This year, 2012, has been an incredibly rough year--one of the hardest I've been through in a long time. The past week brought another round of sickness with it. But this year has been like that in general: like the hagalaz rune come to life, with one hit after another after another.
I had intended to be up in time for the actual solstice today, but ended up waking up late. My first thoughts were not pleasant ones, between sickness, grogginess, and feeling like I was already off to a bad start for the beginning of Yule. The sun was risen and the day was overcast. Any seasonal cheer seemed far away.
This made the turn-around all the more precious. I began the day with a candle and incense to honor Nott and Mani, thanking Them for Their travels and the rest They bring. I remembered times from the past year when I had seen great beauty in Their presence: falling stars and peaceful nights. Often, my fulltrui, Forseti, felt close at such times too.
I also thought of the Goddess Jord and remembered Her many gifts this past year--times spent in Her fields and forests. She sustains us and is our resting place beside the flaming hearth that is Sunna. She is Mother to Thor, the God who guards our world, and Mother to us all.
The clouds cleared and the sun came out. I set out new offerings for Sunna and the Day: incense, a sun-shaped loaf of bread I happened on yesterday, and a new candle. I thanked Sunna for her warmth and the light, life, and hope She brings. I thought of how Her shining face uplifts the spirit. We are Hers as well as Jord's. We cannot help but be sad when She hides and rejoice when She shines again.
Thanks are a prayer too. So often, I feel that the world is full of coldness and chaos. In prayer, we connect to the beautiful and the meaningful. Remember the good. Love the Gods and Goddesses.
Uncle Thor wrote a wise little Yule post: "Light a candle, maybe burn a little incense. Quietly call on the Gods of your choice. Speak a few words, make a dedication, and do it all in your own words.... In your Yule celebration, you have to provide the heart. It is up to you to fill all the little things you do for Yule with feeling and meaning."
Forseti is my fulltrui and for me, honoring His parents is a very important part of the Winter Solstice that begins the holy Yuletide. This year, the offerings were small white flowers, a new candle, and chamomile incense. Some of the flowers went to Frigga and Forseti as well.
From Forseti and His family, I have learned much of holding sorrows and joys together. In sadness, there can exist hope. In darkness, there still exists light. Tears and rejoicing can flow together. We need not build walls and divides within our hearts and souls.
May your Yule be blessed. May the Gods and Goddesses be close at this time and in the coming year. Thank you for reading. It is an honor to be able to share faith with you, in its many expressions. May this time warm you and bring you light.
Hail all the Gods and Goddesses!
A blessed Yule, and good health to you and yours.