Grove Winter Solstice Ceremony

This year we spent the Winter Solstice at our friends farm near the North Cornish coast. A beacon fire was lit to mark the longest night and a feast was eaten under a near full moon and an indigo sky of winter stars. The ceremony used is reproduced below, and was kept to a simple yet profoundly meaningful format for the diverse crowd that had come together for this special occasion.

Winter Solstice Beacon Fire

Welcome to the ancient fire festival of the Winter Solstice

Let the four directions be honoured that power and radiance might enter our circle at this time.

NORTH
With the blessing of the Great Bear of the starry heavens and the deep and fruitful earth, we call upon the powers of the north.

May there be peace in the north.

EAST
With the blessing of the Hawk of Dawn soaring in the clear pure air, we call upon the powers of the east.

May there be peace in the east.

SOUTH
With the blessing of the Great Stag in the heat of the chase, and the inner fire of the sun, we call upon the powers of the south.

May there be peace in the south.

WEST
With the blessing of the salmon of wisdom who dwells within the sacred waters of the great ocean, we call upon the powers of the west.

May there be peace in the west.

May the harmony of our circle be complete.

Moon and Hawthorn

Festival meaning.
At this time of the Winter Solstice there is the greatest recognition in contemporary society of the need for festival and celebration. Christmas and New Year celebrations are major landmarks each year for the vast majority of us in the western world and by celebrating the Winter Solstice we can find a deep spiritual connection with the past and to grasp fully the forces of renewal which are so strongly present at this time.

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night, with the sun at its furthest point form us, we can look forward to increasing daylight from this point of the year and gradually, as the sun gets closer once more, we can look forward to its warming light in the months ahead.

So the winter solstice is the time of the sun’s rebirth. It is also a time for reflection; the turning point between the year’s darkness and the returning light, a time of death and rebirth, of loss and renewal, of completion and new beginnings. These are some of the deeper meanings behind contemporary societies Christmas celebrations, and it is no coincidence that the Christian nativity story of the birth of the son of God seems so similar to that of the rebirth of the sun that sustains life on earth.

Meditation - The Winter Wild Wood Mystery

All is in darkness.

Gradually you see stars shining, glowing intensely in the night sky. As you become aware of your surroundings you realise that you are standing in a meadow. A heavy frost shimmers upon the ground, illuminated by the faint starlight and a slender crescent moon.

You notice that you are standing by a wooden gate, and on the other side of the gate is an ancient trackway leading to a vast woodland. You open the gate and begin your journey on the path. Your footfalls crunch upon the frosted landscape and your breath vapourises on the still night air. In the distance movement catches your eye. Your heart quickens and you increase your step. Something stirs in the approaching woodland.

Before you enter the forest you notice that dawn is breaking towards the eastern horizon. The sky is clear and soon the sun will be reborn at this sacred time, and the light of Arthur will shine across the land once again. For this is a time of beginnings and completion, death and rebirth; the sun dies and is reborn as the Child of promise.

The Sun's journey is about to begin once more as it has since the dawn of time, for in the depths of winter's darkness stirs new life, and the Oak king stirs in readiness for the waxing sun.

You now enter the winter wild wood, and again you see movement up ahead. Then at once as the Solstice Sun rises over the distant hills you enter a clearing. A huge stag greets you, his antlers rise up and he looks at you. Look into his eyes, for he is the guardian of the forest and the sacred totem of Cernunnos, of Herne, of Gwyn ap Nudd - He who leads the legendary Wild Hunt at the winter solstice; hunting out the light from the darkness, seeking out our future dreams and aspirations from the hidden depths of our souls.

As you watch him, he turns away and walks deeper into the magic forest. You feel compelled to follow him, for now is the time to use the light of the returning sun to aid us in our continuing quest. Follow the Stag-headed-one, keeper of the mysteries of the winter wild wood.

As you walk onwards you notice that the trees are getting bigger. Mighty oaks are now in abundance, their twisted branches look like ancient hands reaching out to welcome and guide you, for you are about to enter the sacred grove of the Horned God. He awaits you, and should your require his assistance and guidance, then ask for it now. Call out to him and he will answer. Spend some time in communion with the protective power of nature.

Whatever is happening now, look around you, notice that you are still in the forest but the Horned God has gone and shafts of pale winter sunlight pierce through the bare branches of the trees. You now retrace your steps, walking away from the clearing and towards the forest edge. As you leave the clearing you notice the bright red berries of the holly, which add life and colour to the woodland. You follow the path and shortly you see the mighty oaks again and you note the most sacred of all winter plants growing high up in their branches: the Mistletoe, it's gleaming white berries shining and silken, symbolic of the seed of life! Soon you reach the edge of the wild wood and as you leave, a Wren darts across your path from the old Yew by the gate. Remember what you have learned and take inspiration from what you have experienced

All is in darkness.

Eisteddfod
Storytelling and poetry

Animal Stones. (Pass around)
These animal stones are based on the living tradition of Druidry and the deep spiritual connection with the landscape and our place within it. We can never be truly at ease with ourselves until we regain our links with the natural world and the native wildlife therein. By blindly choosing a stone, we are allowing ourselves to connect with that particular animal, and we may find that the wisdom the secret nature of the animal conveys may resonate within us over the next year and inspire us to fulfil our goals and desires and our wishes and dreams. So close your eyes and take a stone from the basket. The animal meanings will be provided after the ceremony has finished.

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Let the spirits of the four directions be thanked for their blessings at this time of Winter Solstice

NORTH
In the name of the Great Bear of the starry heavens and the deep and fruitful earth, we thank the spirits of the north.

EAST
In the name of the Hawk of Dawn who soars through the winds of time, we thank the spirits of the east

SOUTH
In the name of the Great Stag from the heat of the chase, we thank the spirits of the south

WEST
In the name of the Salmon of Wisdom who swims through the great oceans, we thank the spirits of the west.

This ceremony ends in peace, as in peace it began

Eternal wisdom be with us and with all beings past present and future. I now declare this sacred ritual is closed in the apparent world. May its inspiration continue within us all.

(Illustration of winter wild wood by Paul Atlas-Saunders)

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The Druid Grove of Bega