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BEGINNING AND WELCOMING THE SPIRITS
I. The guests have arrived at the appointed time and are more or less gathered in the living room where we have our altar and the Yule Wreath set up. I, as House Father, use a match to light the altar candles saying,
"In the name of our holy kin, ancestors and family, I kindle the Need Fire, the flame of creation. That which burned at the beginning of Orlog and which burns still in us. May it light our way in Miðgarð forever more."
II. My wife, as the House-Mother, then takes a fresh candle and lights it from one of the altar candles. She then goes about kindling candles throughout the house. As she lights each one, she says,
"Frigg bring brightness; Freya bring warmth."
My wife does this every year. I have a good time setting out candles all over the place and it is a bit of a game for her to try to find them all! It always brings a chuckle to our guests and is a good ice breaker.
It is a great way to begin such a ritual. Except for the altar, the house is pitch black - I even unplug all the night lights. The assembled guests and family are standing there in a small glow which gradually grows and grows. It's very inspiring. Typically, kids follow here and start repeating the words.
III. Taking a candle or enclosed lantern, the House-Mother goes outside, leaving the door open. If she can walk thrice around the house, she does so, saying,
"Come, those who wish to come; stay, those who wish to stay; and fare, those who wish to fare, harmless to me and mine."
Even though we live in the middle of town on a densely packed street, she has no qualms about speaking the words loudly and walking around the house with her candle. She's super. Typically, kids who are celebrating with us follow her, but it was a bit bitter this year, so they stayed indoors.
GATHERING THE CLAN
I. The House-Mother then comes inside and announces that the family should gather. For example:
"All my clan I call to me. Come to our hearth!"
The family gathers in a ring about her. Each of them brings along some sign of their work of the past year - the work that is finished, the tasks they accomplished, or the biggest challenge that they overcame. Now this work is to be laid to rest, if not permenantly, then at least until after the Yuletide is over.
INVOCATION/WREATH-LIGHTING
I. The House-Mother lifts her full spindle and, walking about the outside of the ring to trace a circle, she says,
"I gather my family in this circle, protected from all harm and blessed by our mothers. Hlin, the protectoress, I call. Hold us holy all and ward against the weights of woe."
II. She returns to the center of the group and stands before the candle wreath. Lighting the North candle using a taper, she says,
"Now I hail the Ladies of our elder kin and invite them to join us. Hail Frigg. Hail Gerdr. Hail Freya and all the ladies of Asgard."
III. The House Mother hands her taper to the House Father. Lighting the East candle, he says,
"Now I hail the lords of our elder kin and invite them to join us. Freyr, Lord of the earth and fields, Odin, Lord of Death and Wisdom, Thor, defender of the people, and all the lords of Asgard."
Hands taper back to House-Mother.
IV. Lighting the South candle, the House Mother says,
"Now I hail the women of our family line, all the proud mothers back to the beginning. Let them join us here." (add specific names as desired)
Hands taper to Husband.
V. Lighting the West wreath-candle, he says,
"Now I hail the menfolk of our family line, all the proud fathers back to the beginning. Let them join us here." (add specific names as desired)
PUTTING TO REST THE YEAR'S LABORS
I. The House-Mother turns to face her family again. She lifts her spindle and distaff, an says something like,
"Well have we worked; the year's work is wrought. So Frigg sees my empty distaff, my full spindle; my house is swept, my candles lit. There shall be no more spinning these days; the loom lies still, the distaffs shall be set down while the Yule-nights last."
Each of the family in turn brings forth the emblem of their work and, describing that work if they wish, places it in the middle of the Yule Wreath. They may call upon the god/ess who especially rules that task, if there is one, or generally hail the gods and wights to witness that the year's work is done and will halt during the Yuletide.
HOUSE SPIRIT RITE
I. The House-Mother pours mead into a glass and porridge or some other traditional food into a bowl. These are gifts for the house-spirit. Lifting them up, she says,
"Kind spirit of our home, you have worked well this year. Rest as we rest through the Yule-nights; feast in frith, our dear friend, that your might may flourish in the year to come. Glad Yule to you!"
She puts the ale and porridge down on the hearth, stone, or where-ever the house-ghost's dwelling has been set.
BLESSING AND PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
I. The House-Mother lifts the birch-twig, saying,
"Let all woe be left behind! Let us be filled with frith and joy, that all our works bear fruit."
Using the bound Last Sheaf, which was saved as a charm since Freyfaxi, she first taps herself about the head, heart, loins, and feet, then does so to each of the family in turn. After this, she gives each of them a small gift which symbolizes the granting of whatever their deeply-felt wishes are.
This year, we gave out cookie cuters. As in previous years, we had the gusts reach into a basket to randomly select their gift. Each cookie cutter was of a domestic or nature theme such as a bee, a teapot, a tree, a fish, a pig, etc.
PASSING THE HORN
I. The House-Mother, acting as host and valkyrie, fills the horn with mead and passes it to the House Father.
II. The House Father lifts the horn and says,
"Now we share drink with our elder kin and ancestors. All who light us through darkness."
(add specific names as desired)
I made a general toast and mentioned to my guests how this is the one holiday when we always consider all the Elder Kin and Ancestors to be joining us in celebration and relaxation.
He drinks, then passes the horn about clockwise.. The family members may either drink in silence or make a toast to ancestors and/or gods as they choose.
OFFERINGS
I. When the horn has made its round, the House Father pours it into the blessing-bowl, saying,
"Elders all, we make this gift to you! Be welcome for the Yuletide; share all our feasts and joy! Your blessings be on all the folk here."
II. The House-Mother takes the bowl of milk. The House Father takes the last sheaf. Together they lead the family out of the house. She sets the bowl of milk down outside the house and says,
"I give this to whoever fares hungry through the night: wights, you are not forgotten!"
III. The House Father ties the Last Sheaf to the porch post and says,
"We offer the Last Sheaf of the harvest to the riders of the winter night. All-father Odin, give your horse now fodder. Now thistle and thorn - the next year better grain."
IV. All return indoors to the Yule tree. House-Mother pours out the blessing bowl on the roots (into the tree stand). She then says,
"Hail the Yule!"
All: "Hail the Yule!"
V. House Father brings the taper and each guest is invited to light a candle on the tree.
