Yule Ritual With Children

Most children like to take part in rituals, especially if they're responsible for a candle! The following ritual is a fun & simple one which kids enjoy that can be celebrated on Solstice Eve

Needed: A red or white candle, the larger the better.
Yule log ready with candles, each person will have a candle to light from the Yule candle and place in the log.
After the area is cleansed, blessed, and ready:

In the dark of very minimal light:
Priestess- For a few months the days have been growing shorter, and the nights longer.
After today, little by little, the hours of light will increase. The days will grow longer until once again it is Summer.
Priest 9if there is one, otherwise Priestess): We celebrate now the time of Midwinter, which is called Yule. It marks the birth of the Sun. Let us call on the Magic Spirits to speak of this time.
The Priestess appropriately presenting to the directions:

East-Winter is the time, for cold winds and freezing breezes. Spirits of the Air, be with us tonight.

South-Winter is the time, for sitting in fron of roaring fires for warmth, and blazing candles for light. Spirits of the fire, be with us tonight.

West-Winter is the time,of rain falling, water turning to ice, and Jack Frost nipping at us. Spirits of the water, be with us now.

North-Winter is the time when the Earth is bare, most tree have no leaves, no food is growing now. Spirits of the Earth be with us now.

Priestess- Goddess of all seasons, we see you now as Mother with Child. Be with us tonight.

Priest-God of all seasons, we see you now as the dying son/sun, and yet also as a tiny baby, the son/sun reborn. Be with us tonight.

Priestess- As the darkness increases we feel the death of the Sun God approaching. But in the darkest of Winter he is reborn as the light of the infant son/sun. It is the Great Mother who gives birth to him, who brings the Child of Promise to Earth. It is the Lord of Light And Life who is born again!

The Priestess lights the big red or white candle says:
The Wheel turns and Light retuens, returns, returns, returns!!

All join hand in the circle around the altar and chant:
The sun, the light, shining bright, returns, returns, returns, returns!!! (three times or more, as desired)

Priest:Now, starting with the youngest, we will each light our candles from the big Yule candle, and make a silent wish for the next Season. Then we will set our candles into the holes in the Yule log, and return to our places in the circle.

East-Spirits of the Air, we thank you for being with us tonight, and now bid you farewell.

South-Spirits of Fire, we thank you for being with us tonight, and now bid you farewell.

West-Spirits of Water, we thank you for being with us tonight, and now bid you farewell.

North-Spirits of Earth, we thank you for being with us tonight, and now bid you farewell.

The rite is ended. Merry meet and merry part!

Everyone-And Merry Meet Again!!

Author Margie McAurthur with a few changes made by Amber - we like to do this one!