Old Traditions – Modern Times 
A Twelve-Day Winter Ceremony

Rooted in the twelve days of Yule-tide, this is an ancient midwinter celebration that has been a traditional ceremony honoring the sacred female at a time when the darkness of winter has overcome the light. The ceremony begins with Mothers-Night, Mōdraniht (Old English, "Night of the Mothers") on December 20th, the night before the shortest day and the longest night (winter solstice) and lasts twelve nights ending with New Years Day.

The traditional Yule of Northern Europe is associated with the Wild Hunt. The story of the hunt is quite varied throughout Europe and the world and has been associated with great leaders from King Arthur to Theodoric the Great, and in the Far East, Lord Shiva. We will pick up the story as it is associated with the Norse god Woden, or Odinn who has also been linked to the original concept, the Father of Winter and the Father Christmas, as he rides with his consort, the Goddess Frige.

For twelve days, Odinn leads the spirits of humans, horses and dogs through the skies looking for the newly deceased. He is the God who is said to have given the first humans both their soul and spirit power. In addition, there is a connection with the Christ story of "the hanging lord" as Christ was said to hang from the cross and Odinn hung on Yggdrasil (the Yule tree) with a spear wound in his side gazing down in a quest for knowledge. For Nine days and nights he hung there, "Neither horn they upheld nor handed me bread, I looked below me – aloud I cried- caught up the runes, caught them up wailing, thence to the ground fell again" (Havamal, Rune Poem, Hollander). This is how the runes and their potent, primal metaphysical forms were first taken up. Odinn also sacrificed his eye in exchange for a drink from Mímisbrunnr (Mimir's Well), a well providing deep wisdom. Odinn's mythic life offers a constant example of the insatiable thirst for powerful knowledge and the willingness to make great sacrifices for it.

Father of Winter
"Wôld, Wôld, Wôld"!   
Heaven's giant knows what happens,
Looking down from heaven,
Providing full jugs and sheaves.
Many a plant grows in the woods.
He is not born and grows not old.
"Wôld, Wôld, Wôld"!
Grimm

Fríge, Wóden's wife is the most powerful Anglo-Saxon Goddess. She was a figure of wisdom like her husband. She was all knowing and was said to know the "fates" of all men and things, though she never speaks of them. She is Queen of Asgardr, the "peace weavers," and was central to the elimination of discord. She is associated with spinning and weaving and perhaps was thought of as spinning the thread of each life and weaving it into the web of Destiny. She may also have been associated with maternity, water and ponds and snow. She also represented all the phases of womanhood and was depicted as an old woman, a beautiful young girl in white, a fertility Goddess dressed in straw accompanied by women with sickles, in addition to a beautiful woman with a hollowed out tree for a back. She was associated with the Wood Wives, and other spirits of the wood. She was also Goddess of the witches, who flew over Walpurgis to a mountain peak where they danced, shape shifted, flew and knew the use of potions, knots and spells.

The "Wild" in the idea of the hunt has created quite a history of fear with demons and ghouls riding on shadow beasts seeking the dead and creating terror, however I believe the true meaning was more likely attributed to ecstatic trance and spirit flight and the use of donning animal skins to assist in manifesting animal energies and shapeshifting during rituals honoring Frige and Odinn in hopes of receiving direct transmission from them for the development of both truth knowledge and wisdom.

The Twelve Day Yule Celebration
The time of the Wild Hunt is when the dead walk within the world of the living. For this reason, it is a clear time to honor our ancestors. It is a time for great feasting, thankfulness and the honoring the Goddess Frige and Odinn to offer us wisdom and prosperity in the coming year. The Yule Tree is the symbol of life; it's the Great tree Yggdrasil and so the evergreen tree helps to remind us of the "green" life within, as it last through the dark winters and emerges in the spring.

The twelve nights are semblances of the twelve months of the year past. One way to acknowledge the past year is to offer up an ancestor's plate from any feasts you may have, or even simply from your afternoon meals during the twelve nights. Telling family stories around a hearth, looking through picture albums and honoring them ceremonially are all ways to warm our spirits during this cold time of year.

The celebration can center around the creating of an evergreen altar made in the center of the dinner table or anyplace sacred in the house. Wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days serve as a sign of hope for the future warmth and extended-sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia during winter, lighted candles were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the God of light to turn "the wheel of the earth" back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth. By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The wreath is most appropriately lit and prayers spoken at dinner-time before the eating of the meal.

These twelve nights have been an honored window of time set apart between the old year and the new, in which the greatest workings are begun and the greatest destiny turned. At this juncture in time, the ancestral forces maintain the greatest might. It is a time of the year when our deceased Ancestors are closest to us; this is when the dead are more active than any other time of year. "These times are inter-calendary periods in Celtic and Teutonic year-reckoning, the paradoxical 'time between the times' when the crack appears and the paths between the worlds are laid open. They are periods of 'ritual reversal' when the dead enter the world of the living and the living enter the world of the dead."

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The Candles

I recommend the placing of Five Sacred Candles around the wreath.

Candles serve as powerful symbols of spiritual light in the darkness and of the faith that the light will prevail. Four  different colored candles representing the four directions are to be placed according the appropriate directions with one green candle in the center.

The North Candle: White, The Warrior
Representing the wisdom of our elders, it can energize, harmonize, heal, and expand capabilities, bring clarity, offer brilliance and light, endless potential, ever-changing, purity, spirituality, greater attainments in life, truth, power of a higher nature, wholeness, sincerity, spiritual undertakings/guidance, direction to the right paths, calmness, seeing past illusions

The South Candle: Red, The Teacher
Representing learning, knowledge, longevity, heart, warmth-emotions, life force, the sacred, preservation, breaking through mental conditioning, creating rapid change, empowering action, energizing, passion, career goals, lust, survival, driving force, creating heat, high action, physical love, health, strength, sexual potency, courage, willpower, conquering fear or laziness 

The East Candle: Yellow, The Healer
Representing dawn of new day, illumination, inspiration, eagle, willpower, manifests creative energy on a physical plane, lifts depression, memory, imagination, accelerates learning, breaks mental blocks, activity, sunlight, creative energy, power of mind, sudden changes, intellect, power of the mind, confidence, gentle persuasion, action, attraction, concentration

The West Candle: Black, The Visionary  
Representing the setting sun, water, introspection, self examination, reflection, bear wisdom, general defense and protection, releasing, grounding, focusing, calming, shapeshifting, steadying, solidity, sleep, rest

The Central Candle: Green, For Balance
Representing balance, harmony, vigor, action, healing, strengthens heart and ability to love, generosity, prosperity, nurturing, cooling, calming, marriage, relationships, creativity, balance, fertility, growth, Mother Earth, personal goals, abundance, money, good fortune, wealth, success, renewal.
Lighting each of the sacred candles and acknowledging the energetic properties that each of the five candles hold. One honors the ancient ones and the female energies of Frige and God Oddin, keeper of wisdom and knowledge.

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The Opening

Offer gifts for each of the twelve nights and enjoy each other!
This elemental prayer may be spoken when the candles are lit. It is to be spoken as the first prayer on each of the 12 days prior to the prayer of the day. It honors the 5 sacred elements.

As I Light this Flame...
May the air carry and guide your spirit gently,
May the fire transform  and awaken your soul,
May the water wash you free of pain, suffering and sorrow,
May the earth give you strength and courage,
May the wheel turn and bring you freedom!

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Prayers for The Twelve Days

Day 1: Mothers-Night Prayer                                                                                     Beginning on December 20th, Mothers-Night, the first night of Yule and the night before the Winter Solstice, Frige and the female energies and ancestors are the clear focus of  any ceremonial workings to be done this day. Think about what lies dormant in your own life and soul and consider what may bloom a few months from now.

Cold and dark, this time of year,    
the earth lies dormant, awaiting the 
return of the sun, and with it, life.

Far beneath the frozen surface,
a heartbeat waits,
until the moment is right,
to spring.

Frigg bless ye merry Heathen Folk 
On this a Yuletide day
Remember Balder fair and bright
Will be reborn of light
To guide us through the darkened night
And give us hope and joy

Ohhh tidings of hope and of joy,
Hope and of joy,

Ohhh tidings of hope and of joy.
The Solstice night is long and dark

The Wild Hunt it will ride
Odhinn leads the frenzied host
Across the Northern skies
To cleanse the last of barren land
And guide the dead back home

Ohhh tidings to the wandering dead,
Wandering dead,

Ohhh tidings to the wandering dead.

The flame and fire flicker bright
Upon the sacred hearth
To scratch a spell and runic tell
Of this year's fortune's worth
Oh Heimdall guide the sons of man
That they should tarry not

Ohhh tidings to the sons of Rig,
Sons of Rig,

Ohhh tidings to the sons of Rig.
The sacred boar is settled now
Upon the holy feast
Lay your hand and give the oath
Upon the hallowed beast

It is your honour and your word
In Asgard that is heard

Ohhh tidings to the gods all high,
Gods all high,

Ohhh tidings to the gods all high.

© M Odinsdatter (Ve Vindhler) 2008

Day 2: Prayer to the Growing Sun
The sun returns! The light returns!
The earth begins to warm once more!
The time of darkness has passed,
and a path of light begins the new day.
Welcome, welcome, the heat of the sun,
blessing us all with its rays.

The Coming of the Light
In this darkest coldest night,
Gather in with kith and kin.

Light the need-fire, burning bright;
Kindled by the flame within.
Hear the mighty hoofbeats' thunder
As the wild hunt rules the night;
Fear not the sound of Sleipnir's passing;
Hail the coming of the light!

Celebrate the great wheel's turning
In this darkest, coldest night;

With the yule log brightly burning,
Sing, and praise the coming light!

Gather round the hearty table,
We have laid a harvest feast.
Fortified against the darkness,
Light is rising from the east.

Raise the horn in merry toasting,
Feast and greet the coming light.
Sing wassail with kith and kindred,
Praise the passing of the night.

Hail, wassail to friend and family,
Frith and troth on this dark night;
We are all one with kith and kinsmen-
Hail the coming of the light!
© Lavrans Karl Reimer-Mølle

Day 3: Prayer to the Goddess
O! Mighty goddess, in silvery ice,
watching over us as we sleep,
a layer of shining white,
covering the earth each night,
frost on the world and in the soul,
we thank you for visiting us.

Because of you, we seek warmth
in the comfort of our homes and hearths.

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Day 4: Prayer of Thankfulness

Yule should be a time of joy and happiness, but for many people it can be stressful. This is a season to take a moment and be thankful for the blessings you have, and to take a moment to remember those less fortunate.

I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
but regardless,
I am blessed with what is mine.

Day 5: Prayer for the Year to Change
"Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky. The flying cloud, the frosty light; The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go, Ring out the false, ring in the true."
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Day 6: Celtic Blessing
May the light of the soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth in your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you ad to those who see and receive your work. May your work never weary you. May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled. May you go into night blessed, sheltered and protected. May you soul calm, console and renew you.

Day 7: Nordic Yule Blessing
 Yule is a time to set aside animosity between yourself and others. The Norsemen had a tradition that enemies who met under a bough of mistletoe were obligated to lay down their arms. Set aside your differences for a moment and rest in a space of peace for all.

Beneath the tree of light and life, a blessing at this season of Jul!

To all that sit at my hearth, today we are brothers and sisters, we are family, and I drink to your health!

Today is a day to offer hospitality to all that cross my threshold in the name of the season.

Day 8: Winter Prayer
From the reaches of the north,
A place of cold beauty,
Comes to us the first winter storm.
Wind whipping, flakes flying,
The snow has fallen upon the earth,
Keeping us close, keeping us together,
Wrapped up as everything
Sleeps beneath a blanket of white.

Day 9: Prayer to Honor the Old Gods
The Holly King is gone, and the Oak King reigns
Yule is the time of the old winter Gods!
Hail to Baldur! To Saturn! To Odin!
Hail to Ameratsu! To Demeter!Hail to Ra! To Horus!
Hail to Frigga, Minerva Sulis, and Cailleach Bheur!
It is their season, and high in the heavens,
May they grant us their blessings this winter day.

Day 10: Celtic Winter Blessing
The Celtic people knew the importance of the solstice. Although the Yule season marks the middle of winter, colder times were still to come. It was important to put aside staple foods for the coming months, because it would be many months before spring. Consider, what have placed in keeping for the winter, both material goods and spiritual.

The food is put away for the winter, the crops are set aside to feed us, the cattle are come down from their fields, and the sheep are in from the pasture.

The land is cold, the sea is stormy, the sky is gray.

The nights are dark, but we have our family, kin and clan around the heart,

Staying warm in the midst of darkness, our spirit and love a flame, a beacon burning brightly in the night. 

Day 11:  Blessing of the Darkness
In the middle of winter, it's hard to remember sometimes that light is coming back to earth. However, despite the gray, cloudy days, we know that soon, the sun will return. Keep this in mind during those dreary days when it seems winter will never end.

Evening
The sky puts on the darkening blue coat
Held for it by a row of ancient trees;
You watch: and the lands grow distant in your sight,
One journeying to heaven, one that falls;
And leave you,
Not at home in either one, not quite so still and dark as the 
darkened houses,
Not calling to eternity with the passion of what becomes
A star each night, and rises;
And leave you (inexpressibly to unravel)
Your life, with its immensity and fear,
So that, now bounded, now immeasurable,
It is alternately stone in you and star.
Rilke Maria Rainer

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Day 12: Prayer for the New Year

Twelfth Night, New Year's Eve is the last of the twelve night celebrations and it is a time for merriment, reflections on the past year and oaths, personal agreements and resolutions. Twelfth Night is the time to look ahead and plan and pray for the New Year and the accomplishments you desire to make.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrman

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Wreath Making (Symbol of the Yule Tree) and Altar Ideas

Create a Ring or Wheel of Various Types of Evergreens

Here are some additional ideas and their symbolism:

Bayberry - good fortune and wealth
Evergreens - everlasting life, eternity, repels negativity
Holly - everlasting life, protects against negativity, renewed 
direction in life
Ivy - immortality
Cedar, strength and healing
Mistletoe - fertility, healing, protection
Pine Cones, Nuts, or Seedpods - endurance, longevity
Cloves - repel negativity and hostility
Ginger - love, wealth, success, power
Myrrh - protection, purification
Nutmeg - clairvoyance
Rosemary - love, purification, protection, intellectualism
Saffron - healing, clairvoyance and purification
Valerian - harmony and love
Wintergreen - healing and protection
Laurel - victory
Blood-Red Berries - fertility and new life

Wishes with plant medicines wrapped within can be written in parchment and placed on the wreaths. An old Pagan tradition involves hanging these from holly branches. The herbs are placed inside of small sachet bags. Crystals can be wrapped in gold or silver colored wire or in net fabric.

Ancient altars and wreaths incorporated  three goddess figures:   

Loose hair female with a headband to represent maidenhood, a central figure holding a basket of fruit in her lap for fertility and a female with snakes may refer to  an association with the souls of the dead or the underworld.

Include on the shrine decorations of fruits , plants and gemstones. 

Bloodstone - victory, courage,
wealth, strength, healing
Cat's eye - beauty, protection, healing, wealth, luck
Crystal quartz- can substitute for all other crystals
Garnet - strength, healing, protection
Ruby- joy, banishes nightmares, power, protection, wealth
Topaz - love, wealth, healing and protection

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