(^142) A Wiccan Bible
Winter Solstice Oil
10 drops Pine
4 drops Clove
2 drops Cinnamon
2 drops Juniper
1/2 ounce base oil
Solitary/General—If you have never read another book on Wicca, you can ignore
this paragraph. If you have read other books on Wicca, this paragraph is vitally impor-
tant in understanding my take on this Holiday. From my creation story, you understand
that I consider the sun to be created of the masculine, but created by the feminine. This
is important because although I do not personify the sun, I most certainly give it gender
(not sex), that gender being feminine. Now if we were to personify the Sun, being cre-
ated of masculine energy we would state that He is male. Note the use of the word male
and not the word masculine.
Winter Solstice is one of the strongest reasons for associating the sun with the
feminine half of divinity. We don’t have to look beyond the Wiccan Rede to see that
our Lord rules this Holiday, so why then would our Lord be associated with the Sun as
the Sun is riding at its lowest point (the shortest day of the year). The answer is that the
Sun is associated with the feminine half of divinity, so when it is at its lowest the mascu-
line is at its highest. Of course the shortest day of the year is the one associated with the
peak of our Lord’s influence.
While all night drum circles are traditionally held to greet our Lord as the sun
returns, I find those same drum circles are held to welcome the return of our Lady into
his arms. What man can argue that he is not at his strongest when his love is returned to
his arms? This season is, after all, also the Roman celebration of Mother’s Night (Dec.
24th) and is followed by the Day of Children (Dec. 25th). If not in the arms of our
Lord, just how would our Lady become Mother?
With this view we see that Winter Solstice is a Holiday of reunion and of returns.
No wonder one of the most popular songs on the radio this time of the year is “I’ll be
home for Christmas.” It has achieved such popularity because the old Pagan ways sim-
ply will not die, even when they are hidden in new religions. It is a time when we remind
ourselves of what is important in life, our kith and kin.
Even though most of us no longer live directly from the harvest of previous Holi-
days, life has become harder since Samhain. Remember that this is the season where
the suicide rate skyrockets, violent crime increases, and drunk drivers are at there worst.
Your household might escape these things, but does it escape cabin fever? Remaining
mostly indoors and in close contact with members of our household can often elevate
minor annoyances into seemingly serious issues. Friends without a place to go often sit
alone in tears, wondering if someday they will have a family of their own. Seasonal affec-
tive disorder nips at our soul even more than Jack Frost does at our toes. The driveway
has to be shoveled; the heating bills rise, gas prices soar, slips and falls abound. All this
and more brought out by the Dark half of the year. What better time for a party?
p WB Chap 08.p65 142 7/11/2003, 5:52 PM
barré
(Barré)
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