The Winter Solstice is a time of celebration for many cultures. It is a time to mark the return of the sun, the lengthening of the days, and the hope that comes after darkness. In some cultures, the Winter Solstice is a time to honor the gods of the sun. In others, it is a time to celebrate the changing seasons. And more so in modern times, it is a time to simply gather with family and friends and enjoy the winter weather.
Learn more about the Winter Solstice in my previous post.
How to Celebrate Winter Solstice & Yule
While the Winter Solstice is observed around the world, Germanic cultures of northern and western Europe primarily celebrated Yule. Yule celebrations included bonfires, decorating with holly, mistletoe, and the boughs of evergreen trees, feasts, and gift-giving. Many of the traditions used at Christmastime were derived from Yule traditions of old. Whether they are from myths, feasts, folklore, ancient beliefs, oral stories told, or festivals, we have woven them into the fabric of our modern-day customs.
Evergreen trees were decorated with gifts such as food, carvings, and food for the tree spirits to encourage them to return in the spring.
The Celts believe Mistletoe possessed healing powers as well and would ward off evil spirits.
In Norse tradition, Old Man Winter visited homes to join the festivities. The Viking god, Odin was described as a wanderer with a long white beard and is considered the first Father Christmas.
Viking children left their shoes out by the hearth on the eve of the winter solstice with sugar and hay for Odin's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.
Children traipsed from house to house with gifts of apples and oranges spiked with cloves and resting in baskets lined with evergreen boughs.
The midwinter feast usually lasted 12 days. (variations say longer or shorter)
The Yule log was a whole tree meant to be burned for 12 days in the hearth. The Celts believed the sun stood still during the winter solstice. They thought that by keeping the Yule log burning for these 12 days encouraged the sun to move, making the days longer. Everyone took turns feeding the length of timber into the fire as it burned. Letting it burn out would bring bad luck.
Today, many Pagans still celebrate Yule on the day of the Winter Solstice. Pagans celebrate the rebirth of the sun through gift exchanges, merriment, and deep spiritual reflection. For Pagans, this is a time of new beginnings, rebirth, transformation, getting rid of unwanted habits, and creativity. If you can’t celebrate that day, it’s okay because you have the rest of December to celebrate!
Symbols used to decorate your home and altar for Yule (or the Winter Solstice)
Yule (or Christmas) Tree. It’s a pagan solstice custom to hang decorations on a pine to symbolize various things, such as the sun, moon and stars, honor ancestors, and hanging offerings on trees to gods and goddesses. Even if you just find some beautifully colored ornaments, you are practicing a centuries old tradition!
The Yule Log dates back to ancient solstice celebrations and bonfires.
It was customary to fell a tree, usually Oak, Spruce or Pine, and drag it through the village to eventually be placed upon the hearth and burned through Solstice Night and sometimes beyond. The ash from the log was often saved and used in various cultures to bless the crops, aid in fertility, protect against storms, and heal the sick.
The Yule log because that is how it was popularized by Victorian Era England, but it has many names and many customs tied to it. Yule is derived from Juul, a Scandinavian midwinter feast when a Juul Log was burned in honor of the Lightning God, Thor. In France, the Tréfoir de Nöel was burned for all 12 nights of Christmas, and the ashes were saved to protect against lightning strikes. In Italy, the log was laid upon Juniper boughs, which coins were placed upon it. In England, a branch from the old log of the year before was saved to light the new.
The origin calls for the burning of the log for Twelve Nights. You can place a piece of firewood, preferably found from the woods, into the fireplace to burn. Place nice smelling and symbolic herbs into the fire. The Yule Log brings luck and fortune for the next year.
No bon fire or fire place? Place a piece of wood on your altar and light your candles around it to symbolize the same things. I will be finding a log to place on my altar and attaching candles, pine, pinecones, and dried citrus to it.
Colors. Incorporate the colors of the season like green, red, gold and white.
Symbols. Use symbols like wreaths, bells, snowflake decor, and anything winter themed! Bring light back into your home and life with candles and faerie lights.
Use animal symbolism with bears, deer, reindeer, owls, ravens, crows, snow geese, and wrens.
Decorate with plants and herbs of the season, or leave them out for offerings, such as: apples, chamomile, cinnamon, evergreen, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, oak leaves, pine, pine cones, poinsettias, rosemary, sage and wintergreen.
Work with the stones diamond, emerald, ruby, garnet and bloodstone.
Gods & Deities that can be worshiped or celebrated during this time:
Aphrodite, Apollo, Attis, Baldar, Baccitus, Brigid, Cronus, Demeter, Dionysis, Fortuna, Gaia, Greenman, Hel, Helios, Holle, Istar, Isis, Jesus Christ, Krampus, Lugh, Oak King, Odin, Ra, Santa Claus (aka Father Winter or Saint Nicholas), Saturn, Sol
Here are some ways to celebrate:
Feast
Bake cookies, make cinnamon cakes, gingerbread and anything with apples! Drink something warm like hot chocolate, mulled wine or apple cider. Roast meat, dry fruit and drink eggnog. Anything that makes you feel warm and cozy.
Bake a Yule Log Cake for Christmas Dessert or any day!
Share dinner with friends and family.
Spellwork, Simmer Pots and more
Types of spellwork you can do at this time include: happiness, hope, peace, love, strength and world healing.
You can also use snow in your magic. It can be used for cleansing, purification, and emotion. Enjoy the peace that comes from the quiet of a snow day.
For a Winter Solstice Simmer Pot, take apples, oranges, cloves, cinnamon and anything else that reminds you of the holidays and put them in a small pot of water. Stir with the intention of bringing in prosperity and happiness.
Twelve Days of Yule for the Modern Witch
Inspired by this tumblr post. I have decided to plan a ritual (big and small) for each day with the intention of bringing in hope and prosperity for the coming year. Here, I am adding some history of what the days might have meant. Some of the days may correlate, some I am doing what is best for me.
You may use each day as you see fit! These are just suggestions and ideas to make the most of this magical season and to go into the New Year with intention.
Day 1, December 20: Mother’s Night & Ritual Cleansing
The first night of Yule was known as Mother’s Night. This day was set aside to honor the disir (female ancestral spirits) and Freya as Vanadis, the head of the disir. Many people choose to give their direct maternal line ancestors high honors on this night. We can honor and offer thanks to our female ancestors, those who are believed to watch over our families and help us in times of need.
A good way to start Yule is to cleanse your house. Out with the old, in with the new. Contemplate what you need to get rid of physically and spiritually. Begin setting up your Yule altar, decorating your house and/or tree.
Light your first candle (preferably white) with purification and truth. Place it on your altar and this first candle is lit with the intention of cleansing and protection.
Physically clean your home and spiritually purify your home with your preferred cleansing tools.
Seal and protect your doorways from wandering spirits.
Take a ritual shower or bath and cleanse yourself.
Day 2, December 21: Light the Yule Log
The second night of Yule is The Winter Solstice. With the darkness being at its longest this day, we face our fears from last year in an effort to not be controlled by them in the coming year. We are also honoring the darkness as it comes, using it to contemplate the things that we want to get rid of.
Light a second candle (silver) with the intention of endings.
Symbolically gather what you’re letting go of by writing it down on slips of paper.
Use the flame to burn old habits (safely).
We can also decorate with symbols of the sun, to celebrate the year to come, and encourage the return of light. Decorate the Yule Log with orange slices, and other symbols of Yule, light it and drink wine (or juice).
For those who like things that are spooky, here is an article on The Wild Hunt’s connection to Yule. The dead are said to be closer to the living during winter. With the lengthening of nights and the shortening of days, the spirits of friends, family, and ancestors had a greater opportunity to participate in life. The Wild Hunt and Yule were a ritual cycle that helped the living to move on from their attachments to the dead, and prepare for the new life that would come with the longer days and the spring, which couldn’t be too far away. As Odin's howling host came to collect the dead, one could find comfort in the fact that those whose time had come had now passed.
Many would stay indoors for fear of being swept up by The Wild Hunt. Many put out offerings for Odin and it doesn’t hurt to cast extra protection either. Use light to stay warm and safe inside. If you’re so inclined, put on a scary Christmas or winter themed movie like I will be.
Day 3, December 22: High Feast
The third night of Yule is known as the High Feast of Yule! In honor of Thor and Frey, gods of power and fertility it’s fitting to have a hearty feast. You can research traditional Viking feasts, but I think any warm, rich food would be great.
Consecrate two candles (red and gold) for these with symbols of hope, courage and love!
Day 4, December 23: The Sun’s Return
Rejoice! The Sun has returned. Each day, The Sun will grow brighter and brighter. We may not notice at first, but do not lose hope.
Contemplate the calmness in knowing that darkness is ebbing.
Contemplate the birth of “the Son” and the Sun, and the potentials that they bring for peace and better things.
Consecrate two candles (red and gold) for these with symbols of hope.
Day 5 & 6, December 24 & 25: Christmas
Celebrate Christmas as usual. In Pagan tradition these nights are sacred and time for community. This can mean covens, friends and family! We can respect the holidays that our loved ones choose to celebrate by partaking in these traditions too.
Do some inner work, from letting go towards what you want to bring to yourself.
Consecrate two candles (green and gold) for these days.
Raise a glass to hospitality and good health.
Day 7- 11 , December 26 - 30: New Goals
We have transitioned from letting go to a new beginning. Each day is brighter. Set a few new goals.
Consecrate the candles (green) for these days with symbols of new light and hardiness.
The winter will be cold and long, make short term goals, focus on the next three months.
Write down these goals and place them on the altar.
If you want to look at old traditions, here is a list of things to honor and contemplate on each day.
7 - In Pagan tradition, there was a feast of Thor to honor the god of war and to ask for protection. It’s a good time for long-term protection spells and wards.
8 - Honor spirits of snow and ice! If it’s a snow day, go outside and take in the beauty of the cold weather, even if it’s not your favorite. It’s a great day to start an ice candle.
9 - Traditionally honors Odin, the god of war and the dead. Contemplate your values and wisdom you’ve gained from your spiritual practices.
10 - Sacred to Sunna and the ancestors. Relax and honor the changing seasons and those who have guided you through them.
11 - Scared to the goddesses and Valkyries. Honor the cycles of life.
Day 12, December 31: New Years Eve
Put the New Year in motion! Celebrate New Years as usual.
Consecrate a white candle with symbols of prosperity.
It’s time to leap into action with our short-term goals. At midnight, as the year takes its first steps, we take our first steps with it by burning our goals in the 12th candle’s flames.
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