Sunday, December 20, 2009

Yule Story..for Pagan kids

The Sun god was tired. He had worked so hard all year, he'd warmed the soil in Spring and he'd shone brightly on the crops and flowers all Summer, so that the people could eat well and enjoy the bounty and beauty of nature. He had managed to shine all through the Fall so the people could harvest and stock for the winter, but, his light was changing. It was growing dim. The Sun knew it was time for the Moon to take over and as his head nodded the days grew shorter and shorter. And the people were worried. They loved their Moon very much, but, the Sun was important too. Without the Sun the people would suffer great hardships. But, the Sun promised he'd come back just as soon as he woke up from his long Winter nap. And he layed down his head and he went to sleep. And the goddess Moon took over and caused the snow to glisten and sparkle and the people built warm fires and they waited.
*
The Green Man, who lives in the woods, he was worried about his Faerie Folk, because with the Sun sleeping, the poor Fey were cold. The Green Man asked the people if they would help and he promised the Faeries would be good to the people in return. And the people agreed, and they brought beautiful Evergreens into their homes and that gave the Faerie Folk a warm place to live while they waited for the Sun. And the children fed the Fairies by tying small cakes and treats onto the branches of the trees. And they placed candles among the branches to light the way for the Fey. And tiny bells were hung and every time a Faerie found it's way to a tree, the bells would tinkle. On the top of the trees, the people placed a five pointed star, to represent the Elements and our place on Earth. Everyone loved the Yule trees, they were full of good spirits. And bad spirits could not get in because the people put up Holly and Mistletoe and other greenery, to bring good luck and happy spirits.
*
And then it happened. The longest night of the year, Winter Solstice. It was cold and dark, but, the people had hope, they believed the Sun god would keep his promise. And sure enough, at the end of the long night, the Sun was reborn! And the people rejoiced! They chanted and sang, families, spirits and Faeries side by side. A great fire was built and everyone feasted. And they knew everything would be alright. The Green Man was so glad that his Faeries could come back to the forest, that he surprised all the children with presents under the Faerie Trees. And the children were so happy, they cried out Happy Yule, good tidings! And they rang in the Sun with the Faerie bells, which we still do today. Everyone is always happy when the longest night is over. Even the Moon, she needs a nap too!
*****
Words and pic..me. Pat Jones.

52 comments:

Alyssa said...

I love your story. May i copy it and post it in my notes on Facebook. I will add your site to it for reference.

Dirty Disher said...

Please excuse my adaptation of the Earth Spirits into Fey. The tiny winged creatures were depicted long ago, so as not to scare children. The rest is pretty accurate. And then....the Christians came along and enslaved Pagans and turned the whole thing into Christmas. Jesus was not a Capricorn, but, I say, let's not fight over who was first (we were..lol) and everyone have a great holiday. No matter what you believe.

Dirty Disher said...

Yes, Alyssa. I was going to send it to you, but, I forgot I typed it right on here. I have that non click code on. Anyway, yeah, go ahead. Author Pat Jones.

Julie said...

That is a very beautiful story. I love your picture.

Alyssa said...

Thank you so much. I copied it. Your a great and loving person and I enjoy your blog. Big hugs from down south in Louisiana!

Dirty Disher said...

Awww, aren't you sweet. Are you a Southern witch then? Heap powerful hoodoo down there.

Alyssa said...

I'm new at the Pagan religion. I'm reading everything I can get my hands on. And yes, I tell everyone I'm a proud Pagan. There is nothing funnier than a southern witch that the Catholics are scared of.

Anonymous said...

beautiful words, and awesome pic...
thank you...



snowbunnie

Dirty Disher said...

Awesome. I think we need more Pagan stories for childen and it helps me to get a real picture of what it is we are celebrating. Anyway, Happy Yule!

Dirty Disher said...

TY Snowbunnie. :)

Dirty Disher said...

Oh, Alyssa, have you checked out Witchvox? It's a wonderful place. Very down to Earth, intelligent and they even have lists and links to local chapters and celebrations.

Dirty Disher said...

I made it a side link here.

Unknown said...

I really love this story DD. Its a great tale to tell. This makes you know that pagans are more into mother nature. Than people presive. Alot of people dont understand pagans. They think its all about demons and devils.

DD, if you dont mind me asking how long have you been studying pagan?

lisa k. said...

That would be a great song to go to sleep with at night..so peaceful...

lisa k. said...

FRICK! Wrong thread....

Dirty Disher said...

I became a witch at age 10 when I read about Pagans in a school library book. It just seemed to make sense. I dabbled all through my 20s, I got serious. And then I got really serious about it around 20 years ago. Now, I am pure Pagan and that's the way I live every day. Pagans and Wiccans have had a silly reputation for too long. We are just people who love and respect the Earth and it's energies.

Dirty Disher said...

LOL Lisa k..you had a brain fart. LMAO!

Corina 1.0 said...

Love that story! Thanks Pat! Glad you are better as well..thanks for being you..that pic is cool too!

Dirty Disher said...

Thank, Corina. Hugs.

miss tia said...

you see the specialist tomorrow right DD??? please keep up posted on what they tell ya!! I bet it was a TIA, T.I.A., which is a mini-stroke....a friend of mine has had several of them.....she is fine....just has to be careful and if she has stroke symptoms, she takes a couple aspirin and goes to the ER...

CJ said...

Beautiful story and picture. Thanks.

Dirty Disher said...

Thanks CJ, for reading it. I hope some Pagans will read it to thier kids.

Yia, no, not until Feb. Seriously..it's a long wait.

iambriezy said...

Lovely story...cool picture. I love the idea of fairies living in our tree waiting out the winter. Did you make the pic on the computer?

miss tia said...

oh, i thought i read you were seeing someone monday....hmmm...must have been final exam brain muddle!

Dirty Disher said...

iambreizy, yep. It's actually a photo of Lissa's tree outside and I painted on it and messed with it. It's supposed to be the sun and moon goddess as the tree with fey hiding.

Tia, they have to come from Omaha. I have ta wait.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for your response DD. I would love to print this out and read it to my daughter some day. I think respecting mother nature is a very important thing. Without her we wouldnt have alot of things.

ps. Why I was wondering about how long you've been a pagan. Is because I wondered if you ever celebrated any other pagan holidays. Plus did you ever celebrate ritual when a girl becomes a woman. I saw one once and I forgot the name. But it was done out doors at night in the woods. I would love to do something like that with my daughter. I think its a great mother/daughter ritual.

Dirty Disher said...

There are many ways to celebrate womanhood. Paganisim focus's on female energy, as you probably know. The stages are Maiden, Mother, Crone. Those are the triple moon, that you see so much in symbolism. Crone is menopausal and most powerful. All stages of a womans life are valued and celebrated. You can make your own ritual and pick out herbs, candles, etc that mean something to you. Then recite somethig meaningful welcoming her into womanhood. No one really follows ruls about things like that, there are no rules.

miss tia said...

perhaps 'crone' stage is why i can hear and see spirits more often than before? (i had a total hysterectomy like 7 years ago)....

Dirty Disher said...

I would not doubt it.

Dan Zinski said...

RIP Brittany Murphy.

Dirty Disher said...

OMG, that's awful.

Unknown said...

thanks once again dd.. Omg I know I cant believe it crabbie rip Brit. Such a shame.

miss tia said...

holy shit! i have been reading on blogs that her and her husband were into drugs....that is awful, just awful and so sad....

Nina said...

Beautiful story! Beautiful pic too. Always a pleasant surprise over here Pat. Your words have the power to transport the reader anywhere. Gifted gal you are.

lia said...

just to wish you a happy christmas and the best 2010. i hope you get better and stronger every day. am going away for a break so see you and a few weeks time. meanwhile, stay healthy!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Dish-

This would make a beautiful book for kids for Christmas, I would buy many copies for gifts...It is hard to find a kids book that has real meaning.....

snowbunnie

Heidi said...

My youngest told me about Brittany. So sad. So young. RIP..

Pat,
I bought my youngest her first book on Wicca. It is not one of those fun books but a real one that will tell her the history, days of celebrations, etc. She has been very interested in it for quite awhile. Do you have any suggestions on things she could read? Oh and she is 16.

Bayou Jane said...

Alyssa,
Where in south Louisiana? I'm about 30 miles north of Houma.

Bayou Jane said...

Oh hell!!! I'm a CRONE!!!! And I don't remember becoming one! Hope I had fun along the way!

DD--Great story! Is it the one you've been working on?

Melissa said...

Aren't you having a general follow-up after hospital release? That is a loooong time to go without a check up, no?

Loved the story, DD. Thank you.

Casper said...

DD, awesome story and incredible pic. I've learned so much from your writings. Thanks!

P.S. Cannot believe you have to wait so long for a follow-up! That's just wrong.

lisa k. said...

Did you do that picture yourself? That is amazing!! You are one talented woman.

Paintedfoot said...

Thank you DD for this story! I am posting it to my FB as well, cited to Pat Jones. Best wishes and sending you healthy feel good vibes from the snowy northeast.

I can B said...

I love the story and the beautiful artwork. Thanks for posting this.

Beth said...

Dear DD,
I loved your story, and the picture too...you're amazing!
I'm so glad that you're feeling better!
Beth

Dirty Disher said...

Thank you all for reading this, you guys are the best.

Dirty Disher said...

Heidi, tell your daughter to check out WitchVox on my side link here. They will point her in the right direction for reading.

Yep, Lisa k, the pic is mine too. :)

xx said...

That was a beautiful story, it was moving. I don't know what else to say, it just made me stop and T-H-I-N-K, and be thankful.

Dirty Disher said...

Thank you. I really hope kids like it and I plan to write more Pagan stories for children.

Unknown said...

DD, Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us!! It put a smile on my face. I love the picture too, it's magical and peaceful.

Faerie♥Kat said...

Pat, this is perhaps the best Yuletide story I've ever read. I particularly love your incorporation of the fae because of my own interest.

I'm the columnist for "Faeries, Elves and Other Kin" at www.paganpages.org and your handling of the lore and tradition of bringing evergreens into the home was done beautifully and skillfully. My December article, The Faeries of Winter, also lightly touched upon the origin of the practice, and followed up in the January article, Twelfth Night and the Fae (about removing the evergreens from the home and sending the fae back into nature to ensure Springs arrival).

I, too, am interested in obtaining a copy of your story, possibly for publication in PaganPages next year with full attribution (or at least for publication next year on my own blog, will full attribution). PaganPages is non-profit and non-paying, but I hope you will agree because your story will just charm the winter woolens off every pagan, witch and lover of the fae!

Kat
http://faeriekat.wordpress.com

Dirty Disher said...

I would be honored for you to print my story and I plan to write a children's story for every Pagan holiday. You can write me at ColdNovemberRain3x3@yahoo.com and I'll send you a copy. Thanks!