tNRL Yule Ceremony

Fitheach Eun: We will begin shortly; is everyone ready?

Shawnesy Ettenmoor: fair day my lady Special

Fiesty Lotus: yes

Saphira Mistwalker: ((Aye, ready))

Special Magic: Aye

Talia.Sunsong: Fae Ready

Rik Sullivan: snorts

The Altar Ready for the Ceremony

Fitheach Eun: let us begin then

Fitheach Eun turns to face the altar and smiles at the visitors and her family

Fitheach Eun: Yule is the end of the solar year and the beginning

of the new one.

Traditionally, the end of the year is a time to look back and reflect. It is a time to look ahead to the future, to make plans and set goals.

In your heart choose a goal for the coming year.

Fiesty Lotus: Cold winds have blown away our fertile thoughts

Dark and silent nights have stilled our tongues

Snow and ice have cooled our minds

Fitheach Eun: Frozen earth has held our thoughts captive

Inspiration, return to us, as the sun returns!

As the sun grows in strength, so may the fire in our hearts!

Fiesty Lotus faces North and holds up the oak leaf

Fiesty Lotus: We call out to the Earth

You who support us

You who hold us

Who has nourished us and will in the end take us.

We ask that you hear us, your children

And show us the way.

We make an offering to you of the sacred Oak,

Tree of the druids

The stalwart and ever growing.

Fae Talia

Talia.Sunsong: turns to the east and holds the mistletoe

Talia.Sunsong: We call out to the Air

Weaver of the winds

Whose breath gives us life and sustains it

Bring the changing winds

Move now towards the warmth

Blow the cold away

We make an offering to you of the sacred Mistletoe,

Which grows without the earth

Symbol of the everlasting soul

Ambassador Saphira

Saphira Mistwalker faces the south and holds the holly

Saphira Mistwalker: We call out to the fire

On the longest night of winter,

and the dark night of our souls,

there springs the new spark of hope,

the Sacred Fire,

the Light of the World.

We make an offering to you of the sacred Holly,

The ever green, with berries that symbolize

The glowing hope of new life.

Fitheach Eun turns to face the west and holds up the ivy branch

Fitheach Eun: We call out to the Water

Without you there is no life

Your pure flow swirls within us all

Sweep away the ice, bring the rains of new life sprouting

We make an offering to you of the sacred Ivy,

Which grows on even when its parent dies. 

Nourished by your flow

Archdruid Fiesty

Fiesty Lotus: Hail the Sun! Today we welcome you back from the darkness!"

Bright wheel in the sky!

Hear us as we call out to you

And pray for your safe return and increase this solstice day!

Today, the sun is renewed. The long descent into darkness is ended, the long night is halfway over

We look forward at this time, remembering what we have done, knowing what we will do.

Fitheach Eun: Hail the Sun!

Saphira Mistwalker: Hail the Sun!

Fiesty Lotus: Hail the Sun!

Talia.Sunsong: Hail the Sun

Fiesty Lotus: At Midsummer, we reveled in your height

Strong and proud and full of splendor.

Since then, we have watched you lessen

Until Samhain, when you gave summer to the Underworld.

Fitheach Eun: Hail the Sun!

Fiesty Lotus: Hail the Sun!

Saphira Mistwalker: Hail the Sun!

Talia.Sunsong: Hail the Sun!

Fitheach Eun: Your path has been long and dark

But you have lit the way for souls

Who have long departed this world.

You spent time under the earth

Each day longer than the ones before

Fiesty Lotus: Hail the Sun!

Saphira Mistwalker: Hail the Sun!

Fitheach Eun: Hail the Sun!

Talia.Sunsong: Hail the Sun!

Archdruid Fitheach

Fitheach Eun: But now it is time for you to return.

You have not forgotten those still living

Who now need your light more than ever

For our nights have become too long,

Too cold, too quiet.

It is time that you should return to us.

Fiesty Lotus: Hail the Sun!

Fitheach Eun: Hail the Sun!

Talia.Sunsong: Hail the Sun!

Saphira Mistwalker: Hail the Sun!

Fiesty Lotus: We have made offerings to the sun

And to all of the elements that support us.

Fitheach Eun: Accept our offerings

Bring the sun back for another bright year.

Fiesty Lotus: Hail the Sun!

Fitheach Eun: Hail the Sun!

Saphira Mistwalker: Hail the Sun!

Talia.Sunsong: Hail the Sun!

Fitheach Eun looks around at the assembled

Fitheach Eun: Now is the time for any of our guests to add their thoughts, prayers and observations; does anyone wish to speak?

Talia.Sunsong: May this be the best of years for you all

Special Magic: Raises her hand

Fitheach Eun smiles

Fiesty Lotus: Please

Special Magic: If you are pleased there is a very brief passage about the begining of the Yule time may I share with this to you?

Fitheach Eun: yes please

Fiesty Lotus: Yes, of course

Special Magic of Eire Speaks

Special Magic: This is most spoken on the 21st of the month of dec.  however...

Special Magic: The Winter Solstice

The longest night and shortest day was observed in Ireland long before the Celts came along. Proof of this can be found at Newgrange in Co. Meath where an underground cairn dating back to 3300bc was built to be illuminated by the sun specifically, every year, at sunrise on the winter solstice.

In days gone by, winters were harsh and uncertain times. People were never sure of living through them. The solstice was a day of hope and joy, the day the sun would begin to return. This day has been celebrated throughout the world by many different cultures with many different customs.

In the Celtic lands there was no better way to celebrate such a time than having a large feast and a number of healthy bonfires to rejoice in light and merriment during the dark, cold side of the year. Most of the remaining cattle were slaughtered to save on feeding them and the wine and ale made throughout the year was fermented and ready to drink.

To this year this holy season we welcome all to celebrate the Yule season.

Talia.Sunsong: smiles at the good reading

Fitheach Eun: thank you, Lady Special; does anyone else wish to speak?

Special Magic: Thank you for letting me speak this

Fitheach Eun looks around

Talia.Sunsong: Fairy blessings to you all (sprinkles fairy dust)

Saphira Mistwalker grins and tries not to sneeze

Fitheach Eun: May the year ahead bring brighter times to us all

Fiesty Lotus: Yes, I second that

Fiesty Lotus: Anyone else?

Special Magic: Aye bless all for fotune and good health for the coming year

Saphira Mistwalker rasps out in draconic, "Itmen Tiichiri (Bright Blessings)"

Fiesty Lotus: Now, I close this rite.

Fiesty Lotus smiles

But first, let us thank those who have offered help:

Sun, for your power, protection, and returning light,

we thank you.

Lend us your light through

the winter months as we await the coming spring.

The Yule Log

Fitheach Eun: Let us now commit our goals to the Yule Log and send them up to the spirit world.

Fitheach Eun walks to the log and bows her head

Fitheach Eun: Each person should approach the log and offer it the goal they have chosen, aloud or silently.

Saphira Mistwalker moves forward and stands silently, her eyes downcast.

Kamira Sirnah: steps lightly forward and bows

Fiesty Lotus bows her head

Talia.Sunsong: Moves to the Yule log and holds out her hand to the warmth

Fiesty Lotus moves to face the North

May there be peace in the north.

Talia.Sunsong: moves to face the east

May there be peace in the east

Saphira Mistwalker moves to face the south

May there be peace in the south

Fitheach Eun turns again to the west

May there be peace in the west

Fitheach Eun turns to the altar

Fiesty Lotus faces the center

Fiesty Lotus: May there be peace throughout the whole world'.

Fitheach Eun: May there be peace throughout the whole world

Rosa.Alekseev: may there be peace throughout the whole world

The Circle is Closed

Fiesty Lotus: The circle is closed

This rite is ended!

Sun has returned! Go all in peace.

Talia.Sunsong: Cheers!

Fiesty Lotus breathes

Fitheach Eun smiles; " Thank you all for joining us"

Rosa.Alekseev @grid.kitely.com:8002: yay

Saphira Mistwalker grins broadly, "Tiichia Qe (Blessed Be)"

Talia.Sunsong: dances around waving mistletoe and fairy dust

Special Magic: Hurrah! Thank you for allowing us to be here with you

Talia.Sunsong: wonderful to have you here

Fiesty Lotus: You are most welcome

Shawnesy Ettenmoor: I for one, was grateful to attend.