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Yule -Midwinter
The shining light in the darkness.
At the solstice the sun appears to pause, to stand still, before the days lengthen and the light gradually begins to return, and even though these are the coldest days there is always the promise of longer days, new light, new life, which leads to the tarot card which represents Yule, The Star – Hope.
Yule is an ancient Germanic festival, celebrated after the Winter Solstice, the longest night, which is December 21st/22nd in the Northern Hemisphere as the sun moves into the astrological sign of Capricorn (my rising sign incidentally!). In these modern times it is mainly celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans and from the eve of the solstice for twelve days we honour the return of the sun, but its roots lie deep among ancient Norse culture.
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As with all Midwinter festivals, the main theme revolves around the return of the light. This is the time of year that nature is stripped bare, a few brave trees clinging onto just a smattering of withered leaves and the only colour is the jewel-like berries that dot the hedgerows, for this is the time of year where nature has let go of what it needs to let go of, in order to survive the harsh winter. In this way it can preserve its energy to enable the new growth, a lesson for us all. And a Hedge witch lives as aligned with nature as possible, so this is the time where your harvests are gathered, your tinctures are brewed and the winter months are yours for rest, recouperation and nourishment.
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The fear in ancient times was that the light was withering away and may never return, so this was the time they sacrificed the cattle that they feared would not survive the winter in order to survive themselves, plus they would leave an offering out to the Gods to appease them so that they might allow the return of the light.
There can be an air of melancholy around the end of the calendrical year, a pressure to have new aspirations for the year ahead, resolutions of a New Year, New Me philosophy. Why? There is no linear start and finish. No end date of completion! The Wheel simply turns.
We have moon cycles for that chance to reset. We have Mondays! Loads of ‘em. Plus, if the New Moon falls on a Monday on the 1st of the month that’s an absolute triple whammy sign, if you’re like me and look for really signy signs to go for things.
But that’s the thing, they’re just dates, days, things that are on repeat all throughout the year. So really starting things at the darkest, coldest time of the year when you’re probably most in the need of a pick me up is not the finest of ideas. Nourishing yourself with rich foods, preferably full of fruit and vegetables stored from warmer times, and meats if they’re your thing. Just good food to see you through the darker nights, and nurturing yourself with self-care, and blankets and books.
You’re a woodland creature, so hibernate like one.
How We Celebrate Yule
How do we celebrate the birth of the infant Sun?
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With Fire. And food. And coming together.
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See a pattern forming here?
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The similarities to the Christian celebration of Christmas? And on that subject, you can absolutely celebrate that too if you want to. I don’t, but that’s on a personal level of past negative associations of the time, but if you want to celebrate the solstice with all things witchy, then on December 25th you want to jingle your bells, get jingling!
A feast is the perfect way to celebrate Midwinter, a get together is always nice, a community of kind, be that friends, family, your pets, everyone, just feasting solo.
Cook and enjoy your favourite rich foods as our ancestors would have, foods that would get them through the dark, cold nights. For me this is always a hearty stew of some vegetable and bean kind, but then lots of puddings and sweet treats.
These Sticky Gingerbread Brownies from Jane’s Patisserie are a favourite of our house.
And to really incorporate the theme of the sabbat, here’s a recipe for a Clementine Yule Log, oranges are a wonderful fruit to work into any ritual where we are honouring the Sun so for me this festive treat is a win win.
This is a good time to also decorate your actual Yule log.
You just need a log - about as long as your forearm is normally my measure.
People often dry out a branch from their Yule/Christmas tree from the previous year.
Decorate it with pinecones, evergreens, dried fruit, berries and I drill three holes for candles, I use red, white and green.
Some people like to incorporate gold or yellow here too to represent the sun.
Rituals for Midwinter
You have twelve cosy long nights in which you can ritual to your hearts content, so there’s no pressure to try and cram everything into one night.
But on the eve of the solstice, I like to begin a candle lighting ritual where I take a white candle and think of everything I am grateful for over the months since the summer solstice.
I like to think of things I have accomplished, connections I have made and blessings I have received.
Health, wealth and love being what make up the main of my list.
On the night of the solstice, I like to have a firepit outside – weather permitting! If it is awful, I will use my cauldron safely indoors, and have a ritual to release.
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Some people burn their Yule log, as per tradition on this night, personally I like to just light my candles on each night for the twelve nights.
You could do this as a group or alone and consider which parts of your life no longer serve you and what you would like the leave behind as you move into the lighter half.
What would you really like to leave in the dark? Write this down, throw it into the flames and release it.
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If you were to have made some Winter Solstice Brew from the book, The Hedgwitch’s Little Book of Seasonal Magic by Tudorbeth, you could drink it around the fire.
1 litre Brandy
4 oranges, sliced
2 Star Anise
10 Black Peppercorns
1 Cinnamon Stick
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Place all the ingredients in a sterilised glass jar with tight fitting lid and leave for 3-4 weeks, giving it a good shake when you go in your kitchen.
After it’s brewed, sieve and place in a sterilised glass bottle. Drink over ice or room temperature. You could always leave some as an offering in your altar chalice (beware of pets and children).
The morning after the solstice is the perfect time to wrap up and go and watch the sunrise.
This is your reminder that even though the days are at their shortest, the light will always return.
Give thanks! Give thanks for waking up, for the light, for the energy of the sun which will bring brighter days, for that constant turn of the wheel which shows us that we are always being held in the constant, that there is no beginning and no end.
The longest nights will also supply the darkness to look within. You can use your tarot or oracle cards here, or just light your candles and sit in contemplation.
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Journal Prompts
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What has the darkness revealed to you? Fears, hopes, wishes?
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What areas of your life do you need to shine a light on?
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Where do you need to direct your energy?
What needs more of your attention, what needs less of your attention?
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How can you recharge and nourish yourself during these cold months?
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What love do you need to give yourself?
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Look at your answers with curiosity, not judgement. Don’t be cross or feel ashamed of what comes up here, it will be your higher self, your soul speaking from love.
This kind of work is also a healthy form of self-care.
An Abundance and Prosperity ritual for the waxing sun.
Pomanders have been used since the Middle Ages, originally filled with perfumes, herbs and spices which were carried or hung around the neck to hide unpleasant smells and they were even thought to ward off the plague.
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I was going to say this is a wonderful activity to do with any children, however I remember trying with my sons who just sat complaining that they didn’t want to sit poking stinking twigs into oranges, so I don’t know, maybe some children will want to join in or for the sake of peace you might just enjoy taking some time out and doing it alone!
You will need:
An Orange
Whole Cloves
Ribbon
Cocktail sticks and pins
Wrap your orange in ribbon, leaving enough for a bow or hanging hook at the top if you're going to hang it. You can use pins to keep the ribbon in place if you find it easier.
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Use your cocktail sticks to poke the holes for your cloves. You can do this in any pattern you like, pentacles, rows, spirals – just try not to let them touch or as the orange dries it will shrink and your cloves will probably fall out.
As you poke your cloves in, think of what you would like to manifest and bring into the light as the days lengthen. Really use your intention, imagine these things already being here, feel the sensations of them being yours.
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Your orange will last longer if you can ‘cure’ it. You can do this by placing it in your oven on a low temperature – around 150 degrees – for an hour or two. There’s the smell of Yule you’re looking for!
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A cured pomander should last a good few weeks so you can hang it or have a beautiful smelling bowl full of them – you might just want to check them and turn them to make sure they are completely dry and not going mouldy.
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Wigington, Patti. "Yule Pomander Magic." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/yule-pomander-magic-2562946.
Midwinter. The Winter Solstice, Yule all conjures images of pine trees being brought in, wreaths made of evergreen, holly, ivy, mistletoe, and berries – and you can always incorporate some herbs such as stems of sage and rosemary here, cinnamon sticks, slices of dried oranges and I always add a few little bells.
I like garlands made from cinnamon sticks, cranberries and dried fruits, and popcorn. Always take as much of your edible produce as you can to return to the birds after yuletide – so take care not to use glitter or glue on them.
I like to add freshly baked gingerbread biscuits to hang on the tree (although we do have a little dog so take care here with your animals!) I also like to use bits of ribbon and felt to make tree decorations, I make spell jars for the tree and selenite sticks with twine wrapped around can be sparkly and beautiful.
Decorating for
Midwinter
Yule is a time for reflection, self care, for joy and celebration!
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Light your candles, feast with loved ones, and enjoy the warmth of winter wrapped in blankets with a mug of rich, hot cacao in your hands.
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As our ancestors did, take time to reflect and hunker down during this season of rest. Embrace the magic of this special time and have a blessed Yule.