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Yule 2003

Merry Meet Friends

Greetings and Witchy Blessings to you all!

Welcome to our latest newsletter. Have you been finding yourself wanting
to stay indoors where it is warm?  As the wheel turns to Midwinter -
Yule the time where the night rules, we focus this newsletter on this
Sabbat. It is great to remember that from now on the days become longer
and that spring is soon on its way!

We hope you enjoy the recently added links on the website to for Tarot,
Rune and I Ching readings.

Yuletide Greetings

Yule or Midwinter  - 22nd June Southern Hemisphere

Deities: Mother Bertha; Father Winter; Santa Claus; Kris Kringle; St
Nick; The Kings of Holly & Oak.
Herbs: Chamomile; Rosemary; Ginger; Sage; Cinnamon.
Stones: Quartz; Blue Sunstone; Emerald; Ruby; Sapphire.

As the longest night gives way to dawns embrace,
And hope emerges from the dark anew,
The lady again gains her place,
And winters shadow fades like morning dew.

The solar festival Yule is the day that the Sun is reborn to warm the
Earth again.

One of the most common celebrations is the battle between the ageing
Holly King, who represents the darkness of the old year. And the young
Oak King, who symbolises the light of the new year. The lighting of the
Yule log is to encourage the Sun’s easy birth and to welcome it back to
the Earth

Old King, we thank you for all you’ve done,
For lessons learned and victories won.
We must, however, bid you adieu
For your reign is finished - tis over and through
Come forth, Young King of newest light,
Be born with ease; grow strong and bright.
Gain strength and stature in the sky
Shed your warmth on us now from on high.

Ways to Celebrate:

To ensure good luck and prosperity in the coming year, anoint a
bayberry candle with vegetable oil and roll it in dried chamomile. Light
the candle and allow it to burn down completely.

Foods of the Mid-Winter Solstice : turkey, cakes and puddings made
with dried fruits, fruits that represent the new-born sun such as
tangerines or oranges.

Rise before light breaks on the Solstice Day and light a golden candle
to greet the dawn. Let it burn itself out.

Coldest Darkness, melt away
Sunlight, grow and with us stay
Warm our bodies, hearts and Earth
And guide our paths in joy and mirth.

Make a Yule log from a piece of Oak, decorate it with evergreens and burn it.

Decorate Altar with evergreens (pin, rosemary, bay, juniper, and cedar)
and Dried leaves. Appropriate Foods include nuts, apples, pears, cakes
of caraway’s soaks in cider, pork. Serve Wassail, hibiscus, or ginger
tea to drink.

Crystal for the Month- Ruby

Energy – Projective
Ruled by the Element – Fire
Ruled by the Deity – Buddha, Krishna
Associated Powers- Wealth, Protection, Power, Joy, Anti-Nightmare

This beautiful stone was considered the most perfect offering to Buddha
in China and Krishna in India.

This stone is one of many thought to grow dark when danger or negativity
approaches its owner or when illness threatens.

Places to visit, Books and Magazines to look out and other items of
interest.

INTOUCH – Searching for meaning in times of change- Magazine
Intouch is a bi-monthly New Zealand published magazine. It includes
articles on healing, astrology, weather by the moon, book reviews, and
diary dates for activities around New Zealand. It has some great
well-researched articles along with poetry. It is great to see another
New Zealand published magazine which offers such informative articles.

New Witch – Not your mothers broomstick - Magazine
New Witch is a ‘sister’ publication to Sage Woman and is targeted at a
‘young’ witch audience although it contains articles that would interest
witches of all ages. It contains a combination of regular features,
poetry, fiction and feature articles. In each magazine there are also
spotlights on pagan bands and books.

Coming up:

30/06/03 New Moon - Cancer
14/07/03     Full Moon – Capricorn – Ice Moon
29/07/03 New Moon - Leo
01/08/02 IMBOLC

15/02/04 New Spirit Festival – Auckland (www.thebigevent.co.nz)

Well on that note we will end this newsletter. Please let us know your
thoughts and comments.
Until next Sabbat

Merry Part
Igrewl and Asrteia
 

For More Information Contact:

Witchaven
PO Box 93, Patumahoe, Auckland, New Zealand 1730
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FAX:
Internet: info@witchaven.com