Wiccan Holiday Celebrations   

On this page we will collect sacred texts, rituals, art, poetry, ideas for liturgy, stories, and more from Wicca so that we can expand everyone's understanding of each holiday and open people up to new ways of celebrating. We need your help to make this happen. Do you have a special way of celebrating a holiday from your faith that you'd be willing to share with the Tikkun and NSP communities? If so, please click here and tell us about it.

SOLSTICE

I was inspired to create this ritual celebration from visiting a church to St. Brigid, after having participated in sacred dances,
one of which was dedicated to Burgitta, "Goddess of the Flame" of spirit, truth and wisdom, purity and life. I imagined a beautiful
ceremony, when at the December solstice on the shortest day of the year (southern, longest day) we celebrate the return to and existence of light and life. I envisioned a great bonfire being created at the community center, perhaps on a beach or in a field. Youth of all kinds from that community would be the stars, literally, of the event. As they are truly the rising stars of new life and the ones who are to carry the beacons of the future, each would dress eloquently or simply, but in dignity, and come forward to share something beautiful and wise, either from their own writing or something that is meaningful to them.

I actually imagined the youth each on horseback, as it was in a place where this would have been possible, but this of course isn't necessary. Each will cast something onto the flame in a meaningful addition to its burning more brightly, as they make their offerings. It could also be a musical or dance offering, acknowledged in sacred acceptance by everyone present. After the youths, parents and grandparents of the community also will come forward, as they like, to offer wisdom and vision, give blessing and sharing in adding to the flame. Smaller children will of course receive the guidance of the elders; perhaps the youngest children could present in small groups or one
larger group.

The purpose, in its depth, is an acknowledgment of the blossoming spirit in each person as a treasure of the community, offering communal support. Also it is a healing of the most ancient, Brigitta, Goddess of the Flame, and the more recent, Judeo-Christiandom, with the future, - youth and age, creativity, wisdom and the torch of eternal living fire. Together each is to acknowledge that, in fact each one is the one whom all are awaiting. After this sharing there can be two circles formed; one facing outward, the other inward as two face each other in the twin circles. One circle turns clockwise the other counterclockwise, stopping at each partnering. The circles chant, changing each time from the outer to the inner until all are acknowledged: "I recognize divinity within you," to the response "Gratitude". This is chanted beautiful and slowly with dignity; it is from a Sufi chant. Homage to the jewel that is every spirit! Enjoy!--Kala Perkins