Religion is the fowl that feels the sunshine and sings when the daybreak remains to be darkish.
Rabindranath Tagore
Tonight, Dec. 8, is the third evening of our international Solstice Solar-Wheel Prayer Circle, in case you are counting all the way down to Winter Solstice. In any other case, in case you are counting all the way down to Christmas solely, that is Week 2.
As I’ve defined in previous weeks, that is just because this yr, there’s an additional Sunday between Solstice and Christmas.
For people who’re honoring each holidays, you’ll simply gentle your remaining candle once more for Christmas.
The Fundamentals
This ceremony makes use of a wreath and 5 candles, and is meant for all non secular paths. The Christian church calls it the Introduction wreath, which was in all probability borrowed from a lot older Pagan celebrations, marking the times previous Winter Solstice. (As most Christian students know, the beginning of Christ was in all probability within the Springtime, however the custom of holding the feast day across the Winter Solstice turned a solution to enhance its reputation).
Whether or not you might be Pagan, or Christian, or one thing else (you don’t even need to be spiritual!), please take part with us. Merely assign every candle a that means that’s vital to your religion or world view. There are many different concepts here.
And please keep in mind – you’ll be able to be a part of us any time.
So even when you have missed the primary two lightings, no downside! I’ve offered hyperlinks to the primary two weeks additional down this put up.
This additionally means you’ll be able to nonetheless invite your mates and family members to affix us! Please do, in order that our prayers and our magic circle the globe in each time zone and continent.
Once more, you’ll be able to go here to learn all of the extra normal particulars, together with our intention. Please don’t be overwhelmed by the size. I’ve tried to anticipate as many questions as I can.
What If I Stay within the Southern Hemisphere?
I imagine you’re a vitally vital a part of this work, since you are making ready to rejoice your Summer season Solstice. We’d like your sunny blessings and warmest items to help our renewal.
Maybe you wish to use a wreath of flowers and fruit, as an alternative of evergreens.
However in any case, please be a part of us at sundown, wherever you are, too!
Tonight’s Ceremony
That is the prelude to a second that has been celebrated since prehistoric instances, by individuals of each tradition. The dawning of the Winter Solstice and the re-birth of the Mild is coming to all beings throughout the Northern Hemisphere, it doesn’t matter what they imagine about it!
So collect along with your family members, or alone, ideally round sundown. Floor and heart your self, or create sacred house in no matter method is true in your observe. End up the lights the place you might be, and have your wreath, candles, and lighter prepared.
Bear in mind that you’re joined on this sacred circle by males, ladies, and youngsters of many paths, from many lands — so many who, on this our twentieth yr, we quantity over 2,000 souls and are nonetheless rising.
Through the years, individuals have advised me that sensing the numerous, many others in observance with them is among the most highly effective elements of our observe.
So you might want to take a second to open your consciousness to the numerous individuals from throughout the globe — from each stroll of life, completely different languages, and myriad faiths and beliefs — who’re collaborating with you.
We could also be celebrating on the actual second as you, or forward of, or behind you, in “actual” time. However in sacred time, we’re all within the Circle, in our personal liminal second, as night sweeps throughout the Earth.
Take a number of moments to soak up the deep quiet of the darkish. Give thanks for its time of gestation, the candy blackness that holds and feeds our roots, the thriller that nurtures, the sleep that stills our weariness and offers house for our desires.
Then, because the nightfall deepens, with our intention in thoughts, gentle your first candle (both from Nov. 24 or last week, relying in your alternative of countdowns).
Give attention to all that it means to you, maybe reviewing this aloud along with your family members. Has its significance modified or grown stronger for you, since that first lighting?
Counting Right down to Christmas ONLY: The Second Candle
For individuals solely counting all the way down to Christmas, tonight is your 2nd candle. In lots of denominations, it might signify Love.
Some church buildings name it the Bethlehem candle, referring to the items of hospitality and the preparations of physique and spirit, for receiving the Divine One.
Different traditions take into account it to be in reverence for the present of the sacred scriptures and the Phrase.
If You Are Counting Right down to Solstice
This will likely be your third candle lighting. In case you are utilizing the Parts as your information, this candle is for the Factor of Water.
Many Pagan traditions take into account that Water is the Guardian related to the path of West. It empowers our feelings, desires, instinct, empathy, and compassion. West is sacred to Autumn and the setting Solar.
Allow us to give thanks for all of the ups and downs of our feelings. They are often tumultuous at instances and unusually prescient. They open our hearts and generally break them, bringing cleaning tears and joyful laughter. What a sacred present it’s to really feel our emotions, even when it hurts!
As you gaze upon this wondrous addition of sunshine to the wreath earlier than you, take into account additionally the life-giving blessings of Water. See in your thoughts’s eye the gorgeous rains after they come gently, in balanced abundance.
Maybe supply a prayer for good, light, plentiful rains to extinguish the horrific wildfires which might be sweeping our Earth increasingly more because the local weather disaster deepens, and to soak the Earth somewhere else which might be in danger, affected by drought and shortage.
Give thanks for the unimaginable present of turning on a faucet at your property, and having clear, pure, cold and hot water pour forth. Such luxurious was past the creativeness of gilded pharaohs and emperors of outdated!
Bear in mind Mama Ocean in your thanksgiving – the Mom of us all, the ever-restless, altering, flowing supply of all life on our blue planet.
Know that the river of blood, tears, and pleasure is a deep, historic one which defines our humanity. It offers us the motivation and chance of the true, deep, lasting transformation we so desperately want. Could tonight’s gentle heal the worry, the harm, and all of our troubled waters.
In alignment with our intention, you might want to make a promise or vow concerning how you’ll serve the items of tonight’s candle.
For All:
Gaze now on the dancing flames of your candles. Isn’t it astonishing how a lot gentle they create?
Tonight, it turns into actually clear that an awesome birthing is on the way in which! The daybreak of the Mild is getting brighter and we may be assured it’s now inevitable. Allow us to anticipate its strategy with pleasure, ardour, and knowledge.
Could the powers of those Parts, or Presents of Spirit, weave collectively, as we ourselves are becoming a member of collectively, to light up and bless our world.
If you find yourself at peace, and the time feels proper, going backwards from Water, to Fireplace, to Air, (or from Love to Hope), gently extinguish your candles.
Could our prayers be fulfilled for the great of all.
Blessed be!
