Friday, December 14 - Sunday, December 16, 2012

The Yule 2012 Planning Committee is working on a terrific schedule for 2012!

Please stay tuned for updates of what to look forward to!

While you wait, please read all about what we did last year!

Yule and Winter Solstice: Celebrate the Return of the Light!

December 9 - 11, 2011
Register On-Line

A  Solstice Celebration,
Gift Exchange and
an Extravagant Yule Tide Dinner

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
'Tis the season to be jolly!
Don we now our gay apparel,
Toll the ancient Yule-tide carol.
    See the blazing Yule before us;
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Follow me in merry measure
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
    Fast away the old year passes.
Hail the new year, lads and lasses.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Heedless of the wind and weather.
    Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Yuletide at Four Quarters is the sacred time when far-flung tribe gather together and warm embraces vanquish the chilly nights. It is the Observance of Light's Passing...and Re-Birth. The voices of children ring in the clear night air, the stars are impossibly bright and so are our eyes. It is right and proper that one of the greatest of the European holidays of light and life be held in the dead of winter. For it is at such a time, with your kin gathered around and a cup of steaming cider in your hand, that your blessings are easy to count.

No religious tradition can remain alive and vital without good folk to keep its traditions, and no tradition kept by good folk can ever die. Yule, more than any other holiday at Four Quarters is the celebration which honors the good folks who are sustaining the old ways and making the new ones. On this, the Winter's Solstice, we are balanced, lightly but firmly, between the ancient past and the far-flung future. 
 

We Celebrate the rebirth of the Sun, we light the Yule Log, and we Feast. Ceremony, exchanging Gifts of Love and Laughter with each other… keeping an eye to the old ways, but rooted in the heart of the present folks who gather in the Stone Circle to celebrate the Solstice.
       Our Chalice is overflowing! 
And somehow there is always room by our hearth and in our hearts for more, so come and share a Solstice, a holiday, a feast of hand and heart and spirit. An old holiday with new friends, good ceremony, fruitcake optional.

Real People, Real Traditions, Real Community.

Note: Please bring a small gift if you would like to participate in the exchange, and an item for the Breakfast PotLuck if you would like to partake...

Tentative schedule (times are approximate; check back for updates):

Friday, Dec. 9: "Gathering Around the Hearth"
6 pm         Blessings of the Hearth
- As we arrive, we greet each other over a warm Cup of Welcome!

8 pm         Welcoming Ceremony: The Lord and Lady of Misrule!
- In the traditions of "Merry Olde England", we find Light in the time of Dark with humor. The Lord and Lady of Misrule will ensure the weekend stays Fun and Festive!

9 pm    Holiday Caroling Bardic Circle in the Loft
- Join us as we sing in the season!  Yummy beverages of a Spirited Nature available to all!

Saturday, Dec. 10: "Joining Together in the Time of Dark"
9 am          Potluck Continental Breakfast
- Bring your storebought goodies to share! (bagels & cream cheese, fruit, danish, etc.)

9 am - 12 pm        Craft Time: Making Holiday Decorations to Keep and Share!
- Jingly, ribboned fun! Salt dough ornaments, paper chains, glitter stars, etc.

NEW ADDITION: Mask Making! Make your mask for the evening ritual...

12 pm        Gathering of the Greens: Bringing the Outdoors in
- An expedition to the deep, dark woods for greenery to decorate the Loft, and to take home!

1 pm          Deck the Halls !
- Join us to decorate and create a festive place for the evening!

2:30 pm          Wassail !
- Join us as we toast the spirits of the orchard to bless the coming year!

Wassail is a centuries old English ceremonial cider used as an apple tree spirit offering during the Yuletide season to bless orchards and increase their yields. NOTE: we wassailed last year, and a fine crop came in this year!

Approx. 4:00 pm  - Sunset        Marking the Winter Solstice Sunset at the Labyrinth

- As our ancestors did, join us as we witness the setting of the Sun on this the Longest Night. 

Immediately followed by the Yule Full Moon Ritual: Out of the Darkness Comes the Light

Torchlight Processional back to the Farmhouse (Rides available for those not inclined to walk...decorate your car to be part of the procession!)

5:30 pm          Yule Log
- A candle lit from the Ritual fire will be brought to the Yule Log in front of the Farmhouse.
- Firetenders needed to keep Vigil by the Yule Log until the end of the evening's festivities...can we do it?

6 pm     The Feast
- Wonderful Yummies in store for us all!

7:30 pm         The Gift Exchange: What is the meaning of Giving?
- Join us as we exchange tokens of Love, Light and Laughter with each other, and receive a gift in return! (Please bring a small gift if you would like to exchange)

9 pm         Solstice Stories: Past and present Traditions
- Share a story of how your family celebrates the season

Sunday, Dec. 11: "The Light Has Returned"
Approx. 7 am          Welcome the Return of the Light: Mark the Solstice Sunrise at the Labyrinth!
- As our ancestors did, join us as we witness the Rising of the Sun on this the Shortest Day.

9am          Potluck Continental Breakfast
- Bring your storebought goodies to share! (bagels & cream cheese, fruit, danish, etc.)

11am        Thanks and Farewells!

The Weather? Sometimes cold, sometimes not. Dress warmly, our Yule Ceremonies and The Yule Fire will be at the Labyrinth, if the weather cooperates!
 
The Gift Exchange is easy. Just bring a small wrapped gift for your fellow Tribemates. It can be something you made, something you buy, or something you would like to pass along. (suggested price range: ~$10 or less...the intent is more important than the item!)

We will have ample heated sleepover space for all, allocated on first come-first serve. Please, do RSVP or register online if you will be staying over. Just bring your bedding, your warm clothing, something for the little donation box if you can spare it, but mostly let your heart come to Four Quarters for Yule.

Children under 16 are loved, cherished and free.

        Members $35, Guests $45 
        R.S.V.P. if you please, will ensure sleeping space.
        Register On-Line
        Feel free to call ahead with questions,   814-784-3080.  

We are closer than you think, 100 miles and less than 2 hours from Baltimore-
Washington Beltways. About 2 hours from State College, Pitt's, Harrisburg and Harrisonburg VA, 3 hours from Philly and Wilmington, about 6 hours from NYC, Columbus and Cinn. OH.