Celebrating Yule: the Winter Solstice

The Tradition of Yule

Originally a Pagan festival, Yule is a celebration of the Winter Solstice (also called Midwinter) which is the day of the shortest daylight hours, and the longest night. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, it falls on the 22 June, 2020. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is 22 December.

Yule is often celebrated by lighting a fire to honour the rebirth of the sun, and welcome the return of the light (longer days / more sunlight). A Yule log is burnt during this night, with a portion of the burned Yule log kept as a protective talisman for the home for the year, and and is used to light the following year's Yule log. 

Traditionally, a "Yule tree" is decorated with a pentagram (five-pointed star) at the top to represent the five elements. Wreaths of holly are used in decoration, and bayberry candles are burned to attract wealth and happiness. Notably, the colours associated with this are red and green! As it is a time of celebration, gifts are exchanged, and a feast is prepared. (Hmmm... it's starting to look & sound a lot like... Christmas!!)

Midwinter represents the rebirth of light in the midst of greatest darkness. At this time, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun God, or the Divine Child, which is the new Solar Year. The Divine Child evolves into the Sun God, at it peak at the Summer Solstice - the longest day and the peak of the light, before waning again and later dying to be reborn again at the following Winter Solstice. 

As it goes - as above, so below... that which is happening in the macrocosm is also reflected in the microcosm. The birth-death-rebirth cycle offers us a great opportunity to spend some time in meditation and self-reflection, to acknowledge what needs to be released/let go of at this turning of the Great Wheel, and to also celebrate re-birth and the return of the light! Notice what is changing in your life at this time.

 

Winter Solstice Releasing and Manifestation Ritual 

Performing a Winter Solstice ritual is a great way to honour the changing cycles and to celebrate Death/Life and the rebirth of the Light! If you don't have a community or Circle that you belong to that celebrates the Winter Solstice, you can always celebrate it in your own way! I suggest performing this ritual at night, as it is a time for honouring the darkness. 

• Start the ritual in darkness, in honour of the Goddess. Take some time to honour the darkness, and all that it is... a space of the infinite, unlimited potential, the creative space from which all is birthed. Give thanks to the Goddess/Divine Feminine, the Collective Womb from which all Creation is born! 
• When you are ready, Light the main candle to symbolise the return of the Light, and spend some time in reflection and gratitude for the Sun and the Divine Masculine and all that energy represents - actualising manifestation, action, energy, life, etc.
• Next, write your reflections in your journal of your thoughts and feelings around death and rebirth, with a focus on what you are wanting to let go of / things that are no longer needed in your life (Death/what is dying) and them what you want to manifest and being into your life (Birth)
• Write what you want to release on a seperate piece of paper
• Have your cauldron or other fire-proof bowl ready, and when you are ready, light a corner of the paper with the main candle and place it in the cauldron to symbolically release its energy. As it burns, say out loud "Thank you for what you have brought into my life. Thankyou for serving your purpose and teaching me what I need to know. I now choose to lovingly release this energy from my life, and acknowledge it is done. And so it is.". Take a moment to sage or cleanse yourself and using your breath, release any residual energy from your Being.
• Now, focus on the candle. You may wish to hold your crystals that align with your intentions to help amplify and focus them. Focus on the Light, and call forth from your heart and soul what it is that wants to be birthed in your life. What does your heart desire? What is your soul calling you to action? Tune in, and when you are ready, write these impressions in your journal or on another piece of paper. When you are done, say out loud "I now choose to become all that I am destined to be! I consciously plant the seeds of...... within me and ask the Sun and the Light to nourish this".
• You may wish to place the paper under a clear quartz pyramid or in the centre of your crystal grid, or in another special place whilst you visualise your intentions coming to life. 
• When you feel ready to close the ritual, it is time to ground the energy. You may wish to take 3 breaths, and call your energy back into your body, and back into the present moment. Snuff out the candle, giviing thanks. Eat the fruit or other food you have placed on your altar both to ground yourself, and to symbolise enjoying the "fruits of your labour" once the ritual is complete!