Eighth Annual Friends and Family Yule Circle

Last night we held our eighth annual Friends and Family Yule Circle, here in La Mirada. We invited new friends and old, and honored Frigga and Baldur under sprinkles that ended up being a light rain. Our ritual included charging a yule log filled with our wishes for the new year. Large holes were drilled in a thick log, and we placed paper inside the holes. Following the circle, we placed the log in one of our fire pits. After everyone left, the sisters of the coven kept vigil until the early hours, ensuring it burned completely.

In addition to raising charged energy for our yule log, we also did an adaptation of a blot-  a toasting circle. We've never tried anything like this before, our rituals tend to be pretty serious and quiet, but we had a great time. It was raining on us, however, so we decided to cut the meditation out- as it would have been difficult to concentrate, and there was no sitting on the ground to be had. Because we cut the meditation out, I'm posting it below, as our sister Rayne wrote the beautiful piece, and it's not fair that it would go unread.

After ritual, the altar was removed, and a conversation fire pit was brought out. Of course, as soon as ritual was over, the weather was much better, and our fires were toasty and warm. Though it rained, our candles didn't go out! All in all, 23 people attended our event, and we had around 16 people in our circle (if I counted correctly) - I believe that's our largest circle yet. We'll most likely be holding our next open circle in the Summer. If/when I see pictures of our gathering, I'll post them. Thanks to our friends and family who attended... Blessed be!

See the Yule meditation below:

Sit or stand comfortably. Start by taking a deep breath to the count of 4....Hold it in a few seconds and release it slowly....As you release your breath focus on all of your muscles relaxing. Starting from your head...to your shoulders...your arms and middle...your legs....all the way to your toes.....With each breath relax a little more...Feel all the stress and worry from your day float away....just relax.

As your third eye comes to focus you find yourself on a snow covered path...The snow that has fallen is fresh and it looks like nobody has traveled this path since the snow started. Take a moment to feel the air around you...cold and damp...You bring your cloak closer around you as you start walking down the path....As you walk you notice an object hanging from one of the tree limbs...As you get closer you notice a pretty yellow stone on a ribbon. You wonder for a second why it is there and why it isn’t covered in snow. This thought passes quickly as you reach up and grab it and put it in your pocket.

Continue down the path...It starts to slope slightly down hill....At the end of the slope you come to an opening where there are no trees. You can clearly see the sky. As you look around you notice a woman sitting in the middle of the clearing. As you move closer you notice the woman looks kind and motherly. You approach her and ask her name. She says “You know me child, I am Frigga. I’m here to help you see what’s to come.” You take a seat in front of her. Somehow you hadn’t noticed the smoothed stump there before. Listen as the Goddess tells you the things you need to know for the coming year. ........When she is finished you remember the stone that you put in your pocket earlier and offer it to her...Frigga smiles and thanks you for your offering.

You turn to walk back and you hear her remind you of what she said before. You smile to yourself realizing you have the knowledge that will help you into the new year...Find your footprints in the snow and head back up the gentle slope and down the path.....When you get to where you started take a moment and start to become aware again. Breath deeply and when you are ready open your eyes......