Hello, and merry meet. I'm Foxflame, a new Wiccan. My family is Christian and does not know I am Wiccan, and if they found out they would probably punish me, so I'm keeping it a secret. But, Yule is coming up very soon, and I wanted to know how to celebrate it in a house full of Christians.
And, just to get it all done, I would like to know how to celebrate all the Sabbats, as well as Esbats, without a gigantic celebration.
If anyone knows a good solo ritual that does not require a big altar, maybe I could do it in the woods (since it is a nature-based faith) to show respect for the God and Goddess.
Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Alright, I'll answer the Yule question only right now cause I don't have a lot of time, unfortunately.
Anyway, what you may not know is that Christmas and Yule aren't that much different. Sure, the meaning is different, but the whole Christmas tree thing is from paganism. We bring in a tree(real or symbolic) because it represents the beginning of a new year, a new cycle. We choose the evergreen trees for this because it reinforces that things don't really die for good, all the trees and flowers will all come back to us when spring comes around.
One thing that I do every year is a Yule log. Kinda like the new year resolutions I guess, but it's basically writing a prayer for the new year on a log and burning it at a bonfire.
When living at home with close minded people, it's the little things that really matter, so you can really do anything you wish to honor the new year and your deities :)
Yules and easy one since 99% of it has pagan roots, so you can look at the tree and think of how it's everygreen even in winter, how the star is the sun which will be reborn on Yule [on the day of Yule you can get up early and watch the sunrise] if you have a firepit, you could ask to light a fire on Yule, say a chant to yourself to bless it, and have a Yule fire [your parents need never know]
next is Imbolc which is a time of balance, i use it as a time to reflect, cleanse, cleanse, and protect myself and my home, you could spend the day in quiet contemplation, meditate in your room, have a relaxing sea salt bath [you can draw protection symbols on your skin in lotion and rub it in, no one will see them but you'll know they're there]
trust me, if you research all the sabbats you can figure out little ways to celebrate and even do so with your family. walks in the woods are great ways to connect with the Lady and Lord and have private moments with them. but i suggest telling your parents. wait for the right time, ask them to listen, and calmly explain yourself. if you're convinced they would never understand, then i would make a plan to save up and move once you're a legal adult, but i would still tell them. it's scary [trust me i know] but you could simply be worrying about nothing. perhaps they just need more information, and you should be calm and willing to listen. good luck to you.
There is an excellent website that discusses the origins of the various Sabbats at http://www.witchessabbats.com/
And there are some excellent books that suggest various ways to celebrate the Sabbats. Many of their suggestions are ways to celebrate that are simple and not overtly Pagan. Try these:
" Circle Round " by Starhawk
" Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Beltane to Mabon " and " Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Samhain to Ostara " both by Ashleen O'Gaea
