Yule at my house-hold is
in full swing. The kidlets are stuffing themselves with candy from stockings,
playing with new toys while sitting in a large pile of wrapping paper, and
otherwise doing what children do on Yule morning. I made breakfast, pan cakes,
and enjoyed my morning coffee while listening to Christmas music. My wife is
currently sipping her coffee and playing on the floor with our youngest. Later
tonight we will feast, I believe we are having rabbit in a mushroom gravy,
followed by a small rite, and an evening of storytelling. This is how we get
down. All and all, a good time.
I’m not sure where Druidry
fits into all of this. I can certainly speak on the Craft and Paganism in this
regards, at length. I mean, I am sure there are many Druids out there that are
or will be doing something similar today, but speaking from a praxis perspective,
I’m not sure exactly how I want to approach the solstice with Druidry. So it’s
not really an uncertainty about what lore and traditions Druidry applies to
this Holy Day, but an uncertainty about just how I am going to not only mark today
but also to do so with a nod towards this path.
In the end, I don’t think
it really matters too much. Far too often I feel people get wrapped up in
semantics and forget to just celebrate with a happy dose of mirth. Well, I’m
just going to go with the flow and just assume my nod towards Druidry is in
there somewhere.
Outside of all that, I
also wanted to share my favorite story about the Solstice. Enjoy and have a
blessed Yule!
By: Ing, CoR Co-Founder and Chief Bard
The Oak King wore a
crown made of deer antlers intertwined with leafy branches of oak and mistletoe
bearing its white berries. The Oak King was majestic as he strode through the
forest. He was following the sun, and he was finding the path colder day by
day. Each time he crossed a stream, the Oak King would take a drink. Each time
he did, he began to see that he was growing very old.
Soon the Oak King
found it difficult to continue. His old and stiffened body could not carry him
much further. As he pulled himself to the edge of a calm, clear spring, he said
to himself; "Each day grows darker; soon I shall die." The ancient
Oak King bent to take a drink. As he looked at his reflection, he saw ice
forming on the surface of the water. The Oak King felt the darkness. The ice
was closing his vital drinking space.
Just as he was
failing, the Oak King looked again at his reflection in the spring. This time
he saw the ice melting away. The antlered crown of the Oak King began to
change. The rounded oak leaves became sharp and pointed. The white mistletoe
berries became red as if the life fluids of all animals flowed into them. The
Oak King lifted his head and felt the life force grow strong within him. As he
looked into the unfreezing stream, this time he saw holly leaves with red
berries instead of oak and mistletoe.
The former Oak King,
now the Holly King, leapt from the stream bank, and pranced through the forest.
He now follows the sun on its upward course. With each step the Holly King
takes, he melts the ice, leaving the ground ready for the Goddess to awaken her
tiny plants.
So Mote It Be!
Boide Se,
-Cuchulain Duir
I am happy that you enjoy my little Solstice story.
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