December 2009

[Neamhain Riona]

December 2009




December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days.

In Latin, decem means "ten". December was also the tenth month in the Roman calendar until a monthless winter period was divided between January and February.

December's flower is the narcissus or holly. December's birthstones are turquoise, lapis lazuli, zircon, topaz (blue), or tanzanite.

December is the month with the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.

December starts on the same day of the week as September.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Holly


Family Aquifoliaceae (Holly Family)
The word ~holly~ comes from the word ~holy.~ Holly is associated with Christmas. There are over 150 species of holly. The flowers are inconspicuous, but the berries are not. Most hollies are native to North America, southern Europe and Asia. English holly Ilex aquifolium and American holly Ilex opaca are the species most commonly grown as Christmas decorations. The American holly has duller leaves and more spines than the English holly. Holly berries are potentially dangerous if eaten. Twenty berries can kill a person.

According to a Christian legend the pointed leaves of the Holly represent the thorns of Christ's Crown. The green leaves represent eternal life. The red berries represent the blood of Christ. It is said that holly was used to make the crown of thorns. At that time the berries were yellow. In honor to the blood shed by Christ the berries turned red.
Holly was the sacred plant of Saturn and was used at the Roman Saturnalia festival to honor him. Romans gave one another holly wreaths and carried them about decorating images of Saturn with it. Centuries later, in December, while Romans continued pagan worship, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus. To avoid persecution, they decked their homes with Saturnalia holly. As Christians increased, holly lost its pagan association and became a symbol of Christmas.

According to another legend, when the Holy Family was fleeing into the desert from Herod, they hid the baby Jesus in a holly bust. At that time, the leaves had fallen as the holly was not an evergreen. Mary prayed for protection, and the leaves grew - green to hide and protect the baby Jesus.

The Druids believed that holly, with its shiny leaves and red berries stayed green to keep the earth beautiful when the sacred oak lost it leaves. They wore sprigs of holly in their hair when they went into the forest to watch their priests cut the sacred mistletoe.

In Medieval Europe it was associated with good fortune.Trees planted near homes were said to offer protection from thunder and lightning. The berries and leaves were used to ward off witchcraft and the evil eye - said to be more effective for men than women.

In West England it is said sprigs of holly around a young girl's bed on Christmas Eve are supposed to keep away mischievous little goblins. They also put a sprig of holly on the bedpost to bring sweet dreams. In Germany, a piece that was used in church decorations is regarded as a charm against lightning. In England, British farmers put sprigs of holly on their beehives. On the first Christmas, they believed, the bees hummed in honor of the Christ Child. The English also mention the ~he holly and the she holly~ as being the determining factor in who will rule the household in the following year, the ~she holly~ having smooth leaves and the ~he holly~ having prickly ones. In Wales, family quarrels are thought to occur if holly is brought into the house prior to Christmas. If decorations are left up beyond New Year's or Twelfth Night it is said that a misfortune will occur for each leaf and branch remaining. According to legend taking holly into the home of a friend or picking holly in blossom will cause death. In Germany, it is unlucky to step on the berries. A piece of holly kept from the Church decorations is said to bring good fortune throughout the year. Similarly, if holly is hung in the barn, animals will fatten and thrive. If picked on Christmas Day, it will serve as protection against witches and evil spirits. In some areas little lighted candles are placed on holly leaves and floated on water. If they float it is a sign that the project that the person has in mind at the time will prosper, but if they sink it is as well to abandon it.

If there was an abundance of red berries on a bush, it was believed that the winter would be severe as the bush was providing extra food for the birds to get through a harsh winter.

In the 19th century it was believed to remedy fever. In folk medicine it was believed that if you beat someone with holly until they bled it would cure chilblains.

Holly is the symbol of man.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Blue Topaz


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Promotes individuality and creativity, while providing self confidence in your own decisions. Helps to remove doubts about your decisions, and promotes the expression of ideas. Been said to inspire and assist in "Lighting the divine light of imagination".
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Topaz acts as a catalytic trigger, and activates the laws of attraction and manifestation of your desires. It helps you to have faith in the universes desire to help you, prompting receptivity and willingness to act. It helps one to creatively change ones personal world.
*

Silver enhances the effects of topaz, acting as an additional conductor for topazes energy.

Topaz is particularly powerful when combined with Amethyst.

As the topaz activates the laws of attraction and manifestation, the amethyst transforms the energies into spiritual vibrations to produce a soothing, clearing and stabilizing effect. This combination of minerals is quite powerful for people in recovery, and who need help to focus and attract healing energy.

*

Change: Helpful in correcting unwanted, unloving behavior patterns.
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Depression: Acts to replace negativity with love and joyfulness
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Spiritual: Helps to initiate faith and further the quest for the enlightened state.
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Emotional: Enhances relaxation, crates lightness of spirit, and stimulates feelings of peace

Physical:

restores loss of taste, healing of wounds and skin eruptions. liver disorders, gal bladder, endocrine glands,

Throat Chakra.

Astrological Sign of Sagittarius

Vibrates to the number 6

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Yule


Yule or Yule-tide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic peoples as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January on a date determined by the lunar Germanic calendar. The festival was placed on December 25 when the Christian (Julian) calendar was adopted. Some historians claim that the celebration is connected to the Wild Hunt or was influenced by Saturnalia, the Roman winter festival.

Terms etymological equivalent to "Yule" are still used in the Nordic Countries for both the Christian Christmas, but also other religious holidays of the season. In modern times this has gradually led to a more secular tradition under the same name as Christmas. Yule is also used in a lesser extent in English speaking countries to refer to Christmas. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from Yule. In modern times, Yule is observed as a cultural festival and also with religious rites by some Christians and by some Neopagans.

The modern English word Yule likely derives from the word yoole, from 1450, which developed from the Old English term geōl and geōla before 899. The term has been linked to and may originate from the Old Norse Jōl. The etymology of the name of the feast of Yule (Old Norse jól, Anglo-Saxon geohol and gehol) and the winter month (Anglo-Saxon giuli, geóla, Gothic fruma jiuleis, Old Norse ýlir) has not yet been completely explained, but the term may have originally meant something similar to "magic" or "feast of entreaty". This word is also the root of the English word "jolly."

Jól has alternately been theorized as deriving from Old Norse hjól, wheel, referring to the moment when the wheel of the year is at its low point, ready to rise again (compare to the Slavic karachun). This theory may be more based on similarities between the words jul (Christmas) and hjul (with a mute h, wheel) in modern Scandinavian languages, than on older cognates or historical sources.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Yule Songs


Joy To the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Let Earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare him room
And Heaven and Nature sing, etc.

Welcome our King who brings us life.
Our Lady gives him birth!
His living light returneth to warm the seeds within us
And wake the sleeping earth, etc.

Light we the fires to greet our Lord,
Our Light! Our Life! Our King!
Let every voice be lifted to sing his holy praises,
As Heaven and Nature sing, etc.


Day-0
To the tune of "Day-O" - words by Tina Galfo
(Get out your Harry Belafonte records and study the rhythm carefully - this song is a lot of fun with a set of hand drums!)

Day-o, Day-o,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, misa day, misa day, misa day-o.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Tonight we dance till the morning come.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Tomorrow we greet the newborn Sun.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
The darkness flies before his face.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Light is returning to this place.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, misa day-o,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, misa day-o,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
The Lady has given birth to her son.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
When he grow up they gonna have some fun.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
The season wheel it will forever turn.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
As the fire within, it will ever burn.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Now is the darkest season of the year but,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, misa day-o,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, misa day-o,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.

Now is the darkest season of the year but.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Now is the darkest season of the year but.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.

Day-o, Day-o,
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.
Day, misa day, misa day, misa day-o.
Daylight come and the Sun is reborn.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Decembers Recipes


Sun Shine Sugar Cookies
with Orange Frosting



1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine milk with vinegar to make sour milk. Let stand for 5 minutes. In a
large mixing bowl, combine sugars, shortening, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour,
soda, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in sour milk and mix well. NOTE:
Dough will be very sticky and hard to handle so be sure to refrigerate
either several hours or overnight. Roll on well floured board to 1/2 inch
thickness. Cut with cookie cutters to desired shapes-a sun shape or large
round circles are best to signify the sun with large cutters working best.
Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly
brown on bottom. Frost with frosting (see recipe) and decorate.

Frosting

3 egg whites
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 Tablespoon of orange rind
1 Tablespoon of Orange Juice


Beat egg whites in clean, large bowl with mixer at high speed until very
foamy Gradually add sugar, rind, orange juice and extract. Beat at high
speed until thickened. Spread over cooled cookies or put in a pastry bag
with a piping tip attached and pipe onto cookies.


Roast Chestnuts


1 pound chestnuts
1/4 cup butter
salt to taste
1 pinch ground cinnamon


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cut a 1/2 inch crisscross on
the flat side of each nut. Be sure to cut through the shell to prevent the
nut from exploding. Place the nuts in a shallow baking pan and bake for 25
to 30 minutes. Allow to cool and peel off the shell. Place nuts in a skillet
with butter and sauté over high heat until the butter is melted and the
chestnuts are well coated. Place skillet in oven and roast until they are
golden on top. Sprinkle with salt and cinnamon.

Moravian Christmas Cookies

>2 cups shortening
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 quart molasses
8 cups flour
1 Tbsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. baking soda, dissolved in 1 tsp. vinegar

Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening. Sift the flour and spices together. Add sugar and mix well. Work in the shortening with the finger tips or with a pastry blender. Add baking soda and molasses and mix thoroughly. Chill. Roll very thin on floured board and cut with fancy cookie cutters. Bake at 350° F about 10 minutes.

Wassail (Non-Alcoholic)

2 quarts apple juice
2 1/4 cups pineapple juice
2 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 (3-inch) stick cinnamon
1 tsp. whole cloves

Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer an additional 20 minutes. Strain and discard cinnamon and cloves. Serve hot.

Yield: 3 quarts

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Yule Prayers


Morning Prayers



These prayers should be done in the morning, between dawn and noon.

Introit

"Hail Bright Maiden of quicksilver delight,
shine upon me.
Thy morning blessing, which,
like the new dawn, refreshes my Spirit and
lifts my heart with song.
Blessed Be."

Main Prayer

Lady,
In the darkened tower of the night
that has held sway
these many months unbound,
comes now the struggle of returning light,
and promise of fair Springtime's
golden crown.

As longest night gives way to dawn's embrace
and hope emerges from
the dark anew,
the Lady once again reclaims Her place
and Winter's shadow fades
like morning dew.

Meditation

How light will eventually overcome the dark.

Daily Affirmation

In the Name of the Maiden: I will be a light to the world today.

Closing Prayer

"Thanks to Thee Bright Maiden for Thy care,
for green laughter and fire-edged dew,
and for Thy blessing, a most precious jewel.
Blessed Be."





These prayers should be done at night, between dusk and dawn.

Introit

"Hail Dark Lady of the Crossroads,
of wisdom hard-won,
grant me Thy blessing, purify my heart,
and teach me the truth of my soul;
show me that death is but the gateway to life.
Blessed Be."

Main Prayer

Lady,
You release Your hold
dark Hecate.
The longest night grows thin
while sleeping earth dreams
of Springtime's warmth.
Visions born in Winter's obscurity bloom,
as does the light.
You release Your hold
dark Hecate;
but always You do speak to
me in dreams...

Meditation

The gifts you have received at this time.

Dream Images

In the Name of the Dark Crone: I will pick a symbol of the season and let it speak to me.

Closing Prayer

"I bow to Thee Hecate, Diana, Mari and thank
Thee for Thy blessing - the Cauldron of Night
full of life, and death, and life again;
Thy magic gives me wings.
Blessed Be."

 

[Neamhain Riona]

How will you be celebrating your solstice/Yule/Christmas?