I love this special time of the year. It is the depth of winter and the start of the season of Yule. In the north, the ground is frozen, and nature is sleeping under a thick blanket of snow. Down here in the south the cooler temps are eased with the warmth of the sun. But no matter where you live, deep within the womb of the earth life is stirring - the sun is reborn.
Winter Solstice, celebrated with joy as Yule in many pagan traditions, holds a mystical place in the rhythm of the year. It is the longest night for those above the equator, a sacred pause before the return of the light. This moment marks the Wheel of the Year’s turning, a symbolic calendar guiding witches and modern pagans through the eternal flow of time. The Wheel invites us to honor the natural rhythms that connect us to the earth, reminding us that even in the heart of darkness, light is ever on its way.
The word "Solstice" comes from the Latin roots "sol," meaning sun, and "sistere," meaning to stand still. While this sacred sabbat celebrates the return of the light, it also invites us to journey inward and embrace the darkness. During these shadowed days of winter, we are gently reminded to see the world not by the sun’s light, but by the glow of our own inner flame.
In Norse tradition, Yule was celebrated for 12 days, starting on the eve of the Winter Solstice when the sun dips to its lowest point in the sky. It is here, in the deep stillness of the longest night, that the Sun is reborn—a radiant symbol of hope, renewal, and the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. This is how the 12 days of Christmas came to be. They would decorate, feast, and dance. Evergreens were cut and brought indoors to symbolize life, rebirth and renewal. It is a mystical time to pause, to journey inward, and to reflect on the year that has passed. Gaze into the shadows of your fears, honor the risks you dared to take, grieve what you have lost, and cherish the light of joy you gave to others.
Feel the pulse of your own resilience, the fire within that has carried you through. Know that you are strong enough, brave enough, and luminous enough to step through the gate—or the flames of transformation (are you listening, Hecate?)—into the unfolding year. Stand still in this moment, honor the turning of the Wheel, and rise into the light as your most empowered self. Be fearless, -for you are your own sun...and you shine so bright.
This solstice give yourself the gift of tenderness and release…gather with others, light lanterns, set intentions that will grow with the warmth of the sun’s increasing light and celebrate the healing powers of the dark. Lastly, as we celebrate the stillness of this longest night, remember those who have left this physical world, those new souls who were born this year, and make a joint call for peace across the world. May Iris, Rhiannon, Hera, Lucina, Bona Dea, Frigga, Lucia and Freya show you the beauty of the season and bless you many times over.
Happy Winter Solstice & a most Blessed Yule...may it truly bring Peace & Healing…Love to all of you...
Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, Christmas cactus. Hint- Keep a sprig of holly near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune.
Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.
Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or mead
Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.
Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.
Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.
Activities of Yule:
Caroling, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule
Ritual Spells of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.
Celebrate the season with some Solstice/Yule Incense:
2 parts Fir needles
1 part clove
1 part frankincense tears
1 part myrrh resin
5 star anise seeds
½ part amber resin
Mix all together. If frankincense, myrrh and the amber are not moist enough to stick add a bit of honey to the mix. This will definitely bind your loose incense. Make sure to dry completely. Use in incense warmer or burn on a charcoal disk set in fireproof bowl.
Witches Brew
1 bottle good-quality dry red wine (pinot noir or merlot work well)
¼ cup good brandy
½ small orange, sliced
2” piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
13 whole cloves
6 star anise, whole
3 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon black peppercorn
¼ cup coconut sugar, optional
Uncork the wine and pour it into a cauldron. With intent, add each of the remaining ingredients. Give the brew a good, clockwise swirl to mingle all the flavors. Now light your fire on very low, cover, and allow the blend to heat up slowly, for at least 20 minutes. Take care not to let it boil. When you are ready, take the lid off, revealing the fragrance and splendor of it all! Ladle into heat-safe glasses or earthen mugs. Serves 8