Yule Ritual: Rebirth of the Soul

Cleansing the Ritual Space: Sage

Light a sacred sage bundle for a few seconds, then blow out the flame.  Give thanks to the spirit and wisdom of the plant.  Waft the smoke over your entire body, being sure to get under your feet and your back.

Next, use the burning sage to cleanse your room or ritual area.  Start at the doorway to the space.  Let the smoke cleanse the door, the floor, and the ceiling.  Move clockwise from there, again letting the smoke cleanse the walls, the floors, and the ceiling.  When you arrive at the place where you started, continue to walk in a tighter spiral while saging the air around you.  Keep moving closer to the middle of the room until you reach the center.  Waft the smoke up to the ceiling and below to the floor.  The ritual space is now cleansed.  Extinguish the bundle by pressing it into a firesafe bowl.

Set Intentions

It’s important to set an intention for every ritual.  I like to think of ritual as an archer, and intentions as arrows.  The stronger the ritual (the archer), the further the intentions (the arrows) will fly.

Here are two intentions for releasing and rebirthing.

My intention for this Yule ritual is to experience a rebirth of the soul.

I release old, stagnant energy and feel myself becoming more empowered.

What intentions do you have for this Yule?  Write them down.  Writing them down gives you a greater power over them.

Ritual

Optional: Cast a Circle

Casting a circle can help get you in a spiritual mindset, holds space for you and your emotions, and acts as a container for the energy raised in the ritual. 

To cast a circle, face the east, the place of the rising sun.  Take a deep breath and align from within.  Imagine a nice breeze blowing on your skin.  Say or think, “Spirits of air, of wisdom, thought, intelligence, wit, and mental abilities, be with me.”

Turn to face the south.  Imagine sitting in the warmth of the sun or in front of a crackling bonfire.  When you feel the fire in your heart, say or think, “Spirits of fire, of passion, creativity, willpower, courage, transformation, and rebirth, be with me.”

Face the west.  Picture the oceans, a gentle rainshower, a babbling brook, and a gushing river.  When you feel as if your energy is flowing like water, say or think, “Spirits of water, of love, healing, emotions, and dreams, be with me.”

Face the north.  Think about a great tree, a fertile garden with fruits and vegetables, a crystal cave, and a mountain.  When you feel the rich earth resound within you, speak or think, “Spirits of earth, of groundedness, of health, strength, and Mother Earth, be with me. 

The circle is cast.

Center and align yourself. Say or think, “I call upon my guardian spirits, my angels, my ancestors, and my higher self.  Only spirits who wish for my highest good are with me now.”

If you work with a deity, invite them to be with you.  For example, “Aphrodite, please be with me in this Yule Ritual.  Assist me with my goals of releasing and rebirthing.”