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There are eight sabbats (divine holidays) in the Wiccan calendar and currently we are entering into Yule
Known also as the Winter Solstice, this is the longest night of the year and is akin to the Long, Dark Night of Soul. Sabbat celebrations often echo both of these sentiments, often beginning in silent darkness and ending in a blaze of light, fire, and laughter.
Yule is a time of rebirth; of new beginnings and the setting of new goals for oneself. It is a time of putting aside regrets, resentments, and that which causes us unhappiness. But before we can rid ourselves of these, we must know them intimately. And thus, the season starts in the silent darkness of the cold winter's night; a time when we cannot escape ourselves through pleasurable outside diversions. The beginning celebrations are a time of meditation and inward thoughts; of recognizing the cold sorrows of the season of barrenness as both those within the frosted panes of our souls, as well as those raging outside the frosted window.
From my Book of Shadows (Witch Journal if you will)
Yule Ritual
I sorrow not,
though the world is wrapped in sleep.
I sorrow not,
though the icy winds blast.
I sorrow not,
though the snow falls hard and deep.
I sorrow not,
this too shall soon be past.
I light this fire in Your honor, Mother Goddess
You have created life from death;
warmth from cold;
The Sun lives once again;
the time of light is waxing.
Welcome,
ever returning God of the Sun!
Hail Mother of All!
The wheel turns; the power burns.
Great God of the Sun,
I welcome Your return.
May You shine brightly upon the Goddess;
May You shine brightly upon the Earth,
scattering seeds and fertilizing the land.
All blessings upon You,
Reborn One of the Sun!
The Winter Solstice fell on December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the longest day, a time for contemplation and decision making. A time for rebirth of the spirit.
In keeping with that theme, I have the following question for you.
What three things occured in 2005 that had the most impact and why?
Merry Yule to all of you, may love find you and keep you warm and safe.
Blessed be
Contests
Christmas Skin Contest 2005 - deadline December 25th, 2005 Santa's Most Extreme Makeover - deadline - December 29th, 2005 A Taste of Fetish - deadline December 31st, 2005 Project 8: Abstracts -deadline January 5th, 2005 3Faces Contest deadline January 5th, 2005 Doppleganger Photo Contest - deadline January 15th, 2006 Winterdream 2005 - deadline January 31st, 2005 Dreaming in Pixels - deadline February 1st, 2006If you would like me to feature a deviantArt contest here please note me with the details.
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