Yule/Winter Solstice

Yule – The Winter Solstice

Southern Hemisphere  June 21
Northern Hemisphere December 21

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year, when the Mother Goddess, heavy with child, labors until morning when she gives birth to the Sun Lord. As he grows stronger day by day, he will warm the Earth and bring back the budding bloom, the new seeds for future crops and warmth and joy to life again.

Altar:

Facing north, starting with element of Earth. Main tool: candle in cauldron, symbolizing rebirth of the light from the womb of the mother.

Colours:

Green, gold, red, white.

Plants and Herbs:

Bayberry, bay, cinnamon, cloves, evergreens, ginger, holly, mistletoe, myrrh, poinsettia, wintergreen.

Animals:

Cardinals, doves, stags, furry forest creatures.

Food:

Apples, baked sweet breads, citrus fruits, dried fruit, ginger bread, nuts, pears, pork, roasted poultry, rolls with caraway seeds.

Drinks:

Cider, eggnog, ginger tea, mulled wines.

Decorations:

Acorns, candles, cinnamon sticks, citrus fruits, crystals, dried rose buds, evergreen trees and garland, holly, lights of any kind, mistletoe, pine cones, poinsettia plants, sun symbols, snow/ice symbols, wreaths, yule log.

Goddesses:

All Goddesses in the Mother form, particularly Aponibolinayen, Ariadne, Arianrhod, Brigit, Ceres, Cerridwen, Cybele, Demeter, Freya, Gaia, Isis, Juno, Morrigan, Nephthys.

Gods:

All sun Gods, particularly those who are reborn around the Solstice or associated with rebirth, Apollo, Balder, Horus, Oak King, Osiris, Mithras, Ra, Saturn, Jesus, Helios, Ukko

Activities:

Burning a Yule log, caroling, decorating evergreens, exchanging gifts, feasting, making wreaths or garland, telling stories and singing songs, wassailing, watching the sunrise.

 

Spellwork appropriate for Yule

• Harmonious future
• Peace
• Tolerance
• Respect
• Love
• Unity

YULE ALTAR
The Winter Solstice or Yule altar is decked with evergreens, berries, vanilla pods, pine needles and gold ribbons, red candles, and bay laurel leaves. Frankincense is the best incense for this particular time of year, although pine resin can also be used.