WINTER SOLSTICE 21/22ND DECEMBER

NEEDS
Small gift each, Holly and ivy - the symbol of life - Mistletoe - protection from thunder and lightning - Pine or Larch sprigs - Tinsel - Pipe,drum - Incense - Candles-yellow red blue green white - Wine and cake - Hyssop rue - Spring water and red flannel for spell.

Tarot 14 Temperance

THE SOLSTICE RITE
1. Everyone decorates the room and puts a red candle in the cauldron
East-yellow south-red west-blue north-green.
2. Light incense
3. Someone enters the room and sits down drumming and piping outside the circle whilst priestess puts Hyssop water and towel at North and a cup of spring water in center on a table with the white candles.
4. Everyone now enters the circle washing their hands and face in Hyssop water.
5. Consecrate water.
6. Charge up wands.
7. Open circle.
8. Priestess walks round circle with Wand held out in front of her saying why we are here and what we are doing.
9. She then goes to the table that has the Red cauldron candle - she holds it up and beckons one from the east to light their white candle from it. They then return to their place.
10. Close the rite.
11. Re-open circle - Sing carols and give gifts. Eat drink and say:

Hail to the returning sun
We drink to the old Gods
To the holly and the oak and the Lady
A merry Yule to all:
Turn North and say chants:
EVE.
The geese fly high this solstice morn
The woods are bare the snow is deep
We wait for Herne to sound his horn
To wake his children up from sleep
To celebrate this happy night
When winter may be put to flight.

SOLSTICE CHANT.
Geese and standing stones and mist
Baying hounds and hooting owl
Sparkling stars and snow that`s crisp
Herne is here, bring forth the bowl.

12. The Rite is Ended.