Continued from the Yule Story.

“Now back to the Sun King, when he returned to the Crone he saw that the Maiden wasnt really dead but only asleep. So he went out and found a large log, the first Yule Log, cut from the largest Oak he could find,in hopes that this would revive the Goddess. And for their lifegiving properties he decorated her room with evergreens. Even bringing in a tree and decorating it with his light.

“But all this magick did was to make her youthful again, so that now she was a beautiful youthful Maiden. Yet she still slept a deep sleep almost near death.”So you see my grandchildren there are good reasons why we do the things that we do at Yule. They served a purpose long ago and it is good to recognize and honor that. “”But Grandfather,” spoke up the eldest, “What happened next? I know the Goddess didn’t stay asleep forever.

Please, tell us more. “Shaking his head, the old man said, “Lunch is overdue and I’m hungry so let us go to eat and then I will tell you all another tale. I will tell you of what happened next to the Goddess and to the Sun King. I will tell you the story of the first Imbolc.”

“Grandfather? Grandfather, is it time for another story,” asked the littlest child, barely refraining from jumping up and down in excitement. The old man leaned back in his chair and smiled, as he lit his pipe. After taking several puffs, he said, “Yes. I think is about a time. So where was I? Ah, yeah the Sun King born and the Maiden sleeping. He must awaken the Maiden, but how?”

“Well the Sun King returned to the side of his Mother where he meditated for a long time seeking an answer but none came. So he went to the land of the Sidhe and sought for answers from the Wise Ones there.”

“The Sidhe came and sealed the Maiden within a crystal casket to protect her from the world until they could come up with a solution. After a short while they recommended to the Sun King he must travel the world and to the Faery Oracle to seek for answers.

“Now you must remember that during this time the Sun King has not been warming the Earth like he should; the long journey to the Oracle will do little to help the Earth, but still the newborn Sun must warm himself and travel through the worlds to the World Tree and climb it. He must find the magick needed to awaken the snow white maiden.”

“A Long, long time he spent climbing that tree after he found it, and as his hope waned he came across a grove, lit from within of its own light. Knowing that this was the Blessed Vale he entered into it and weaved through its labyrinth, into the center. There he found a standing stone surrounded by grass.””Above was the stars and in front of the standing stone, sat the Oracle. The Sun King crossed to Her and sat before her as began to tell his story.

He then asked for answers to his quest.” The Oracle spoke, “Many people come seeking fame and fortune, yet you come in love. Realizing that love, the greatest gift, is all you need in life. You seek help to fulfill the will of Nature herself, so I tell you, that love’s true kiss will waken her that sleeps.”

“Now as you can expect at this simple answer, remember though he was only a few months old at this point. the Sun King was angry and frustrated. So he yelled, in anger, at the Oracle, ‘Is that it? If that is the answer why did I have to take this long journey?’ “The Oracle not offended, just smiled and raised her hand for patience and said, ‘Oftentimes the journey is more than the answers we seek at the end. So go now and waken the Maiden and in turn waken the Earth before it is too late.’

“And with that the Sun King found himself, surprised of course, again at the top room in that tallest tower where, in her crystal casket, the Maiden slept. The Sidhe, after they got over their shock of course, gathered around the Sun King in breathless awe, as the God lifted the lid of the casket and set it to the side. Then with great happiness they watched him kiss the sleeping Maiden and let out a cry of joy when her eyes fluttered open and she took a deep breath.”

“As the Maiden rose from her bower she began to speak about her journeys and of her conversations with the Holly King. She told of the new cycle that had began and been laid out. She told him of the upcoming and past events in the Wheel of the Year.

“In celebration the Faeries spun a beautiful dress of spidersilk and the morning’s first dew.” Because the Faeries knew that this momentous kiss was akin to a betrothal and that the Goddess and God would be married soon; the Goddess said as much herself. “This is why children we make the corn dolly at this time of the year. To represent the Maiden and the future bride, and when we dress her in white it is a representation of the dress that the Faeries made for her.

“Our holiday of Imbolc is the day that the God returned from his long quest and the day the Maiden awoke. So this is why we give praise on this day and why we have our feast. Like at Samhain, when we say farewell to the Goddess, so do we at this holiday say greetings to Her.”

“So that is the story of the of Imbolc. Go now children and let your grandfather rest.”

Then almost as one, the children ran off to play, as either the sleeping Maiden, or the Sun King on his long quest; letting their grandfather drift off into sleep.

Story Written by Patrick Mcleary from the PaganDad

(Source: iheartpaganism)