Happy Yule!

 

Yule/the Winter Solstice is nearly here! This year it's on Wednesday 21st December. In the past I've written several posts with ideas for celebrating and last year I did a round-up linking to them (which also featured some baking ideas for both Yule and Christmas). During 2022 I've been writing posts sharing ideas and links for the sabbats rather than an in-depth post, so here is Yule's (the final one of the year).

Note: If you're in the Southern Hemisphere it's almost time for Litha aka Midsummer/the Summer Solstice. You might like my Happy Litha! post: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2022/06/happy-litha.html

 

Yule, also known as Midwinter and the Winter Solstice, is the final sabbat of the calendar year and is considered either the 1st or 2nd sabbat in the Wheel of the Year, depending on your viewpoint (as I've discussed in the 2018 and 2021 posts). I tend to think of the previous sabbat Samhain (31st October) as both the end of one cycle and the start of a new one.

Note: The Winter Solstice is the astrological event and Yule is the modern pagan name for the festival, but many people use both terms.

The Winter Solstice (which is always around 21st December) is the time of year with the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere (the opposite of the Summer Solstice (also celebrated as Litha by pagans) in the Southern Hemisphere. The actual (scientific) time of the solstice this year is 9.48pm UK time (GMT). To find the time in your country visit this link: https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/winter-solstice.html

 

Yule/the Winter Solstice also marks the "official" start of winter if you go by the astronomical date, although the meteorological date is 1st December. These times are kind of transitional anyway and this year it seemed like winter started the other week, since we've had some really cold weather in the UK recently and snow in many places (although not much in my town!). Here is an interesting post about the liminal zones of this season: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2022/12/the-liminal-zones-of-the-winter-solstice-season.html

This sabbat is likely also called Midwinter because Samhain marks the end of summer and the beginning of the winter season. The main themes include the return of the light, winter and the birth of the Sun God. Yule is thought to have been a precursor to Christmas. 

 

Here is my 2021 round-up of previous Yule posts on the blog, which also has Yule/Christmas baking ideas: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2021/12/yule-round-up-yulechristmas-baking.html

 

And here are some posts from other sites:

How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice: https://thesmallestlight.co.uk/blog-posts/how-to-celebrate-winter-solstice/

Ideas for celebrating Yule + self-care traditions (article on Whimsy Soul by Tenae of The Witch of Lupine Hollow): https://whimsysoul.com/how-to-celebrate-yule-winter-solstice-5-yule-traditions-for-self-care/

Ideas for celebrating the Winter Solstice:  https://thegreenparent.co.uk/articles/read/celebrate-the-solstice

Post sharing Winter Solstice blessings, and spells and divinations for Yule: https://otherworldlyoracle.com/winter-solstice-blessings-spells/

Yule/Winter Solstice Rebirth: How I Prepare for the New Year (podcast/blog post from The Writing Witch): https://writingwitch.com/2021/12/21/winter-solstice-rebirth

Winter Solstice ornaments: https://runwildmychild.com/winter-solstice-ornaments/

Journal questions for the Winter Solstice: https://saltstarlight.com/blogs/self-care-sunday-blog-posts/depth-in-darkness-33-winter-solstice-shadow-work-journal-questions  

 

If you prefer videos, check out these links:

Afura Nefertiti's (The Writing Witch) Everday Magick for Winter playlist on YouTube- features videos for Yule and Imbolg/Imbolc: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ftFBukZV-X0WTCDFr-LD6skrKauOMSJ

 The Peculiar Brunette's Yule and Winter Solstice for Pagans playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOE1DOExnyAgLFIDm17vSu78vU3e0NeIg

 

I usually have a chocolate Yule log for this sabbat. I've made my own twice, in 2014 and 2019 (and I also baked a red velvet chocolate Buche de Noel (Yule log) for Christmas 2014) but I tend to buy one! This year's is from Sainsbury's which is where I've got them from most often. 

I'm planning to make these gingerbread cookie bars with cream cheese frosting for Christmas, but they would also be good for Yule (includes gluten free and dairy free options): https://simplytaralynn.com/2020/12/15/gingerbread-cookie-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-gluten-free-and-dairy-free/

 

And here are a few more recipes: 

Buche de Noel: https://cupcakesandcashmere.com/food/buche-de-noel

Vegan Yule log: https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/vegan-yule-log-buche-de-noel

Gluten free gingerbread (found this through a Beauty & The Beastons Christmas video): https://glutenfreeonashoestring.com/_printer/41870

If you're vegan, here is a vegan recipe round-up for Yule: https://waywardinspiration.com/vegan-recipe-roundup-for-yule/

Also check out my Yule Round-up + Yule/Christmas Baking post for more baking ideas: https://livingseasonal.blogspot.com/2021/12/yule-round-up-yulechristmas-baking.html

 

I will also light a candle (red this year) since Yule is a fire festival and to celebrate the growing light. And sometimes in the evening I make hot spicy milk, although I think this Yule I'll make hot chocolate, like I did last year. I like to go for walks in the country or the beach and take sunset pics for sabbats in the warmer months, but I don't tend to do that when it's colder! However, I do walk in the park year-round, so since I'm going on Yule, hopefully there will be a nice sunset. 

Hope that gave you some ideas for celebrating! :) I will probably post about my Yule celebrations the weekend after next, since next Sunday is Christmas Day. Happy Yule/Winter Solstice! (Or Happy Litha/Summer Solstice!) :) 

Photo: Christmas tree in Worthing. Moonsparkle 2022.