As the year wanes into its darkest phase, we approach Yule & Winter Solstice, the longest night that the winter brings. This time, steeped in ancient tradition, invites us to embrace the deep quiet and introspection that only winter can offer.
Yule (which usually falls between December 21st - 23rd) is a moment of profound stillness and reflection. It's a period marked by the Winter Solstice when the sun hangs low in the sky and the nights stretch long and deep. In this darkness, we're encouraged to find comfort and solace, recognizing it as a necessary counterpart to light. As we light candles and stoke hearth fires, we're not just battling the darkness; we're celebrating the enduring flame within us – the hope and potential for rebirth and renewal.
This is a time reminiscent of our ancestors, who gathered around bonfires to share stories and warmth. Yule is about unity and togetherness, fostering community strength. It's also about bringing the light in to penetrate the darkness. In the light’s return, we find the true spirit of the season – igniting the embers of love and belonging.
As nature slows and the pulse of the earth grows faint, we too are called to slow down. Yule is a perfect time for introspection, turning inward, and nurturing our inner flame. It's a season to honor stillness and the quietude that winter brings, allowing us to connect more deeply with our inner selves.
Yule also embodies the spirit of giving – beyond the material. It's a time to offer gifts of kindness, and compassion. As the earth lies dormant under a blanket of snow, we extend our hands and hearts to those in need. Our actions during this season reflect the very essence of Yule – spreading joy, light, and warmth during the longer nights.
During Yule, we find a special kind of strength. It's a reminder that even in the coldest and darkest of times, life's spark endures. We are reminded of the cycle of seasons – that after this deep rest, spring will eventually come, bringing light, growth, and renewal.
In welcoming Yule and the Winter Solstice, we're harnessing a powerful, transformative phase of the natural cycle. It's a time to celebrate the darkness and the light, to gather in community, to turn inward for reflection, to give generously, and to find strength in the enduring promise of the returning sun.
Should you wish to learn more about Yule, working with seasonal magick, and deepen your sacred practice, I invite you to join The Sacred Spiral Priestess Journey. This year-long program is inspired by the Wheel of The Year, directions, and elements, and spirals through the sacred feminine aspect of each season and the Goddess archetype connected to it. If this sparks your interest, you can join the waitlist.