Yule is our celebration of Midwinter. It marks the occasion of the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. The Solstice is also the time when the sun's progress shifts from waning to waxing. It is the turning point where the trend of days growing shorter and colder reverses itself. It is the symbolic rebirth of the Sun.
Bring the whole family for an evening of fellowship and spirituality
We'll also be collecting non-perishable food items for donation to a local food bank. Please consider sharing some of your good fortune With your generous help, we can bring some new light and warmth to those who need it most.
When: December 18th & 19th 2010. 4pm - 8am.
Where: Main Hall at Camp York in Kings Mountain State Park [Directions]
[Email Us] to RSVP or for more information
Planned Activates include:
Sunset to Sunrise Bonfire Vigil
We will light our fire as the sun goes down and tend it until the sun returns the next morning. This act of sympathetic magick echoes the sacred rites of our ancestors. During our vigil, we will share food and cheer, as we wait for the first dawn of the waxing year.
Yule Feast
We will also be having a festive potluck dinner. Bring your favorite festive dish to share with your fellow revelers
Trimming the Tree
Help us decorate our tree the old-fashioned way. We'll be crafting ornaments and stringing popcorn to adorn our Yuletide greenery. Fun for kids and adults!
The Battle of the Oak and Holly
Drawn from Celtic-inspired mythic symbolism, this conflict dramatized the shift in the balance of power between the personified forces of the waning and waxing year. The Kings of Oak and Holly will fight it out and the winner will determine the flow of solar energy in the coming season.
Story telling
Nothing's better on a dark night than a good story. Bring your best tale, and sign up for a slot on the story schedule. Expect the re-appearance of the now-infamous "Bunny Story"
Silent Worship
Inspired by Quaker practices, we'll spend some time around the Yule-fire quieting our thoughts and listening for the Divine Spirit's voice to speak to (and through) us.
Toasting Circle
Raise your glass in good cheer, as we partake of this classic holiday tradition dating back to ancient Rome and Greece. Festive beverages such as eggnog and mulled apple cider will provided for the toasts.
Chants to honor All-Father Odin
We'll celebrate Odin's connection with the season with a series of chants in His honor.
Yule Goat procession
Follow the straw Yule Goat in his riotous parade, but don't follow him too far, or you'll wind up in the bonfire beside him!
"White Elephant" Gift Exchange
It was a longstanding custom among many Pagan cultures to exchange small tokens at this time of year. If you'd like to participate in our gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift with you. The gifts should NOT be expensive or lavish. In fact, the quirkier and tackier the better, because ours will be a "White Elephant" exchange. Pick out whatever unwanted knick-knack you have around the house and wrap it up! A prize will be awarded for the weirdest object unwrapped.
