Massachusetts Pagan Parenting
Newsletter
December 2000 Volume 1, Issue 3
Letter from the editor
Merry Yule everyone! Here is another fun filled issue just in time as we get geared up to not only celebrate Yule, but other traditions such as Christmas, Kwanzaa and hannakuh. Thank you again for your submissions, I am blessed to have so many talented people on this list. Please feel free to distribute this newsletter to friends who may be interested. So, sing a song, make a craft and celebrate the birth of our Sun King. Blessed Be!
From my family to yours,
Susan Mort (Othila Cerridwen)
Yule Carrol
The 13 Days of Solstice~
On the first day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
A raven in a birch tree.
On the second day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the third day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the fourth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the fifth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the sixth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the seventh day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the eighth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Eight Tantric lessons,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the ninth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight Tantric lessons,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the tenth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Ten flowers blooming,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight Tantric lessons,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the eleventh day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Eleven herbs a-drying,
Ten flowers blooming,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight Tantric lessons,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the twelfth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Twelve cauldrons boiling,
Eleven herbs a-drying,
Ten flowers blooming,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight Tantric lessons,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
On the thirteenth day of Solstice,
my Gods They gave to me,
Thirteen candles burning,
Twelve cauldrons boiling,
Eleven herbs a-drying,
Ten flowers blooming,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight Tantric lessons,
Seven Books of Shadows,
Six Goddess statues,
Five oaken staves!
Four elements,
Three money spells,
Two pentacles
And a raven in a birch tree.
Yule Chant
Solstice Blessing Brightly burns the Yule log tonight
Magic dances in firelight
Hold my hand and join the song
Raise the Sun King bright and strong
Dark is giving way to light As brightly burns the Yule log tonight!
---Akasha
Copyright � 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection wicca.com. All rights reserved.
A Fairy Story for Yule
A group of little Faeries huddled in their home deep under the
roots of a giant oak tree. They were safe and snug in their tiny
underground cave lined with dandelion fluff, bird feathers, and dried moss. Outside, the wind blew cold and the snow fell softly down to cover the ground. "I saw the Sun King today," the faery named Rose said as she pulled her mossy cloak tighter about her. "He looked so old and tired as he walked off through the forest. What is wrong with him?" The great oak said he's dying" answered Daffodil. Dying? Oh, what will we do now?" Little Meadow Grass started to cry. "If the sun King dies, our little plant friends will not grow. The Birds will not come and sing again. Everything will be winter forever!" Lilac, Dandelion and Elder Blossom tired to comfort their friend,but they were all very sad. As they huddled together, there was a knock on the tiny door. "Open up, Faeries," called out a loud voice. "Why are you hiding instead of joining us in our Solstice celebration?" Rose opened the door and the little gnome Brown Knobby pushed inside, shaking the glistening snowflakes off his brown coat and hat."We are too sad to celebrate," Daffodil said wiping her eyes, "the Sun King is dying, haven't you heard?" "He is dead you silly Faeries." Brown Knobby's round dark eyes sparkled with laughter. "now hurry, or we'll be late for the celebration!" " How can you be happy and laughing?!" Elder Blossom stamped her little foot and frowned at the gnome. "If the Sun King IS dead, it will be winter always. We will never see the Sun again!" "Silly little child-Faeries." Brown Knobby grabbed Dandelion by the hand and pulled her to her fee. "there is a secret to the Winter Solstice. Don't you want to know what it is?" The Faeries looked at him in surprise. Secret?" they all said. "What secret? We are only new little Faeries, you sill gnome. We've never been to a Solstice celebration before."
"Come and see. Come and see. Get your capes and come with me."
Brown Knobby danced and jigged around the room. "Hurry, Hurry,
don't be slow! To the sacred oak grove through the snow!" He
danced out of the door and disappeared. "What did that gnome mean?" Rose asked as she gathered up her cloak of dried rose petals held together with cobwebs and lined with goose down.
"I don't know, but the Lady lives in the sacred grove."
MeadowGrass pulled on her hat. "Perhaps if we go to see the
Goddess, She can explain what Brown Knobby was talking about."
The Faeries left their snug little home and trudged off through the snow toward the sacred oak grove. The forest was dark with only the light of the Moon shining down through the thick fir branches and bare limbs of maple and hawthorn. It was very difficult for them to get through the snow because they were very, very small. As they waded through the wet snow and shivered in the cold wind, they met a fox. "Where are you going, Faeries?" the fox asked. "To the sacred grove," they answered, they were cold and shivering. "Climb on my back and I will take you there swiftly." The fox knelt down so the Faeries could climb up. Then he raced off through the dark. "Listen!" Lilac said as they neared the grove of sacred trees. "Someone is singing happy songs. A LOT of someones." The beautiful music carried over the cold, still, moonlit air. It was the most beautiful music the Faeries had ever heard. The fox carried the Faeries right to the edge of the stone altar in the center of the grove, then knelt down. "Look!" said Elder Blossom as they slid to the snow covered
ground. "There is the Maiden and the Mother and the OLD Wise
One, And many other Little People." "they are all smiling and happy," said Lilac as she looked around at all the creatures.
"All the animals are here too," whispered Dandelion. "why are
they all looking at the Mother?" The Faeries moved closer to the three Ladies seated on the altar stone. The Mother held a bundle close in Her arms, smiling down at it. The Maiden reached down and took the Faeries gently in her Hands. She held them close to the Mother so they could see what She held. "A Baby!" the Faeries cried. " A new little Baby! Look how he glows!" "He is the newborn Sun King," said the Maiden smiling. But Brown Knobby and the old oak tree said the S Sun King was dead," the Faeries answered her."How can this little baby be the Sun King?"
"That is the secret of the Winter Solstice." The Old Wise One
touched the baby's cheek with her wrinkled hand."Every year the
Sun King must come to the sacred grove during the darkest days of
winter where he dies. I take his spirit to the Mother who gives him new life again. This is the way for all creatures, not just t the Sun King." " You mean everything lives and dies and lives again? the Faeries looked down in wonder at the baby Sun King, nestled in the arms of the Mother. "Yes Little Ones," answered the Old Wise One. "There is never an end to life. This is the great mystical secret of the Winter Solstice." The Faeries laughed because they were so happy. "I think the little Sun King should have gifts," said Rose. "I will show him where the wild roses bloom in the early summer." "And, I will teach him to call the birds and listen to the songs of the wind,"exclaimed Dandelion. "When he is older and stronger, " said the Mother, "then the flowers will bloom at hi touch, the birds will return to sing their songs, and the air will be warm from his breath, and winter will be gone for a time. Then the Sun King will run and play with you in the forest." The little Faeries sang to the Baby Sun King, songs of the coming spring, the sweet smelling flowers, the bumbling bees, and all the secrets of the forest. And all the creatures within the sacred grove sang with them.
Then the fox took them back to their snug home under the roots of the giant oak tree where they dreamed wonderful dreams, waiting
for the warmth of spring and the fun they would have with the little Sun King.
Yule Celebration : Children Activities
Sun Welcoming Center Pieces:
Materials: Flat or bowled wicker basket, Evergreen Boughs, Oranges and Apples, Whole Cloves, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, Wheat Stalks, Flour, Red, Green,and Gold Bows or String.
Children of all ages will delight in both making and giving these delightful center pieces.
Place the basket in the center of the table. Lay a couple of evergreen boughs (can be found at most Christmas tree lots)in bottom of basket so that the tips flow out from all sides. Spike the oranges all the way around with several whole cloves. Arrange the oranges and apples on top of the boughs. Arrange in a couple of the walnuts and hazel nuts. Place a couple of the wheat stalks standing up amidst the fruit. Lightly dust with flour. Tie bows to the handle and outside the basket.
Tell children about each special part of the centerpiece. Explain that the baskets were used during the harvests during the season before. The evergreen boughs are symbols of immortality, reminding us that the Sun King is not dead, but reappears at Yule each year to lengthen, brighten and warm the days ahead. The oranges and apples are symbols of the Sun King, The nuts symbolize the seeds as they lay sleeping and awaiting the Sun King's return. The wheat stalks symbolize the yearly harvests and the flour represents the triumph of the forces of light and life.
Sun Bursting Ornaments
Materials: Ruler or Compass, Scissors, Thin Cardboard, Gold Foil Paper, Glue Stick, Heavy Thread and Needle.
Help child cut out a 4" cardboard circle. With this template, the child can then trace and cut out 14 circles from the foil paper. One by one, fold a circle in half, half, and half again. Unfold the circle and cut along the fold lines, stopping about 1/2 inch from the center. Repeat until all the circles are cut. Form the points of the Sun Burst by wrapping each of the eight segments around the point of a sharpened pencil. Point of pencil should face away from the center of the circle. Secure each point with a dab of glue. Thread a needle with 18" length of thread. Insert the needle through all the centers of the circles from the foil side of the first seven and the plain side of the last seven. Gently pull the circles together, bunching them into a ball. Tie off with a knot, and use the excess thread to form a loop for hanging the ornament.
Hang up in windows to reflect the sunlight or on tree for decoration, explain to children how the sun gets stronger, climbs higher, and last longer in the sky each day starting at Yule.
Welcome Sunshine Bells
Materials: Thin Cardboard, Pencil and Scissors, One Light yellow and one bright yellow felt square (10"x10"), 7 Small Jingle Bells, 12" Gold String or Cord, White Glue, Buttons, Glitter, Sequins.
Help child to draw a circle 7" in diameter, and another circle 7" in diameter with eight 1" triangle rays on the cardboard. Cut out for patterns. Place circle on the light yellow felt square, trace and cut out. Do the same with the "rayed" circle on the bright yellow felt. Using a drinking glass as a guide, trace a circle in the center, on the back side of both felt cut-outs. Carefully fold each circle in half, and make a cut from one side of center circle to the other. Repeat 3 times for a total of 4 cuts per piece. This is how you will get the decoration over the doorknob. Next, line up the circles and the cuts so that the rays extend 1" from behind the light yellow felt circle. Glue together. Allow the child to draw designs on the front of the ornament with glue. Sprinkle with glitter and glue on some sequins and buttons. Cut gold string or cord into three 4" strands. Tie jingle bells (spaced) onto the gold string or cord. Glue string/cord to the bottom of the Sun decoration on the back side. Allow to dry. Place on a doorknob that the bells will jingle as the door is opened and closed.
Tell children that more than just the sun brightens our lives everyday. Explain the way to welcome the Yule sun back into their lives is to keep the brightness in their hearts all year long. Jingle bells make a warm and inviting sound, and therefore should jingle each time someone enters or leaves a room.
You Are My Sunshine Garland
Materials: Pencil, Scissors, "Rayed" Circle Pattern (above), Bright Yellow Poster Paper, Glue, Glitter, Gold Garland, Gold Thread and Needle, Photos.
For each frame, trace and cut out 2 rayed circles from the poster board. Cut a 2" circle in the center of one of the cutouts. This will be the front of the frame. Decorate the cutouts with gold glitter. Place photo between the cutouts, with the face peering through the center circle. Trim photo to fit frame, if necessary. Glue the frame together. Allow to dry. Thread needle with gold thread, and poke needle through the top ray of the frame. Pull some thread through and tie frame to gold garland. Make enough Sunshine picture frames for all family members, including pets. Tie each to the garland, and place garland on tree, over a door, on the wall, or other prominent place.
Explain to children that each family member is like a piece of sunshine. Smiles and laughter brighten our spirits and warm our hearts.
Cup O' Sunshine
Materials: Terra-Cotta Pot, Paints and Paintbrushes, Styrofoam Block, String, Scissors, 1 yd 2" wide Green Ribbon, Yellow, Red, and Orange Lollipops and Sugar Sticks, Jelly Beans.
Clean terra-cotta pot if necessary. Allow to dry. Paint outside and down to first lip of inside with a bright solid color. After this base coat dries, decorate with other colors. When completely dry, place a block of styrofoam in the bottom of the pot. Cut green leaves out of the ribbon and tie to lollipops with string. Push the lollipop sticks into the styrofoam block to anchor them. Add the sugar sticks and fill rest of pot with loose jellybeans.
Explain to children that during the dark part of the year, sometimes we need to make our own sunshine. Let them know that bright colored gardens and flowers will be back in the spring, and this little pot of sunshine will cheer up a sick friend or relative.
Holiday Wreath (For the older kids)
Materials: 1-2 Large Bundles Evergreen Boughs, 1 Bundle Holly, 1 Wreath Frame (Wire or Styrofoam), Garden Clippers, Spool of Fine Green Wire, 2 Yards Red Ribbon, Adornments.
Cut boughs into 6" to 8" pieces. Same with Holly. Cut about 20-15" pieces of the wire. Gather a bundle of boughs together, thicker at the back and fanning out in the front. Wrap wire around the bundle about 2/3from the top. Hold bundle in place and wrap wire around the bundle and the frame. Repeat this step, only adding a sprig of holly in front. Repeat steps1 and 2, adding holly to bundle every other time. Make sure that all the bundles face the same direction. Where the last bundle meets the bottom of the first bundle is usually barer than the rest of the wreath, so that is where you can attach a large yellow, orange, red, or gold bow to symbolize the Sun King. Now you are ready to wire on all sorts of adornments, candies, pine cones, rosebuds, seashells, small bells, or anything to make it more personal.
Tell kids about how evergreen boughs and holly were hung both inside and outside of the homes to extend and invitation to the nature sprites to join in the Yule celebration.
Family Yule Ideas
by Morrighan Blackthorne
Yule Sun ornaments
Material needed: Yellow felt Orange felt, small round mirrors about the size of a quarter (canbe found in craft stores)black ribbon & glue
Directions:
This one definately requires parental supervision. While making your ornaments you can tell the kids stories about the returning light of the Sun and the birth of the Sun God on Solstice night. Take the Yellow felt and cut out the shapes of sun. Include the sun's rays for an extra creative touch. Take the orange felt and cut out smaller round circles to fit in the center of the yellow sun. Glue the orange circle to the center of the yellow felt sun. Glue the small mirror to the center of the orange circle. The end result should be a 2 toned sun (yellow and orange) with the mirror in the center of it for a total of 3 layers. Take the black ribbon and loop it and glue it to the back of the sun to act as your "hanger".
Once the Suns are complete have everyone look into the mirrors in the center of their sun's and see their own reflection. This is the divine. See the divine in yourself. We all have the God and Goddess with in us and their reflections are looking back at you!! Talk about how the light of the Yule fire and the lights on our Yule tree reflected in our mirrors and this light symbolizes the returning light of the Sun. Then hang your ornaments on your Yule tree and watch the light of the sun sparkle in them and on your Yule tree!!
Not your ordinary Yule log
Not all of us are fortuante enough to have a fire place in which to burn a Yule log. Until a year ago I did not have a fireplace however, I always had a Yule log. While you create your Yule log take the opportunity to tell the children about the Yule log and what it symbolizes.
Here is what you do to create your "not so ordinary" Yule log:
Go out into the woods and look for a nice section of White Birch (or any log that calls out to you). These are pretty easy to find here in the woods around Massachusetts If you are not in a wooded area go to a local farm stand and see if you can purchase a Birch log. I have found that many farm stands sell Birch logs around the holidays for peoples fireplaces. Once you get your log home find the flattest part to serve as the bottom. If your log is to round you can take small pieces of wood and nail them flat to the bottom of the log to become a "stand". The point here is that you do not want your log to roll all over the place. Take what is now the top of your log and drill3 holes in it each being the size of a taper candle. Place your log on a platter or plate of any kind so it is portable and can easily be moved with out getting to disturbed. Gather bits of greenery from the woods or from your own Yule tree. Pine, holy, any type of greenery that is appealing to you. Begin to decorate the Yule log covering the plate it is sitting on as well as the stand. Once the log is decorated to your liking place 3 candles in the holes on top. I used Black, White and Red for the triple Goddess. You can use red white and green or all white or all red. Just uses any colors that feel good to you. Take your Yule log on its platter/plate and set it in a place of honor where every one can see and enjoy it.
You can create a blessing or a chant to say as you go about lighting each of the candles on your Yule log . In our ritual we said,
"The Wheel turns the power burn, And with this flame the light returns" as we lit each candle.
Have fun finding and making your Yule log. Enjoy the time with your kids. Talk about and tell stories about the traditions behind Yule and the Yule log. Each year until I had a fireplace I used my Yule log replacing only the greens and the candles for the holes. Once I was fortuante enough to buy a home that ad a fireplace I lovingly put my old faithful "not so traditional" Yule log in my fireplace and with mixed feelings burned it. Realizing that like the Wheel I had turned and was entering a new phase of my life.
Yule Incense:
2 parts Frankincense
2 parts Pine neddles or resin
1 part Cedar
1 part Juniper berries
12 Herb Yule Sachet
7 parts Juniper
2 parts rosemary
4 parts cinnamon
2 parts lemon peel
4 parts Allspice
2 parts orange peel
4 parts ginger
1 part clove
4 parts Caraway
1 part Bay
2 parts Nutmeg
2 pinches Orris root
Tie up in a green or red cloth and give as gifts on Yule!
(recipes by Scott Cunningham "The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews")
Yule links for Kids
Just click on the links or cut and paste into your browser.
Newsletter: Holiday Traditions
Lycos Zone Directory
5 Geokids Christmas Activity Pages - Word puzzles ... Over 100 pages and more... There's projects for kids ... such as Yule. Holiday Survival ...
KidsHotline.com
... traditions. The Solstice, Yule and Sacaea and ... KinderCrafts ... Lil'Land for Kids - Filled with ... safe coloring pages, games, interactive ...
Holidays Around the World
A Tannenbaum from Germany A Yule Log from England A Pinata from Mexico... has about 7 or 8 activity pages plus the story. My kids loved it.
Ripples, Winter Solstice 1996
... it is also appropriate for Yule, and for magic relating ... Show; Proceedings Book; Kid's Activity Room. ... Hey Kids! ... your copy of Sluggy's Pages! Every High Day, enjoy ...
Kool Kid's Page
http://www.benjerry.com/yule/maze-easy.html. ... musical performers for kids. http://www.skinnamarink ... Theodore
Tugboat Online Activity Centre
)O(*~* Yule Celebration Small Children's Activities Planner*~
... This is an activity that can be ... it more personal. Tell kids about evergreen ... brightly burns the Yule log tonight!
The Pagan Parenting Page
Jennifer Grace Wildlife Yule Tree -- and some ... Andrea E. Feeser Kids' Software and Shareware
Yule Recipe Links
Yule Brew from The Book of Shadows
4 parts cinnamon; 4 parts allspice; 2 parts nutmeg; 2 parts lemon
peel; 2 parts clove; 1 part bay; 2 parts chamomile; 50 parts black tea. ...
Yule Recipes. Recipes on this page: Plum Pudding, Winter
Meditation Incense, Cocoa Snowballs
Abrianna's Yule Recipes
Guest Feature: Abrianna's Yule Recipes
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