Sabbat: Yule (Winter Solstice), December 21st
December 20 - 23
The winter solstice is celebrated at this time in the northern hemisphere but it is now time to celebrate the summer solstice (Litha) in the southern hemisphere due to the seasonal differences. Yule is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, the sun's "rebirth" was celebrated with much joy.
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. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider. Children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun. The boughs were symbolic of immortality (evergreens were sacred to the Celts because they did not "die" thereby representing the eternal aspect of the Divine). The wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes, in hopes Nature Sprites would come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to visit tthe residents. Mistletoe was also hung as decoration. It represented the seed of the Divine, and at Midwinter, the Druids would travel deep into the forest to harvest it.
The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the Solstice festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze by a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice. A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.
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.
(source: Wicca)
Traditions and Practices
Decorating a real or fake tree indoors with lights and ornaments
Yule log (with three candles)
Making garlands of dried oranges, cranberries, and/or popcorn to hang in the home
Giving gifts to loved ones
Making clove spiked oranges or apples
Decorating the home with boughs and wreaths of winter greenery
Decorating the home with string lights and candles
Handmade ornaments and gifts
Simmer pots with winter herbs and spices
Spending time outside (sledding, skiing, walking, building snowmen, foraging, snowshoeing, etc.)
Hanging mistletoe
Making spiced cider
Cooking warm and delicious meals
Gathering with your community (family, friends, and/or the community at large)
Acts of service (volunteering, doing something special for someone else just because, etc.)
Singing and dancing
Hanging stockings over a fireplace (or wall)
Offering gifts to nature sprites and spirits
Make a Yule wreath
Bake treats and goodies to share
Magickal Correspondences
Deities: Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother, Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child
Symbolism: rebirth of the Sun, the longest night of the year, Winter Solstice, introspection, planning for the next calendar year
Symbols: the Holly King, yule log, pagan tree decorated with ornaments and lights, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, fruit studded with cloves, simmering pots, poinsettias, christmas cactus, stars,
Colors: gold, green, orange, purple, red, silver, white, yellow
Herbs: bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense, holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar
Traditional Foods: cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, eggnog, fruits, ginger tea, nuts, pork dishes, spiced cider, turkey, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples)
Incense: bayberry, cedar, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, pine
Stones: bloodstones, diamonds, emeralds, garnets, rubies
Tarot: the Star, the Fool, the Hermit
The Star major arcana tarot card represents hope, faith, purpose, renewal and spirituality.
The Fool major arcana tarot card represents beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, and a free spirit.
The Hermit major arcana tarot card represents soul-searching, introspection, inner guidance, and being alone.
12 Magickal Nights Ritual
Deities Celebrated at Yule
(Read more about each below)
Abrahamic: Angels, The Divine Child, Jesus, Mary/Virgin Mary, Saint Nicholas
Celtic: Brigid, Cernunnos, Danu, The Great Mother, The Green Man, The Holly King, The Horned One, Lugh, the Oak King
Egyptian: The Divine Child, Horus, Isis, Ra/Re
European/Germanic: the Cailleach, Frau Perchta/Percht/Berchta, The Divine Child, The Great Mother, The Green Man, The Holly King, The Horned One, Krampus, the Oak King, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus
Greek: Apollo, Demeter, the Divine Child, Dionysus, Gaia/Gaea, Pan
Hindu: Krishna
Norse: Baldr/Balder and Odin
Roman: Diana and Sol/Sol Invictus
