Winter Solstice (Yule) Ceremony at the River Lands Henge

Excerpts from the Winter Solstice (Yule) Ceremony at the River Lands Henge

The Altar Ready for Yule

Jaekob Faolan moves through space and time. His spirit leaves the halls of the ancients and travels to stand with his family at the Henge. He appears and pauses before he begins, looking from one to the other with a gentle smile and then begins to speak.

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.

Archdruid Fiesty

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!

Master Druid Jaekob and Ambassador Saphira Behind the Altar

Jaekob Faolan: 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

All: Hail the Sun

Fae Talia and Archdruid Fitheach

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.

Jaekob Faolan: Now is the time for any of our guests to add their thoughts, prayers and observations; does anyone wish to speak? Jaekob Faolan waits quietly, humbly for any to speak.

Can Wobbit Speaks

Talia.Sunsong: Thanks the sun and elements for creating this land and a place for us to meet

Kathena Mavendorf: I pray to the sun, for it to shine light in the darkness and show us the way when we are lost

Can Wobbit: as a simple soul and farmer, I bid the sun be friendly on all lands, but have a special eye on the Riverlands, lightening dark places that might need some light in the future.

The Ceremony

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

Talia.Sunsong focuses on the Yule log and speaks her goals in her heart

Fitheach Eun walks to the yule log and speaks her goal inwardly

Saphira Mistwalker walks to the Yule log and speaks: “By all that I am, by diplomacy or by force, I will aid in seeing peace in this land.”

Fiesty Lotus closes her eyes and says a silent thanks for family

Jaekob Faolan looks around the gathering, a simple nod to his family. He turns to face the center, and says, 'May there be peace throughout the whole world'.