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A There is more space around us: the world is grown transparently hollow and emptier as the year has faded. Leaves scatter from skeletal trees. The bones of the land appear spare and clear. Have you noticed that the light of the sun has vanished little by little? Now darkness and night hold us in their grasp.BDon’t be afraid. This is a sign that we must prepare for one of the great mystical hinges of the year. This darkness marks a season of celebration that our ancestors called Yule. AAs midwinter approaches rivers and lakes freeze over, trees are frosted with snow and lie dormant while animals sleep and dream for countless nights. Look out at the silent, still world. B Ah yes, long ago people would gather at the sacred moss-clad stones as the sun was reborn from the womb of night, and then they celebrated the midwinter festival. They were known to harvest green sprigs of mistletoe from the bare sacred oak trees in honour of the season. This season of Yule is the same time of darkness and rebirth as it was for our ancestors.AAnd we can learn from the Sun as it teaches that even in the darkest of life’s circumstances there are always green sprigs of light and hope. Just like the mistletoe, the birth of light happens when you recognise your own sprigs of potential and life at the centre of darkness. BEven when a tree is dormant or when an animal takes on the winter sleep it may appear dead but has simply retreated from the world of visible activity for rejuvenation and renewal.AYes, we must become like the sacred oak or the hibernating creatures moving into our inner core, and journey within to our spiritual centre where we find a place of renewal, hope and rebirth. BThis is the perfect time at the door of the year’s closure, to find ourselves at a beginning, entering a spiritual space: the silence and emptiness from which new things can be born.CALLING IN THE DIRECTIONSEast:???IN UNISON:We give thanks to Air for its midwinter creatures. Blackbirds, thrushes, fieldfares and redwings forage. Scattered seeds and crumbs feed shy finches, blue tits, dunnocks, wrens and robins. The light of the East reminds us that in weeks to come, the daylight will grow stronger.We welcome you air in the east.South:?IN UNISON:We give thanks for the vital energy of fire reborn as the returning sun. The season of stillness dreams on even as days lengthen. New light sparks renewed activity and merrymaking. The Sun will warm the Earth and our hearts.We welcome you fire in the south.West:?IN UNISON:We give thanks for the gift of water. Winter beauty lies tranquil as frost transforms the landscape and lakes glaze over. Hearts are gladdened at Yule by the fellowship of Earth’s community. We have chosen to be together to learn from each other. We honour our diversity.We welcome you water in the west.North:??IN UNISON:We give thanks to the Earth for a quiet time of rest and darkness. Growing roots below ground support vigour and stability for the coming year. Contemplation boosts spiritual renewal and we connect with beauty inside us and all around us.We welcome you earth in the north.Center:?IN UNISON:??????????We give thanks for spirit in calm midwinter communion as the wheel of the year turns. As the Earth sleeps in darkness we remember Spirit and the sacred web through which we are at one with all-that-is. We welcome you spirit at the center.Remember us in the turning of the wheel.Mother below, quiet and deep, this is your time to sleep.Remember us in your winter’s dreaming.SilenceSilenceEveryone is invited to then say words of appreciation about this time of the year: ice in the pond/brown leaves on the beech tree ….C. We give thanks to the Earth for this quiet time of rest and darkness. We give thanks for Air and all its midwinter creatures. We give thanks for the gift of water crystallized in frost and ice. We give thanks for the vital energy of Fire reborn as the returning sun. As Earth sleeps we remember the sacred web we belong to and the stars from which we come.Releasing Together we release what no longer serves us (like self-doubt, dimming our light, not living up to potential) and in its place, we’ll welcome rebirth and renewal. (can put sticks/twigs into the fire to “release” that energy/feeling/thing)Candlelight circle return indoors or stay by the fire in the gardenCave MeditationGather in a circle round the table, light central candle then other candles with an intention/desire for the new year, either a personal one or something you will put energy into.Song: Be still and know that Day and Night, Be still and know both Dark and Light, are one Holy circle.You are invited to sing a song /tell a story, folk customs, yuletide myth or legend, read a poem connected with winter and this season.Closing the circle Join hands together in a circle and spend a few moments focusing together on the sharing of love, an on-going gift that transcend time & physical presents.D. We come together in love and peace celebrating our connection with each other, with all of nature and her cycles, our connection with life on planet Earth. We are so thankful for Earth, and Air, and Fire, and Water. Welcome Sun. Lend us your light and warmth through the winter months as we await the spring. We asked for Yuletide blessings as we join with family and friends. May compassion and wisdom be kindles within us and may the brightness of renewal and hope stay alight in our hearts. We call to you, Return.Sing a chant or song The Holly and the Ivy?Solstice feast Before beginning the feast a prayer of thanksgiving E. We give thanks for the Light and all that sustains us. May we ever be aware of all that we have and be grateful to eat and drink, be happy and to share with each other. A Winter Solstice PrayerThe dark shadow of space leans over us. . . . .We are mindful that the darkness of greed, exploitation, and hatredalso lengthens its shadow over our small planet Earth.As our ancestors feared death and evil and all the dark powers of winter,we fear that the darkness of war, discrimination, and selfishnessmay doom us and our planet to an eternal winter.May we find hope in the lights we have kindled on this sacred night,hope in one another and in all who form the web-work of peace and justicethat spans the world.In the heart of every person on this Earthburns the spark of luminous goodness;in no heart is there total darkness.May we who have celebrated this winter solstice,by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,call forth from one another the light and the lovethat is hidden in every heart.Amen.Winter's CloakThis year I do not wantthe dark to leave me.I need its wrapof silent stillness,its cloakof long lasting embrace.Too much lighthas pulled me awayfrom the chamberof gestation.Let the dawnscome late,let the sunsetsarrive early,let the eveningsextend themselveswhile I lean intothe abyss of my being.Let me lie in the caveof my soul,for too much lightblinds me,steals the sourceof revelation.Let me seek solacein the empty placesof winter's passage,those vast dark nightsthat never fail to shelter me. ................
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