Have a Merry Yule!

Winter is a perfect time for holidays. We have Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, La Posada etc.
The "reason for the season" however is the the winter solstice.

As some of you likely know, winter doesn't officially begin until the winter solstice which usually falls on December 21 or 22. It's because that is the longest night of the year & after that days get longer again. Many people of different cultures noticed this. The one I'll focus & celebrate is the Wiccan Yule.

Wicca is a pagan religion in which followers are really harmonious with the earth & seek to be close to it.(more info here). Wiccans observe seasonal festivals called Sabbats & Yule is one of them.  The Great Horned god is meant to represent the newborn sun.

Things you can do to celebrate:
-Decorate the house with  pine cones, holly, ivy etc. Hang wreaths especially homemade ones. Not only will the place smell fresh but it "continues" life.
-If you have a fire place, burn a yule log. It represents the sun of course.
(How to make one)
-Gifts! Not the ones you buy but ones you make
-You can use this opportunity to teach . Many winter holidays such as Christmas are related to the solstice which is I appreciate most about the holiday. Also, teach about the earths tilt
-Eat & be merry. What's holiday without socialization?
-Enjoy the winter weather.
-Pledge to make the world a better place through charity, kindness etc. The beginning of the new sun is also the beginning of a new year!


Yule is a beautiful holiday & you don't even have to be Wiccan to celebrate! You just have to love culture, change, & celebration.