Jule/Yule – winter solstice, celebration of the rebirth of the sun, the shortest day of the year

Yule (also yule) is an ancient winter solstice holiday that marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year. It is celebrated from December 20 to 23, depending on the astronomical position of the Earth. It is a traditional winter holiday within Pagan and Neo-Pagan traditions such as Wicca, although its tradition has a long history. It celebrates the days that are beginning to lengthen, it celebrates the return of light and hope. It symbolizes the return of light and preparation for a new season of life. It is full of symbolism such as fire, light, the eternal cycle of life, when darkness is followed by light and winter is followed by spring. It is the 8th holiday of the Wheel of the Year, a cycle that represents the natural transition of the seasons. Associated with them are eight significant holidays through which we celebrate various aspects of life, growth, abundance, death and rebirth. Yule is a time for reflection, family togetherness, expressions of gratitude and hope for the future.

Colors characterizing the Yule season: red, green and gold.

Traditional precious stones

Aventurine green	Happiness, abundance, prosperity, talisman of new beginnings
Citrine	Optimism and vitality
Black tourmaline	Protection and removal of negative energy
Garnet	Grounding and protection
Amber	Joy, optimism and vitality
Cornelian	Symbol of energy and creativity, support of vitality and motivation, closure of old cycles
Moonstone	Protection and love
Obsidian black	Protection and removal of negative energy
Ruby	Love, emotional support, protection
Selenite	Protection and positive energy
Sodalite	Courage and meditation
A mess	Grounding, stress relief, calm and stability

These stones and crystals are suitable for use in Yule rituals, or you can easily wear them as talismans during the winter solstice celebrations, when the sun begins to rise again and light returns to our lives.

What is the best way to experience this holiday?

Create a Jules Altar
Use seasonal elements such as branches of conifers, mistletoe, holly. They symbolize eternal life and protection.
Use candles, especially red, green, gold and white, symbolizing light, hope, fertility and the rebirth of the sun.
Nuts, apples, oranges and chestnuts are symbols of abundance and the cycle of nature, so they should not be missing from the altar. From herbs and spices, you can use cinnamon, cloves, star anise and rosemary.

For our altar we used sodalite, moonstone, green aventurine , citrine and scoryl (black tourmaline). Seasonal elements such as conifer branches, red candles, and an original Jule smoker from our magical workshop in Nefertitis must not be missing.

Traditional Yule log

The Yule log is traditionally lit for protection for the coming year, keep the ashes from the log throughout the year. If you do not have the opportunity to light the log, replace this ritual with a symbolic altar with candles, decorate the log with pine cones and dried fruit. You can carve protective symbols or runes into the log.

The history of the log goes back to the pagan traditions of Northern Europe, especially to the Germans and Vikings, the symbolism is associated with fire and the sun, warmth, securing the harvest and good luck in the coming year.

In modern times, the log has turned into a sweet dessert - a sweet Christmas log, popular especially in Europe.

Candles as a symbol of the rebirth of the sun . Welcome the returning light, light the candles and think of a new beginning. Each candle can symbolize your wish, goal, plan, desire or resolution for the coming year.

Decorate the tree . Decorate a tree or branches that you can put on the table, put in a flower pot or vase. The branches symbolize eternal life. Make the decorations yourself - from dried orange and lemon, cinnamon, pine cones and add a bow, ideally red or gold. The lights are a symbol of the return of the sun and light to our lives.

Magic and Rituals of Yule

The winter solstice is an ideal time for spells focused on new beginnings, fertility, protection and light, it is a time for magical rituals and meditation.

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Prepare seasonal food - a baked apple or apple pie, a symbol of abundance and fertility, as well as honey cookies or bread - a traditional symbol of prosperity and sweet life, root vegetables, which are a symbol of connection with the earth and natural cycles. Don't forget mulled wine, punch or hot cider.

Stones

Sunstone	The energy of the sun, optimism and vitality
Green Adventurer	Connection with nature, strengthening of life energy, happiness and endurance
Citrine	Abundance, joy, talisman of new beginnings
Garnet	Grounding and protection, vitality, passion and energy, strength for a new cycle

Candles: green, red or gold, which symbolize the return of the sun and abundance.

Herbs and spices: cinnamon, cloves, star anise and rosemary for the symbolism of home warmth and protection, and jule incense for a cleansing ritual.

A ritual of abundance and celebration of rebirth

Set aside a place that will serve as an altar. Clear the space around you - light a bundle of white sage and disperse the smoke around you. You can use a Jule smoker and smoke it on charcoal in a censer. Decorate it with twigs of conifers, pine cones, dried citrus fruits as symbols of nature, put stones on it, put candles and herbs. You can also add a small bowl of traditional food.

You can take the stones in your hand for a moment and imagine how their energy will help you in your life. Garnet as a symbol of vitality, sunstone - light into life, citrine as a talisman of abundance and new beginnings and green aventurine, which will bring harmony and support life energy.
With lit candles, you will support the intentions that you say out loud.
Share the prepared food with your loved ones.
Closing the ritual: after finishing the meal, blow out the candles with the thought that the light you have created will carry your wish into the universe. Spend a moment with your wishes, desires and plans for the coming season, meditate with stones in hand.

This Yule ritual is about connecting with natural cycles, the rebirth of the sun, and gratitude for abundance. The combination of gemstones and food will help you focus on new wishes and set intentions for the new year. Food symbolizes connecting with nature and ensuring abundance, while gemstones reinforce the magic and energy brought by the return of the sun.

Whatever ritual you practice, first cleanse the space of negative and old energy with sacred white sage or incense, preparing it for a new cycle. At the same time, you can think of positive changes.

Cook a traditional meal associated with winter and abundance. Warm your body and soul. Roast meat - poultry or game, cook root vegetables, eat bread and potatoes. Drinks include hot cider, mead, mulled wine or punch. Share hospitality with family and loved ones as Yule, as part of the Wheel of the Year, commemorates the cycle of life and interconnectedness with people.

Meditate

Find a quiet corner where you will be alone and nothing and no one will disturb you. The winter solstice is a time for reflection, an opportunity to reconnect with inner desires and visions. Light a candle and meditate.

Focus on:

• introspection – reflect on the year that is ending. What you have learned, what you have succeeded in, what you want to leave behind and what awaits you,
• visualization - imagine how the sun gradually grows stronger, imagine your dreams and desires as they begin to develop and come true.

You can scent the room using incense sticks , cones or heating bundles.

Divination and Magical Practice . During this period, it is advisable to have your future interpreted through cards, or use runes or other divination techniques to get an idea of the new year and thus direct your path.

Take a nature walk
Go out into nature, feel the winter calm, connect with the energy of the earth and nature, pay respect to nature. You can build a small moss house in the forest.

Yule is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and new beginnings. During this magical season, you can use light, sacred fire and family togetherness to prepare for the coming year. Incorporate nature, symbols of fertility and abundance into your celebrations, and focus on reflection and goal setting.

For Yule, the celebration of the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun, you can prepare a special ritual that combines the magic of food and precious stones. This ritual is focused on gratitude, renewal and setting new intentions for the next cycle.

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There are similar holidays around the world that, like Yule, celebrate the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun, relate to the return of light, the lengthening of the day, the celebration of the new year and the winter season.

Christmas – worldwide celebrated Christian holiday: December 25, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It includes traditions taken from the pagan Yule holiday, including traditional decorations such as wreaths, Christmas trees, candles, and gift-giving. Celebrating the return of light to the darker part of the year, the holiday is associated with joy, gifts, family and new beginnings.

Dongzhi (Winter Solstice Festival) – China, Japan, Korea: December 21 or 22, the festival celebrates the winter solstice, the arrival of longer days and more light. It is associated with family gatherings, specially prepared meals are served, such as tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings) symbolizing harmony, unification, just as Yule celebrates family harmony.

Hanukkah (Feast of Lights) - Judaism: 25th day of the month of Kislev, usually in December. According to the Gregorian calendar, Kislev 1 falls between November 3 and December 4, and the end of the month falls between December 3 and January 4. It is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the miracle of light. It is a celebration of light, hope and renewal during the long winter night.

Shab-e Yalda (Night of Yalda) – Iran: December 21, a festival to celebrate the winter solstice. People gather with families and friends, eat seasonal fruits such as pomegranates and watermelons, recite poetry. Similar to Yule, this festival represents the victory of light over darkness.

Kwanzaa - African American holiday, USA: December 26 to January 1, is a seven-day celebration of African cultural heritage. A candle is lit every day to symbolize values such as self-determination, unity and cooperation. It is a holiday of light and renewal, celebrating family and hope for the future.

Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) – Scotland: December 31 to January 1, celebrates the New Year. Rituals for purification are associated with it: the removal of ashes from the house, the lighting of fires that symbolize renewal and a new beginning. Similar to Yule, it celebrates the light in the darkness and the coming of a new cycle.

Soyal - Hopi and Zuni tribes - North America: December 21 or 22. Soyal is a festival of the Hopi and Zuni Indian tribes. The holiday includes dances, rituals and prayers to welcome the sun.

Lucia (Saint Lucia's Day) - Sweden and other Scandinavian countries: December 13, celebrates the light in the darkness, girls dress in white dresses, wear a crown with candles on their heads and welcome the light into the dark winter days. The roots of the holiday go back to the pagan celebrations of the solstice.

Makar Sankranti - India: January 14 or 15, is a Hindu holiday celebrating the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. Dragons are unleashed, rituals are performed to worship the sun, and gifts are given in recognition of abundance.

Julfest (Julefest) - Nordic countries: December 21 or 22, is a Germanic holiday celebrated among pagan groups in Scandinavia. It celebrates the winter solstice, the rebirth of the sun and celebrates hope, new beginnings and family reunions.

Whatever your name, the holidays are a time for reflection, family gatherings, celebrating the new year, and looking forward to what's to come. They share a connection with natural cycles, the joy of new beginnings and lengthening days, and the power of incoming light.

We wrote the article for you on 3 December 2024

You can find articles about other holidays of the Wheels of the Year cycle here.

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