Yule
by Julianne Toomey

The Dark of Midwinter
Grows and spreads
Holding earth in its lifeless embrace
Beyond the barrenness
Is a time of rejoicing
A time of rest and rejuvenationbr> Of the stillness of rivers running below ice.
The days shorten and grow colder
Night deepens
Yet still stars dance against the furry expanse of sky
Diamond pinpoints against velvet black.
There comes the midpoint
The shortest day
The longest dark
And we rejoice
For winter's death
Soon gives way to spring
As the Balance swings again.
The Lady ceases to mourn Her beloved
Feeling the stir of new life within
Instead She rejoices
In the birth of the one
Who wil restore Her
And us.

Invoking the Holly King
by Ginger Strivelli

Today we do bid Hail to our beloved Holly King
With these ancient carols, we do again sing
He who is called Father Christmas is returning yet again
As the Solstice's longest night has finally begun
We await you, Santa Claus, Lord of Winter
To honor you on this day that you always were
Saint Nicholas, patron of children on Gaia's sphere
This invocation, we pray you do hear
Come bless us, upon this season of the Yuletide
Great Holly King as you fly upon your sleigh ride
Whether your gifts to us be physical or spiritual
We know that they will always be most magical
Grateful, because we know your blessings' great worth
We offer a blessing of our own --- Peace on Earth!

Old Ones, Dear Ones
by Link (Anthony)

Old Ones, Dear Ones, Standing Stones
Ancient time piece, ancient thrones.
From Solstice to Solstice and all in between
Beloved King joins beloved Queen.
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the North
Hear us now, please do come forth
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the East
Join us now, please share our feast.
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the South
Share our kiss, mouth to mouth.
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the West
Be one with us, oh sacred guest
Standing Stones from times of Old
Ancient witness to secrets untold.
Throughout time, we've come, we've passed
But your circle endures and lasts.

My Yule Spirit
by Stephanie Pflumm

I seek my Yule Spirit.
In my youth we danced
to comforting songs of tradition
and the twinkle of lights
upon the boughs of an Evergreen.

I miss my joyous spirit.
We walked in awe and wonder
as the seasonal transformation
lifted all with the promise
of the coming Solstice birth.

This season my Spirit is missing
and a sad spirit sits beside me.
The traditional songs bring tears.
So many miles between my children and me.
Anger rises from minor irritants.

I let the tears fall.
I let the anger roar.
I embrace a wintery darkness.
I am calm,
there is peace.
It is my darkest moment
and
my spirit is finally quiet.

Through the thick depths of my darkness
there is a brief sparkle of red.
Then green.
Then gold,
and blue
and silver.
The sparkles multiply, moving closer
bursting through the dark in me.

Growing louder are the songs.
Growing brighter are the colors.
A soft tap on my shoulder,
I turn to realize
the annual promise of the Solstice is upon me.

I had reached into my deepest dark
only to discover my Yule Spirit.
For its true brilliance is born
from facing the longest night
strong with the covenant of the coming light.