Days 13-15 of Aisha Oaktree's 21 days of YULE blog party

Each day for the next 6 days, I will be sharing  either some legends, myths, devotions, my own thoughts perhaps a recipe or 2 on my blog for Aisha's YULE Blog Party at By The Broomstick.

Please visit the other blogs that are participating(above)

PLEASE pick a number if you haven't already won something!!

I am still a newb, learning. Therefore any legend, myth, devotion etc. will be coming from someplace I read it, and I will be giving credit to the right people.

ADDITIONALLY, I have a small gift tree that has a some ornaments on it, but it also has 21 little gift bags or envelopes that are numbered 1-21.  Each day I will pick a winner from the comments for that day.  These giveaways are priced from $1-$5, and there are a few are like booby prizes...I am doing this FOR FUN!!

EASY RULES:

*be a follower
*tell me something about that day's post that means something to you, or touches you etc.
*list your name
*pick a number from 1-21*  (*each day obviously there will be numbers listed as OUT, it will be your responsibility to pay attention to each day's posts, to see the number that is no longer available)

Picture of gift tree not ready, will add asap, so sorry for this, I want to do it outside on my little table, but it has been too windy.
You can't see the gifts anyway, they are wrapped and in bags, or just there#s are in the bags or envelopes.   NO ONE from DAY ONE picked a #, so I asked hubby to pick one and I could take it out of the running...that # is the #11....so pick a number between 1-21 except for 11, 5, 7, 9, 21, 20,4, 16, 13.


Once again, no one chose a #, I did NOT pull any out

I only allow 24 hours per post for picking numbers, comments always accepted :), but picking a # must be in the first 24 hours after I post each day! additionally only 1 win per person during the 21 days. Thank you.
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Your Yule Celebration

From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wicca

Celebrate the season with food, feasting and friends.
© Getty Images

In many Pagan and Wiccan celebrations, often the cornerstone of a successful Sabbat is the food. Yule is a time of rich, delicious cooking for many of us, so start planning your menu ahead of time. Open up your hearth and home for your guests, and once you're seated at your meal, take a moment to be thankful for all the bounty and blessings you have before you this Yule season!

Christianity doesn't have a monopoly on saying a prayer over food and drink. Many religions celebrate the consumption of food with some sort of prayer of thanksgiving. Many Pagans and Wiccans believe that not only should we thank the gods for our food, but also the earth and the food itself. After all, if you're eating plants or meat, something had to die so that you could have a meal. It seems rude not to thank your food for its sacrifice.

Any of the following may be said over a meal, a Cakes and Ale ceremony, or any other event where food is served. Feel free to include the names of the deities of your tradition, of you prefer.

• This Simple Meal Blessing offers thanks to the God and Goddess for a meal.
• A Prayer to the Earth shows gratitude for the planet's bounty.
• If you're eating a meal that once walked around, offer a prayer Celebrating Meat.
• Invite the Gods to dine with you.
• Make an Offering of a bit of your food.
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  Many Pagans and Wiccans offer a prayer of some sort prior to a meal. Typical prayers focus on giving thanks to the gods for the food which is to be consumed.

  Image (c) Getty Images 2007
  A Nordic Yule Blessing
  From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wicca

  The Norsemen of old had a custom that if two people who were enemies met under a bough of mistletoe, they must lay down their arms. This time of year, set aside old conflicts. Take a moment to meditate upon the relationships you have, and try to find ways to get along with people who normally antagonize and anger you.

  
  

  Yule is a time to set aside animosity between yourself and people who would normally antagonize you. The Norsemen had a tradition that enemies who met under a bough of mistletoe were obligated to lay down their arms. Set aside your differences, and think about that as you ponder this devotional.
  
  

  
  

  The Norse pagans had a tradition of calling a truce beneath mistletoe.

  Image © Christopher Furlong/Getty Images 2005

  Beneath the tree of light and life,
  a blessing at this season of Jul!
  To all that sit at my hearth,
  today we are brothers, we are family,
  and I drink to your health!
  Today is a day to offer hospitality
  to all that cross my threshold
  in the name of the season.

  
  
  
  Snow Prayer for Yule
  

  From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wicca

  There's a lot to be said for the beauty of snow. Welcome the white stuff with a prayer reminding us of why we love it. 

  Depending on where you live, you may be seeing snowfall long before Yule arrives. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty, both as it falls and once it covers the ground.

  
  

  
  

  Celebrate the snowy season!

  Image (c) Patti Wigington 2008

  From the reaches of the north,
  a place of cold blue beauty,
  comes to us the first winter storm.
  Wind whipping, flakes flying,
  the snow has fallen upon the earth,
  keeping us close,
  keeping us together,
  wrapped up as everything sleeps
  beneath a blanket of white.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  A Prayer to the Old Gods

  From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wicca

  The winter solstice has long been a time of significance to many cultures. Take a moment to meditate on those who came before us, and consider how they must have felt on these long winter nights, and how they might have honored their gods.

   As you celebrate Yule, think about the history of this Sabbat, and how important this time of year must have been to our ancient ancestors.

  The Holly King is gone, and the Oak King reigns -
  Yule is the time of the old winter gods!
  Hail to Baldur! To Saturn! To Odin!
  Hail to Ameratsu! To Demeter!
  Hail to Ra! To Horus!
  Hail to Frigga, Minerva Sulis and Cailleach Bheur!
  It is their season, and high in the heavens,
  may they grant us their blessings this winter day.