Yule

This is my first yule celebrating it in the way of the old traditions. Yule marks the solstice, when the nights start to grow shorter again and slowly the days brighter and longer. Can you imagine the hard times of our ancestors, when the harvest pickings had to last the long, dark and cold winters, with several feasts and celebrations and fires which were to keep the spirits high during the darkness of winter.

Yule traditionally is a celebration which lasts 12 days and nights which begins on the winter solstice (the longest night of the year) Yule is the celebration of returning to the light. Celebrated with fires, feasts and songs. Burning a Yule log adorned with pine cones and candles of red, green and gold. The Yule Tree (Or Christmas tree as we think of it) was decorated and with symbols of healing and hope.

This year my family and I are celebrating starting on the 20th December with Mothers Night - honouring the divine feminine, inner power and my wonderful ancestors. The plan is to do a lot of self care, a bath, pamper and for me a mediatation and wrting my yule affirmation.

Then the following morning we are going to the beach to watch the sun rise, journalling, writing all that I am grateful for and in the evening, lighting candles and having a family meal (depending on my daughters rota at work)

A lot fo my practice is intuitive and as this is my first year celebrating I wanted someting that flowed and felt right to me. Do you have plans, what are you getting up to??