There’s a chill in the air and the sun’s early departure sends us into darkness. But in the darkness, there is still some light. A glimmer of hope that winter will pass, and bright warm days will follow. Even though this is a dead time, there is still life and a reason to celebrate. Most of us grew up celebrating Christmas, but before that, there was Yule. A celebration of death, light and rebirth.
As someone who has spent 29+ years of their life in Minnesota, winter is not a fun time in my opinion. I know I am not the only one who feels this. Although it is easy to get caught up in the negative side of this cold time of year and allow the seasonal depression to take over, wintertime should be looked at in a more positive light. Something I myself have been trying to get better at since staring my pagan journey.
A Time for REST
Summertime is a time of non-stop on the go for many of us. Feeling energized, wanting to soak up the sun and enjoy as much of the warm weather as possible. But as winter arrives, we start to get tired early and our motivation to do the everyday tasks that need to be done seem to be harder to accomplish.
Our bodies are designed to adapt to the changing of the seasons. We are connected to nature and the universe as she is connected to us. When nature begins to hunker down, we do too.
For centuries, our ancestors would work, day in and day out staring in the spring and through the fall. Farming and gardening, raising livestock, preserving food and gathering up enough wood to make it through those cold winter nights. But once winter arrived, everything slows down.
This is a time for rest. A time for us to hunker down as well. We are not meant to bust our butts 24/7, 365 a year like society tells us. This time of year, is the time we should be taking in the things we wish we had time for. Reading, learning a new skill, baking, spending time with friends and family, TAKING A NAP! Our bodies and our minds need this down time.
Even in a time of rest, there is always room for celebration. Celebrating the light returning to the sky, sticking around longer and longer until it finally warms up again and life is reborn. This is the importance of Yule.
What is Yule
Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice, is a winter celebration that takes place on December 21-22. This day marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, this will be the longest day of the year and the shortest night.
This truly is a time to celebrate. The days will slowly begin to get longer the sun stays out longer and the temps will slowly rise. Bringing life back to the land. This is not just a one-night celebration. It is a celebration lasting 12 days. This is where the 12 days of Christmas comes from.
Yule Origins
Yule is a festival dating back thousands of years. Origins are not exactly clear, but there is speculation that it began with the Norse to which they called this celebration Jol. A time to celebrate light, fire and feasting.
It is believed sacrifices happened during this time. Not only was it a chance to provide food for the community during the festival, but it was also a chance to give a sacrificial offering to the Gods.
During the 9th century, Yule became the term for Christmas and has been used all over the world to express Christmas and Christmas activities. Many now just use the word Christmas for the holidays. But there are still many cultures that still call this festival Yule and hold on to those ancient traditions.
During the 10th century, Christmas and Yule were combined together. And as time went on, Christmas began to overtake Yule. However, some customs and traditions still remained the same.
Ancient Yule Traditions
We all have our holiday traditions, no matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year. Some of these traditions date back thousands of years. Let’s dive into some of the ancient traditions of Yule and see how they coincide with the traditions we have today.
Yule Log
What is a Yule log?
A Yule log is a log (traditionally oak), that was cut from the previous year’s tree. This log can also be found in the woods as well. However, this is not a log that should ever be cut from a living tree. It is considered bad luck to do so.
The Yule log is taken home where it is prepped and then sits until it is time to burn it. Burning a Yule log is supposed to bring in luck for the family for the next year. The log is to be lit on solstice eve. During the time of its burning is when everyone would gather by the fire, drinking and telling each other stories. Tending to the log and seeing that it burns throughout the night. If the Yule log is able to stay lit throughout the night, it is considered a good omen.
Yule Log Correspondences: endurance, luck, protection, strength, triumph
How to make a Yule log
Making a Yule log is very simple. The hardest part of this might be for those who live in more urban areas. If you use a live tree every year, then you should have no issues getting your Yule log. Don’t worry if you do not have a fireplace to burn your log. I will give some ideas on what you can do if this is the case. But what steps do you take after you acquire your Yule log?
- Find yourself a decent sized log (the bigger the better)
- Trim off any smaller branches
- Anoint with oils such as pine, juniper or cedar
- Decorate!
- carve runic symbols or sigils
- use greenery, sprigs, or ribbons (use corresponding colors, listed below)
- write prayers and wishes on some paper and tie to the log
- Add real or fake candles by drilling holes into the log (be careful when using real- FIRE HAZARD). This step is for if you do not have a fireplace to burn your log. The flames from the candles whether they be real or fake, symbolize the light.
- It is now solstice eve, and it is time to light your Yule log. If you have a fireplace, or a safe place to burn your Yule log, now is the time to light it. Nurture the burning of this log. Gather around the fire and imagine your prayers and wishes being carries off into the universe or to the Gods. Tell stories and enjoy the company of your loved ones. If you do not have a fireplace, light (or turn on) your candles and sit by your log, doing the same as if you had a fireplace.
Yule Log Cake
If cutting a log, decorating and burning it is not really your style, you can always try baking a Yule log. That’s right! Baking a Yule log. This is something that I have never done, but I am wanting to try. I have seen many pictures on it, and they look adorable and delicious. Make and decorate your Yule log cake the day of the solstice. And instead of lighting the Yule log, you cut it up and share it with loved ones as you sit down talking and enjoying each other’s company.
Yule Goat
An ancient tradition that may have been attributed to Thor, whose chariot is pulled by goats. Over time, the Yule goat was looked at as a gift bringer. Men would dress up as the Yule goat. This could be how the Yule goat and Christianity’s Santa Claus ended up intertwining.
The Yule goat is crafted together with straw and red ribbons. It is considered a now as a popular ornament for Christmas trees.
Modern Yule Traditions
Today, there are many ways in which we celebrate the holidays. And this is the best time of the year to celebrate this Pagan holiday even if you are still in the “broom closet”. The correspondences (listed below) and traditions for Yule are pretty much the same as they are for Christmas. So do not hold back and go all out. Put out all of the candles, decorate, build an altar and put out offerings.
So how can we go about celebrating for Yule? Some ways are like how it was celebrated back in ancient times, some more modern, and some are a little witchy. Whichever methods you wish to use to celebrate is up to you. There is no right or wrong. As long as you remember that this is a time for rest, togetherness and a time for embrace the light knowing that the sun will return soon and bring forth life once again.
Activities you can do before and on Yule:
- Yule log
- Tell stories
- Bake up baked goods
- Rise with the sun
- Read a book
- Sit in front of a fire (put on a video of a fire on your tv if you have no fireplace)
- Play a family game
- Divination
- Craft natural homemade ornaments
- Deity work
- Volunteer (soup kitchens, shelters, food bank)
- Bake bread
- Make hot cocoa
- Have a nice dinner with loved ones
- Make a simmer pot
- Give offerings
- Make a popcorn strand for the tree (or hang outside for the birds to pick at)
- Gift giving
- Cast a circle and call the corners
- Meditation
- Make a wreath
- Have a cup of tea or coffee
- Dance
- Go caroling
- Snuggle on the couch
- Plan for the upcoming year
- Make handmade gifts
- Bake gingerbread
- Build gingerbread houses
- Drink egg nogg
- Burn incense or oils in diffuser (incense correspondences listed below)
- Watch a movie
- Gratitude journal
- Craft paper snowflakes
- Light candles
- Bless and cleanse the home
- Hang mistletoe
- Forage for natural decor (pine sprigs, pinecones, etc.)
- Have a cup of warm cider
- Put up/ get a tree
- Make moon water
- Hang lights
- Decorate inside/outside of the home
- Go sledding (or any winter sports)
- Make soup
- Host a Yule party
- Dream journal
- Take a walk outside in the falling snow
- Make pomanders
- Go look at lights around the neighborhood
- Charge crystals
- Bring homemade baked goods to friends, family, and neighbors
- Self-reflection
- Visit Ice castles (if available in your area)
- Make homemade candles
- Shadow work
- Build snow forts (if you get enough snow)
- Participate in drives (food, toy, clothing etc.)
- Plan out upcoming year’s garden
- Make an altar
- Craft bird seed ornaments (cardboard, peanut butter, bird seed, string)
- Connect with the elements
Yule Correspondences
Names: Midwinter, Jol, Yuletide, Winter Solstice, Alban Aretha, Yulefest, Midvinterblot, Winternights, Natalis Sol Invictus
Colors: Red, Green, White, Gold, Silver
Spiritual Focus: Challenges, Gratitude, Birth, Beginnings and endings, Wisdom, Rest
Magical Focus: Healing, Self-Reflection, Divination, Study, Meditation
Symbols: Cauldron, Darkness, Light, Evergreen Trees, Wreaths, Yule Log
Gods and Goddesses: Lugh, Hodhr, Holda, Skadi, Saturn, Cailleach, Demeter, Baba Yaga, Bona Dea
Herbs: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Peppermint, Cardamum, Sage, Rosemary
Animals: Bear, Goat, Stag, Cow/Ox, Reindeer, Squirrel, Horse, Raven, Pig, Cardinal
Trees/Flowers: Cedar, Pine, Poinsettia, Holly, Ivy, Spruce, Juniper, Holly
Crystals: Onyx, Tanzanite, Turquoise, Carnelian
Incense: Cardamum, Pine, Clove, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Spruce, Cedar, Frankincense
Food/Drink: Citrus Fruits, Baked Goods, Potatoes, Fruitcake, Egg Nogg, Hot Cocoa, Ham
For a quick summary, Yule is a time for rest and a time to celebrate the light that will soon return. Give yourself grace this time of year. Slow down and enjoy the world and people around you. Take a moment to step back and away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.
And if you are like me and have a hard time seeing the benefits of this cold dead season, then maybe it is time we both change our perspectives and look at the beauty and wonder nature has to offer us.