Winter Solstice Rituals in Wicca: Winter solstice, also known as Yule, is an important celebration within the Wiccan tradition. It marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, symbolizing the return of light and the rebirth of the sun. During this time, Wiccans perform various rituals to honor this sacred event and welcome the coming of the sun's warmth and light. One common ritual observed during the winter solstice is the lighting of a Yule log. The Yule log, traditionally made of oak, is decorated with festive greenery, such as holly or mistletoe, and is then lit using the remnants of the previous year's log. This ritual symbolizes the release of the old and the embracing of new beginnings.
I love the photo - so atmospheric and evocative. I can almost smell that wood. And how wonderful that Clementine responded so delightedly to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I too hadn't read it for decades until I read it to my children, then aged about six and four, a few years ago and, like you, I was surprised at how little-kid-friendly it was. They too loved it and it has remained vivid in their minds. It's such a wonderful book to be part of a child's store of mythology and imagery.
Thank you for all your blog posts, by the way - they always add something positive to my day!
I too hadn t read it for decades until I read it to my children, then aged about six and four, a few years ago and, like you, I was surprised at how little-kid-friendly it was. Through Stiers s personal experience you will learn about the gods goddesses, symbols and tools of Wicca; spells and curses; living day-to-day as a witch; and Wiccan holidays sabbats with meaningful and delicious recipes.
This ritual symbolizes the release of the old and the embracing of new beginnings. As the log burns, it is believed to bring luck and protection for the coming year. Another important ritual is the circle casting ceremony.
Misty the marvelous witch
What a beautiful photo! The trees look like the Pacific Northwest, but the building seems to have come from England. I may have to look at The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe again - based on Clementine's recommendation!
Anonymous said.I love the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe! :) And the rest of the series is worth a read as well.
HelenPeters said.I love the photo - so atmospheric and evocative. I can almost smell that wood. And how wonderful that Clementine responded so delightedly to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I too hadn't read it for decades until I read it to my children, then aged about six and four, a few years ago and, like you, I was surprised at how little-kid-friendly it was. They too loved it and it has remained vivid in their minds. It's such a wonderful book to be part of a child's store of mythology and imagery.
Thank you for all your blog posts, by the way - they always add something positive to my day!
I love both the picture and the story! It reminds me of how much fun reading really is - I often feel like I need to go out for a run or something during a good part of a book, just so I can wiggle around in excitement. :)
Where was this picture taken? It's gorgeous!!
anne said.just recently, listened to the entire Chronicles of Narnia on cd while driving back and forth to chemo and other medical things. Think LWR my fave in the series, altho Horse and His Boy is quite excellent as well. Heck, they all have awesomeness, tho I was less thrilled w/the final book this time -- it is a bit less hard to "ignore" the possible religious bent of that story. :)
Would have loved to have seen Pie's response to those great parts, I too feel triumph and joy when Aslan breathes on the animals, etc :)
hooray for simple stories, simple joys!
The religious themes in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is what makes the series so great and worthwhile. I see no reason why anyone would ever want to ignore something so wonderful. It's the good news for crying out loud! If Aslan hadn't let himself be killed, Edmund would have died=if Jesus hadn't let himself be crucified, we would all surely die fully in our transgressions. Let us not turn our heads away from what C.S. Lewis was trying to tell us all!
Stephanie Perkins said.I had that same reaction when I was her age! That's why my cat's name is Mr. Tumnus. ;-)
Christina Carnoy said.I love those books! I've re-read them multiple times since I was a little girl. I am currently reading your new book, "Days of Blood and Starlight" and I just have to say "Wow!" How the heck did you dream into creation the wonderful creatures and characters and places that you have brought to life in this trilogy? I am really wonderstruck. Fascinated, and enjoying myself immensely.
Mark said.The only bad thing about hearing from your favorite authors is hearing things like this. it seems everyone is tolerant of everything anymore except Jesus. They'll tolerate most forms of depravity but somehow the most loving being in the whole of the universe is offensive. C.S. Lewis was a very prominent Christian figure, so why be offended at the Christian themes embedded in such wonderful stories? I love your books Laini, why turn your nose up at Christianity. I would assume that many of your readers are Christian people or at least people who identify with Christianity.
Tiffany Marie said.Oh, I didn't consider reading this one to our son. We should! Thanks for the recommendation.
Though we read books to our son that may contain some minor religious themes, we read lots of mythology to him and he understands it as such.
We won't introduce religion to our son until after he's 8, the supposed age of reason, so that he can form his own opinion about it and not have it foisted on him by others. At that time, so that he won't be ignorant of such things, we'll discuss all religions (or, rather, as many as we are aware) and their histories. Don't know if it will work as we're being thwarted by the teachers mentioning Christian themes and students talking about it. We're a nonreligious household and yet he's already coming home talking about Jesus' death and the end of the world (supposedly if Obama was reelected - grrrrrrrr - yeah, we live in NC) from school. Homeschooling or unschooling is looking more and more like the right thing to do.
Age of reason http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7241
Anyway, saw this and thought you and Clementine may like to try this project for Valentine's Day.
http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/01/valentine-project-for-little-ones.html
http://www.hillcitybride.com/2010/11/diy-from-pulp-art-plantable-paper/
Dear Mark, I am sorry to have phrased this glibly and seemed to insult Christians. That was not my intention. It was a hurried post, and I wasn't thinking it through. In fact, a story packed with overt, heavy-handed Christian doctrine would be annoying to me. That doesn't mean that I take offense to Christian themes themselves (well, not all of them). I just don't want to read books that are "preachy", especially to my young child. I want to read good stories, that are overall positive, as this one is. My intention was not to insult Christianity.
I'm sorry for that.
Tiffany Marie, yeah, that's pretty much our goal too. We'll see how it goes! How old is your son?
Risaa Litchi said.Oh, that's funny, I just saw the second movie this afternoon!! Narnia was one of my favorite books when I was younger and still is, and somehow I'm glad you like it too ^^
Myrna Foster said.I'm actually reading it to my ten-year-old and my five-year-old, and we'll be reading the statue chapter tomorrow. :o)
If she loved that one, she'd probably love the others as well.
Mark said.Thanks Laini, I appreciate that. I have loved reading your books, and it would suck to think that you didn't like Christians. There just tends to be alot of prejudice going on in the world and prejudice in any form is an ugly thing to me. No one deserves to be abused and no one has the right to abuse anyone else. Each of us are infinitely and inestimable in worth.
Tiffany Marie said. This comment has been removed by the author. January 21, 2013 at 5:53 AM Tiffany Marie said.Alex is 6. :) We've nearly finished all of Hans Christian Andersen's work. I think Narnia is next. I'm excited to get started on The Golden Compass as well. I devoured that book like Bulgasari, Pulgasari and Galgameth getting together for a bender in a rail yard. I think he'll love it as well! :)
A while ago, you mentioned on Twitter that you had been in the process of searching for a school, but I think you said you weren't sure anymore after what happened at the Clackamas Mall and Newtown. What did you decide to do?
Though we read books to our son that may contain some minor religious themes, we read lots of mythology to him and he understands it as such.
Wiccans create a sacred space by casting a circle using their athame, a ritual knife, or their wand. The circle represents a boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm, providing a space for magical work and worship. During the winter solstice, the circle is cast to amplify the connection with the energies of the sun and the rebirth of light. Offerings and prayers are also commonly performed during winter solstice rituals. Wiccans may create a small altar dedicated to the sun or the gods and goddesses associated with the sun's rebirth. Offerings such as herbs, crystals, or personal items are placed on the altar as a symbol of gratitude and devotion. Prayers, invocations, or chants are recited to honor and connect with the divine forces that bring life and light to the world. Divination and spellwork are often incorporated into winter solstice rituals as well. It is believed that this time of year holds powerful energy for manifestation and insight. Wiccans may use divination tools like tarot cards, crystals, or runes to gain guidance or clarity for the coming year. They may also perform spells to release negativity, set intentions, or attract abundance and growth. Overall, winter solstice rituals in Wicca are a time of celebration, reflection, and spiritual renewal. They honor the cycle of the seasons, the eternal cycle of life and death, and the return of the sun's light and warmth. These rituals allow Wiccans to connect with the natural world, embrace the power of transformation, and find inspiration as they begin a new year filled with hope and magic..
Reviews for "Tales of the Wucca tribe's legendary winter solstice feasts"
1. Emma - 1 star
I attended the Winter Solstice Rituals Wucca and it was not what I expected at all. The rituals felt disorganized and lacked any real meaning or purpose. It seemed as though the organizers were simply going through the motions without any true understanding or connection to the traditions they were attempting to replicate. The atmosphere was also quite chaotic, with people talking over each other and no clear direction. Overall, I was disappointed and felt that my time and money could have been better spent elsewhere.
2. John - 2 stars
I was excited to participate in the Winter Solstice Rituals Wucca, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The rituals themselves were confusing and seemed to lack coherence. It felt as though the event was more focused on creating a spectacle rather than providing a meaningful experience for the participants. Additionally, the organization of the event was poor, with long wait times and a lack of clear instructions. I left feeling unsatisfied and disillusioned with the whole experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I have attended several Winter Solstice rituals in the past, but the Wucca event left me feeling underwhelmed. The atmosphere was not as serene and peaceful as I had hoped, but rather chaotic and loud. The rituals themselves seemed rushed and poorly executed, with participants lacking a clear understanding of their roles. While I appreciate the effort to create a unique experience, it ultimately missed the mark for me. I would have preferred a more authentic and spiritually fulfilling celebration of the Winter Solstice.
4. Michael - 1 star
The Winter Solstice Rituals Wucca was a complete disappointment. The organizers seemed more focused on the aesthetic aspects of the event rather than honoring the true essence of the Winter Solstice. The rituals felt forced and insincere, lacking any genuine connection to the natural world or the spiritual significance of the solstice. The event also seemed to lack proper planning and organization, leading to a chaotic and disjointed experience. Overall, I would not recommend attending this event for anyone seeking a meaningful and authentic celebration of the Winter Solstice.
5. Emily - 1 star
I had high hopes for the Winter Solstice Rituals Wucca, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The rituals felt superficial and lacked the depth and spiritual significance I was anticipating. It seemed as though the organizers were more focused on the commercial aspect of the event rather than creating a meaningful experience for participants. The lack of organization was evident, with confusion and miscommunication among the participants. I left feeling disconnected and unsatisfied, wishing I had chosen a different way to celebrate the Winter Solstice.