And the Wheel Turns Toward Yule

Time feels like it has sped up suddenly this year, with the holidays in full swing I find myself strapped for time more than usual- the home front is a bit topsy turvy right now- for mostly good reasons, so that has added to the fervor of the season… With this in min, the Sabbat post for Yule will be an excerpt once again from my story of the Wheel of the Year- I hope you enjoy this little step from the mundane and connect with the Earth as is right for you. Merry Yule and Happy Holidays one and all!

The Wheel turns toward Yule, the shortest day of the year. Through his death, the God of the Harvest has been transformed into the Lord of Shadows upon his arrival in the underworld. Old and wise, he has watched over the Earth, guarding the womb. After crossing the Veil at Samhain, the Goddess has joined him in the realm below, for she must sleep and await his Rebirth. He carries her old body to a place to rest, with reverence and honor for all that she has created. While she slumbers, he guards over her, like a father protecting his child. He takes the burdens of ensuring the survival of the Children of Earth from her.

He is aging as the Goddess has aged, but his wisdom of Life and Death will carry him through his next transformation, as always, he works with both the Dark and the Light. The God makes one last appearance on Earth as the Holly King during the Solstice eve, giving gifts to children in the greatest hour of darkness. He is full of joy with his white beard and green robes, carrying a magic bag with gifts for all. He does this despite his knowledge that he, in this carnation of wisdom, shall soon come to an end. For where there is an end, there is a beginning, and that brings joy to his spirit. His gifts reflect his sacrifice, as a way to show the Children of Earth that Life will be renewed. In giving there is always receiving of the bounty that is Life. The Spirit of the Holly King lives in everyone, he is the spirit of love and generosity in all of us and experienced the most when we give ourselves.

As the Wheel turns toward the Longest night of the year, for the day before, the day of and the day after the Winter Solstice Eve, the Sun stands still on the horizon. The God as the Sun, dies, regenerates and then is reborn during this time. The Goddess awakes from her winter hibernation just enough to endure labor these three days, giving birth to the Young God as the Sun King. His rebirth heralds the return of Life in the deepest and darkest of nights. Once again the Light has overtaken the Dark. The Holly King has been transformed into an infant babe, to grow in strength while Winter keeps the earth barren and asleep.

The Goddess as crone, and the God as infant remain below ground, resting to prepare for their next transformation and their return to the earth once more. After Solstice morn, the Sun travels along the horizon again, rising earlier each day. The Young God grows every day into a young, strong warrior child. Again taking on the mantle of Protection for the Goddess, but with youth and growing strength having replaced his wizened self once more. Together, the Goddess and God are as Mother and Son, gaining strength in their solitude with one another.

The Goddess also remains as yet the Crone for the Children of Earth. She is the keeper of Winter across the land. She is tired, weary, and so too is the Earth, despite the promise of light returning with the Sun. She rests, awaiting the time for her own change, and thus the Earth sleeps, as witnessed by the slumbering trees and hibernating fauna. The land turns inward to replenish the energy that has been depleted through the harvests and turning of the Wheel from Samhain through Yule. It is truly the dark time of the year, but only for so long.

The Children of Earth celebrate with joy watching the rebirth of the Sun. All the while they are burning the Yule Log, encouraging the Sun to rise once more. They know Fire, as the spark of creation, will also lend strength to the Goddess as she labors to bring forth the Sun once more. The Yule log is chosen in a manner special to the Children of Earth, each tribe with their own traditions and mysteries. The burning of the Log brings light into the darkest of nights, and renewed protection to the homes of the Children of Earth. Even with the Goddess and God away from the land, the power of Fire keeps the deepest, dark and fears at bay. The Children of Earth bear witness as the Sun begins to shift along the horizon again as soon as the God has been reborn as the Young Sun King.

At first light of dawn on the solstice morn, they cheer for joy, knowing that the sun has once again returned. This rebirth signifies that the Earth will begin to move toward spring, even in the depth of the darkest winter night. To remind themselves of the Life that will return, evergreens are brought indoors by the Children of Earth. The Holly and The Pine stay ever green, and ever alive. Where there is darkness, there is still always light. Where there is Death, there is Life. One can not exist without the other for they are two halves of the whole. With the Winter Solstice and Rebirth of the Sun, the Light begins to Wax and Darkness Wane once again. The Child of Earth do not forget this. This is what Yule is about, Remembering that from Darkness there is always a return to light. The Earth continues to sleep while the Sun has been reborn as the Wheel Turns once more…

Seanachai Moonfyre

Merry Meet! I am first and foremost a writer. When I am writing I am in my element! Much of what I write about, and do in my life is centered around a pagan spiritual base. I have been studying various paths and topics, working with energies, deities, and the elements for 15 years plus. I am the High Priestess of Spiral Grove an eclectic study coven. I say I was given this coven as a gift because that is what it truly is. Spiral Grove would not be what it is without the members who make it whole.