Enchanting Ways To Celebrate Yule As A Pagan

Why do we celebrate Yule?

To fully understand celebrating Yule, we should know what the Winter Solstice is.

What is the Winter Solstice?

There are two Solstices a year, a Summer and Winter Solstice. The Summer Solstice is the first day of Summer, and the longest day of the year. The Winter Solstice is the first day of Winter and is the shortest day of the year.

The Winter Solstice means that from here on there will be more sunlight, the worst has passed. This is worth celebrating! People would celebrate the rebirth of the Sun, and new beginnings.

Now, why are we celebrating the Winter Solstice?

Pagans have been celebrating Yule since the fifth or sixth century. It has been under many names throughout history, but it has always been a celebration on the Winter Solstice. People would celebrate by feasting, drinking, singing, decorating and gift gifting to eachother.

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Getting ready for Yule

It’s time to decorate! Pull out your tree and your old Yule log ashes (if you don’t have ashes or this is your first log, that’s okay too). You can make a wreath and set up your altar for Yule also!

What is a Yule log?

Yule logs are evergreens, they are symbolic of everlasting life. When Winter hits and all the plants die, you can still find the evergreens thriving through the cold. They are known for new beginnings, prosperity, strength, purification, and protection. You can choose your log from nature itself, by heading into the woods and gathering one. Or, you can even buy a Yule log online, if you’re not up for getting your own. If you are like me, and can’t light a whole log on fire, you can buy or make a birch log that holds candles, it is the same feel without having to find somewhere safe to make a whole fire.

Once you figure out your Yule log, you can decorate it how you like. Remember correspondence and think of what holiday items would be good to use in your home. Please, also look up poisonous/toxic herbs and plants too, mistletoe is poisonous and should not be in reach of kids or animals. This year I will be using:

• Fresh Pine Sprigs
• Pinecones
• Dried Orange Slices
• Dried Lemon Slices
• Cloves

Making a Yule altar

Some pagan traditions also included rituals and ceremonies to honor their gods or goddesses. These could involve offerings, prayers, and sacred dances. If you want to update or create an altar for Yuletide, here are a few ideas I am going to implement for my own altar.

• Pinecones
• Frankincense or Myrrh Incense
• Green, Red, Gold or Silver Candles
• Pine Sprigs
• Mistletoe (Keep in mind they are toxic to humans and animals if ingested)
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Fresh Oranges, Apples, Cranberries Or Seasonal Fruit

You can also just add to your everyday altar that may already have

• Chalice
• Fire Safe Bowl
• Witches Bell
• Crystals You Feel Drawn To
• Incense Holder
• Altar Cloth
• Wooden Wand
• Pestle And Mortar

Decorating a Yule tree

Many people decorate a yule tree for Christmas every year. Decorating a Yule tree can be just the same, but you can also add your touch of Yule, and nature to the tradition.

Natural garlands by threading on twine

• Popcorn
• Pinecones
• Dried Oranges
• Flowers
• Gingerbread Men/Letters
• Organic Burlap

Yule Feast

During the Winter Solstice feasting is a long time tradition. People have always gathered to celebrate the season by eating, drinking and spending time with family and friends to celebrate the rebirth of the sun again. This was an important part of the celebrations, with a focus on hearty and warming foods.

Gift-giving was also a common practice during Yule, and it was believed that the gift-giving helped to ensure a bountiful year ahead. I found a tradition I love on Cosmopolitan. Ask everyone to wrap and bring their own things they don’t use or want anymore. Leave a pile of gifts, and let everyone pick one before going home. It’s a great way to recycle old things that are still in great condition.

Making Pomanders

In the Middle Ages, pomander balls were commonly used as a form of fragrance and for medicinal purposes. They were typically made of a mixture of aromatic substances, herbs, or spices, and were carried or hung to help mask unpleasant odors, ward off diseases, or protect against bad luck. Pomander balls were often worn on a chain or necklace and were considered a fashionable accessory as well. They were often given as gifts or carried as a token of good luck or protection.

To make pomander balls, you will need:

• Orange or Lemons
• Cloves
• A Pin
• if you want to hang them: String or ribbon

Optional:

• Apples
• Cinnamon
• String or Ribbon

If you are like me and you love giving everything you do meaning, you can use correspondence to make this magickal.

• Oranges- Love, cleansing, purification, friendship, divination, luck success, prosperity abundance and money.
• Lemon– Spiritual opening, purification, cleansing removing blockages, removing negativity, inducing lust.
• Clove- Good for spell enhancement, exorcism, love, money and protection.
• Apples– Love, luck, lust, abundance, creativity, immortality, prosperity, divination, longevity, fertility.
• Cinnamon- Success, spirituality, healing, power, protections, love, luck, prosperity, abundance, strength, money, passion, and psychic powers.

Use the pin to create small holes in the orange or lemon skin. Place cloves into the holes until it is securely in place. Continue to insert cloves into the orange, spacing them evenly apart and creating a decorative pattern if desired. Once the orange is covered with cloves, tie a ribbon or string around the orange to create a loop for hanging. Hang the pomander ball in a well-ventilated area to dry for several weeks, or place it in a decorative bowl as a fragrant centerpiece.

*I include links from partnerships as an affiliate. I receive a commission if you make a purchase, but it doesn’t affect the price on your end. This does not influence which products I write about, my opinions are my own.*

Come read about crystal correspondences next!