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'Three candles that illuminate every darkness: Knowledge, Nature, Truth' Irish Triad
Winter Solstice - Alban Arthan
The name for the festival of the Winter Solstice in Druidry is Alban Arthan, which means 'The Light of Arthur'. Some Druid Orders believe this means the Light of the hero King Arthur Pendragon who is symbolically reborn as the Sun Child (The Mabon) at the time of the Solstice. Others see the Light belonging to the star constellation known as the Great Bear (or the Plough) - Arthur, or Art, being Gaelic for Bear. This constellation shines out in the sky and can symbolise the rebirth of the Sun. At this point the Sun is at its southernmost point almost disappearing beyond the horizon, and the days are at their shortest. This was a time of dread for the ancient peoples as they saw the days getting shorter and shorter. A great ritual was needed to revert the course of the sun. This was probably calculated by the great circles of stone and burial grounds which are aligned to this festival, such as Newgrange in Co. Meath, Eire. Sure enough, the next day the Sun began to move higher into the sky, showing that it had been reborn.
This time of year is very cold and bleak, which is why so many celebrations are needed to help people get through the Winter months. It is significant that many civilisations welcomed their Solar Gods at the time of greatest darkness - including Mithras (the bull-headed Warrior God), the Egyptian God Horus and, more recently, Jesus Christ.
Purification: Smudge/sain with Juniper smoke
Circumambulation (circle ritual area three times. Skip this if ritual is at home.)
Purpose
“I am here to keep the old ways and honor the Kindred at the time of Midwinter.”
Three Realms Blessing
“As it was, as it is, as it evermore shall be — I stand at the Center of Earth, Sky and Sea.”
Hail to the Spirits
“Hail, Earth Mother, whole and holy, honor unto thee!” (touch the earth if outside, give offering)
“I offer now as the ancients did to the Kindreds Three!”
“To the Fair Folk, I give offering and welcome.” (place offering in bowl)
“To the Ancestors, I give offering and welcome.” (place offering in bowl)
“To my Deities, I give offering and welcome.” (place offering in bowl)
“Modron and Mabon, divine Mother and Child, I honor you this night.” (place offering in bowl)
Greeting to the Winter Solstice (Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews- p. 23)
Make offering or libation.
Kindling the Solstice Flame
[Have ready a holly circlet to be burned in the fire of an oak Yule log. Alternately, if a large fire is not possible, size the circlet to fit over the base of a sun-candle (large pillar candle with 3 wicks).]
Light the candle or oak Yule log and say:
“I light this flame for the infant Solstice Sun.”
Look through the holly circlet and watch the flame/fire, meditating or scrying the future.
When the fire is big enough, toss in the holly, or if using a candle,
ring the holly over the candle to rest at it’s base. Say:
“The Sun Child has passed the Gate,
He has been reborn through the Mother,
with Him we are each reborn.”
(If burning the holly over the Yule log, pause now and watch it burn completely.) Say:
“Now let the flame of Yule flare forth this night through death and darkness deep.
To all far-farers and folk of earth, as a beacon — its brightness burns, as a blessing — it blazes forth.”
Parting Blessing
“I offer my thanks to the Mother of All. I offer my thanks to the Deities, Ancestors and Fair-Folk.
May the Three Sacred Kins bring joy to all beings, and renew the ancient wisdom.”
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