Yule – Tis’ the Season

December 08, 2020 2 Comments

Yule – Tis’ the Season
Yule, the Winter Solstice is a great time of power and symbolism. It is a holiday that observes the cycles of life and death and the intricate energy between light and dark. It’s a time that can serve to remind us, that even in the bitter, cold darkness of the season, that there is a sense of promise, and hope that the sun and warmness will return to embrace us.
For some, the Winter Solstice is a very sacred and spiritual time, a time that can be filled with numerous traditions and rituals. For others, it is the beginning of the 12 days of Yule; a time when we set intentions, have new hope, and honor
the rebirth of the Sun God. It’s also a time for quiet energy, regeneration, renewal and self-reflection.
For many it’s a time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. This is a perfect time of year to take a moment to perform a Yule Cleansing, a Yule Log Ceremony, or a Yule Blessing – just to name a few! In the Norse text of Heimskringla, The Saga of Hakon the Good, it talks about the Yule only lasting for three days or until the ale ran out. There are many origins, lore, and legends surrounding Yule. You could literally get lost for days researching the topic!
To celebrate on your own, take some time to set up your sacred space in honor of Yule.

via GIPHY


Light red, green, white, silver, or gold candles.
Light incense of cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, clove, juniper, sweet orange, cedar, pine, or sage.
Add bells. Yule Crystals such as: Bloodstone, clear quartz, diamond, emerald, garnet, and ruby.
Yule decorations such as: Holly, mistletoe, nuts, berries, sun and solar symbols, snowflakes, ornaments, lights, elves,
pinecones, blessed thistle, sage, wreaths and greenery, a cup of Wassail, or even a Yule log.
You could also add images of Yule corresponding animals such as, bear, boar, goat, squirrel, stag, eagle, snow goose, owl, or sow.
Whatever you do, make it special and make it your own. Make this about a time of personal reflection, new beginnings, and happiness.



Yule Blessings

You will need:
One white candle
Lighter or Matches
Fireproof dish or offering bowl
One or more of the following: Blessed thistle, cedar, sage, pine needles, bay leaf, cloves, orange peels, allspice, juniper,
cinnamon, or rosemary.
Charcoal disc – if you are burning the herbs, this will help to keep them lit.
Find a quiet place and light your candle.
Have the dish/bowl and herbs near you.
Sit quietly and close your eyes.
Begin to think about new hope, peace, healing, and light entering your world tonight.
When you are ready repeat the following,

“May I find calm & peace in the promise of this night.
With each new day now being blessed with more light.
A time of rebirth, new beginnings and magick galore.
I welcome peace, joy, and harmony through my dwelling’s door.
I will rejoice on this night, for without the dark, there cannot be light.
May I always be blessed from the light within.
May well-being be mine as the new cycle begins.
(Grab some of the herbs and place them in the dish/bowl – you can either burn them or just leave as an offering in the bowl)
I burn (or offer) these herbs, to cleanse myself and my space.
Rest and renewal, I shall now embrace.
These words are spoken and given power by me.
This is my will. So, Mote it be!”

Here is another quick ritual – Create a Yuletide Charged Charm

You need:
One wooden spoon
Red, green, or gold ribbon
Take the spoon in your dominant hand and repeat, ‘Brightest of blessings on this Yuletide Fare, give love, healing and peace in equal share'.
Next tie the ribbon in a bow around the neck of the spoon and repeat, ‘May this home be safe and blessed, with Yuletide energy give protection to kin and guests.’
Take your charged spoon and place it in an appropriate place in your kitchen. This charm can be embellished in many ways, for example, tie some cedar and a stick of cinnamon together with the ribbon. This would also make a beautiful gift that you could easily create yourself with an added bonus of a charged blessing!



Wassail Anyone? (Waa-sl)
Wassail derives from the Old English words "waes hael", which means “be well”, or “good health”.
It is a strong drink, usually a mixture of ale, honey and spices or mulled apple cider.
When pagans went into the forest to fell the great oak for the Yule log, they would anoint the tree with wassail and decorate them with wassail-soaked cakes, thus the ritual of wassailing was born.
At home, the wassail would be poured into a large bowl during feast time. When guests would come, the host, would greet them by lifting a drink and wishing them well with a “waes hael”, to which the guests would reply “drinc hael”,
which meant “drink and be well”.

Wassail Recipe
8 cups sweet (soft) apple cider
2 cups hard apple cider (alcoholic cider)
½ cup brandy
2 ounces fresh ginger (cubed)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon coriander seed
8 whole cloves
6 green cardamom pods
6 allspice berries
2 star-anise pods
1 medium apple
Preparing wassail:
Pour both the soft and hard ciders into a medium pot, and then stir in the brandy.
Add ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, allspice, and star anise into the pot.
Warm the wassail over medium heat until steaming, and then turn down the heat to low.
Cover the pot and allow it to warm at least 20 minutes before serving.

via GIPHY

While the wassail is warming slice an apple crosswise into discs about ⅛-inch thick. Set them aside.
Serving:
To serve, strain the wassail through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs or a serving bowl. Garnish with apple slices. You can
store prepared wassail in the fridge for up to 3 days. To serve, warm it on the stove over low heat until pleasantly hot.
Heat it gently, over low heat as this will prevent the alcohol from burning off.



Whatever ways you decide to celebrate Yule, I hope you find peace, health, and happiness with the turning of the wheel.
Until next time…Live, Love & Magick!

-Laurie Gouley


2 Responses

Susan Cain
Susan Cain

May 08, 2023

Thank you so much for your postings. ❤ I have been so blessed by them. I’m a newbie but I am learning so much! Christmas blessings! Yule the most magickal time of year!! Love & Light 🎄💜❤

Terri
Terri

May 08, 2023

Thank you for sharing these customs. ’ Here we come a wassailing among the leaves so green….’ The celebration has come to life. Who else can smell the spicy cider and the evergreens…see the heavy capes and see the red noses and many grins? I see men with torches leading the procession, kids hoping for dropping pieces of wassailed cake along the way… shut your eyes and open your mind❄️❤️❄️

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in News

Beauty Tips To Help Survive The Seasons Transitioning
Beauty Tips To Help Survive The Seasons Transitioning

August 30, 2023

As September begins, daytime high temperatures remember summer’s warmth, yet a few weeks to months later are dramatically different. Mornings spent with a slight chill in the air soon require additional layers to prevent the cold. These transitions can happen over a few short weeks or extend through the months. 

As the weather warms and cools throughout the year, the humidity levels in the air fluctuate as well. If the humidity is low like what we experience in cold winter months, our skin’s moisture levels can drop rapidly which cause dry and dull skin. This is why rich moisturizers are must-have during the fall and winter season. Welcoming summer can be a bit different; we may notice an increase in oil production in our skin which makes it look shinier. This is the best time to have lightweight moisturizers and gel-based cleanser.

Survive the Transition Season with these 10 Superb Tips!!

Continue Reading

September 2023 Horoscope: A journey of looking back, reassessing, and restarting!
September 2023 Horoscope: A journey of looking back, reassessing, and restarting!

August 29, 2023

During the first days of September 2023, Mercury retrograde will be influencing our minds, education, learning, and information. As a result, the start of the month will be somewhat disorganized, with most of our focus on organizational tasks rather than gaining new experiences. However, this disorganization will not last long, as Mercury will return to its usual motion in the second half of September, which will increase our eagerness for education. Furthermore, with the Sun in the sign of Virgo for most of the month, known for its hard work and desire for order, September will be a diligent and productive period of the year, albeit moderately emotional and adaptable. Most importantly, it will establish a firm foundation for future accomplishments.

Continue Reading

Mercury retrograde in Virgo - Buckle up for a wild & calculated ride
Mercury retrograde in Virgo - Buckle up for a wild & calculated ride

August 10, 2023

Mercury retrograde in Virgo - Buckle up for a wild & calculated ride

Ready or not, Mercury Retrograde in Virgo has arrived to shake things up! Time to keep our eyes open and our thinking caps on.

Virgo, the Earth sign ruled by Mercury, is known for its sharp eye for detail, down-to-earth practicality, and orderly nature. When Mercury, the planet of intellect and communication, retrogrades in Virgo, these traits are amplified, causing us to reflect and review many parts of our lives.

The retrograde's effect on communication will be prominent; there may be some disagreements and difficulty expressing ourselves, so we ought to be thoughtful about the words we choose and consider how our body language may affect the conversation.

Continue Reading