We are now in the time of winter, where snow is beginning to be upon us, but the folk are safe indoors happily enjoying the fruits of their fall harvest. For the peoples of Scandanavia, this time not only was full of darkness, cold, and snow, but also marked the beginning of the sacred year and a celebration that life had not left this world. It is for this reason that evergreens and holly become common decorations in our homes and in our rites.
For Stone Creed Grove, this is the most important rite celebrated in the Norse style, honoring the sibling gods Frey and Freya who have long acted as patrons of our folk. We also give special due to many other important Norse gods, including Thor, Odin, Heimdal, and Frigga.
Our Yule celebrations also fulfill many of the roles of other modern holidays around this time. There are exchanges of gifts, group singing, and an opportunity to make promises of what will be done in the next year.
Water and Ale are blessed for the Grove to partake.
The Boar's Head
The Boar's head is passed around and oaths are taken by the congregation.
Honoring the Deities
The nine candles of the Yule log are lit, one each to honor a certain deity.
Ian in ritual
Ian looking mighty and reverend.
Honoring the Hallows
Offerings are made to fire, well and tree.
The Hammer Rite
Madoc preforms the Hammer rite to hallow the grove.
The Hallows
The pre-ritual grove hallows
Burning the Yule Log
See the Blazing Yule before us!
A.J. Wearing Horns
Is it AJ Claus or Santa Gooch?
Closing the Gates
Assured of the return of the Sun, we thank Heimdall and watch the Rainbow Bridge and our Grove fade away 'til next time...
Praise Offerings
The Praise Offerings are conducted in (nearly) total darkness.
Opening the Gates
The Rainbow Bridge is visualized emanating to and from all directions as we ask Heimdall to open the ways between.
Offering to Odin
Boris performs an invocation of Bardic Inspiration, in this case to Odin.
Pre-ritual Meditation
As in all our rites, the congregation is guided through a grounding and centering.
The Omen
The Yule 2003 Omen for StoneCreed Grove, ADF.
Blessing a Child
A recent addition to a family is always cause for celebration, young Anakin (of Willow and Taliesen) is sained at his first Yule.
The Hammer Rite
Soon, with enough practice, young Madoc will be able to wield the Thor's Hammer all by himself.
Burning the Yule Log
Finally, the Yule log is placed in the fire. Charred pieces of the Yule log are proof against lightning and storms destroying the crops, and kindling next years fire from charred Yule log is most auspicious.
The Folk
Another third.
The Folk
One third of the congregation.
Honoring the Darkness
Honoring the Ancestors
Offering to Heimdall
Heimdall was offered to as the Gatekeeper by Ian & Liafal.
The Hallows
The Grove Hallows for Yule 2003 (our fifteenth).
The Yule Log
See the blazing Yule before us...
Yule Carol Singing
Our Yule festivities would not be complete without the usual wassailing and singing.
A Play
This years StoneCreed Mummers prepare to take the stage.
A.J. Handing Out Gifts
Yes, there is an AJ, aka "Dagda Claus"...
Lining up for gifts
Plenty of gifts for plenty of kids. No pushing or shoving anyone - there's enough for everyone.
The Omen
The Yule 2002 Omen for StoneCreed Grove, ADF.
The Folk During the Rite
Being a Norse Rite, there was plenty of Frith in our cozy feasting hall. It was easy to forget the softly falling snow outside.
Invoking Frey and Freya
Descriptive invocations are made to Frey and Freya, the Patron/Matron Deities of our Yule Rite..
Offering to the deities
Nina makes offering to the Aesir and Vanir.
The Yule Log
See the blazing Yule before us...
The Folk Dancing
Our festive Yule would not be complete without a little dancing led by Steph and Ian.
Yule Carol Singing
...and join the Chorus, Fa la la la la la, etc...
Playing the Harp
Strike the Harp...
The Omen
The StoneCreed Grove Omen for Yule.
Offerings to the deities
The Gods were invited to our feast, and received the first portion. Backlit e-book readers (Palm Pilots) were on hand to follow the rite even in total darkness.
The Hallows
Deck the halls with... pine roping, a rosemary bush and nine candles for the Aesir.
Kids at ritual
Kidz love us! (Despite this young mans scowling countenance...)
The Offerings
The Offerings table always looks better before the Rite.
The Hallows
The Folk Dancing
We threatened you with dancing... This was a step to the right & then left a bunch of times with a kick-kick-kick thrown in at the end of the measure.
Imbolg is a time of the year where the sun is starting to return to the world, and the coldest days are behind us. In this time, current scholarship suggests
Lughnassadh is the time of turning from the growing season to the harvest season. The heat of the summer is at its most intense, and will begin to wane throughout
