What is Yule?

Yule in the Northern Hemisphere begins December 21st and is the marker for the Winter Solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the opposite, beginning on June 21st and marking the Summer Solstice. I’ve devised a simple breakdown of the correspondences that are associated with Yule. 

In traditional witchcraft, Winter Solstice is a celebratory marker of the darkest day of the year, and the promise of the sun’s return. The Darkest Day/Shortest Day, (and therefore the coldest days) is now done with, we have the promise of spring ahead. In symbolism most commonly seen in Wicca, the Goddess is thought to awaken from her slumber and gives birth to her son, the God (the Sun).

Also Known As- Midwinter, Sun Return, Alban Arthan, Pagan New Year, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Finn’s Day, Yuletide, Festival of Sol, Great Day of the Cauldron, and the Festival of Growth

Lighting Candles on this Day, to symbolize the Sun’s return.

Yule is a reminder of rebirth.

I was born and died only to be reborn again.

Yule Correspondence

Offerings- Cider, Cookies, Caraway Cakes, Ginger Tea, Lamb’s Wool, Spiced Apple Cider, Dried fruits, Cinnamon, Roasted apples, Warm Drinks, Mulled Wine

Herbs- Bay Berry, Bay, Blessed Thistle, Evergreens, Frankincense, Holly, Laurel, Mistletoe, Myrrh, Oak, Pine, Sage, Yellow Cedar, Juniper, Juniper Berries

Deities- All Newborn Gods, All Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, Triple Goddesses, Dagda and Brighid

Colors- Gold, Green, Red, White, Silver, Yellow, Orange

Incense- Cedar, Frankincense, Juniper, Myrrh, Pine

Trees- Apple, Birch, Cedar, Chestnut, Fir, Holly, Juniper, Oak, Pine, Yew

Stones- Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby

Zodiac- Capricorn, Sagittarius