So if you know anything at all about Pagan occultism you know very well that X-mas is nothing more than a cheap rip off of the Winter Solstice celebrations that occur on or around December 21 of every year. In ancient cultures this is the night when the sun was renewed (how ironic that the xians believe the "son" is born on December 25. It lends further irony that most scholars and archeologists believe that Jesus, if he ever existed at all, was most likely born at some point much closer to the Vernal Equinox than the Winter Solstice.
It's always fascinated me that Pagan traditions are always given the Devil's name until the church bastardizes them and makes them "christ-like". For all of their belly-aching about the "evil blasphemers" they have certainly done more than their fair share in the past. But having said that who really cares? We know the true meaning of this season, and modern Pagans of all stripes should have no inhibitions about celebrating this holiday. Of course we are allowed to skip the midnight mass, and the nativity scenes, and the seemingly endless auto-play of "Joy to the World".
But once you omit the insulting xian trappings the holiday season is PURE PAGAN! The ever green, the holly, the candles, the gift, the good food, the good drinks...Even Santa Claus can be seen in a Pagan light...Santa is the Holly King (Duh!) and each of the eight reindeer represent one of the Fire Festivals (Sabbats).
I remember as a child I always loved the statues of "Santa" dress in long (usually red, green, or gold) robes with a holly wreath on his head. Every year I would ask if we could buy one to decorate the house, and every year he would say no...it's not what X-mas is all about. Little did I know at the time that this was actually a depiction of Kris Kringle (whom we know as the Holly King"). It's strange for me to look back on my life and remember the natural attraction that I had to certain things as a child, and now as a grown man realize that they were Pagan even though it was unbenownst to me at the time. In doing so it's really no wonder that I have ended up where I am today...a member of the Tribe of the Damned. :-)
So what is the call of the night on Yuletide's Night? Well by now you may know that I have a love for alcohol, and one thing that I remember very well from last Yule (despite the good drinks) is the Glogg! If you haven't tried it before, and you're any kind of drinker at all you have to try it! It is delicious (although potent, but what's the point if not?). Glogg is a traditional Scandinavian Yule/Xmas spiced wine. Granted I'm a drinker and finished off most of it (the rest of the coven members weren't big drinkers) but we all found it delightful. And since it is served hot it's great for the cold winter's night we are celebrating! So here will give you the recipe that we used last year:
One bottled red wine (I use a sweet wine personally)
Half a liter vodka or brandy (for those of us in america this is about 2/3 of a fifth sized bottle)
2-4 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or to taste)
One orange peel
One cup granulated sugar
five whole cloves
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup alomonds
Mix all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot and simmer for 30-60 minutes. DO NOT BOIL!
NOTE: Sissies may want to omit the vodka/brandy hehehe.
Others who prefer a stronger drink may want to add more, but I assure you the mixture is quite strong as is!
Yuletide should be a celebration! It is a celebration of polarities, this is the longest and darkest night of the year, yet we are celebrating the return of the sun and it's waxing strength from now until the Summer Solstice. Tonight the darkness is of heavy focus for those of us (myself included) who have a darker nature. This is the longest night of the year, and the one night that sympathetically offers the most dark energy available on any given night. With that said, in an effort to balance you practice one should not shy away from at least acknowledging the coming sunlight. Personally, I have always had a certain degree of personal and psychological turmoil during the lighter months. And in recent years I have tried to curb that by embracing the lighter side (to a degree) as well. It does help if you are of a darker nature and find yourself on edge when darker hours are scare to try and celebrate and enjoy yourself during the lighter months, however this is not to say that it is always easy. This is all the more reason to savor the dark engery available at Yuletide, you may need it in the months to come.
The Yule season is only just beginning, and I will have more suggestions as time goes on, but for now I'll leave you with this.
Ave Satanas!
Ambrogio
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