Merry Yulemas!

No matter what your religion, lots of society for one reason or another gather with their family and friends around the Winter Solstice.

For the Pagans, the celebration of Yule falls on the Winter Solstice.

What is Yule?

The Yule season is full of magic… and not just fairy lights! Yuletide represents rebirth and renewal, as we have the longest, darkest night of the year on 21st December, when thereafter we gradually see increased sunlight as the days begin to get longer and the darkness shortens. This is a time where we celebrate new beginnings, as well as seeing in the New Year, it is certainly a festival full of new magic! On this night, our ancestors celebrated the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth. From this day forward, the days would become longer.

We have the so called ‘longest night’ because the Earth’s axis tilts away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere, making the sun reach the greatest distance from the equator.

Many cultures around the world have Winter festivals including a celebration of light. As well as Christians with their Christmas, there’s also Hannukah with their brightly lit Menorahs. As Yule is a sabbat celebration of the Sun, a crucial part of the celebration is to include light, candles or fire.  Many customs created around Yule are identified with Christmas today. If you decorate your home with a Yule tree, holly or candles, you are following some of these old traditions. The Yule log, (usually made from a piece of wood saved from the previous year) is burned in the fire to symbolize the Newborn Sun/Son.

During the Winter Solstice, our Goddess once again becomes the Great Mother and gives birth to the new Sun King, and is a symbol of new beginnings, new hope, and fertility.

Ways to celebrate

  • Caroling and singing
  • Decorating a yule log
  • Meditation
  • Self evaluation & shadow work
  • Make decorations using seasonal objects from nature
  • Watch a sunrise
  • Make bird feeders
  • Make a wreath

Do an oracle/tarot card reading for reflection & guidance – why not try this card spread?

Crystals for Yule

Bloodstone

for purification and detoxification

Tigers Eye

for determination & courage

Clear Quartz

for clarity & to envision your dreams

White Howlite wire wrapped crystal on a silver plated necklace.

White Howlite

to bring peace and stillness

Sunstone

to help guide through the darkness

Unakite

balancing masculine & feminine energies, aligning mind, body & spirit

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