Yule Ritual for Solitaries

The candles should be Green for the North, Red for the South, Silver for West and Gold for East, the candles should remain unlit for the time being.
Set up the altar as is most comfortable for you; a gold pillar candle should be unlit on the altar as well.

When you are ready, stand facing the North and say:
“Tonight I honor the darkness, for from darkness is born the light. From the void, the darkest night of the year is at its threshold. And the Sun is born again.”

Face east and light the Gold Candle (not the one on the altar), saying:
“Powers of Air, come forward from the darkness Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light. Bring with you the essence of the pine trees, Remind me of Spring on this Solstice Night.”

Going to the South, light the Red Candle and say:
“Powers of Fire, come forward from the darkness, Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light. Bring with you the first glint of tomorrow, Remind me of Summer on this Solstice Night.”

Move to the West and light the Silver Candle, saying:
“Powers of Water, come forward from the darkness, Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light. Bring with you the bittersweet memories, Remind me of Autumn on this Solstice Night.”

Face the North and light the Green Candle and say:
“Powers of Earth, come forward from the darkness, Enter my circle, as dark gives way to light. Bring with you the land that now sleeps, Remind me of Winter on this Solstice Night.”

Finally, take up the Athamé and facing East, the direction of the Rising Sun, take a moment to center yourself and begin to cast the Circle. Visualize a white light coming from the tip of the athamé and with arms straight out, turn the blade point out, slowly turning clockwise the light following you.

When you return to the East bring the athamé back to you and say:
“As above, so below.”
As you say this, visualize the light going above you and below you forming a perfect sphere.

Invoke the God and Goddess
“Goddess of all seasons, I see You now as Mother with Child. Be with me tonight.”
“God of all seasons, I see You now as the dying Sun, and also as a tiny Baby, the Sun Reborn. Be with me tonight.”

Begin the Ritual
“As the darkness grows, I felt the passing of the Sun King. Yet, in the darkest hour of Winter, He is reborn as the light of the Infant Sun. The Great Mother who gives birth to Him, Who brought the Child of Promise to the Earth. It is the Lord of Light and Life who is born once more!”
“Awake now Mother – Awake now Goddess of Life, Death and Rebirth! Awaken, Lady, look upon Your Divine Child, His rebirth while you slept was subtle and silent. The Sun Lord awaits Your wakening!”

Light the gold candle on the altar at this time and say:
“Hail the Oak King, His rebirth a promise! Hail the Divine Child, Giver of Life Hail the Blessed Sun, reborn of the Mother For He retakes His throne at the end of Solstice Night!”

Meditate for a time on the meaning of the Winter Solstice and the return of the Sun. When you are done, thank the Goddess and God:
“Lovely Mother and Tiny Child, Thank you for blessing me with your presence tonight. As the days grow longer, I will know you are always with me.”

Take in the Circle in whatever manner is appropriate for you, and release the Quarters by saying:
“Carry tidings sweet around the world and beyond, I change as Messengers Earth, Water, Fire and Air Let all rejoice loudly in the Sun King’s return Teach all that you meet with tidings that you bear.”

The circle is ended.

Full Moon Chants

Moon Oh Come Into Us

Moon Oh Come Into Us Let You Power Dance Waxing, Waning, Shifting Time And Tide Entrance Luna By Your Turning Spin The Thread We Weave Magick We Are Making As We Circle Dance

~Ivo Dominguez Jr.

Aradia's Chant

Full Moon shining bright
Midnight on the water
Oh, Aradia
Diana's silver daughter

Samhain Chant

Fire red, summer’s dead
Yet it shall return.
Clear and bright, in the night,
Burn, fire, burn!

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year’s a-turning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire’s burning.

Fire glow, vision show
Of the heart’s desire,
When the spell’s chanted well
Of the witching fire.

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year’s a-turning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire’s burning.

Fire spark, when nights are dark
Makes our winter’s mirth.
Red leaves fall, earth takes all,
Brings them to rebirth.

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year’s a-turning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire’s burning.

Fire fair, earth and air,
And the heaven’s rain,
All blessed be, and so may we,
at Hallows-tide again.

Chorus:
Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year’s a-turning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallows-time,
When the fire’s burning.

Doreen Valiente
“Witchcraft For Tomorrow” p. 193

Some of my Fav. Chants

Ok, almost everyday I can be found singing any one of these as go about my day , sometimes I sing them all in a special order. I do have some of these posted on the main page or in My Deities link.

The Earth Is Our Mother

The Earth is our mother,
We must take care of her.

The Earth is our mother,
We must take care of her.

Hey yanna, ho yanna
Hey yan yan

Hey yanna, ho yanna
Hey yan yan

The sacred ground we walk upon,
With every step we take

The sacred ground we walk upon,
With every step we take

Hey yanna, ho yanna
Hey yan yan

Hey yanna, ho yanna
Hey yan yan


Elemental Chant

The Earth, the air, the fire, the water
Return, return, return, return

The Earth, the air, the fire, the water
Return, return, return, return

The Earth, the air, the fire, the water
Return, return, return, return

We All Come From the Goddess/ Hoof and Horn

We all come from the Goddess,
And to her we shall return.

Like a drop of rain,
Flowing to the ocean.

Hoof and horn,
Hoof and horn,
All that dies shall be reborn.

Corn and grain,
Corn and grain,
All that falls shall rise again


Goddess Chant

Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna

Aradia

Full moon shining bright
Midnight on the water
Oh, Aradia
Diana's silver daughter.

Horned God Chant

Cernunnos, Horned one
Cernunnos, King of the Sun

Herne the Hunted and Hunter
Stag God of the Earth

Casting A Solitary Circle

I hope this helps you if you are new to the Craft or want a little different take on a basic ritual.

Casting the Circle: Place white or appropriately colored candles at the compass points, the altar may be at the center of the circle. A small white or beeswax candle, two larger candles, the censer with unlit incense, the Athamé, a dish of salt, a goblet of water, small cakes or cookies for "cakes and ale," a goblet of wine, an offering dish and any items for work to be done within the cast circle.

Take a short moment, eyes closed, to become "At peace" before standing before the altar.

Light the small candle and walk toward the east. Light the yellow or white candle from the small candle, saying

"Here I call forth the powers of air from the east, that I may be like the air, unfettered and pure."

Take a moment to remember the air visualization, and to contemplate the meaning of the east, air and freedom before continuing onward.

Light the red or white candle to the south with the small candle saying.

"Here I call forth the powers of fire from the south, that I may be like fire, enduring all hardships to become strengthened."

Recall your own "trials by fire" and contemplate the possibility of more, the meaning of the words spoken is thought on, and the caster continues.

Light the blue or white candle to the west, saying,

"Here I call forth the powers of water, that I may be like water, supporting and protecting all that I encounter,"

Contemplate the water visualization and the meaning of the west in your life.

Move on to the North, lighting the green or white candle, saying

"Here I call forth the power of Earth, that I may be like earth, grounded at all times."

Here ground and think before moving to the east to say.

"Welcome Air, Fire, Water, Earth, shine your light and lend your strength to this my circle to night/day."

Still moving clockwise, return to the altar, and light the incense saying.

"Negative forces begone, you are not welcome here."

Breathe deeply of the incense and banish away negative forces within before circling clockwise thrice with the censer, visualizing hate, jealousy and the like fleeing from the smoke.

Returns to the altar, pick up the Athamé and pick up a measure of salt with its tip. Inserting the tip of the blade into the water saying.

"As man to woman so blade to chalice, I purify this water with love, light and power."

Walk around the circle, sprinkling the salted water about the circle thrice. Returning to the altar, raise the Athamé to the sky and visualize a beam of blue light filling it, walk once around the circle, using the Athamé and its light to "cut" a space between the worlds.

This done, move to the altar and light the two candles.

"Lord and Lady, I invite you to this my worship, that you may look upon my devotions and celebrations and be heartened and strengthened by them."

Turn toward the west and announce.

"Now is my circle cast, unbreakable and without harm. Thus is sacred space decreed, and no act goes unnoticed. So mote it be."

Closing the circle: Thank the Gods for their attentions, snuff their candles. Dismiss individually each element and thank it for lending its strength, Walk around the circle, drawing the blue light back into the Athamé, breathe deep, and take some of the power back. A closing statement usually follows, ending in,

"The Circle is open, but ever unbroken...So mote it be."

Casting a Ritual Circle

Casting circle requires that we reenact creation. It takes the tools on the altar and empowers them as the elements of creation - earth air fire water and spirit. Combining them creates the womb of life (water/chalice and salt/earth) and the spark of creation (blade/will and air/consciousness). The element of Spirit may be our Gods or it may be our own divine spark. Together they create the circle of life and our sacred space.

Light the incense and say:
Blessed be thou creature of Air.

Fill chalice with water or red wine, hold up to sky and say:
Blessed Be thou creature of Water.

Pick up dish of salt and hold up to sky and say:
Blessed Be thou creature of Earth.

Pick up athame with right hand (two fingers extended) and say:
Blessed Be thou creature of Fire.

With athame mix three blades/pinches of salt into the chalice. With left hand pick up chalice (feminine principle). Stir with athame (masuline principle) and say:

Salt and Water, Inner and Outer, Body and Soul, Be cleansed!
Cast out all that is harmful! Take in all that is good and healing!
By the Powers of the Triple Goddess! By the Powers of the Dual God!
So Mote it be.

Using the athame sprinkle the altar and the tools with the blessed water saying:

May this athame be purified.
May these tools and this altar be purified and consecrated.

Take up the chalice. Visualize energy and thoughts as a stream pouring from your third eye into the water. When there are no more, picture the blessed water transforming the water into an intense blue. The blue glows. When the blue radiance is bright, sip of the water and feel the radiance within you. This is now the pure Waters of Life.

Blessed Be!

Optional: You may use the salt water to purify those entering into the in the circle. Sprinkle some on their crown chakra...

Be purified for this ritual.

TRACING THE CIRCLE
Now that you have the tools of creation you may use them to create your sacred space - a place of balance between our world and the divine world.

Pick up the athame and trace the circle clockwise. This is your sacred area. Visualize energy - your will - running out of your hand and through the tip of the athame creating a protective sphere of energy.

As you stop at each Watchtower you invoke the corresponding elemental guardian. Use your energy as a silent call to the powers of that element (Guardians or Elementals) to protect and watch over you.

ELEMENTAL INVOCATIONS
Face East. Raise Athame to the sky, trace an East invoking pentagram with athame…

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East
Powers of Air, I invoke you and call you.
Rising sun of hope, come!
By the air that is Her breath, send forth Your light!
Be with me now!

Trace circle in air to the South, trace a South invoking pentagram with athame…

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South
Powers of Fire, I invoke you and call you.
Flaming ones, Spark of life, come!
By the fire that is Her spirit, send forth Your flame
Be with me now!

Trace circle in air to the West, trace a West invoking pentagram with athame…

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West
Powers of Water, I invoke you and call you.
Whelming waves, water of life, come!
By the waters of the Living Womb, send forth Your flow
Be with me now!

Trace circle in air to the North, trace a North invoking pentagram with athame…

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North
Powers of Earth, Cornerstone of all power I invoke and call you.
Fertile field, towering mountain come!
By the earth that is Her body, send forth Your strength
Be with me now!

(Complete the circle)

PURIFICATION OF THE WATCHTOWERS
Place the athame on the altar. Pick up the chalice trace circle again draw invoking pentagram at each Power

With salt and water I purify the east/south/west/north

CHARGING OF THE WATCHOTERS
Place chalice on altar and pick up incense. Trace circle a last time. Draw invoking pentagrams at each Power

With fire and air I charge the east/south/west/north

Place incense on altar.

INVOKING THE GOD AND GODDESS
The universe is a balanced place. Of Birth and Death, of Male anf Female. The circle is complete when both potentials are present. We see this as calling in the Divine which used the elements of creation to give birth and at the same time was creator of the elements.

Approach the main altar and pickup up the athame in right hand and the Wand in left hand.

Great Eternal Mother,
Source of all Life,
Earth and Center of the Universes,
Hear the voice of one who loves you.

Be with me, Wise Mother
Teach me Your secret wisdom
Hold me in Your star swept arms
Infuse me with the power of Your all-loving spirit
I die, I am born with You, and I die
The cycle never ceases, and so I am fulfilled

Join me in this Circle. Guide my heart and mind to union with You
I call You Mother of All, be with me now!


Gentle Dummuzi,
God of Life and Sacrifice
who dies each year that we might be nourished,
Son and lover of the Mother,
Hear the voice of one who loves You.

Be with me Eternal Father
Teach me Your compassion.
Protector and warrior; keep me safe from harm
Send us the grain from the fields and the rain from the clouds
Infuse me with the power of Your all-loving spirit and so I am fulfilled.

Guard me in this Circle. Guide my heart and mind to union with You.
I call You Gentle God, be with me now!
Blessed Be

Light the candle in the cauldron (this represents the prescence of spirit)

I am between worlds and between time.
Where life and Death,Day and Night, Joy and Sorrow
Meet as One.
The circle is cast,
The fire is lit,
The ritual is begun.

ENDING THE RITUAL/CLOSING THE CIRCLE

Thank the Lord and Lady: Approach the altar and state the following:

Lady and Lord,source of all, I thank you
For Your presence,
For Your circle,
For light and love,
For this night of change.
I ask Your blessing as You depart.
Blessed Be!

Extinguish the spirit candle.

Dismiss the Watchtowers: Go to each direction and state the following while taking down Circle

Hail and farewell Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East ,South, West, North
Powers of Air, Fire, Water, Earth, I thank you for joining this Circle
I ask Your blessings as you depart
May there be peace between us, now and forever. Blessed Be!

Opening circle: Gather all participants together, grasp hands and state the following

The circle is open, but unbroken
May the peace of the Goddess
Go in my(our) heart(s)
Merry meet, merry met, and merry meet again!
Blessed Be.