Alban Arthan (Yule) Celebration - Ritual
Introduction (Meditation)
This meditation should be done in the evening or in the night before Yule (20th December). Before the meditation, take a candle, put it on your altar and light it. Only one candle should burn. Be sure that you turn off all other lights; it should be completely dark in the room, or in the place where you are. Relax. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, imagine that you are outside - it is snowing and everything around you is white. Feel the chillness of the falling snow; see how it purifies you. Although the snowflakes are small, they do have certain power, their energy is strong. After you have been purified, you notice there is a fire near you. You quickly go there. The fire is the only source of light and warmth. Think about the importance of fire and what would happen if it was quenched. Enjoy in the sensation of the light and warmth it gives. When you are ready, open your eyes.
The fire in the meditation and the candle on your altar are the symbols of the Sun. The darkness in your place represents the longest night during the Yule. Although the candle or fire cannot completely lighten the place, their importance and power is unquestionable. The same goes for the sun during the winter - it may be weaker than usual, but it is still strong and its importance is great. Especially because after this holiday, it will again grow stronger and eventually it will bring us the warmth of the spring and the summer. This night is the night when the Sun is born.
Sacred Circle
If you have a habit of drawing the circle, now it is time to do so. I would write the words I usually use, but since they are not on English, it sounds a bit silly when translated. It is important that you visualise and feel your sacred and safe space.
Consecrating the Circle with the Elements
After you have drawn your Sacred Circle, it is time to consecrate it with the Four Elements. Take symbols of the elements and with the each one walk inside the circle 3 times (3x4) blessing it with your own choice of words. These could be suitable representations for the Elements:
Earth: stones, dirt, crystals...
Air: incense, knife/sword, feather...
Fire: candle, lighter...
Water: sprinkling water, glass, shells...
Invocation
"Cerridwen, Arawn, Morrígan, Welcome to the Sun's birthday! The darkness we have endured, and from the cold we were saved, So, now it is the time for Alban Arthan to be celebrated. Ancestors and nature spirits, I invite you too, Join the ritual and with your presence bless us, I beg all of you. Welcome!"
Celebration
Giving thanks to the deities, ancestors and the nature spirits
"The Magical Orange"
Divination
Feast and celebration - eating and drinking, listening to some music that we find suitable for the holiday we are celebrating, dancing etc.
- The Magical Orange -
Ingredients: Orange and cloves
Visualise that the orange in your hands is the magical sun, which radiates warmth and magical energy. Now, you should "pour" in it the energies *you* want it to radiate. You are doing it in order to attract things you want in the next light half of the year. While thinking about the energies, take the cloves and stick them in the orange and visualise that the energy is entering more easily. You could stick the cloves in such way that it can form a certain symbol - I will make the symbol of the sun.
Closing
Giving thanks and bidding a farewell to the deities, ancestors and the nature spirits, giving thanks to the Elements and after that closing the sacred circle, if you previously have drawn it.
