On the 20th, my family and I did our Yule Eve stuff, and gave offerings to our Winter, Solar, and Hearth deities. We thanked and said goodbye to Krampus and gave carrots and oatmeal to the Yule Goat and Tomte.
Come Solstice morning, the kids tore through their stockings to see what the Yule Goat and Tomte brought them, and then we did our gift exchanges. After a nap, I attended the Three Cranes Grove's Heliogenna, which honored the Hellenic Sun, Helios.
Rev. Dangler fire scrying for the omen.
Which was a message about rekindling our fires so we can help others do the same within our communities.
In the evening, after a feast of hearty beef stew and chicken nuggets (for the picky eaters), it was time for the family's favorite ritual--Reindeer Mother.
Usually we make sun masks and dance with our jingle wands to raise energy, and even make reindeer and sun shaped cookies. BUT this year, I was tired of Yuleing all day long, and decided to listen to my body this year. No masks, no dancing, no cookie cutters--which the kids were fine with because they were busy playing together with their legos and pipe cleaners. We baked simple gluten-free sugar cookies, and decorated them with yellow icing and festive sprinkles. As we decorated, I asked the kids why we use yellow icing and certain shapes, and they remembered. We talked about Reindeer Mother and other winter and solar deities and spirits; and about the science and symbolism of the various journeys of the sun throughout the year.
Finally, hubby picked the winning cookie and we gave it to Reindeer Mother.
"Reindeer Mother, we ask that you accept this offering. May it help fuel you as you carry the sun high into the sky, making the days longer, warmer, and greener. May this offering strengthen and give you courage this season. May this offering also strengthen our relationship!"
And so after the Winter Solstice, the light half of the year begins, as the sun slowly rises higher into the skies. Hail the Solar Kindreds and Spirits!
Yesterday, I stood up to an ignorant toxic in-law who kept trying to correct--Christian- and Man-splain--our High Days in one post (which I deleted and let go), and the they kept correcting "facts" about reindeer and how with those "horns" were actually bucks and how it was actually the Reindeer FATHER in another post--"Rudolph's dad". Both posts which featured our kids happily celebrating our Pagan holidays and deities. Nothing to do at all with Christmas, Santa, or the in-laws religion. Dude felt the need to correct us.
So I politely replied back to one of their comments in an informative way with just the right amount of snark, and also called them out for their rudeness. I educated them about reindeer and the differences between horns and antlers, the different species and genders that have and don't have antlers and horns, and I asked them to not correct our religion again. I've been a pagan for over 30 years and I've been a priestess for 3 years. I've extensively studied and researched, and continue to do so. I don't need any help from someone who can't accept that Christianity isn't the only faith or that Christmas isn't the only winter holiday. But again, in a mature and polite way. I'm proud of myself and how I handled it. Sometimes I can be very reactive, but I've been working on my temper for a while. That hard work is paying off.
I thanked him for the well-wishes and I wished him a happy holidays, because for him there are holidays coming up--Christmas and New Years.
I haven't dealt with that kind of rudeness in a while. Ridiculous.
Anyway, Mother's Night is tonight and I plan on the family making fun pizzas. On Christmas, which we are celebrating this year, the kids are exchanging gifts to each other and I'm making Shepherd's Pie. Hubs is making some ambrosia and puppy chow.
This year there were no family gatherings, so I'm glad that we're doing something for Christmas. Usually we just watch The Polar Express and have yummy hot chocolate and special treats. But over the last few years I've been wanting to do more.
I miss Christmas. Growing up, in my family Christmas was always secular. The focus wasn't religion, it was on family and the kids. Holidays just haven't been the same since my grandma died in 2014 and the problems that arose with my mom in 2020 (also her death in 2023). Last year we had a gift exchange on Christmas, which was lovely. Usually my husband is a huge stickler about not celebrating Christmas, and I used to be, too. Christmas means Christ Mass--it is a Christian holiday and we're Pagan. We have our own winter holidays. The meaning of the Christian holiday is Jesus (regardless of when he [if he was a real person] was born)--he is the reason for their season. But in my mixed faith family, growing up, religion wasn't part of it. It was secular and family focused. One of those things where Christmas is just part of the culture, regardless of beliefs.
We've lost a lot of people on my side of the family since 2014, be it to me cutting them out of my life or death. Whereas my husband hasn't lost nearly as many people on his side of the family. Despite the awful problems we had with my mom, her death affected him a lot, too. My mom really loved him--when we started dating, she told me that if things don't work out between us, she's adopting him.
Grandma and Logi
Dec 25, 2019
My mom loved Christmas--she went all out for it, and Christmas' were the best at her house, for the adults and the kids. Her trees were always spectacular; the wrapping, too. Every time I wrap, I think of how she tried to teach me her ways, and also how beautiful her wrapping was.
I am not wrapper. I'd do gift bags for everyone if I could, but kids enjoy tearing into that wrapping paper, you know? Every once in a while I'll surprise myself with a well done wrap job, but most of the time you can tell who wrapped what. Which is why when the Tomte puts the stocking stuffers in brown paper bags and twine--my wrapping is atrocious and signature!
Since 2020, in between Yule, my eldest's birthday, and New Year's, there's just gaps of grief. Heaviness. For both of us. I get really depressed--I love Yule, but it's lonely. Maybe if we had more Pagan friends near us who celebrated, maybe this grief wouldn't be so heavy? I'm going to have a talk with the husband about moving things around for next year. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. No guests and no snow, but there will be yummy foods and activities!
Happy Holidays! May this time be gentle. May it be what you need.
Happy Whatever You May Observe/Celebrate this time of the Year!
Thank yall for the support!
Face to the Sun.
Trust in Joy.
Follow the Bees...
- Priestess Foxlyn