What a wonderful Yule celebration! The members of SLPS met on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 7pm to feast with the Gods and Goddesses and prepare for the new year. A little unorthodox, the feast came first to prepare everyone for the long hours of ritual ahead. Mole enchiladas, vegan lentil soup, vegetarian lasagna and chicken were just a few things on the menu.
The altar was decorated with deity statues, red and white candles, altar stand with Gaia atop, pictures, stones, offering bowl and more. The She-Hawk’s Nest was built in front of the altar in the shape of an egg using pine boughs Each person took a turn curling up in the next, releasing personal problems, goals, desires and announcing the birth of new ones to take the place of the old, much like the birthing of the new Yule King. When they emerged they were given salt to taste the bitterness of death.
After the nesting, everyone lined up to be pulled through the birthing canal. Each took a turn being pulled between all sixteen people. At the end, Iyata Bond was waiting with a drop of honey so that all could taste the sweetness of the birth.
A short break with root beer floats was for a light snack and right at 12am and at the end of the Maya calendar, President Muad’Dib commenced the Maya rite with the Earth Goddess Ixchel. She blessed everyone with sacred earth and blessings.
The closing came with a druid ceremony to the God Hu and the dismissing of the quarters.
Afterwards, there were reports of voices, spirits, ancestors and high emotions during the nesting and other rites. Many tears flowed this night!
Yule 2012, Building the She-Hawk’s nest l to r- Azetta Seedling of the Blue Dragon, Mustard Seed, Lunar Oak Spirit, Rena Fairbrother, and Steven Wellington, December 21, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT
Yule 2012, She-Hawk’s nest, December 21, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT
Yule 2012, altar with Moon Goddess, Gaia, Anubis, and Isis, December 21, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT
Yule 2012, altar with candles, December 21, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT
Yule 2012, altar with candles side view , December 21, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT
Yule 2012 Front L to R-Mustard Seed, Azetta Seedling of the Blue Dragon, and Woman Between the Wolves. Back l to r-Piggy, Ember Fire, Brittany Walker, Muab’Dib, Shy Fox, Lunar Oak Spirit, Iyata Bond, Eric Hunt, Justin Leavitt, Fire Runner, December 21, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT
Yule 2012, Feast l to r-Woman Between the Wolves, Steven Wellington, Jessica, Ember Fire, Lunar Oak Spirit, Iyata Bond
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Salt Lake Pagan Society 