Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

258 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
233. Yule Blessing
This is the long night.
This is the dark night.
This is the cold night.
This is the night of last hope.
This is the night of the little spark.
This is the night of turning from darkness.
This is the night of turning toward light.
This is the night of wonder.
The long night is here:
Come to us, you spirits;
Together let us fill the long night with light,
Calling all beings to warm themselves at our
fires.
—Ceisiwr Serith
234. Gods Rest Ye Merry Pagan Folk
Gods rest ye merry Pagan folk,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember that the Sun returns
Upon this Solstice day.
The growing dark is ending 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 (etc.)
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 (etc.)
The Goddess rest ye merry, too,
And keep you safe from harm.
Remember that we live within
The circle of Her arms,
And may Her love give years to come
A very special charm.
O, tidings (etc.)
—Elexa of Sothistar
235. Ye Children All of Mother Earth
(tune: It came Upon a Midnight Clear)
Ye children all of Mother Earth
Join hands and circle around
To celebrate the Solstice night
When our lost Lord is found
Rejoice, the year has begun again
The Sun blesses skies up above
So share the season together now
In everlasting love!
—Ellen Reed
236. W heat that Springeth Green
Once the world was young
And all our songs were new.
Once our songs were sung
And all the words were true.
Look deep within;
The song is still in you
Love will come again,
Like wheat that springeth green!
When the world was dark
And all the skies were cold,
Then our hearts did hearken
To the wisdom old.
In frozen soil and snow
Does the sleeping seed unfold
Love will come again,
Like wheat that springeth green!
Now the world is turning,
Turning from the dark.
And our heart-fires burning,
Burning with a spark.
Though the flame has died low,
The light has left a mark.
Love will come again,
Like wheat that springeth green!
—Farida Fox
Atholl Brose (Scots Wassail)
Morning Glory’s famous recipe:
1 gallon water 4 cups oats
Soak 24 hours. Strain oats (we use nylon stockings
or pantyhose). Save oatwater! (Eat oatmeal
for breakfast over next week!) Add to oatwater:
1 qt. whipping cream
1 pound honey
1 fifth of scotch
salt to taste