Yule, The Winter Solstice,

The Wild Hunt, Pluto on the Galactic Center

& The Sagittarius New Moon

By Ingrid Jeffries

"The point of power is always in the present moment." Louise Hay

  In the north when biting winter winds blow and bare branches rattle like bones, it was thought wise to remain inside at night, especially during the twelve days of Yule.  During this gloomy time when the Sun appears to stand still, it was believed that to keep the yule log burning would persuade the Sun to move again and make the days grow longer.   The first day of Yule always occurs on the Winter Solstice, which is December 21^st at 5:33 PM MST this year and is the beginning of our coldest season. To many European tribes these first twelve days of winter were when the spectral 'Wild Hunt' was most likely to race across the night sky.   Ancient customs mark this as the time of the opening of the Underworld's gates, when measures of protection were required for everyone, but especially for the young and the sick. Mistletoe has long been considered a magical plant for its medicinal as well as spiritual properties. To the Celts it was highly esteemed because it grew on the sacred Oaks, offering one protection and enhancing fertility.

  In the Germanic tradition it is the Nordic god Odin, also known as Wotan, who leads the Wild Hunt on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, followed by the Valkyries and the ghosts of dead heroes riding their horses with black hounds baying at their feet and hunting horns blowing. If an unlucky traveler happened to be caught outside at this time he/she would be judged on their purity of heart, ability to respect others perhaps disturbing views (symbolized by Odin and the Hunt), their courage and sense of humor.   If he/she passed judgment, they could go home with their shoes full of gold or be given food and drink, but if they were not so lucky they were doomed to a frightening nocturnal journey that may claim their life.    Children used to leave their boots or socks out by the hearth on Solstice Eve, filled with hay and sugar for Sleipnir; in return, Odin /Wotan would leave them a gift. In Christian times the figure of Saint Nicholas superimposed Odin, and the kindly, gift-bearing Santa Claus / Father Christmas escorted by reindeers was born . 

   This solstice is the birth of the winter season and as such astrologers use these cardinal points of the year for forecasting, with this solstice carrying many dynamic energies already being felt. The dominance of planets in fire signs aids impulse, creativity and opinionation, while the absence of water signs can promote a lack of empathy.   The strongest aspect occurring in this Winter's chart is the conflict between traditional methods of action and a pioneering consciousness favoring peace.   The desire (Mars) to hold to traditional beliefs (Sagittarius) is challenged by a new awareness (Uranus) supporting healing and redemption (Pisces).  It can also mean that politics ( Sagittarius) do not support spiritual truths ( Pisces).   Both Sagittarius and Pisces are associated with spirituality and the square between Mars and Uranus in these signs would indicate that for many of us, what we were taught to believe might not align with what we personally feel is spiritual.   Pluto, the planet of transformation and power in Sagittarius, will rise before the Sun seeding an intense desire for change with the likelihood that there will be a shift in alliances perhaps on a personal, professional and /or political level for many.

  Pluto is presently positioned on the Galactic Center (G.C.), the gravitational heart of our galaxy and dynamic source of infrared radiation.   When a planet crosses the G.C. its energy is 'radiated' throughout the galaxy and specifically influences our root chakra and subconscious processes on a global as well as personal level (particularly for those individuals with natal planets between 26�?8 degrees of the mutable signs; Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces).   The G.C. is considered a point of conscious expansion; it provides incisive, direct, instructive information to those who practice quieting the mind and opening themselves to higher consciousness through meditation, breath work, dance, or yoga, to name a few.   This is an excellent time to get in touch with destructive core beliefs as Pluto rules the destructive powers of the subconscious as well as it's transformative and regenerative powers.   Pluto opens us up to hidden sources of knowledge and wisdom.  Pluto is often associated with our greatest fears and is the planet indicated in ones past use of personal power.   When Pluto is operating strongly in our chart at birth, or by transit, its effects can be felt for life (or lifetimes), and Pluto presently remains close to the G.C. until 2008.   Pluto, as the mythological ruler of the Underworld, certainly stimulates one to review ones past just as Odin appraises the hapless traveler's character, and as does St. Nick. The fears and emotional pain that may arise at this time are never related to the present moment.   Our pain resides in the past and our fear dwells in the future, both abduct us from the Now just as Pluto abducted Persephone, a goddess associated with innocence and beauty.    The balance to any Pluto aspect is to connect with one's incorruptibility, one's simplicity, and one's sense of beauty in the present. Beauty and innocence always live in awareness of the Now, as does one's point of Power. For the next 3 months we will experience many planets triggering Pluto on the Galactic Center with the New Moon eclipse in March providing again greater emphasis. The stimulus is to let go of what is unethical and unwholesome and not of the light.   The Moon and Venus planets of personal connection are joined in responsible Capricorn indicating that being socially and communally responsible is highly beneficial.  

   Prior to this Yuletide the Sagittarius New Moon occurs at 7 AM on Wednesday Dec.20^th with a preponderance of imaginative confident fire energies.   This is an excellent time for taking a gamble, asking for what you want or doing something daring. With the New Moon occurring at the critical 29^th degree of Sagittarius, it is wise to keep in mind that less can be more.   Sagittarius is the sign of the adventurer seeking meaning and purpose in all of Creation, so be open to new possibilities and opportunities that can occur only when things do not go according to plan.   This generous and expansive New Moon energy thrives on expression and connection, with an intense desire to share knowledge.   The creation of a Yule Log* representing what you choose to light your consciousness with in the season ahead would be wonderful way to use this New Moons energies.    * Directions for creating a Yule log follow

The Yule Log

Many customs have survived from Pre-Christian times that lend themselves well to our holiday rituals. Among them is the ever-popular Yule Log. Traditionally, it has been of oak, ash or beech, ritually cut (often at Dawn) and ceremonially carried into the house. The head of the family with much ceremony festively lit the log. Toasts were made with wine, cider or brandy, and since they were drunk in the early morning hours, gave participants a jolly head start to festivities.   A lesser-known tradition is that of the Yule Clog, a knobby block of wood that was burnt in the kitchen hearth. Household servants were entitled to imbibe with their meals for as long as the Clog was kept burning. In many parts of Scandinavia, the object burnt was a fat wax candle, instead of a log. The candle was lit at Dawn and must burn until Midnight, or be considered an ill omen

Yule Log Magic        

The Yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European pagans would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires symbolized the return of the Sun. The Yule log can be made of any wood. Each releases its own kind of magic.

Aspen: invokes understanding of the grand design.

Birch: signifies new beginnings.

Holly: inspires visions and reveals past lives.

Oak: brings healing, strength, and wisdom.

Pine: signifies prosperity and growth.

Willow: invokes the Goddess to achieve desires.

On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the coming year into the log or on a candle to be placed on the log in its decorated state or write them on a piece of paper that you also add as a decoration. You can decorate the log with greenery, flowers, ribbons and herbs for beauty and magical intent. Some choices might be:

Basil for prosperity and harmony

Carnations-protection, courage, strength, healing, increases magical power, vitality

Cedar-wealth, protection, purification, healing, promotes spirituality

Holly-dreams, protection

Juniper- Exorcism, protection, healing, love

Mistletoe-a catalyst, fertility, health, success, protection, banishing evil

Pine-healing, wealth, protection, purification, exorcism, exorcism, fertility, wealth

Rosemary-health, love, protection, exorcism, purification, increase intellectual powers, peace, blessing, consecration, very powerful for cleansing and purifying

Roses-love, courage, luck, health, protection, beauty

Ribbons can be used according to their color for magical correspondences.

Rather than candle making to save time, use store bought candles and decorate by carving symbols, coloring with crayons or paint, pressing flowers and herbs onto the candle with wax or glue or paste pictures onto it. Before decorating with greenery, flowers or pictures, dip your candle into hot water just long enough to soften the wax. Place dry materials on the candle in a pleasing pattern, and gently press into the wax. Then do a quick dip into liquid wax to seal it altogether.

To scent your log:

Explore fragrances by using incense herbs and resins sealed into the wax; you could use the above process or make the candles with the herbs and resins included in the hot liquid (experiment before you commit yourself to a big project... if the herb pieces are too large, they'll act like wicks and create a bonfire, and resins sometimes spit when hot). You could also add pure essential oils to the outside of the finished candle or the logs greenery or ribbons, or to the liquid wax as the candle burns. I like to do the last one-especially if you get the unscented candles-try it in a bunch of little tea lights.

For magical work:

Bind your spells or prayers with cotton thread wrapped and knotted around a candle. The usual way is to knot the intention so that with each one burned, the energy is freed to do its work; this is especially useful for healing and protection work. Choose appropriate colors for both candle and thread.

  Remember that whatever you create has a life force to it.  Fire orientated creations are prone to seizing upon flammable objects and creatures within their reach. They should never be left unattended unless in a totally secure environment (like a fireplace or an empty bathtub for overnight).   Be safe.