Introduction and Processional
Narration: Hello and welcome... Julie Middleton/Staśa Morgan-Appel
Song: Round and Round, Author unknown
Round: Round & round, the Earth is turning
Turning always round til morning
And from morning, round to night
Beforehand
Narration: Grounding
Song: Keep the Fire, BJ Brown
A Circle is Cast
Narration: To rededicate this space...
Reading: “Black Elk speaks…”, John G. Neihardt
Song: We Are a Circle, Rick Hamouris
Chorus: We are a circle, within a circle
With no beginning and never ending
We are a circle, within a circle
With no beginning and never ending
Invocation
Reading: “Hear our Great Mother…”, Judith Laura
Song: Benedicta Es (Blessed Be), Chris Carol, arr. Susan Scheef
Into the Darkness
Narration: Imagine, if you will...
Song: Winter Solstice Chant, Anne Bearheart/JF Middleton
Narration: In our culture...
Song: Though My Soul, m: FJ Haydn, w: Sarah Williams
Reading: “What is this night?”, Julie Forest Middleton
Song: Wings, Suzanne Sterling
Silent meditation
The Light Returns
Narration: To lure the Sun back... / Light altar candles
Song: Deep in the Dark, Anna Ophidia Alekner
Narration: In the Under World...
Song: Kore Evohe, John Schragg/Sabina C. Becker
Reading: “It was the longest night…”, Julie Forest Middleton
Spreading the Light
Narration: And just as Kore... / Light everyone's candles
Reading: “Our deepest fear…”, Marianne Williamson
Silent meditation
Narration: We whose spirituality...
Song: This Little Light, Traditional African-American spiritual
Verses: This little light of mine…
Everywhere I go…
Everyone I meet…
All around the world…
This little light…
Song: Imani, R. A. K. Hazen
Chorus: Imani, faith, can come like a spirit
Spirit come like walking on air
Take a step and trust in the path and
Mother Imani meet you there.
Song: We’ve Got the Power, Traditional, South Africa
We’ve got the power, alleluia!
We’ve got the power, alleluia!
Benediction/Closing
Narration: We have taken a journey...
Song: Carry It Home, Betsy Rose
Narration: Close your eyes, please...
Silent meditation
Reading: “I think over again…”, Traditional Inuit poem
Song: Let the Spirit Come to You, Anodea Judith
Reading: “By the Earth that is…”, Traditional Wiccan
Recessional
Song: When We Are Gone, Starhawk and Anne Hill
from A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual
© 2002 Julie Forest Middleton and Staṡa Morgan-Appel
Since we first published A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual in 2002, I have learned that there are more than two genders; that First Nations people do not consider John G. Neihardt, a white man who profited from adapting Oglala Lakota stories and selling them to white (settler) people, to be a reliable chronicler of their peoples; that Marianne Williamson has some deeply problematic views about HIV/AIDS, illness, and disability; and that Inuit peoples exist and have flourishing arts communities, as do other Indigenous and First Nations peoples.
A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual is currently out of print, both Julie and I (Staṡa) still have some copies available to sell. I am hoping to re-publish AWSSR; when I do, I am looking to improve the narration's binary language around gender and That-Which-Is-Sacred; to replace the reading by Neihardt and the “traditional Inuit poem” with works by contemporary First Nations and Inuit artists, who will receive royalties; and to pay royalties for both music and readings to communities of color in addition to individuals.
Julie and I are currently in discussion about next steps, and I hope to have an update before the end of 2024.
October 2025 update: I am looking to start work in 2026 towards republishing in 2027, which would be the 30th anniversary year of the first Winter Solstice Celebration we hosted!