Tag: Religion and Spirituality

About.com: 12 Days of Yule Devotionals (Day 7)

About.com
Day 7: A Nordic Yule Blessing                              
Patti Wigington
From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism /Wicca     
                                                                       
The Norsemen of old had a custom that if two people who were enemies met under a bough of mistletoe, they must lay down their arms. This time of year, set aside old conflicts. Take a moment to meditate upon the relationships you have, and try to find ways to get along with people who normally antagonize and anger you.
 

A Nordic Yule Blessing                            

Yule is a time to set aside animosity between yourself and people who would normally antagonize you. Set aside your differences, and think about finding peace in the spirit of the season.


Beneath the tree of light and life,

a blessing at this season of Jul!

To all that sit at my hearth,

today we are brothers,

we are family,

and I drink to your health!

Today is a day to offer hospitality

to all that cross my threshold

in the name of the season.

Additional Reading                            

For many Pagans and Wiccans, the holiday season becomes a time of conflict with their non-Pagan family. They may not understand what it is you celebrate, or there may be old wounds that surface each year when family gets together that have nothing to do with your beliefs. Regardless, read on for tips on how to Survive the Holidays With Your NonPagan Family.
Tomorrow: Snow Prayer                            

                                        This email is written by:                                                                      Patti Wigington                                                          Paganism / Wicca Guide                                        

About.com: 12 Days of Yule Devotionals (Day 8)

About.com

 

Day 8: Snow Prayer for Yule                              
Patti Wigington
From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism /Wicca                                                                           
There’s a lot to be said for the beauty of snow. Welcome the white stuff with a prayer reminding us of why we love it.
 

Snow Prayer                            

Depending on where you live, you may be seeing snowfall long before Yule arrives. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty, both as it falls and once it covers the ground.


From the reaches of the north,

a place of cold blue beauty,

comes to us the first winter storm.

Wind whipping, flakes flying,

the snow has fallen upon the earth,

keeping us close, keeping us together,

wrapped up as everything sleeps

beneath a blanket of white.

Additional Reading                            

You may at some point in the Yule season find yourself stuck inside — after all, if too much of the white stuff comes down, it’s hard to get anywhere! Stock up on reading material, and turn being snowbound into a family treat with Ten Great Books for Yule.
Tomorrow: A Prayer to the Old Gods                            

                                        This email is written by:                                                                      Patti Wigington                                                          Paganism / Wicca Guide                                        

The Witches Afternoon Devotion for December 10th

 Afternoon Devotion

Dear Mother, my eternal companion, as I
gaze toward the midday Sun, tears of joy
well up in my eyes. In everything I see—
the trees, the blue skies, the birds in the
air–I see your beauty and love. 
 
 
Thank you for calling me to the Craft.
Thank you for giving me my life.
Thank you for being my eternal Mother.
I love you!

 Blessed Be! 

 More Winter Comments

Ancestors, Ancestors, We Are Calling

Ancestors, Ancestors, We Are Calling

 

Ancestors, ancestors, we are calling

Ancestors, ancestors,  hear our call

Sing or chant the above words for at least four rounds, as you stand in honor  of the ancestors to welcome them. As you do, create a simple gesture to welcome  the ancestors, such as prayer hands over the heart, or raised to the heavens.  Ask your body to help you create it and include some form of movement. Have fun  with it but also be focused on the welcome. Try it and see what happens.

This is a way of including those humans in your family lineage that have come  before you and whose genetic and soul influence has a great deal to do with who  you are today, those we can call ancestors. Even your deceased parents are your  ancestors.

These progenitors have experienced what it’s like to have had their energy in  an animate, physical human form. They continue on with their teachings in spirit  world, evolving spiritually beyond what we in physical bodies can even imagine,  though some have touched this world through meditations, revelations, near-death  experiences, or shamanic journeys from the point of death.

If you aren’t already including ancestors when you call on spirit guides,  please do. They want to help us and do avail themselves to us of their wisdom  and understanding. Don’t get me wrong; they aren’t all saints, but they  understand and experience things much differently once in spirit form. The  wisest ancestors are the oldest ones, yet even recent passage into the spirit  world offers a considerable dose of wisdom that they are more than happy to  bring to you. They also can guide and protect you if asked.

We are in a time of critical change and need all the help we can get from the  world of Spirit. The planet doesn’t need saving. We just need to revise our  relationship with this planet and live much more harmoniously with her cycles.  And we’re doing the best we can. Just need the help of the ancestors.