Yule - Celebration of the Returning Light
Yule comes at the end of the year and falls on the winter solstice. Consequently, this is also the same time as Christmas. A lot of the celebrations that are done on Christmas are tied to pagan traditions or can be modified for such.
The winter solstice typically falls on the 20th of December and runs through the 25th. The highest point of this holiday falls on the day of the longest night. This darkness represents the point before the rebirth of the sun. At which the day will begin to grow as the night shrinks.
Symbols of Yule are very similar to that of, you guessed it, Christmas.Â
Celebrating Yule:
Yule represents rebirth and renewal. The color associations of red (prosperity), green (Holly King, growth and health), gold (wealth), and white (light) are used in decorations, magic, and more during this time.
Yule Tree:
The decorating of the Christmas tree can easily be the decorating of the Yule tree. A pine tree brings healing and joy into the home. It represents immortality even within the harshest times. In addition, as we adorn the tree with holly, mistletoe, and ivy, we bring to life the protective properties of holly and the healing and fertility of mistletoe. Ivy enhances immortality and rebirth brought in by the pine. Dressing it up with the colors of the season enhances the magic even more. Bells are also used and great for warding off negative energy, these are great any time of the year. Aside from the typical decorations we may already know and love, we can make ornaments that use crystals and runes, even mini spell jars to hang from the tree.
CRAFT: You can find those empty ornaments at a dollar store or home goods store and decorate them with colors and fill them with spells crystals, magic, and more. This is a great craft to do with the little witches in your home for the holidays.
Yule Log:
If you have a fireplace I suggest this holiday tradition. Decorating the Yule log is a method of protection and bringing good luck into the home. Covering the log with a symbolic offering to call in the wishes of the new year and welcome back the sun. Once burned the ashes can be used for protection around the home. Remember the log is to be found or gifted but never bought. (ideally an Ash Log) This can be burned over a duration and keep burning for 12 days or burnt in that night depending on your ability, practice, and more.Â
If you do not have a fireplace or a fire pit outside the home, you can modify this tradition to something a bit tastier. A representation of the log as a chocolate cake decorated and adorned with edible representations and offerings.Â
Yule Food
FOOD: Now, no holiday is complete without something to eat. If you decide to bake your yule log you have that covered. If not here are some yummy things to whip up:
– Spiced Cider
– Ginger Tea
– Cookies/Cakes
– Ham and all the fixings
Yule recipes are known for their fruits, nuts, and spices associated with protection like nutmeg and cinnamon.
Getting Ready for Yule
Prepping for Yule, like any holiday, it is best to gather from your surroundings, pinecones, pine, and other findings from this time of year are great to incorporate into your altar and celebration.Â
Your altar can include everything that we have included here in this post, colors of green, red, gold, and white, elements of pine, holly, and mistletoe, and anything else you associate with this time of the year. Again this is a time of joy, welcoming home the sun and protection for the turning of the wheel. The more you, you can add to your Yule celebration the more power it will have and the more that it will bring into your life.
Celebrating
Celebrate however resonates with you. I as a solitary witch will be tuning into the events at Stonehenge, just because of the energy that resonates from that space. In addition, tarot reading: Yule Tarot, and ritual I will be partaking in the usual Christmas happening in my area.
How will you be celebrating this Yule?
