'Twas The Night of the Yuletide

by Sinead O'Kitty

'Twas the night of the Yuletide, and all through the house Was the sound of revelry and the smell of roasting grouse. Talismans were arranged on the altar with care in hopes that the Goddess soon would be there. Siouxsie and I were curled up in our beds with visions of people food dancing in our heads. Our Mama, in her robe, carried a wand And began a ritual of which she was fond. But before she could start, there arose such a rattle-- I yawned and stretched and went to join in the battle. And what to my wondering eyes did appear But a group of gay pagans dancing 'round in good cheer. They began chanting in voices so clear A welcome to the gods and goddesses here: "Hail Pele, Hail Isis, Hail Brigit, Kwan Yin! Hail Saturn, Cernunnos, Zeus and Odin! Blessed be and well met on this ritual night, In the depths of this darkness, we remember the light!" They beat on their drums; in circles they spun-- And I wondered why I was missing all the fun! So between hopping feet I gracefully soared, And found myself sitting on their grand altar board. Between crystals, athames, candles and censers, I posed in full glory at the altar's dead center! With a wink and a smile, Mama said to her peers, "The Great Goddess Bast has just joined us here!" They stopped all their drumming, they stopped all their chanting, And all I could hear was a few people panting. Then through their circle they sent off a blessing for peace and abundance, and a world less depressing. When their prayer was done and the deities thanked, They closed their circle, and ate much, and drank. Later, the last of the revelers left, and I noticed that Mama was feeling bereft. So I jumped on her lap with a sigh and a purr, and she began to stroke my beautiful fur. As the last candle's light slowly faded from sight, I said, "Blessed Yuletide, Mama; it was a very good night!"