'Twas the Night Before Yule...

Aptly named Modraniht, it's a time to honor the female dieties and ancestral mothers. This comes from Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon tradition and in early Norse time, the people honored the ancestral grandmothers--or Disir--who blessed and protected the clan. They also provided guidance and shared their wisdom. This first night of the twelve days of Yuletide is for holding vigil in the dark as the light begins to return with the winter solstice or Yule.

It's interesting to know that the symbology of the deer during this time of year didn't start with Santa and his reindeer but actually began with the protective spirits of the Deer Mothers.. The Deer Mothers connected the Yule season with the divine protection and nurturing of the feminine. In mythology, the mother deer labored through the night to give birth to the sun goddess and would ride on a sleigh to return the light of the sun to the earth.

To begin the twelve days of Yule, we light candles and pay homage to the feminine energy. To the protectors of fate and fertility. A night to give thanks to the women ancestors who have brought forth life to each and every person in existence. These are the women who came before us and who carried love in their hearts to pass on to the world.

One of the ways to celebrate this night is to write a letter of gratitude to our female ancestors and deities. A ritualistic way to do this is by candlelight. Write from the heart to acknowledge the connection between the past, present and the future. You may burn incense as you write. Remember, this is an act of love, so your words should come from the heart. When you are finished, fold the letter and tuck it inside a box with a small token or gift and perhaps some sprigs of pine, holly or mistletoe. Be sure and say words of thanks as you close the box and extinguish the candles. What a beautiful way to start the Yuletide season and welcome the return of the sun to the earth.

Blessed be to all on this first night of Yule.