Yule (Winter Solstice)
The winter solstice is the longest night of the year, and a turning point when days begin to get longer once again. It is a time of reflection with many rich traditions.
Many people partake in a cleaning ritual and clear clutter from their homes. It’s also a good time to sweep your home (cuz we love brooms) to sweep away dirt and negative energies.
One of my favorite ceremonies is the Yule Log. Where I went to college, we had a Yule Log ceremony every year, and it was one of the few traditions I enjoyed. Students and their families were invited to a performance in the school’s chapel that consisted of poetry readings and choral performances, with great care to represent the many holidays that occur around Yule. After the performance, each year and alumnae had their own Yule Log set along the “Sacred Path” (another tradition from that school, we don’t have to go into it), and each student and alumna was given a pine cone. Students made a wish for the upcoming year on the pine cone, then tossed it into the fire set for their year.
Fire is one of my favorite ways to celebrate, and you can make your celebration circus-y by adding a fire flow. If you’re not a fan of fire, the holiday itself is about returning to the light, so an LED flow also works. One year, the coven I sometimes celebrate with did a rite with the Oak King and the Holly King getting into a sword fight with light sabers. It as great fun. Just because something is a spiritual ritual doesn’t mean it needs to be serious.
I’m also a huge fan of food. A Yule Log can also be a cake designed to look like a log. I once made a fabulous gluten-free Yule Log for an office party consisting of a joconde sponge, home-made mint scented whipped cream, and chocolate ganache. I still dream about that Yule Log (it’s the image for this blog). While not exactly a circus discipline, you gotta fuel up before you workout, so why not fuel up with a slice of Yule Log.
Do you have a favorite Yule tradition? If so, leave it in the comments (if I figure out how to turn them on).
