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La Festa dell' Inverno
Yule
Winter Solstice -- La Festa dell' Inverno -- December
21/22
The Goddess gives birth to the new Sun God,
the child of the Holy Union of ShadowFest. The Watchers, known to the Streghe as
the Grigori, come to see this new child, but are suprised to see Janus there
presenting His new-born child. It is here that we see Dis and Janus are the two
faces of the Great God. The Grigori then proceed to the world of man, bearing
the new Lord of the Sun. Lupercus, the Sun, once again begins His growth.
The Winter Solstice, approximately December 21, is the shortest day of the year and marks the rebirth of the Sun. Yule is Norse for "wheel". The Scandinavian pronunciation, it should sound like "yool", rather than "yewl".
In some respects, the celebrations of the Streghe are similar to the Wiccan festivals. But they differ in some very significant ways. What follows is the traditional festival of La Vecchia, and its' place within the Mythos and updated to the century. The timing of the rituals has been given to us through the "Word of Aradia".
The Streghe do not call their seasonal rites Sabbats. They are instead referred to as Treguendas. There are eight Treguendas which make up the cyclic dance of the Year. The four major rites occur in October, February, May and August. These are the Spiritual Festivals. The minor festivals occur on the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes, and the Summer and Winter Solstices.These are covered in the the Wheel.
Ritual actions
The Yule log is burned, trees are brought
indoors and decorated, stockings are hung by the chimney with care... It's true
that many "Christmas" traditions are actually Pagan in origin or nature.
Yuletide lasts from December 20th and ends 12 nights later on December
31st. Reindeer? Think a stag, representing the Horned God.
Evergreen trees, sacred to the God, we decorated to honor Him. Presents
were exchanged to honour fellow man.
Symbols and Colors
The colors of the season are red and
green. Holly berries and holly greens are sacred to the God as well.
Evergreen trees are prominent, Yule logs are with a portion of the log
saved to light next year's log. Nuts, fruits, cider, ginger tea, and
Christmas cookies (yum!) are all traditionally eaten.
The Celebration
Purify yourself with a ritual bath or
annointment. Purify your ritual space, and set up the altar. Cast
the circle and invoke the Goddess and the God.
This is the night of Solstice, the longest night of the year. Now darkness triumphs, and yet grows weaker and turns to light. The breath of Nature is suspended; the Dark King is transformed into the Infant Light. We watch for the coming of dawn, when the Great Mother again gives birth to the Divine Child of the Sun, who is the harbinger of hope and the promise of summer.
Magick may be performed, or if you prefer,
meditate. Keep in mind the changing of the seasons and thank the Goddess
and God for attending your rite. End the celebration with a simple
feast and release the circle.
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