Hi Folks,

     The Yule (Winter Solstice) Sabbat will be celebrated this coming Saturday in the Dome at Ardantane. Come join us! The ritual will start at 5:00 p.m., followed by a potluck feast.
     The program will include a celebration of the sun's rebirth, Yule carols, decoration of our Earth Pledge tree, and a visit from Mother Berchta (a Germanic goddess--well, imagine a crochety female Santa who dresses like--well, you have to see her). She brings gifts, of a sort.
     The Earth Pledge tree? Well, that's your chance to promise one action to help the Earth in the coming year, symbolized by the homemade ornament you choose to put on the tree. Want to restore a section of riverbank? Make a donation to an environmental group? Plant a tree? Contribute to the habitat of an endangered species? Lobby the carmakers for better fuel efficiency? Set up a solar collector on your roof? Just choose at least ONE thing that you can pledge to do during the coming year. (If you can't think of anything else, give a few bucks to Ardantane's Carbon-neutral Fund. We send donations monthly to Native Energy, and they build wind turbines.)
     After the ritual, Potluck! Bring a really tasty dish or beverage to share. We'll have plates, cups, napkins, and flatware. As you feast, chat with friendly Paganfolk. See you here at Ardantane!

Blessed be, Amber K, Executive Director

P.S. -- Weather forecast: Should be done with big snows by Friday, so Saturday should be cold but clear. Ardantane is south of the Snow Line in the Jemez Mountains, so we get much less precipitation than, say, Jemez Springs or the Valle. We'll be warming the Dome with oil heaters, but wear layers in case. Note that we're starting early, so everyone can be home at a reasonable hour in the evening.