet spread and arms upraised, say:
I acknowledge my needs and offer my appreciation to that which sustains me! May I ever remember the blessings of my Lady and my Lord.
Feet together, take up goblet in left hand and athame in right. Slowly lower the point of the athame into the wine and say:
As male joins female for the benefit of both, let the fruits of their union promote life. Let the earth be fruitful and let her wealth be spread throughout all lands.
Lay down the athame and drink from the goblet. Replace the goblet on the altar and pick up the athame. Touch the point of the athame to the cake in the offering dish and say:
This food is the blessing of the Lady and the Lord given freely to me. As freely as I have received, may I also give food for the body, mind, and spirit to those who seek such of me.
Eat the fruitcake (or other Yule food), finish the wine, and say:
As I enjoy these gifts of the Goddess and the God, (names), may I remember that without them I would have nothing. So mote it be!
When all is finished, hold athame in your power hand level over altar and say:
Lord and Lady, I am blessed by your sharing this time with me, watching and guarding me, and guiding me here and in all things. I came in love and I depart in love.
Raise up athame in a salute and say:
Love is the law and love is the bond. Merry did I meet, merry do I part, and merry will I meet again. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again! The circle is now cleared. So mote it be!
Kiss the flat of the blade and set the athame on the altar. Take up the snuffer and go to the north quarter, raise up arms, and say:
Depart in peace, Elemental Earth. My blessings take with you!
Lower arms and snuff the candle, envision the Elemental Power departing. Go to the east, raise up arms, and say:
Depart in peace, Elemental air. My blessings take with you!
Lower arms and snuff the candle, envision the Elemental Power departing. Go to the south, raise up arms, and say:
Depart in peace, Elemental fire. My blessings take with you!
Lower arms and snuff the candle, envision the Elemental Power departing. Go to the west, raise up arms, and say:
Depart in peace, Elemental Water. My blessings take with you!
Lower arms and snuff the candle, envision the Elemental Power departing. Return to altar and set down snuffer. Raise up arms and say:
Beings and powers of the visible and invisible, depart in peace! You aid in my work, whisper in my mind, and bless me from the Otherworld, and there is harmony between us. My blessings take with you. The circle is cleared.
Take up athame, go to the north quarter, point athame down and move widdershins (counter-clockwise) around circle (N-W-S-E-N). Envision the blue light drawing back into the athame and say:
The circle is open yet the circle remains as its magical power is drawn back into me.
When you return to the north having walked the circle, raise up the athame so the blade touches your forehead and envision the blue light swirling around back into you. Return to altar and say:
The ceremony is ended. Blessings have been given and blessings have been received, may the peace of the Goddess and the God remain in my heart. So mote it be!
Set down the athame. Put away all magical tools and clear the altar except for candles or any objects that need to burn out or work for a stated time (such as candle magic). The cauldron or libation bowl contents are poured onto the earth (if not out in the yard, then into a flowerpot containing soil and perhaps a hardy, leafy green plant).
Traditional foods for the Yule Sabbat include nuts, fruits mixed in a fruitcake or plum pudding, game or pork dishes, and wassail, so the celebration can be followed by a simple or very elaborate feast.
Yule Activities
There are a number of Yuletide activities that can be experienced outside or in conjunction with the Sabbat. Many will be familiar because they have been borrowed by mainstream religions.
• Sing pagan solstice carols (Deck the Halls, The Holly and the Ivy, Joy to the World, Tannenbaum, Wassailing Song, Green Groweth the Holly, Lord of the Dance, and a number of carols that have been re-adapted to their original pagan themes—see samples below).
• Decorate the Solstice, or Yule, Tree.
• String popcorn and cranberries and hang them on an outdoor tree for the birds.
• Decorate pine cones with glue and glitter as symbols of the fairies and place these on the Yule Tree.
• Hang little bells on the Yule Tree to call the spirits and fairies.
• Glue the caps onto acorns and attach red string to hang on the Yule Tree.
• For personalized wrapping paper, cut a pattern on a halved potato, then dip it into tempera paint and onto plain wrapping tissue paper.
• Wassail: 2 cups cranberry juice, 1⁄4 cup grenadine, 1 cup orange juice, 1⁄4 cup rum (optional).
• For prosperity, burn ash wood.
• Yule Blessings—Wreath on the door, Mistletoe indoors, food and clothing donations, sunflower seeds outside for birds, ring the bells to greet the Solstice Morn, and perform magic for a peaceful planet.
• Gather up the Yule greens after Twelfth Night and save. At Imbolc, burn the greens to banish winter and usher in spring.
• Consecrate the Yule Tree—Asperse with salted water, pass smoke of incense through the branches, and walk around the tree with a lighted candle and say:
By fire and water, air and earth,
I consecrate this tree of rebirth.
• Legend of Santa Claus—Santa is the Holly King, the sleigh is the Solar Chariot, the eight reindeer are the eight Sabbats, their horns represent the Horned God, the North Pole symbolizes the Land of Shadows and the dying solar year, and the gifts are meant both to welcome the Oak King as the sun reborn and as a reminder of the gift of the Holly King who must depart for the Oak King to rule.
Some Familiar Yuletide Songs With Pagan Lyrics
God Rest Ye Merry Pagan Folk
God rest ye merry pagan folk, let nothing you dismay.
Remember that the sun returns, upon this solstice day!
The growing dark is ended now, and spring is on its way.
O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!
O, tidings of comfort and joy!
The winter’s worst still lies ahead, fierce tempest, snow and rain!
Beneath the blanket on the ground, the spark of life remains!
The sun’s warm rays caress the seeds, to raise life’s songs again!
O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!
O, tidings of comfort and joy!
Within the blessed apple lies, the promise of the queen.
For from this pentacle shall rise, the orchards fresh and green.
The earth shall blossom once again, the air be sweet and clean!
O, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy!
O, tidings of comfort and joy!
O, Come All Ye Faithful
O, come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O, come ye, oh, come ye to greet the sun!
Join in the Yuletide, turning of the solstice fire.
O, come let us invoke him
O, come let us invoke him,
O, come let us invoke him
Lord of the light.
Yea, Lord we greet thee, born again at solstice!
Yule fire and candle flame, to light your way.
Come to thy Lady, fill the earth with love anew!
O, come let us invoke him,
O, come let us invoke him,
O, come let us invoke him,
Lord of the light.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the sun has come!
Let earth receive her Lord!
Let every heart, prepare him room,
And all of nature sing, and all of nature sing,
And all, and all of nature sing!
Welcome the Lord, who brings us light!
The Lady gives him birth!
His warming light, brings joy into our hearts!
And wakes the sleeping earth, and wakes the sleeping earth,
And wakes, and wakes the sleeping earth!
We light the fires, to greet the sun;
Our light, our life, our Lord!
Let every voice, join in with life’s song!
And merry turns the wheel, and merry turns the wheel,
And merry, and merry the wheel turns!