Wiccan Church of Minnesota

2021 Yule Meditation

The Yule season is upon us, and it is a time of gathering and good cheer.  Normally, this is a time for Wiccans and Pagans to come together and celebrate the Winter Solstice.  Unfortunately, the world is still gripped in COVID-19 concerns, with new COVID variants that are resistant to our current vaccines.  The sad result is that, for many, it is still not the time for large group gatherings.

If we cannot gather in person, we can still gather in spirit.  If we cannot celebrate in group ritual, we can still celebrate in our own private rituals.  Here, I offer for you a Yule meditation that will allow all to celebrate in solitary, while still celebrating together on the ether.

But first, what is Yule that we celebrate?  What is the significance of the Winter Solstice?

While taken over by the Christians, Yule is the original 12-day solstice festival celebrated thousands of years before Christmas and is considered one of the oldest celebrations of wintertime in the world.

In ancient times, winters were difficult times during which food would run scarce.  The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, marks the turning of the tides.  As the days began to grow longer, once again, this marked the return of hope.  Though still months away, the Winter Solstice was the mark that bounty and prosperity would once again return to the land.

In the Wiccan tradition there a number of different stories about the meaning of the eight Sabbats.  In some, it is the battle of the Oak and the Holly Kings.  In others, it is about the birth and death of the god.  It is this latter tradition we will draw upon for our meditation. 

In this latter tradition, the eight Sabbats, the Wheel of the Year, are a celebration of the birth, death, and return of the god;  They are also a celebration of the constant presence and teachings of the goddess.  At the Winter Solstice, the goddess gives birth to her son, and symbolically, the sun is reborn; this is a time of vulnerability for the mother and her child.  But it is also a time of renewed hope and joy. 

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For this meditation, find a quiet place where you can be alone.  Banish your space and cast your circle as appropriate to your tradition.  Purify your space, summon the quarters, and call the goddess and the god, all according to your particular craft. 

As you sit in this sacred space, ground and center first.  Feel yourself growing roots that sink deep into the ground and feel the strength and stability of the earth rising up in to you.  Feel yourself growing branches that reach up into the sky and feel the energy of the eternal sun radiating down into your, filling you with love and healing.  Sit for a while, experiencing the connection with the ground below and the sky above.

When you are ready, light your meditation candle.  And, as you kindle the light in the candle, know that the light of the world is likewise being rekindled on this night.  Think on the fact that the old year, both good and bad, is coming to a close.  In its place, a new year is about to be born.  Full of promise and unknowns, the new year brings renewal and new life.

Now visualize a mother with her newborn babe.  Know that this is the goddess who has just given birth to the new god.  It is cold and the two are threatened by the elements.  But you know that the two are from the archetypal world and that they will survive.  See the goddess suckle her infant son and protect him from the elements.  But also look close at the infant god.  See that the god’s skin is aglow with a golden light.  Feel the young god radiate out the hope of the coming year.  Know that this young god is small and weak now, but there is much potential inside of him and soon he will soon grow into a strong and mighty adult, and that he will bring much good for the coming year.

In your visualization, see yourself walk up to the goddess and her child and offer them a present.  This gift can be whatever you feel is important.  This is whatever you think the goddess and the god need most at this time, whatever your heart moves you to give to them.  If you want, this can be a commitment you plan to make to them in the coming year – but it does not necessarily need to be so.  See the goddess take your present and open it.  She thanks you for this.

But, as you do this, the goddess reaches down and picks up a gift and gives it to you.  This is the present from the goddess and the god for you and is what you need to help you get through the coming year.  This is the special thing that you need for 2022.  Take some time and examine the object.  Think on its special meaning for you.  What are the goddess and the god giving to you?  Why did they pick this?  Why is it what you need.

Sit in the presence of the goddess and the god for a while longer.  Take this time to ask any questions, request help, or just listen to the advice of the goddess and the god.

When you are done, thank the goddess and the god for their gifts and return to the awareness of your body.  Feel your branches growing back into you, feel any remaining energy flowing back up to the eternal sun.  Feel your roots deep within the earth and feel all of the strength flowing back down the roots, back to the earth – Grounding and Centering – and feel the roots retract back up into your body.

Close your circle as you opened it – devoke the goddess and the god, dismiss the quarters, and open the circle, all as appropriate to your tradition. 

Return now to this world.  But do so knowing that you have given something to the goddess and the god; that you have given them something they need to bring prosperity and growth to the coming year.  And also, know that they have given something to you.  And this gift of yours will help you in the coming year, giving you whatever it is you will need to meet the challenges of the coming year.

Finally, to close the night, sit and journal about all that has happened.  And be sure and journal about the presents you both gave and received.  At your Yule celebration of 2022, reread this journal entry and see how both the gifts you gave and received made a difference in the year!

Happy Solstice and Merry Yule!

Samhain is the time of the year when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. Here is a meditation exercise that may allow you to travel to the other realm. If you perform this meditation with intent, you may divine the future, explore the past or see what is hidden.

First, find a picture of a labyrinth. It can be big or small, elaborate or simple. Just so the whole labyrinth is in the picture.  Then get some soothing music, instrumental and somewhat repetitive. Pachelbel’s Canon comes to mind, New Age music is also good, though any instrumental piece will do.

Lock the door, turn off the phone, start the music quietly, sit comfortably at a table, try to make sure you won’t be disturbed.

Relax and sit with the labyrinth in front of you. Look at it, and form your intent. Or just relax and go into a meditative state.

When you are ready, trace the path of the labyrinth with your finger. Visualize yourself walking in the labyrinth, going around and around, making your way toward the center.

When you arrive at the center, stop and look around yourself, see what is there. Be open to visions, messages, communication from beyond. Let what will happen, happen.

When you are finished, thank the Goddess and God for what you have received.

Then trace your way back out of the labyrinth. When you have reached the exit, take a deep breath, ground and center yourself in the here and now.

Turn the music off, and write down what you learned. Then go and do something mundane, wash the dishes, clean your place, go out for takeout.

Have a Blessed Samhain!

Samhain is the time of year when we honor those who have gone on to the Summerlands. This year, we have had covid present to help that process along. WiCoM lost Rev. Qwill, a longtime member, a founding member, Green Man several times and a treasured resource. He will be missed.

To honor the Ancestors, make a meal, preferably something somewhat fancy and celebratory. Have a second plate, and put small potions there, for the Ancestors. Light a candle, and eat the meal with intent.  Savor the flavors. Chew slowly and get the most out of your food. As you eat, contemplate the Ancestors, both those who have died in the past year, and others who have gone before. Treasure the beloved dead, remember all they meant to you and how they changed your life. Thank them for their contributions.

As you finish, thank the Ancestors by name and remember specific people who made an impact in your life. Extinguish the candle, and clean up. Put the Ancestors portion outside to feed the small creatures, who are also the children of the Goddess. Blessed Be.

Public Lughnasad Ritual

Date: Saturday July 31st, 2021

Time: Gather at 6pm, Ritual at 7:00pm

Space: Richardson Nature Center Fire Pit
8737 E. Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington

Google Map
text directions below

The Ritual:

Things are a bit different so we ask you read the announcement fully and abide by ALL the rules.

As usual, please bring some food to share after the celebration, if that’s practical for you. (If it’s not practical for you, don’t worry about it. There’s always plenty to share!)
Paper plates and cups will be provided. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN UTENSILS AND NAPKIN.

Park etiquette/rules:

• No weapons (this includes athames)
• No hard liquor (cider, ale, and wine are OK)
• Do not bring firewood

This is a public area. Other people in the park will be able to see us. Plan accordingly.
There are benches around the fire pit. You might wish to bring a cushion or a lightweight folding chair.

Restrooms are inside the building, and are available until 10 pm.

This is also not on any public transit, so if you need a ride, communicate that and we will try to find a ride for you.

Accessibility and Amenities

The path from the parking area to the fire pit is paved and mostly flat. It’s 0.15 mile (a block and a half to two blocks).
Restrooms are available.

Text Directions

• Take 494 to Bush Lake Road (it is west of Highway 100) and go south on Bush Lake Road.
• Enter from Bush Lake Road – there’s a sign for the Richardson Nature Center.
• The park road ends at the parking area.
• Take the trail on the right, beside the maps.
• When you reach the Richardson Nature Center, the fire pit will be to your right.
• There is a tricky part!
• When you exit 494, you go SOUTH on Bush Lake Road.
• HOWEVER, at the second light after you cross the highway, you need to TURN RIGHT to stay on Bush Lake Road.
• The driveway will be on your left, after about 3/4 mile. There’s a small sign for the nature center. It would be easy to miss.

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We look forward to seeing each other again after a long time sheltering in isolation.
BLESSED BE!