Winter Solstice Ritual
 
Winter Solstice Ritual 2004

ROLES
RITUAL LEADER
CRONE
DYING SUN GOD
RISING YOUNG SUN GOD
EAST GUARDIAN
SOUTH GUARDIAN
WEST GUARDIAN
NORTH GUARDAIN

MUSICIAN/SOUND EFFECT PERSON/DRUMMERS
SUN COOKIE BAKER(S)
HOSTESS (sets up juice & cookies in foyer after ritual)
GREETERS- (Welcome people and stay with them in the foyer till ritual begins.
Can also teach chants prior to ritual, remind people to turn off beeping, singing, ringing electronic devices. Can also assist latecomers to find seating)
STAGE HANDS (to help with setting up and putting away)
PIZZA DELIVERY GUY ((to feed cast during dress rehearsal)

SET UP

Set up five altars, one at each direction and the center. These should be beautifully done with greens and LOTS of candles and symbols of the season and the direction each represents. (East: yellow, season of Spring, South: red, season of Summer, West: blue, season of autumn, North: green, season of winter, Center gold and silver, realm of spirit) A few candles on each altar should be lit at the onset. Each altar should have one or more snuffers. Each guardian should also enlist the assistance of another person to help with the lighting and extinguishing of the altar candles at designated points in the ritual.

(Note: All participants should use caution and respect for the element of fire. Everyone should know where the fire extinguishers are in case of need. A blanket should also be available to extinguish a fire. This can be stored under the center altar. Consider stashing small fire extinguishers under each altar).

The Center Altar shall have a Yule log with a triple candle on it and solar symbols. A candle representing the Solstice Light should be central. Plates or baskets of Sun Cookies should be stashed at the Center Altar. The Center Altar needs to have 4 unlit tapers set on it that will be carried back to the 4 directions and used to relight the altar candles at the appropriate time in the ritual.

Candles with drip collars should be placed on chairs in sanctuary prior to the beginning of the ritual. Have a few extras at each altar. If preparation time allows, the drip collars can be decorated with sun signs. (Stickers, painted designs)

Each Direction shall have a Guardian already sitting in place. (Guardians need to have dark cloaks at their places for use later in the ritual.)_
The Crone and the Shrouded Sun God shall be seated at the North Altar.
The Ritual Leader shall also sit or stand at the North Altar.

Drums and rattles will be available for participants to use. These can be available out in the lobby or holding area.

Beverages for participants can be set up and ready in the lobby area as well.

ENTERING THE RITUAL CIRCLE
The people attending the ritual will all enter the sanctuary at one time, after a brief explanation, cleansing, and blessing has been given them. Remind participants to turn off cell phones, beepers, chirping watches and so forth before entering the sanctuary

As participants begin to move into the sanctuary Begin chant:

We are one with the infinite Sun forever and ever and ever

……….Continue chanting till all are seated, then crescendo and set the energy.

RITUAL LEADER: (Greet and extend Welcome to all)

Let us begin by blessing this ritual space. Please stand and face the East.

GUARDIAN OF THE EAST CALLS THE DIRECTION
POWERS OF THE EAST, ELEMENT OF AIR, WE CALL YOU TO THIS PLACE, TO JOIN US, IN OUR SOLSTICE
CELEBRATION. GRANT YOUR BLESSING TO OUR VOICES, TO OUR THOUGHTS AND TO THE SOUNDS
OF OUR SINGING. HELP US TO CALL FORTH THE NEW LIGHT. BLESSED BE.

GUARDIAN OF THE SOUTH CALLS THE DIRECTION
POWERS OF THE SOUTH, ELEMENT OF FIRE, WE CALL YOU TO THIS PLACE, TO JOIN US, IN OUR
SOLSTICE CELEBRATION. LET YOUR PASSION BURN BRIGHTLY IN OUR HEARTS. HELP US TO CALL
FORTH THE NEW LIGHT. BLESSED BE.

GUARDIAN OF THE WEST CALLS THE DIRECTION
POWERS OF THE WEST, ELEMENT OF WATER, WE CALL YOU TO THIS PLACE TO JOIN US IN OUR SOLSTICE CELEBRATION. LET YOUR COMPASSION TEACH US WE ARE ALL PART OF ONE ANOTHER,
AND ALL DEPEND ON THE LIGHT. HELP US TO CALL FORTH THE NEW LIGHT. BLESSED BE

GUARDIAN OF THE NORTH CALLS THE DIRECTION
POWERS OF THE NORTH, ELEMENT OF EARTH, WE CALL YOU TO THIS PLACE, TO JOIN
US IN OUR SOLSTICE CELEBRATION. LET YOUR WISDOM TEACH US HOPE IN THE
TIME of darkness. Help us to call forth the new light. Blessed Be.

LEADER CALLS THE CENTER
Powers of the Center, Place of Spirit that pervades all, the place of the Goddess
and the God, of all that first set in place the turning Wheel of the Year. We call
you to this place to join with us in our Solstice Celebration. Grant us new light. Help us to call forth the light. Blessed be.
Please be seated.

Ancient people saw the changing of the seasons and the flow of time as a great Wheel. They called this the Wheel of the Year. To this season, they gave the name Yule, an Anglo Saxon word meaning wheel. They decorated the doors and windows of their dwelling places with wreaths to symbolize the turning of the wheel. And they gathered in circles to observe the beginning of a new year at the Winter Solstice. Tonight, we too, gather to celebrate the Winter Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere this is the longest night of the year. Yet in this night of greatest darkness, the light will be reborn. After tonight the Sun will grow stronger and the light last longer, till we reach the time of longest day at the Summer Solstice.

The ancient people did not take the return of light for granted. They never
forgot how our very lives depend on its return. They believed the people must help the Light to be reborn, by honoring this time of darkness. The people were to watch and wait, holding hope like a beacon in their hearts. While the people waited, they prayed and feasted. They decorated their homes so that the returning light would find welcome and beauty in the New Year. They exchanged gifts with one another in honor of the life-giving gift of the increasing light. And while they waited they told stories. Stories to explain the light's coming and going.

Tonight we will tell one story of how the light makes rich our lives. We will tell a
story of the turning Wheel of the year and how the light will be reborn.
(Leader is seated.)

THE CRONE: I am The Crone, the Old One who rules the time of Winter. I have many
Names; Hecate, Cerridwen, Spider Grandmother - I am midwife of life and
of death, the Changer, she who stands at the crossroads. I am the keeper of the
stories. This night I have brought the Guardians of the four directions to tell the
story of the Sun God, a story of life, death, and rebirth! Listen!
(Sound of rattles or bells while the Crone sit and the Guardian of the East steps into the circle)

EAST GUARDIAN: I am the East, the place of dawn, ruled by the element of Air. I am
The breath of Life, gifter of thought, speech and song. I watch over all the winged ones. I am the season of Spring, the season of birth and new creation.

Can you remember the Spring? Life surged forth in buds and sprouts. The trees
dress their branches in new leaves as the sap rises to rouse them from sleep.
The birds returned from the realms of the South to raise their children. New life comes forth and multiplies. The Earth leans towards the Sun as she greens and blossoms. Each day the young Sun rises in the East and each day grows stronger. Each day the time of light lasts longer. Did you think it would last forever? The Wheel Turns!

(Sound of rattles or bells while the East spins, and moves back to her/his seat
and the Guardian of the South stands and takes her/his place in the circle.)

SOUTH GUARDIAN: I am the South, the place of midday, ruled by the element of Fire.
I am the passion and laughter of life. Guardian of all that walks and crawls on
the Earth. I hold the gift of fertile Earth from which your crops come forth. I am
the blessing of children, the keeper of truth and innocence. I am the season of
Summer.

Can you remember the Summer? The fruit was set upon the Vines and the
branches of the trees. The herds fatten on the thick grass of the upper pastures.
Young animals scamper and play under the watchful eyes of the older animals.
The young birds learn to fly. Your own children take shade under the glorious
leaf canopy of the trees. The Earth leans nearest the sun, radiant in her beauty.
The Sun, strong and hot, is at the peak of his power. And the light exceeds the
darkness. Did you think it would last forever? The Wheel turns!

(Sounds of rattles or bells while the South spins, and moves back to her/his seat
and the Guardian of the West stands and takes her/his place in the circle.)

WEST GUARDIAN: I am the West, place of dusk, ruled by the Element of Water. I am
the keeper of life-giving water, from the oceans depths to the waters of the
womb that rocked you before your birth. I am the sweet rain satisfying the thirsty
Earth and keeper of all that swims and lives in water. I am the place of all that
lies below the surface, of intuition and dreams. And I am the season of Fall and
the time of Harvest. Can you remember the Fall?

Do you remember the backbreaking labor of harvesting the grains and fruits and
vegetables. The vines and trees were heavy with their bounty. Now the young
animals take their places beside the elders and begin the great migrations to
the Realms of the South and the pastures of the lowland.

The trees transform from deep green into glorious gold, orange and red, - their
true colors shine forth before they drop their finery, leaf by leaf to the ground.
Your own children must be dressed against the morning and evening chill and
you labor to make ready for the coming darkness. The Earth stands apart from
the Sun who grows cooler and the light begins to die. Did you think it would last
forever? The Wheel turns!

(The Guardian of the West now spins and ends pointing to the North.) (Sounds of
Bells and rattles while the West spins and the North stands and takes Her/his
place in the circle.)

NORTH GUARDIAN: I am the North, the place of midnight, ruled by the element
of Earth. I am the place of the ancestors and ancient wisdom, of all that has
walked the wheel through millennia and knows the way. I rule the time of
Winter. Now the time of Darkness is upon us- a time of cold and scarcity when
the northern-most Earth leans farthest from the Sun. Now the Sun gives brief light
and little warmth. The life that was lies shattered and still - retreated like refugees
in the migration of herds, the flight of the flocks. The trees stand stripped and
naked, their once glorious leaves and fruits lie rotting at their feet. Now their
branches are imprisoned in ice, bent and broken by storms. In the time of
suffering and hardship you learn what is essential. In the time, of cold and dark,
death seems to triumph. Even the God dies!

(The North Guardian points to the Sun God who now rises. The North
Guardian bows and is seated.)

(The Tolling of a Bell or Chime begins to slowly sound.) The Sun God now begins to slowly walk deosil (East, South, West, North) around the circle. As he passes each altar, he pauses. The Guardian stands and puts on a dark cloak, and bows to the God. The guardian then holds up one light to be the first to be extinguished from that altar. The God extinguishes the light; the Guardian bows to the God and then extinguishes the remainder of the lights on the altar. The Guardian is then seated and the God walks to the next direction. When the God reaches the North Altar and the lights there have been extinguished, and the Guardian seated the God turns and walks into the center before the Yule log and dies. The Crone rises and covers the God with a shroud. The Crone then extinguishes all the candles on the center altar EXCEPT the triple candles of the Yule log, representing the triple Goddess.

(The tolling bell or chime fades into silence.)

HOLD THE SILENCE FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. (Now a drum should softly begin to beat a slow soft single beat cadence.) The Crone should now move to a point between the East and South altar. As the Crone is moving to the South, the deceased Sun God should rise as unobtrusively as possible and exit the circle via the Northwest Aisle. The Crone begins to speak.

CRONE: Each of you has known darkness. Each family, each Community… It is
etched in your memories- it lives in your broken hearts and shattered dreams.

South Guardian: In the darkness of war our men perished, we were refugees, our
children died from cold and hunger, there was no welcome for us in new
places. It seems there is no end to the violence and the suffering.

East Guardian: When my beloved died, the darkness of sorrow seemed to swallow me
up. Now there is only emptiness and grief. My heart is cut out of me and yet I
am still alive.

West Guardian: When the violence struck, thousands died. I am afraid for
my children and myself. I am afraid for the future. What am I before the
power of hatred and destruction?

North Guardian: The sickness has taken everything. My whole world has become the
walls of this room, and the misery of my body. No one comes to see me and I'm
alone.

Crone: Yes, these are great and terrible darknesses. And there are many, many more.
And YET- there is greater Darkness, far greater than these. It is the Darkness which
preceded all, and holds all within it. This is the Darkness of the Great Mother,
She Who is the Source of all Creation. And in whose pregnant womb all creation
waits to be remade and reborn. (Pause) (Drum begins a soft heartbeat)

And you her children, She does not forget! Be Not Afraid, for you are not
abandoned nor forsaken. Even now the Goddess labors to birth the Light. The
slumbering animals are dreaming of it. The seeds now lying in the dark Earth
know the time is coming and push through darkness, to seek new light. Trust the
laboring darkness, for the Light is coming. A time of Awakening is coming. A
time when burdens will be lifted, and refugees welcomed. A time for the
healing of Grief, and the rebirth of dreams. A time of renewal. But only (pause)- if the people help. Each of you (point to the gathered people) must make a place of hope and welcome in your hearts for the new light!

Do you hold a place of Hope in your hearts? (People answer YES!) Will you
welcome the new light? (People answer YES!!) Then join together to turn the
Wheel! Look to the East and help the light to be reborn! (Drumming) Begin Chant:
We Will Kindle a Fire

Spirit of fire come to us; We will kindle a fire.
Spirit of fire come to us; We will kindle a fire.
We will kindle a fire!

Dance the magic circle 'round,
We will kindle a fire!
We will kindle a fire.

THE CRONE FACES THE EAST WITH OUT STRECHED ARMS AS THE CHANT IS SUNG THROUGH ONCE. NOW THE YOUNG GOD DRESSED IN A GOLD CLOAK APPEARS IN THE AISLE NEXT TO THE EAST ALTAR. THE CRONE STRETCHES OUT HER ARMS IN JOYFUL WELCOME AND BOWS TO THE YOUNG GOD. THEN SHE GESTURES TOWARD THE CENTER ALTAR. THE YOUNG GOD NOW WALKS FORWARD AND WITH A WHITE TAPER LIGHTS THE WINTER SOLSTICE CANDLE FROM THE TRIPLE CANDLES OF THE YULE LOG.

THE YOUNG SUN GOD LIGHTS THE YELLOW TAPER FOR THE EAST FROM THE SOLSTICE CANDLE. THE EAST GUARDIAN STANDS, REMOVES HER/HIS DARK CLOAK AND WALKS TO THE CENTER, BOWS, AND RECEIVES THE LIGHT FOR THE EAST ALTAR FROM THE SUN GOD. AS THE EAST GUARDIAN TURNS TO RETURN TO THE EAST ALTAR, THE LIGHT SHOULD BE LIFTED HIGH WITH JOY AND TRIUMPH. THE EAST GUARDIAN AND THE ASSISTANT BEGINS TO LIGHT THE ALTAR CANDLES AND THE CANDLES OF THOSE SEATED AROUND THE EAST TO PASS ON TO OTHERS.
(THE CRONE MEANWHILE BEGINS TO DANCE AROUND THE CIRCLE)

THE YOUNG SUN GOD LIGHTS THE RED TAPER FOR THE SOUTH FROM THE SOLSTICE CANDLE. THE SOUTH GUARDIAN RISES, REMOVES HER/HIS CLOAK AND WALKS TO THE CENTER ALTAR, BOWS AND RECEIVES THE LIGHT FOR THE SOUTH ALTAR FROM THE SUN GOD. THE SOUTH GUARDIAN RETURNS TO THE SOUTH ALTAR ALSO HOLDING THE LIGHT ALOFT IN JOY AND TRIUMPH AND WITH THEIR ASSISTANT BEGINS TO LIGHT THE ALTAR CANDLES AND THE CANDLES OF THE RITUAL PARTICIPANTS.

THE YOUNG SUN GOD LIGHTS THE BLUE TAPER FOR THE WEST FROM THE SOLSTICE CANDLE. THE WEST GUARDIAN RISES, REMOVES HER/HIS CLOAK AND WALKS TO THE CENTER ALTAR, BOWS AND RECEIVES THE LIGHT FOR THE WEST ALTAR FROM THE YOUNG SUN GOD. THE WEST GUARDIAN RETURNS TO THE WEST ALTAR, HOLDING THE LIGHT ALOFT IN JOY AND TRIUMPH, AND WITH THEIR ASSISTANT BEGINS TO LIGHT THE ALTAR CANDLES AND THE CANDLES OF THE RITUAL PARTICIPANTS.

THE YOUNG SUN GOD LIGHTS THE GREEN TAPER FOR THE NORTH FROM THE SOLSTICE CANDLE. THE NORTH GUARDIAN RISES, REMOVES HER/HIS CLOAK AND WALKS TO THE CENTER ALTAR, BOWS, AND RECEIVES THE LIGHT FOR THE NORTH ALTAR FROM THE YOUNG SUN GOD. THE NORTH GUARDIAN RETURNS TO THE NORTH ALTAR, HOLDING THE LIGHT ALOFT IN JOY AND TRIUMPH AND WITH THEIR ASSISTANT BEGINS TO LIGHT THE ALTAR CANDLES AND THE CANDLES OF THE RITUAL PARTICIPANTS.

ONCE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE LIT, THE YOUNG SUN GOD STANDS WITH THE LEADER AND THE CRONE NEAR THE NORTH ALTAR. (DRUMMING AND CHANTING CRESENDO AND STOP)

CENTER/LEADER: The people in darkness have seen a great light, and tho this light is
yet small, as it grows in each of us it will grow stronger. We have shared light
with each other, now we invite those present to share a hope or a wish for the
new year.

(Sharing)

CENTER/LEADER: Let us now sit together in quiet darkness and newborn light. Let us
Take these shared hopes and dreams and place them in our hearts.

There may now be soft solo drumming or harp playing or recorded music for the next few minutes. (Holy Wheel of Radiance)

LET THE CENTER/LEADER ANNOUNCE THE FINAL BLESSING OF THE SUN GOD TO THE GATHERED PEOPLE)

CENTER/LEADER: LET the Sun God now bless the people!

The Blessing of the newborn Sun God:
"Out of Darkness Light is Re-born. Carry the hope of this moment like a torch in your
hearts through the coming year. Let it sustain you in your times of darkness,
and be a symbol of blessing in your times of joy. Let Peace be with you.

Leader/Center: Let us now thank the Directions. Please stand and face the center.
To the powers of the center, we thank you for your presence at our ritual.
We thank you for the new light of this Winter Solstice. Let it grow strong enough
To transform our lives. Blessed Be!

NORTH GUARDIAN:
TO THE POWERS OF THE NORTH, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE AT OUR
RITUAL. LET US CARRY THIS NEW LIGHT IN OUR HEART WITH WISDOM. BLESSED BE!

WEST GUARDIAN:
TO THE POWERS OF THE WEST, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE AT
OUR RITUAL. LET US CARRY THE NEW LIGHT WITH HEARTS FILLED WITH COMPASSION.
LET US DREAM NEW DREAMS AND WEAVE THEM INTO BEING. BLESSED BE!

SOUTH GUARDIAN: TO THE POWERS OF THE SOUTH, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE
AT OUR RITUAL. LET US CARRY THE NEW LIGHT WITH THE PASSION AND POWER OF
LOVE. BLESSED BE!

EAST GUARDIAN: TO THE POWERS OF THE EAST, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE AT
OUR RITUAL. LET US CARRY THE NEW LIGHT WITH NEW THOUGHTS AND NEW SONGS.
LET US BEGIN NOW AS A NEW YEAR BEGINS. BLESSED BE!

LEADER/Center: We close our ritual yet we invite you to linger here for drumming and
dancing. You are welcome to keep your candles, or if you wish you may place
them in baskets by the doors. There will be cider and sun cookies in the foyer to
quench your thirst and hunger. Please join us in our closing chant
Light is returning

SING Light is returning
Although it is the darkest hour
No one can hold back the dawn

Let's keep it burning
Let's keep the light of hope alive
Make safe our journey, through the dark

(Extinguish hand held candles. Begin to move into the circle to dance and drum around the Solstice altar. Extinguish altar candles as needed, or when altar is not attended. The sun cookies can now be removed from beneath the altar and taken to the foyer to be distributed.)

Happy Winter Solstice!!!!

Ritual created by Mary Marsh, l994 Revised 2004 by Mary Marsh
Adapted from the poem Prayer for the Winter by Mary Wolch-Marsh, 1984

First performed in 1994 by The Olympia Chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (OlyCUUPs)