Yule is the shortest day and the longest night. On this day we are on the threshold of new beginnings and cold endings.
Yule is almost upon us, and I figured that I would make this blog post to discuss some of the brief history, symbolism, and ways to celebrate this day with time for you to plan and incorporate it into your already busy calendar.
Like the Samhain post before this, and like all the Pagan days on the Wheel of the Year, the history, symbolism, myths, and understandings are complex and the layers run deep. This post is going to cover some of the main things around this sacred day, but I encourage you to read more about this and all the days on the Wheel of Year.
Reading and understanding the origins of these days make them come alive from the pages of history, and make those who have gone before us see that their ways are still alive and well.
The History of Yule
Giving a precise date and time of when these sacred days came to be is impossible, but there are certain things that we know about Yule. It is older than Christmas, and Christians have stolen much of the symbolism and meaning behind this day and claimed it for their Christian ways. Specific places, like Stonehenge, were designed in relation to the Solstices. The stones at Stonehenge were placed in specific locations with the Winter and Summer Solstice, and this sacred place dates to around 3,000 BC.
At this time, people are in the darkest time of year, and depending on what side of the hemisphere you were on, you could expect extremely cold, snowy, and bitter nights. The work that was done during the growth and harvest time of the year has hopefully sustained during these harsh months.
Despite the cold and the persistent darkness, this was a time of celebration, generosity, and the creation of traditions. After this day, the nights slowly become lighter. Making it through Yule means that the rebirth of Spring is coming. The warmth and the light will return- a reason in itself to celebrate. Here is the Pagan Wheel of the Year below, so you can see where Yule resides in relation to the other sacred days.
Much of the research shows that Yule is not a one-day celebration, but a 12-day celebration, perhaps aligning again with the 12 Days of Christmas, but that is just my speculation. Yule also goes by the names of the Mean Geimhridh, Alban, or Modranicht (meaning Mother’s Night).
The Night of the Mother’s started on December 20th, and like Samhain was a time to pay reverence to the goddesses and female ancestors (the Disir) who watched over the families, and were there when anyone needed them. Homes were cleansed and blessed before their arrival. Altars and offerings were set up and arranged, and projects were finished before sunset. The home would also be blessed in the hopes of protecting for against all the forces in the dark night that could do harm.
Their presence brought blessings and rebirth. Offerings, festivities, connections to the ancestors, and gift-giving span in history and place. This was clearly a time to give and receive the blessings that were available as the days moved into a space of rebirth, renewal, and the warm return of the Sun. It was a time to endure, to come together, and to honor the life forces in Nature. This understanding continues to this day.
Other symbols and stories are of the Oak and Holly King in their infamous unending battle. On Yule, the Oak King wins and brings the return of the light. On the Summer Solstice, the Holly King wins and brings the Earth into the cold darkness of Winter.
There is also the story of the Wild Hunt- a group of ghostly and spectral hunters on the chase with Odin himself perhaps leading the charge. This story sparked fear and people did not leave their homes at night for fear of seeing this ghastly display. The Yule Goat from Scandinavia would overlook holiday preparations, celebrations, and help keep the domesticity of the home. Wooden or straw goats were hidden and given away to other families when found.
The Yule Cat, hailing from Iceland, is a huge cat that comes out on Christmas Eve and looks through the windows and homes of families, eating the children who have not received clothing before Christmas. It was customary to give children clothing and socks before Christmas to keep the Yule Cat at bay. Wealthier families were encouraged to donate socks to those less fortunate to keep the Yule Cat away.
Offerings would include the infamous Yule Log which symbolized the return of the Sun’s warmth, including the renewal of Spring, and good favor and fortune in the coming months. Altars would be created to commune with the ancestors or deities. Wreaths symbolized longevity, prosperity, and everlasting life.
Ways to Celebrate Yule
This is also not an exhaustive list, and includes some things that just feel right for me and my family, based on where we live. Find fun ways to bring the holiday spirit of Yule to your family!
- Create a Yule Log (there are so many DIYS, including baked goods out there on the internet) and decorate with Yule plants like holly, mistletoe, pine, or ivy, and Yule colors like red, green, white, silver, and gold.
- Place mistletoe high (away from animals and children) to encourage prosperity and intimacy
- Create a straw/wooden Yule Goat
- Donate socks in honor of the Yule Cat
- Bake sweets and nourishing food, and share with family and friends
- Honor the Darkness by releasing what is no longer serving. Thank the darkness for reminding you how to be in the liminal, the extreme, the storm, the hunt, the womb, or the grave and rise again
- Set new goals, intentions, or things you want to accomplish and align with the growing light to make it so
- A fun way to do this is to get a pinecone and make a list of all the things you want to accomplish in the new year on small, individual pieces of paper. Wrap and place in the holes of the pinecone. You can use an ornament or Yule decoration. Come the New Year, the middle of next year, or before the end of the year (whatever feels right for you), burn the pinecone with your lists, giving it to the Universe.
- Work with the Cailleach (she’s my favorite). She is the Storm and Winter Hag, responsible for creating the landscapes, mountains, and keeping the wilderness wild
- Give offerings of safe food to animals outside. A reminder that Winter affects us all, and they are our non-human brothers and sisters.
- I refuse to cut down a tree just to have in my house for weeks. Plus I am blessed to have trees all around me. Create an outdoor Yule tree with safe decorations (animals, and such) to honor the sacred renewal of Yule and the light.
- Make snow water to use in spells and rituals
- Do something good for someone or something else in honor of the spirit of prosperity, good tidings, and good cheer
- Honor the spirit of the Wolf and the Stag- two creatures associated with the hunt, the cycles of life/death, the Cailleach, and the survival of Winter
Thank you for reading wild one. May your holiday be filled with love, cheer, and magick.
Resources:
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Solitary Witch by Silver Ravenwolf
Ashlie McDiarmid
Hello there! I hope you liked this blog post. As a tarot and oracle reader, my goal with my blogs is to offer you content, resources, and access to the tools that have transformed my life.
I believe that your own intuition is the deepest form of knowing, but here in my little corner of the internet, I share insights based in intuition and instinct. I share my love for nature, witchcraft, and the wild spirit.
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