JUNE 21-22

‘Rebirth’

Also known as Yule, Yuletide, Midwinter, Fionn’s Day

Element: Earth

Yule is the major turning point of the year. Even though, Yule celebrates the longest night of the year; from now, nights are gradually becoming lighter and we are aware that the sun is returning, although there are many cold days are still ahead.

The Goddess, as Mother gives birth now to the God, with the shadow of His father/self protective in the background. In a sense, She also gives birth to Herself, for She too is renewed at this time.

There is another way we can think about the God now, for He has a light and dark side called the Oak King and the Holly King respectively. The Oak King is king of the Waxing Year, from Yule to Midsummer, while the Holly King reigns from Midsummer to Yule, as king of the Waning Year. So at Yule, they battle and the Oak King wins, thus light returns.

Things to do:  Spend time with family, gift giving, sing yuletide carols, burn the Yule log and decorate the Yule tree.

Correspondences

Goddesses:    Great Mother, Isis, Triple Goddess, Mary, Lucina, Earth Mother, Eve, Frey.

Gods:    the Horned God, Holly King, Horus, Ra, Saturn, Cronos, Odin, Jesus and Janus.

Colours:    Red, green, white, gold, silver, yellow and orange.

Symbols:    Yule log, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, baskets of clove studded fruit, evergreens

and poinettias.

Essence:    Honour, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration,

the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection.

Purpose:    Honour the Triple Goddess and welcome the Sun Child.

Rituals:    Personal renewal, world peace, honouring family & friends, Festival of light,

meditation.

Tools:    Athame, bell, horn.

Candles:    Red, white and green.

Animals:    Reindeer, goat, squirrel, sacred white buffalo, wrens and robins.

Plants:    Ivy, blessed thistle, evergreens, oak, cedar, pine, holly, mistletoe,            pine, poinsettia, bougainvillea.

Herbs:    Bayberry, holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, cedar, bay,     frankincense, ginger,

rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valerian and yarrow.

Incense:    Pine, ginger, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, saffron,  cedar, bayberry and

cinnamon.

Stones:    Ruby, cat’s eye, bloodstone, garnet, emerald and diamond.

Food:    Apple, pear, caraway cakes, orange, nuts, roasted pork and turkey,     fruitcake, dried fruit and cookies.

Drink:    Cider, hibiscus or ginger tea, eggnog and mulled wine