Wiccan Yule celebration, also known as Yule Sabbat, is an important festival observed by practitioners of Wicca. It marks the winter solstice, which typically falls on December 21st or 22nd in the northern hemisphere. It is a time to honor the rebirth of the sun and the triumph of light over dark. The Yule Sabbat holds great significance in Wiccan tradition as it represents the turning point of the year. It symbolizes the return of light and warmth after the darkest and coldest days of winter. During this time, Wiccans celebrate the cycle of life and the continuity of nature.
Merari began casting spells to control people around her. Now she felt like she could protect herself.
Also heavily discussed in the Young Witch series, where the main character decides to become a witch because this happened to an old lady fitting the description. In The Naked Witch , the witch was a haughty widow who was accused of witchcraft by her married lover and put to death when she demanded he put aside his wife and marry her.
During this time, Wiccans celebrate the cycle of life and the continuity of nature. The celebration of Yule involves various rituals and practices that are meant to honor the winter solstice and the energy it brings. Many Wiccans decorate their altars and homes with symbols of the season, such as evergreen wreaths, holly, mistletoe, and candles.
In a Country Where Widows Are Witches
Christiana, 49, had been traveling from one forest to the next for the past three days. Her water gourd was now light, and her feet wearily ruffled heaps of dry leaves trafficking in the dark surface of the forest floor. With her was her 14 year old son.
Her sight fell upon bones hanging on the branch of the tree bearing flock of talking parrots. There was, on the floor, the skull of a man. The chaff of his perished flesh gave a fetid smell. The skull had a hollow and maggots walked to and fro through the inlet in the door of its eyes.
That was her husband. He committed suicide four months ago. She knelt beside the bones and buried herself in grief. That was in 2014.
“For those months, we traveled from one forest to another looking for my husband,” she recalled. “We never knew he could do this.” She spoke slowly and a brief hiss came after each sentence. A ring of coughs trailed her tears.
In the week in which her husband left their home without leaving a message, his kin summoned her. It was like facing a crowd of judges without a lawyer. She stood lonely in that crowd, which threw questions at her. They wanted evidence and a proof that her husband did not die of her own act of witchcraft.
“They said that I killed my husband,” she told Ms., “and declared me a witch.”
In Nigeria, widows face numerous challenges that have root in cultural practices. Many traditions still make the women take an oath to prove her innocence from witchcraft-related activities that could be responsible for the death of her husband. While others confine the widow in place for specific mourning period and others shave her hair, yet others insist that the widow drinks the water with which her late husband was washed. Some are given to the brother of the deceased.
Legislation protecting widows is lacking in many states in the country, and in regions where the laws exist implementation is far from convincing. Hence, the fate of widows in Nigeria is largely left to few human right groups who find the enormous task almost overwhelming.
Christiana was sitting on a wooden bench under the cover of an orange tree that fluttered above her head next to the house her husband left for her and their six children. It was like a cottage that missed out on a finishing touch. The floor was earthen. There was a nail by the wall and from that nail hung a lamp with a blurred glass globe.
Christiana’s husband, Eze Ori, left Akanu, a village in Onicha, four months earlier. He left no message. He never returned. “The first few days were sad,” she recalled, “but we never knew that there was this difficult moment ahead.” She said and seemed completely determined to create the details of those moments with her fingers swirling in the air after each word.
After facing the community, Christiana returned home exhausted with her children. Over time, the fact that she had not received any feedback from the kinsmen took away her peace. Her way of life got away from her. She stopped going to the farm or shop. One morning, she saw from her doorstep, through the distance, hurrying feet and red caps and potty stomachs. The crowd drew closer. It was the community emissary.
“We have resolved that you would bring #20,000 (around 55 dollars), a goat, a bushel old rice and ten crates of beer,” they declared. “This is for accepting you back into our fold again.”
Christiana was confused. For days she refused to take her bath. She kept her thoughts unspoken. There were moments when she spoke, but those talks were directed at little, weeping children. She thought of the love she shared with her husband. She thought of her rising debt. She thought of the weeping, tender children. She thought of suicide.
Christiana’s suffering went on for months. The other women in the community provided her with small acts of support—albeit secretly, for they feared sanctions. A night before she wanted to carry out the suicide, with her seven-year-old beside her in bed, she began to cry. She imagined her children as orphans. That love killed her decision to die. She decided to live for them.
There are many major drivers of these harmful widowhood practices in Nigeria. Cultural factors, religion, poverty, lack of education, entrenched inequality, weak legislative frameworks and enforcement, gender discrimination and lack of alternative opportunities for widows, lack of education and enlightenment, fear—a myriad of elements contribute to the longstanding problem.
Nigeria is estimated to have about 15 million widows. With the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and high male mortality rate, the number is predicted to rise.
On a sunny morning, Christiana and her eldest son searched for her husband once more. They had done this for three consecutive days—walked from one point to another. They discovered a bone hanging from a tree. That was her husband. He had in his pocket #37,000—around 100 dollars.
After discovering her husband’s corpse, her children and a few friends helped create a grave. Christiana picked up the skull and placed it in a mat. She searched for his bones, put them in their place and stood over the skeleton. She wept. She rolled up the mat and packed the bones into the grave.
Christiana and her six children live away from the community now. And there are millions like her in this country.
Tagged: Africa, Global Women's RightsThese symbols represent fertility, life, protection, and the eternal nature of the divine. A central aspect of the Yule celebration is the lighting of the Yule log, which symbolizes the return of the sun's light and warmth. The Yule log is traditionally a large, specially-selected log that is burned with great ceremony. This ritual is meant to bring blessings for the coming year and to ensure the return of abundant crops and growth. Another important element of the Yule Sabbat is the exchange of gifts. Wiccans believe that by giving and receiving gifts, they are participating in the cycle of giving and receiving that is inherent in nature. It is seen as a way to honor the interconnectedness of all beings and to express gratitude for the blessings of the year. Feasting is also an integral part of the Yule celebration. Wiccans gather with loved ones to share a festive meal, often consisting of traditional winter foods and drinks. This gathering is meant to foster community and strengthen the bonds between individuals. Additionally, the Yule Sabbat is a time for introspection and spiritual renewal. Wiccans take this opportunity to reflect on the past year, express gratitude for their blessings, and set intentions for the year ahead. They may perform divination rituals or engage in meditation and prayer to connect with their spiritual guides and seek guidance for the future. In conclusion, Wiccan Yule celebration is a joyous and meaningful festival that honors the winter solstice and the return of light and warmth. It is a time for reflection, community, and spiritual renewal. Through rituals, feasting, and gift-giving, Wiccans celebrate the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all beings..
Reviews for "The Traditions of Yule Wassailing in Wiccan Practice"
- John - 2 stars - I attended the Wiccan yulr celebration out of curiosity and was sorely disappointed. The event lacked organization and structure, with no clear schedule or program. The rituals and ceremonies felt forced and insincere, lacking the genuine spirituality I had hoped to experience. Additionally, the event space was too small and overcrowded, making it difficult to fully participate or engage with the activities. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this celebration to others seeking a true and authentic Wiccan experience.
- Sarah - 1 star - The Wiccan yulr celebration was a complete letdown for me. Right from the start, it felt disorganized and hastily put together. There were no clear instructions or explanations provided, leaving attendees confused and disconnected from the activities. The whole event lacked a sense of purpose and meaning, with the rituals and practices feeling like empty rituals rather than meaningful spiritual experiences. I left feeling unsatisfied and disillusioned, questioning the authenticity of the celebration and its organizers. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for a genuine and fulfilling Wiccan celebration.