[mauvaisroux]

Good morning all!

I am having a hard time dealing with Christmas this year. I have the spirit but am just being overwhelmed by the commercialism this year, I can usually ignore it but somehow it is really bothering me.

We were watching t.v. the other day and all the ads were getting on my nerves. I said to my husband that the advertising companies should just change the words to the carols in the ads to "Stuff, stuff, stuff, buy more stuff, people won't think you love them unless you buy them stuff! Hey! Get off your butt and go to the mall and buy more stuff from us" Bah humbug!

I am just going to try to observe the season in a more spiritual way. I have put up my wreath and some lights on the house and some pine swags and other more nature oriented items around the house.

We have an open house party every year and I will be performing a candle lighting ceremony to reflect on the people who are no longer with us (DH's mom and uncle, my Aunt, plus lighting a candle for a family friend who has cancer).

Does anyone here have any special rituals or wiccan traditions they observe at this time of year?

I would love to hear what others do as I have only been dabbling in this for a short time and would appreciate some ideas.

[Tani]

Like most holidays, we celebrate with fire Weather permitting we'll have a bonfire outside for Yule. Some years it's more elaborate than others. When the weather is rainy, the fire is in the fireplace inside. Optimally we'll stay up all night and welcome the return of the sun with the dawn, but most years we poop out early and transfer some of the yule fire to a oil lamp to burn til morning. We'll usually burn tokens in the fire, of what we want to draw into our lives in the coming year. (Just like at Samhain, when we burn tokens of what we want to leave behind us)

[mauvaisroux]

Here are a couple of things I found while surfing this afternoon

1. Yule Incense
Scott Cunningham's,The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews
USA l UK l CA

2 parts Frankincense
2 parts Pine needles or resin
1 part Cedar
1 part Juniper berries

Mix and smolder at Wiccan rites on Yule (on or around December 21st), or during the winter months to cleanse the home and to attune with the forces of nature amid the cold days and nights.

2. Winter Solstice Ritual Potpourri
Gerina Dunwich's, The Wicca Spellbook : A Witch's,Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and
Recipes
USA l UK l CA

20 drops musk oil
25 drops pine oil
1 cup oak moss
2 cups dried mistletoe
1 cup dried poinsettia flowers
1 cup dried bayberries
1/2 cup dried rosemary
1/2 cup dried holly leaves and berries
3 crushed pinecones

Mix the musk and pine oils with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

[flower]

I have been so scatterbrained lately. I have done NOTHING for my spirtuality in months and months. I really should celebrate the season somehow. Something personal and without any hoopla.

[CynthiaB]

I'm new to the Pagan path (or rather, returning from a long absence). We are moving to a new house the day before Yule, so won't have much time for decorating, etc. We're going to a Yule party on the 21st; it will go until dawn, when they'll have a ritual or just quiet time to welcome the rising sun, but our son is just 16months old and can't stay at a party that long!

Anyway, I think we might start a new tradition in this house of planting an evergreen on our property and decorating it. Actually, I think I got the idea on this message board somewhere, of decorating it for the animals outside (popcorn, berries, nuts). We've got a big yard and lots of trees (actually, woods) and so adding an evergreen each Winter Solstice won't be too much.

Also, I found a beautiful Yule ritual in a book called "Sabbats", it involves lighting 3 candles to represent the 3 phases of the Goddess, and using Misteltoe and Holly and evergreen boughs for the God. I can't remember it all and I think my book may be packed in a box for now, but I'll look for it and send it to you in a PM if you want.

But I agree with you, Mauvaisroux, about the commercialism. It's been getting worse every year. But that doesn't mean you have to succumb to it. In fact, it makes your spiritual celebration even more special, knowing that you've overcome and ignored the greedy retail vultures.

Merry Yule, everyone!

Cindy

[Amarantha2]

I put up an altar in my house dedicated to the Winter Solstice. It's just a green paper cloth with a wintery figurine surrounded by candles. I think it's nice!

[hannah_weeks]

Hi..I'm new here (haven't posted in the meet and greet yet - i need to remember to do that) -- anyway -- I have a few traditions but one that is fun for my kids and I is to make birdtreat ornaments for the evergreen tree growing outside. It's one of my winter solstice traditions - we slather peanut butter on apples and then roll them in birdseed and hang them on the tree. Plus we fill the feeders and give a little blessing of thanks to all of the wonderful creatures of the earth. It's my way of helping to provide during the darkest and coldest times of the year -- plus it's such a pleasure to watch the birds 'feast' from the dining room window while we have our feast indoors. This year we are also going to have a bon-fire outside the night before solstice and let it burn throughout winter solstice - on the 21st. I live in the country so it isn't problem to do this - I can imagine that in the city it may not be a real good idea.

I've been reading post from this group for a few days and have been very encouraged to see that there is a friendly group of ppl 'like me' to share thoughts and ideas with. Happy Holidays and bless you all during your celebrations!

[mauvaisroux]

Welcome Hannah!

Hope everyone is enjoying the season so far

I'm in a better mood this week as I have got most of my preparations done now

[Nirvanagurl]

I do both for my kids, I belong to a small coven out here in Nevada, its not as active as the one I belonged to in IL, but it is nice to have ppl to celebrate Yule with, This year I actually did Yule twice, Saturday night there was a drum circle Yule celebration that my tribal dance troop and a troop from Reno got together for with some drummers and burning man ppl and we had a lil electic spiritual winter solstice type gathering, I didnt take my kids to that one, that one was more adult based. Then the coven had the traditional Yule ritual/feast Wednesday night, I did take my kids , and it was a nice time, and then on xmas eve, I always have our own lil family thing, my husband is from Sweden, only lived here since he met me online 6 years ago.
They do xmas on xmas eve, so we open packages from his family from sweden, we make cookies and drink glogg..a swedish drink and light up the house with candles. The kids really love that and its a way to slip in spirituality without having to go all out you know? It just creates that glow of fire in the house and even my husband, the big vikking athesit gets a lil mushy without meaning too..lol
Then xmas morning I admit..were full out santa commercialist..lol
I cant help it, I had a crappy *** childhood..and I live for my kids, and yes I over due it every year..well Santa does..and I dont really feel proud of that..BUT yup I do it..every single dam year..lol
and honestly I wouldnt trade watching my kids rip open them prezzies for nothing..lol

then I do continue on for the days between the first yule celebrations into new years day, I try to meditate alot, call up any first signs of sun energy , and try to decide and get ready for my personal week before new years rituals of where I want to see my life head in the upcomming year, and I do include the kids in this, I leave my husband alone, he is very non religous of any sort and not into things and I just simply leave him be to be himself , but the kids ..I dont shove anything at them but I do try and get them to make goals for the years, things they maybe want to learn about/try out, someplace they might want to visit in the up comming year, a old friend to go see , anything like that..and because they go to yule I think they do understand hibernation, energy levels, the solstices and how they affect us, ect.

So thats what I do, Some years the commericalism, even though I myself feed into it, still has bothered me, my son is from a previous relationship, he is 10, and there was one xmas I was working in retail, as a cashier, and like most cashiers I was working way too many hours and utterly freaked out.
AT that time I was also a single mom and extremely poor and on welfare.
And I remember this lady came through my line and spent 800 on xmas decor.
Just the decorations! That was 2 months rent for me, or a good 14 weeks of groceries ..months worth of food..boom gone on her decor..
and I remember just feeling sick..just totally sick about it...

I eventually met my husband and we make ok money, were not rich, but we dont suffer either. and this year I spent more on lights and a pre lighted tree then I ever had before..and I did feel a bit silly doing it...but I know I will take care of the things I buy and reuse them for as many years as I can..and I guess thats how I make my peace with holiday spending, if I know it will be loved and taken care of it dosnt bother me, its the wasteful crap that bothers me. The only way I find to solace myself in that, is that atleast around Lake Tahoe, cali, which is where we go to look at lights and stuff , up the mountian here, those ppl usually do donate alot of what they overbrought, right to our thrift stores and it does help good causes, I have found comfort in that, since I am the thrift store queen..
and I know those of us who buy the waste from the thrift store are helping victums of domestic abuse, and the senior center's store and such..

so thats one way I have come to see it.