Circle of the Hearth – Yule 2006
Written by Bird
Invokations by Blayze

Props
•	Brazier and wood
•	Metho (to help light fire)
•	Yule candle for altar
•	9 cauldrons
•	White cloth for charms
•	Leather thonging to tie up charms
•	Symbols for each season	
	Yule		Holly
	Imbolc		Corn
	Ostara		Seeds
	Beltane	Rose petals
	Litha		Oak Leaves
	Lammas	Wheat
	Mabon		Autumn leaves
	Samhain	Bones

Setting
•	The brazier is in the centre of the circle filled with wood ready to be lit
•	There are 8 cauldrons placed at the compass points filled with symbols of each season
•	There are fairy lights on the Yule tree (unlit)
•	Candles are lined up along the outside of the circle
•	The altar is decorated with symbols of Yule
•	As guests arrive they are greeted with a cup of mulled wine off the stove

Ritual
Circle cast – Full circle cast

Elemental Invokations – Traditional, with pentagrams 

HPS	(Traditional Invokation of the mother)

HP	(Traditional Invokation of the horned god)

HPS	Welcome to midwinter, the winter solstice
The time of the shortest day, the longest night
The time when the sun is born anew
The time when the great mother gives birth to the child of promise
The time when new life emerges from the darkness of the womb

Let us dance in this season of the sun

Wheel dance with cords

HP	It is time to call forth the Great Mother, the one that would deliver to us the 
child of promise and return the light to our lives

Yule song to bring forth the light

As the song is sung, the brazier is lit, and the HPS says quietly over the fire

	From the darkness of night’s embrace
We call to thee
Lady of the Hidden Flame
We call to thee from barren hills as yet
Unwarmed by thy child’s newborn face
We call to thee
Nurturer of the Sun
Keeper of the Cycle of Life
We call to thee
Kindler of the flame between the Worlds
Queen of the Longest Night
We invoke thee from the depths of thy mournful love
Return the light to our lives

After the brazier is lit, the candle from the altar is lit and then the light is sent around the circle so that all the candles around the circle are lit.

HP	The light illuminates the path of the child of promise, the new born, the fool. Gather round as we tread the circle, to catch a glimpse of the prophecies and the mysteries reflected in the light that the mother has borne.

HP gives all participants a white piece of cloth and a length of leather cord.

All go to south quarter and HPS gives Holly leaf to each person, saying:
At Yule you were born, the holly is the green in winter and the blood upon the snow.

Move to south east and HPS gives a corn kernel to each person, saying:
At Imbolc the maiden dances and the mystery of life hides in the corn.

Move to the east and HPS gives a pumpkin seed to each person, saying:
At Ostara you will plant the seeds for your future dreams, the seed is the cycle of life manifest.

Move to the north east and HPS gives a rose petal to each person, saying:
At Beltane you will dance for love and dance for joy, red is the blood and white is the seed.

Move to the north and HPS gives an oak leaf to each person, saying:
At Litha you rest in the sun, sovereignty reigns the leaf of the ok.

Move to the north west and HPS gives a wheat sheath to each person, saying:
At Lughnasadh you will reflect on what you have grown in your life, you will reap the rewards of your hard work, you will know the meaning of sacrifice.

Move to the west and HPS gives an autumn leaf to each person, saying:
At Mabon you reflect on your year, on your age and your growth, a journey begins.

Move to the south west and HPS gives a bone to each person, saying:
At Samhain you remember your ancestors, you commune with the dead. The child born at Yule is conceived at this time.

HP	You now hold in your hands a symbol of the prophecies and mysteries to come, a symbol of the wheel of the year and the path of the sun.

Everyone moves into a circle around the central cauldron that is alight. The HPS holds her charm over the fire saying:

	Bless this charm that represents the cycle of life, the wheel of the year, the potential and mystery still to come.

HPS invites each person to bless their charm over the central fire.

HP	We have called forth the light back into our lives, we have witnessed the 
birth of the child of promise. We have glimpsed the mysteries of the wheel of the year and we carry with us a charm of the season. Happy Yule everyone.

Cakes and Ale

Farewell quarters

Close circle

Turn on fairy lights on Yule tree