Alban Arthuan (Winter Solstice) Ritual

In this place, the house critters (sometimes up to a full half dozen cats and dogs) tend to gather around me when I'm trying to work. In the past I've handled that by locking them outside the room so they can't get underfoot, knock things over, get singed whiskers from nosing the candle or steal the food offering from the altar when I'm not looking. But then I had to listen to them cry piteously from the other side of the door the whole time, which was terribly distracting and made me feel a bit guilty.

After thinking about this for a while, I decided to just let them be part of the ceremonies and to adjust what I'm doing so they can be present without getting too much in the way or getting into things. (Having the altar on a taller stand helps a lot here...) I also make sure food offerings are critter-safe so the critters can have a bite at the end of the ritual. Sometimes, if what I plan for the cakes and ale portion is not good for them (ie, mead or something made with chocolate) I will have one set of foods for me and one for the critters. I actually like how this has worked out. It feels more inclusive and natural to not exclude the four-legged residents from the ceremonies.

Here is a ritual I'm working on for the winter solstice this year. This time of year is also my "new year" instead of Samhain, as I like to begin the new year on the positive note the lengthening of the days provides.

A ritual to be performed at the dawn after the longest night of the year.

Have an altar ready, indoors or out as weather or situation dictates, with representation of the elements, a druid sword, a chalice with appropriate drink (or water), a cauldron with sand or salt at the bottom for burning affirmations, affirmations or goals for the year written out on paper to read aloud, and a specially decorated candle to represent the sun (unlit.)

[Perform solitary grove opening then move into seasonal blessing below - try to time it so that the sun rises at the finish.]

[Stand facing the east and say the following aloud with feeling...]

The earth turns, and with its turning, the sun "rises" and that which we call time is called into being
The earth circles the sun, and with its circling, that which we call the seasons become
And with these times and with these seasons the Sun gives order to our existence
And with this order we measure out our lives upon this earth

On this, the longest night of the year, we give thanks for the blessings winter brings
We give thanks for the darkness, for without it, we would have no rest
We give thanks for the cold, for without it, the earth would have no rest
We give thanks for winter for within its dark and quiet womb are nurtured the seeds of spring

But behold! From this night forward the days will lengthen, and the earth will begin again to warm.

[Light the sun candle using the altar candle and hold it aloft]

From this night forward, dark gives way to light as the white crone of winter becomes once again the green maiden. Behold the lessening of the darkness, the returning of the light, and soon - the first stirrings of new life. We give thanks for the return of longer days and the promise of the coming of spring!

[Place sun candle, lit, back on altar. Take up the filled chalice. Salute the rising sun with chalice]

Father Sun, bless and warm us!

[With chalice, salute the earth]

Mother Earth, bless and feed us!

[Pour a small libation from chalice to each tree in the grove in turn, and by either pouring into dishes or dipping fingers into the chalice, let the critters have a taste as well]

All of life, awaken and rejoice!

In Gaia, all life is one!

[Bow head and drink also from the chalice, signifying oneness with all the other life present]

[Read aloud affirmations and goals for the new year, burning each in turn in the cauldron.]

[close grove]