Seasonal Ritual Ideas
By Audrey Jackson

Group Ritual - Here is a group ritual to symbolize the Oak King and Holly King battle of the solstice. I feel it is best to do this ritual the day of the solstice or just before. This ritual is to aid the turning of the wheel of the year and you would want to work this energy as close to the solstice as possible. Do your own basic ritual set up and use this as your ritual work. Make changes as you wish, this is just my idea.

This is a ritual drama spell. By acting out the theme of the season you raise energy to turn the wheel of the year. For this ritual you need someone to take the role of the Queen. You will need a Holly King and an Oak King. You will want a pair of wooden swords. You can use two sturdy branches or staffs if you do not have access to wooden swords.

The Queen stands in the north and says to Holly King: “My Love, your time has come to rest. The Young Sun is born this day and calls for his seat next to me upon the throne of life so he may begin to awaken the earth."

The Holly King reply's: "I am not pre-pared to leave my throne. It is too soon. It is as though my cycle has just began. The earth is cold and frozen. There is no new life which could be born of this frost."

The Queen to the Oak King: "It is time my Young Sun to show your brother His time has passed and your time is here anew."

Oak King to Queen: "I will my love. For it is time for the spirit of life to be awakened and renewed.

At this point the Oak King approaches the Holly King: "My season begins now and it is your time to rest."

A mock battle takes place between them. Once the Oak King triumphs, The Queen covers the Holly king with a black veil and says: "The Holly King will now rest and the Oak King will grow stronger as the days do pass.

The Oak King should speak this as he walks once around the circle clockwise: "Today the days will begin to lengthen. Everyday the sun becomes stronger and warmer. Preparing earth for her re-awakening in the spring. We celebrate this winter solstice and turn now the wheel of the year. SO MOTE IT BE!"

A ritual for the Solitary Witch - When I work alone for the solstice, I prepare an alter for Yule. It is on a table that I keep set up for a week or two before the Solstice. On this alter I place all items that represent Yule for me. I have small animal figures because this is the time of year we look to our animal spirits for guidance. A small wish tree will be there as well. It is a small artificial tree about a foot tall. All the ornaments I place on the tree are symbolic to the things I wish to draw into my life. I also keep a green candle to represent the Holly King. I burn it a little every night.

On the Solstice I light my green candle before I start circle. Once in circle have started the ritual work I thank the Holly King for his part in the cycle of the year. I then take my yellow or gold candle and carve a symbol of the sun upon it. I charge it with the energy of the growing sun. I anoint it with a cinnamon and rosemary oil blend. I now light the yellow candle from the green candle and say:

       "As the Holly King leaves to rest, (Snuff green candle after you light the yellow)

       "The Oak King is reborn and brings with him the strength and warmth of the Sun and so I now turn the wheel of the Year, So mote it Be!"

Now keep the yellow candle on your Yule alter until it has burned out. I put away the green candle for the following solstice in summer when we call the Holly King back.