Yule is another one of my favorite Wiccan Sabbats, and it was the first one I celebrated when I started following the Craft. In the Northern Hemisphere, Yule is celebrated on December 21. This is the Winter Solstice—meaning the shortest day and longest night of the year; it is viewed as the rebirth of the Sun.
Many Christmas traditions still celebrated today have been adapted from Yule—such as decorating a tree, hanging a wreath, lighting a Yule log, etc. As opposed to Christmas, Yule is more of a nature-based celebration. The word Yule actually means wheel; accordingly, wreaths are created as decorations to celebrate the turn of the Wheel Of The Year from darkness to light. Traditionally, Evergreen trees or Evergreen sprigs are also brought into the home to remind us that life always continues and stands strong.
In my Yule celebrations, I like to take Evergreen sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and dried orange slices and bind them into a wand to use during my Yule ritual to welcome the return of the Sun; my altar is also decorated with these items. Drying orange slices and hanging them with string is a very popular Yule activity (and it makes the home smell wonderful). I also make Yule oil to dress my candles, and I burn Yule incense throughout the month of December.
Some of my favorite foods for a Yule feast include Salisbury steak, oven-roasted root vegetables, homemade cranberry sauce, and baked apples.
I wish everyone a blessed Yule that is filled with peace, love, and abundance. Blessed be.
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