Pagan Carols

One of the more difficult aspects of being Pagan (and a Witch) is that our holidays aren't mainstream. This is especially apparent during the Christmas season, when at any given moment some sort of Christian- themed song can be heard drifting from the muzac system at the mall and jingling out of the speakers in one's car. Everywhere we look, the halls are decked with pine boughs, twinkling lights, candy canes, colorful glass balls, and the like. Of course, many of these adornments are also used in our Yule festivities. As I type, A beautiful pine bough lies draped across the mantle of our fireplace, a lovely tree stands lovingly adorned and sparkling before our living room window, and the outside of our home is alive with lights, flashing lollipops and a roof Santa (who spends his days flat on his face, looking like the Santa who drank a little too much of that spiked eggnog but comes alive with the spark of electricity we give him after the sun retires).

This past Saturday, my daughter's youth group had their Yule party. Everyone brought food (we made Mother Winter's Wishing Bread from the book "Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions"), and we all sang rousing renditions of Paganized Christmas carols. Somehow, this seemed only fair since so many Christian holiday traditions have been stolen from us! It was so much fun to be in a room with other Moms and their children, singing songs that felt good to and right for us, with no fear of speaking our spiritual hearts. After the singing, the kids exchanged gifts such as bags of crystals, then decorated cookies. Saturday reminded me of the space in my life that needs to be filled with the companionship of others who believe as I do. When one inhabits a world that largely does not understand her spiritual path, it helps a lot to have people with whom thoughts can be freely shared, laughs can be enjoyed and lessons can be learned. I know my daughter had a good time, and I feel so grateful that there are people within our community who are willing to take this time to make these sorts of groups possible.