The Winter Solstice, also known as midwinter, happens when one of the Earth’s poles is at its furthest point of tilt from the sun.  Festivals celebrating the occurrence center around celebrating with friends and family and loved ones, enjoying feasts and banquets, lots of singing and dancing, and bonfire fun!  Pagans worldwide celebrate Yule as the birth of the new solar year, and a turning point in the season. It marks the lengthening of days and the shortening of nights.  This beautiful day has many names around the globe including Midwinter, Yule, Longest Night, and Jol.  Learn more about different global solstice celebrations here.

Celebrate The Winter Solstice with These Yuletide Rituals

• Read a Yule Book with Family and Friends -
  For Kiddos we recommend: “The Befana Drama” by Gianna Hartwright; “The Real Santa Claus: Legends of Saint Nicholas” by Marianna Mayer;  “The Mitten” by Jan Brett; “The Winter Solstice” by Ellen Jackson; “The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards; “The Solstice Badger” by Robin McFadden; “The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice” by Wendy Pfefer and Jesse Reisch.
  
  For Adults we recommend: “The Old Magic of Christmas: Yuletide Traditions for the Darkest Days of the Year" by Linda Raedisch; “Yule: Rituals, Recipes, & Lore for the Winter Solstice” by Susan Peznecker and Llewellyn; “Krampus: The Yule Lord” by Brom; “Yule Be Dead” by Lorraine Bartlett and Gayle Leeson; “Yule Log Murder” By Leslie Meier and Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross; “Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year: From Samhain to Yule” by Judy Ann Nock
  
  
  

• Create a Yule Altar - A Yule Altar is created to welcome the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. To create one, you’ll need golden, silver, or yellow candles to symbolize the sun.  Gather items that represent the winter season: pinecones, evergreen branches, pieces of cedarwood.  You’ll want to burn some sage or sweetgrass to cleanse the altar with positive intentions. You can even make a Yule Wreath from evergreen, a string of cranberries, or decorate a Yule Tree with Fruit and Nature Decor!
  
  
  

• Burn a Yule Log in the Fireplace or a Fire Pit - Historically, Nordic tradition was to burn a whole tree across 12 days leading up to Christmas.  Since that’s not exactly sanctioned by apartment management or condo associations (and definitely not feasible for modern hearths) the Yule Log is a popular alternative.  If you don’t have a woodburning stove/fireplace in your home, you can always cue up the digital version on Netflix (in regular or birchwood options!)  Don’t have a Netflix account? You can always bake and serve a Yule Log cake instead.  They’re festive and delicious, and smoke free (unless you burn it in the oven...woops!)
  
  
  

• Take Some Time to Meditate - Since this is the longest night of the year, set aside some time to meditate and so some soul searching.  Reflect on the quiet and peace that blanket the world on snowy evenings.  Think about your goals for the upcoming year, and how you can grow as a person and focus on propelling yourself forward towards your goals.  Reminisce about the past year, and what you would like to accomplish in the new year as the world begins to thaw and usher in Spring.  Focus on being more present instead of “productivity” and how you can connect with your peers, loved ones, and yourself within your own space. Try this “Wheel of the Year” Guided Meditation specifically for the Solstice. Or try some deep breathing while reading this Yuletide Meditation.
  
  
  

• Exchange Nature-Related Gifts - Yule is a time to celebrate the changing of the seasons as the days grow in length and nights get shorter. Get your loved ones gifts that remind them about the beauty of the world around them!  Focus on things made from natural elements, plants for their home, bulbs or seeds to be planted in spring, or perhaps some books about nature or a documentary celebrating Earth!  Do your best to shop sustainably or choose recycled/upcycled or compostable gifting materials (Steer clear of the foiled and sparkly kind!)  You can also give back directly to the environment by feeding local wildlife (check your area guidelines!) or scattering local wildflower seeds across the snow to melt into the ground at springtime! Craft a 5 elements Pentagram with natural sticks or popsicle sticks.
  
  
  

• Make some Yuletide Recipes - Mulled Wine Recipe; Winter Solstice Cocktail; Winter Solstice Soup; Winter Solstice Brew; A full Yule Day Menu like this!; Vegan Yule Log Cake; Mushroom Wellington; Sun King Soup; Lentil Loaf; Fennel and Orange Salad; Pepper Poppers; Vegan Rice Dumplings; Vegan Wonton Soup; Winter Solstice Roast Goose and Brussels Sprouts