Yule – King in the Darkness

Yule – King in the Darkness

Initiating the Rite

Light Hestia’s hearth candle and say:

I have come today to honor the Kindred, and to walk the cycle of the year, and explore the mysteries. Mighty Hestia, brighten this work with your fire.

Give offering to Hestia

Purification

Wash hands and face in bowl of water and center yourself for ritual.

Honoring the Earth Mother

Gaia, primal goddess of the world, great mother of all. You were the first to be born from Chaos
and from you all life has formed. With your name, we grow and change. Come forth and dwell in this space.

Give offering to Gaia

Statement of Purpose

In many of the retellings of Persephone’s myth, Hades is perceived as the villain.  He took Kore from the meadow and carried her away to the underworld.  However, while Demeter knew nothing of this plan, Hades had the blessing of Zeus, Kore’s father.  Eventually, Zeus sent Hermes to the underworld to guide Persephone home, but Hades told Persephone that if she became his queen he would be a good husband to her and would give her the chance to rule all that lives and moves.  Hades grew to love Persephone and wanted to keep her in his realm. Persephone was still eager to leave, so Hades gave her pomegranate seeds to eat to ensure her return to his realm, even if only for part of the year.  Today we acknowledge Hades and his role in the Mysteries.

(Re)Creating the Cosmos

Sacred well, waters of wisdom, connected to the rivers of the underworld, carry our words to the beloved dead.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor them.  Sacred well, accept our offering.

Give offering of silver

Sacred fire, burning inspiration, your smoke rising to the heavens high above, carry our words to the many gods.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor them.  Sacred fire, accept our offering.

Give offering of alcohol

Sacred center, mighty Omphalos, marking the center of all the worlds, carry our words to all the realms.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor the Kindred. Sacred center, accept our offering.

Give offering of oil

Opening the Gates

I call now to Charon, son of Erebus and Nyx.  You who ferried the souls of the deceased from the land of the living to the realm of the dead.  Charon, bright-eyed one, we ask that you meet us at the boundary and guide our journey between the realms.  Come forth and dwell in this space.

Give offering of silver coin.

Charon, I ask that you aid me in opening the gates.  Let the fire, burning bright, open to Olympus.  Let the waters, flowing deep, open to Hades.  Let the Omphalos connect this realm with all others.  Charon, join your magic with mine and let the gates be open.

Inviting the Three Kindreds

Ancestors, you who walked this world before me.  Heroes, friends, and family.  You helped bring my story into existence, so I remember your existence by telling your story.  Meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Ancestors.

Give offering of apricots.

Nature Spirits, you who share this realm with us.  Dryads, fawns, and nymphs.  Rabbit, lizard, and squirrel.  You share this realm with us, both when we see you and often when we don’t.  Meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Nature Spirits.

Give offering of bird seed.

Shining Ones, mighty Gods and Goddesses.  You who influence my path, and guide those I love on their own journeys.  You form this world and our experiences within it.  I ask you now to meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Shining Ones.

Give offering of wine.

Key Offerings

Hades, king of the underworld, god of the dead.  You who are the god of the hidden wealth of the earth, from the fertile soil to the mined wealth of precious metals. Regal, dark-bearded god, we call to you today on the darkest night and ask that you join us in this ritual.  Welcome, Hades.

Give offering of wine

Prayer of Sacrifice

Place scraps of meat and veggies into the fire.

As Hades cares for our dead, so do we care for him.  Persephone joins by his side during these cold winter months, and we await her return.  But her return is Hades loss.  It’s a give and take relationship, a form of reciprocity that we share.  So too are these gifts we give to you now a sign of our hospitality.  Let these gifts honor and sustain you.  Hades, accept this offering.

Take portion of sacred meal

Pour kykeon libations into the fire. 

To all who gather here, we give these gifts in love and respect.  Mighty Kindred, accept this offering.

Omen

Pull 3 stones from Greek Alphabet Oracle for omen

Calling/Hallowing/Affirming the Blessings

In the spirit of *ghosti, a gift calls for a gift. I’ve made my offerings to the Kindred, and in

return they bless these waters. Hades, let these waters be blessed by the wisdom of the ancestors and the wealth of the underworld.  Let our hospitality be shared.  Behold, the waters of life.

Drink from the cup

Working

Meeting Hades Meditation

Take a moment to make yourself comfortable. Stand in a comfortable position, or sit on the

ground and adjust until you feel content and relaxed. Take a deep breath in and exhale as you

close your eyes. Take a deep breath in and exhale slowly.

While you continue to breathe deeply, allow your body to relax, releasing the tension

from your head and shoulders, from your arms and hands, from your chest and torso, and finally from your legs and feet. Allow that tension to flow away from your body as you relax into your position as you continue to breath slowly and evenly.

As you relax, feel the mists surround you, filling every corner.  Feel the mists as they approach you and envelop you. In your mind’s eye, see the land where Helios never shines and night is forever spread.  Look around you and see that you are not alone, but instead surrounded by your ancestors, who are there to support your endeavors.

Breathe deeply, and feel the rich soil beneath your feet, full of precious materials. From above, there is no sunshine, only the cool, calming mists. 

When you’re ready, feel yourself step forward, out of the mists and into the lands of the dead.

See the ancestors surrounding you smile lightly, then part, revealing a path in front of you. Follow this path through the dimly lit lands. Follow your path into the realm of Hades. As you walk deeper inside, you see a dark figure, waiting patiently for you to approach. This is Hades, King of the underworld and the rich soil above. Hades approaches you, welcoming you to this place. Speak to him. Ask him to teach you his secrets. The god looks at you and extends his hand to you. Take his hand and follow him through the lands toward the place where his secrets are hidden. Listen to his words, and let him show you his mysteries. Listen to his message, meant for your ears only, and follow his words.

It is now time to return to our realm. Let Hades guide you back to the entrance of the

His realm, watching the signs along the way so you can return to him again. Thank Hades for meeting you at this place, and for providing you guidance along this path and listen to any

parting message he has for you.

As he turns to walk away, see your path returning into the mists. Follow the trail, back to

your ancestors. Take a deep breath and step into the plant, feeling the cool soil below and cool mists above. Take another breath and as you exhale, feel the energies begin to

release, returning you to the mundane. Take another breath and find yourself back in your own body, relaxed and comfortable. Wiggle your toes and fingers. Take a moment to settle in, and then open your eyes.

Thanking the Beings

Glorious Hades, thank you for the blessings you have given to me, for ruling the underworld, and governing the rich minerals of the soil. For the guidance you provide to me on in my work, divine, wise, and devoted God, for all these things and more, Hades, We thank you!

Shining Ones, mighty gods and goddesses, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Shining Ones, we thank you.

Nature Spirits, you who share this realm with us, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Nature spirits, we thank you.

Ancestors, you who walked this world before me, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Ancestors, we thank you.

Closing the Gates

I call once more to you, Charon, bright eyed gatekeeper.  Thank you for guiding our journey tonight. May we continue to work together in peace.  Charon, we thank you.

Charon, before you depart, I ask that you once again join me in closing the gates.  Let the fire, burning bright, be just a flame.  Let the waters, flowing deep, be just water.  Let the Omphalos standing firm, be just a stone.  Charon, join your magic with mine and let the gates be closed.

Thanking the Earth Mother

Gaia, primal goddess of the world, thank you for upholding this rite.  May our work continue to please you.  Gaia, we thank you.

Closing the Rite

We gathered here to honor the Kindred and walk the cycle of the year.  This rite has ended, but our exploration of the mysteries continue.  Mighty Hestia, though we extinguish this flame, let your fire burn within us all. 

Extinguish hearth candle

This rite is ended.