I’ll be doing my Yule ritual today – an ADF style ritual honoring Sulis, modified slightly from the ritual found in the Crane Breviary. I’ve been enjoying looking through the rituals there, and this one seemed to fit the kind of ritual I want to have. I need to look more into the Order of the Crane – it seems like a good balance of inner and outer workings, and like it might provide more of a community than the DP is currently. While I appreciate everything that the DP has to offer, I’ve not felt that it’s brought me much into connection with other Druids, and that’s something I’d really like to have. Plus I just think the Crane symbolism is really rather spiffy.
Husband unit and I will be opening our gifts this evening as well, since we’ll be celebrating multiple times. It always seems like we end up with our own celebration on or just before the actual Solstice, and then various family celebrations happen around their holiday of Christmas. Still, multiple chances to give (and get) presents is OK with me!
I’m not really ready for the holiday season to be “over” though, and I intend to keep the greenery out in the house for awhile, even if I take down the tree. Though the light will begin to be stronger again, it’s still going to be winter for awhile, and I really enjoy the look and smell of evergreens. Most of mine this year are in baskets with florist’s foam, so they’re staying healthy and fragrant.
If you’re one of the people in the path of the winter storm, I hope you have a beautiful, snowy Yule and that the blizzard conditions don’t cause you or your loved ones any harm. Here in the swamp, we’re going to have a slightly cooler, very windy day, but no real effects from the storm front. It would be nice to have snow for the Solstice, but that is extremely rare around here (as is snow any other time during the winter). Still, the cooler day will be nice for having a fire in the fireplace, and maybe it’ll feel a little more like winter today.
Little Druid on the Prairie 
I have a couple comments. First, who is Sulis? Second, there is a chat every Tuesday at 8 PM EST on the ADF website that allows all members to communicate. I’ve also noticed that some of the Kin lists tend to be very social (I’m part of the Norse Kin, and there is almost always some discussion going on). I don’t know much about the Order of the Crane, but Three Cranes Grove is pretty close to me (in Ohio, whereas I’m in Indiana).
Blessings!
Victoria
I’m not anywhere near the Three Cranes Grove, but a good friend of mine used to be loosely affiliated with them. They seem like a really wonderful group! The Order of the Crane is separate though – not all TCG members are members of the order, and you don’t have to live near TCG to be part of the Order. (Which is good!)
Sulis is a British/Gaulish sun goddess – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulis The Wikipedia article isn’t great, but it’s a decent start. Most of the Crane Breviary Gods tend to be in the Gaulish pantheon, which is where I got this ritual from.
I’ve been feeling drawn away from the Celtic hearth I thought I’d start with, and have been exploring others. I’ve got some initial reservations about going to the Norse Kin that have kept me away from there, but I may do a few rituals in that hearth just to see if it fits. My friend from Ohio is Asatruar, so I’ve got a good resource in him for Norse stuff as well.