What is Yule?

The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule or Midwinter, is one of the 4 lesser Sabbats on the Wheel the Year and honours the longest night and shortest day. Falling between June 20-23 here in the Southern Hemisphere and December 19-22 in the North, Yule is considered one of the oldest holydays with celebrations dating back thousands of years across many cultures. (1)

What does the word Yule mean or refer to?

Yule might sound like an old-timey word (and it is!) - it’s got some pretty deep, old roots. The modern word comes from Middle English yol, which came from the Old English geōl, and even further back, from Old Norse jōl - a lively midwinter festival celebrated by pagans long before Christmas rolled in.

Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that “Yule” is connected to the ancient Proto-Indo-European root gʰʷʰel-, which means “to revolve.” It’s the same root we get the Latin word sol (sun) from. Pretty fitting, since Yule celebrates the turning point of the year - the return of the sun after the longest night.

Eventually, many of these old Yule traditions - like holly, mistletoe, gift-giving, and the Yule log - were woven into the 12 days of Christmas.

What are the themes and symbolism associated with Yule?

Despite being adopted by Christians, at its heart, Yule is still a celebration of returning light, renewal, and the turning of the wheel.

For Yule is the time of the great dark - the sacred pause – and of celebrating with much hope the returning of the sun's light and inevitably the blossoming of life.

Steeped in mystery, Yule is a time to not only welcome back the light, but to acknowledge, honour and harness the power of the dark. For from all dark, light is reborn.

In the stillness of the longest night, the season invites a time for deep rest, reflection, and renewal. Not only do we honour the return of the sun, but also all of nature in her changing phases and stages – reflected also in ourselves.

Soaked in peace and inner nourishment, this truly is the necessary interlude to replenish ourselves in the quiet winter healing magic, so we are able to re-emerge and rebirth in spring.

At Yule, we can take the opportunity to reflect back over the year, perhaps re-energising intentions whilst simultaneously letting go of the old to create space for the rebirth to come.

Some Simple Ways you can celebrate Yule include:

Burning the Yule Log – this is an ancient traditional practice that we can adapt for modern times. Light a fire – either in or outdoors and include a special log to be your ‘Yule’ log. Allow it to burn almost to the end, and then save a small bit of the wood to be kept in the home. This is meant to offer good luck and prosperity for the year to come and will be used to start the next year’s Winter Solstice fire.
Decorating your home at Yule adds a festive flavour. Holly, mistletoe, pinecones and evergreen are traditional but may not accessible where you live. Bringing in any native greenery will do the trick. You could also include a Yule Tree to symbolise the abundance you hope the coming year will bring.
Make a warming mug of ceremonial cacao and take it with you for a walk in the great outdoors, appreciating the blessings of the season.
Feasting is pretty much a staple of all the Sabbats, with Yule being no exception! Warming foods that utilise the produce of the season is a great way to honour the darkest night – and why not invite your family and friends to join!
Light candles to symbolise and welcome in the light that will return.
Craft a wreath to hang on your door or in your home.
Watch the sun rise or set, giving thanks for all the gifts the sun offers.