Yule
~A Tale For All~
The snow drifts slowly and softly to the earth, alder and oak trees forest the thick woodland. The soft crunching of snow under foot guides the wintery white owl through the trees to his query. THERE! The wise old bird sees a splash of red in the distance through the snowy woods, he swoops left then right, dodging the trees and limbs. A red sleeved arm lifts and the owl lands silently on the presented perch. The old man leans his head towards the owl, the owl excitedly whispers his secret to his old friend. With a smile the old man tells the owl…”hurry my friend, tell the others the time is upon us!” and with an upward thrust of his arm the owl leads into the air only to vanish seconds later amid the snowy air and white covered trees.
With a sigh, the old man leaned heavily on his staff, gazing off in the distance, not so much distance than time. Was Yule upon us already he mused? He reflected with a sad smile on the things he had learned and seen in his short but wonderful life, he knew it was time, he was weary and in need of a rest. His was a time of rest, reflection and learning, a time that was soon to pass.
He felt a chill wash over him as he made his was through the snow covered forest, the wind picked up and icy snow blew into his face, frosting his white beard, pulling his long red cloak tighter to his neck he plowed through the snow and wind towards the cozy little cabin nestled deep in the oaken woods.
Cast in a warm golden glow of the hearth fire she sat, weaving a golden gown to match the wreath of oak leaves, a cradle to the side, ornately carved with mystical runes, a golden luster making it seem to glow shown from it. Surrounded by small chittering animals and anxious birds the woman giggled as a small gray squirrel stretched it’s paws and laid it’s head gently on her large tummy, listening with eyes wide and nose twitching as a thump from inside dislodged the little fellow who snapped upright on her knee, clasping his paws excitedly! Tilting his head he looks at the woman, she smiles at him warmly and says “soon my little friend, very soon”.
Outside, the wind howls darkly, snow and ice swirl and twirl around the little house, the well in the front yard iced over. In the frozen forest a small glowing wisp of light shoots through the blizzard, through the shuttered window and in a mad spiral, circles the lady at dizzying speeds! Without looking up the lady sighs and says “if you keep this up, you’ll make me dizzy”. As if it hit a wall the little light stops right in front of the lady, the little ball of light suddenly has a form, a little golden faery hovered there as her wings made a humming sound and are but a blur. “thank you sweetie” the woman smiles and says as she continues to sew. Slowly the little faery settles to the ladies knee, sitting cross legged with chin on her tiny knuckles.
Through the forest the proud old owl flys, spreading the word near and far. He tells the wise old fox, the bears, the big cats and little. As he spreads the word he can feel the excitement grow in the snowy woods, he sees the reindeer running through the woods, all headed towards the oaken grove and the little cottage where the lady lives with the wise old man who wears red.
As the old man reaches the clearing to his cabin the night has settled in deeply, snow and wind howling around him and his home, around the cabin he sees his friends…the bears, fox, deer, the wintery white owl and all the other creatures of the woods. The Doe looks over and alerts the rest of the crowd of the man’s arrival, they open the way to the door. Many nuzzle his hands as he walks through them to the door, absently he pets and rubs heads, necks and backs as he makes his way to the door. With trembling hands he reaches for the handle, a moan on the other side of the door pulled him through the door without further thought. Snow and ice swirled into the warm little cottage, the warm glow from the hearth flickered on the wall and the Lady looked over at him, her labor at hand, but through the pain, the love she had for him was unmistakable. She was both elated and saddened by what must occur, but those thoughts must wait she thought, as another contraction kicked her hard.
As the night wore on, the little one drew nearer, the animals anxious, their own little ones fidgeting and trying to see through the frosted windows of the little cottage.
Suddenly! The winds died, the air felt ever so slightly warmer, the eastern horizon trimmed in orange. A robin landed on the windowsill, puffed his chest out and sang! Announcing the birth of the newborn Oak King. As if on queue, the door to the little cottage swung open and in the arms of the Holy King was the splendid Lady and the little bundle all had waited for, the new born Oak King. The couple strolled into the midst of their friends, letting all look upon the little king.
The old King indeed looked weary. The time now was one of growth, development, healing and new projects and beginnings…a time of the new born Sun.
Come Imbolc the old King would journey to Caer Arianrhod and await his own re-birth at Midsummer, but for now he would stay with his love and child and cherish the time offered.
Written by Loye Pourner at the request of Amy & Andi
For Yule 2005 at the