Winter Solstice Celebration: Why Do We Celebrate Yule?
History Of Yule | What Is Yule?
Is Winter Solstice a Pagan holiday?
Ancient Pagan Traditions + Natural Science
- The earth’s actions that cause the Winter Solstice are not inherently Pagan, but the original celebrations of the event by people were Pagan in a historical sense.
- Science:
Every year, the Earth tilts farther away from the Sun before tilting closer again; this is what gives us our beautiful seasons. This tilt causes the longest night of the year and the shortest day of the year.
Winter Solstice happens in the winter season when on the date of the longest day of the year. - Spirituality:
Historically, people on this beautiful Earth celebrated the changing of the seasons with rituals, marking events such as the alignment of the sun during a Solstice, burning fires, and lighting of candles to symbolize the increasing power of the Sun.
The rituals of these people became what we practice today as children of these ancient Pagan cultures.
Learn More!
What cultures does Yule come from?
The Celts and Norse Peoples:
Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden.
Am I allowed to celebrate Yule if I’m not Celtic nor Norse?
Long story short: Yes.
- As many Witches know, and now science supports, our DNA carries the memories of everyone who made us who we are today.
- You may have DNA from a culture that doesn’t represent who you associate with today.
- You may have Irish or Scottish ancestry which would call you to celebrate Celtic traditions.
We love to tell everyone to follow their own guidance, follow their own energy, and, if you’re called to, follow their ancestry. Learn anything you’re called to learn and then respect what you have learned and experienced. Respect is key.
Similar Winter Solstice Holidays
Similar Holidays
These are other similar spiritual- and ancestor-centric celebrations in the world that occur around this day that may resonate more with your ancestral history:
- Dong Zhi, Chinese
- Inti Raymi, Peruvian
- Lohri, Indian
- Saturnalia, Italian
- Shab-e Yalda, Iranian
- Soyal, Hopi
- St. Lucia’s Day/Festival of Lights, Scandinavian
- Toji, Japanese
Yule Correspondences & Winter Solstice Symbols
Quick correspondences & how to decorate your Yule altar
Goddesses and Gods
Apollo, Brigid, Cernunnos, Demeter, Dionysus, Fortuna, Hel, Holly King, Isis, Lugh, The Green Man, Odin, Saturn, + more →
Candle Colors
Gold, Green, Red, + more →
Herbs, Oils, and Incenses
Bay, Cinnamon, Clove, Juniper, Mistletoe, Orange, + more →
Foods & Drinks
Ciders, Dried fruits, Egg nog, Gingerbread, Mulled wine, Roasted apples, Roasted meats, + more →
Yule Shopping
Candles, Oils, Statues, and More 👇
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$129.95
The chief of the Norse Gods and ruler of Asgard, Odin, is shown here in a bust of his head and shoulders. Appearing stern and wise, with one eye and the fierce armor of battle, it is easy to see why the Norse Gods made him Chief. This Odin Bust Statue measures 11″. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$4.95
Lodestones are natural magnets which make them perfect for drawing things to you! The Red Lodestone can help draw love, affection, courage, and strength to you! Simply add the lodestone to charms, spells, altars, and mojo bags. This is a single lodestone and measures approximately 1 inch. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
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Out of stock
$4.50
This beautiful Gold Magnetic Sand, or lodestone food, is perfect for rituals, spells, and prayers for success, personal power, and wealth! This is a 4 ounce bag of magnetic sand. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$1.95
Call upon the aid of the Fae with this beautiful Gold-Toned Fairy Star Chime Candle Holder! The Fairy Star makes up the base of this light-weight, affordable chime candle holder, and is perfect for Faerie Magick, holding candles during a supervised children’s ritual, or simply for holding your corner candles! ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$8.95
This Red Seven Knob Candles (also known as a Wishing Candle) are similar to knot spells or bead prayers; the energy or intention either builds or dissolves as each knot is burned through. This, like other shaped figure candles, may require leveling to stand perfectly straight. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
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Out of stock
$3.50
Commonly used for rituals of purification or as an offering to Gods and spirits, this cut Red Sandalwood is great for spells seeking healing and protection. Simply add a little to your spell or burn on your charcoal disc! ShareTweetPin2RedditMore2 Shares
$8.95
This beautiful, narrow 9″ Red Pillar Candle is perfect for candle magick that pertains to passion, romance, lust, power, fire, and the planet Mars. Unlike glass jar candles, this candle is perfect for carving spells, prayers, or sigils into! Never leave a burning candle unattended. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$14.95
- Great Sabbat feast decor 🍗
- Help protect altar tables from wax and ash 🕯
- 72" x 21" 📏
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$7.95
Beautiful, simple in design, and highly functional, this Red Stone Cone Incense Burner is wonderfully suited for any home or altar space. This can also hold tealights! This stone holder measures 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″. Need sand for your cone incense burner? Click here! ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
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Out of stock
$5.50
Traditionally an incense known for its potent powers in aiding spirituality and magick, AzureGreen’s Frankincense Oil captures many of these qualities for use upon the altar or around the home. Whether used in a diffuser or to anoint your ritual tools, it is a potent aid in improving and empowering astral and spiritual strength for [...]
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$15.25
- "Feed" or store your lodestones ⛰️
- Use in spells to pull wealth and success to you! 💯
- 1 pound of golden, magnetic sand
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$7.95
AzureGreen’s Sweet Orange Oil captures the sweet, citrus fragrance of delicious oranges. It makes for a delightful fragrance whether worn, or used with other items to disperse the aroma through whatever environment one wishes. Beyond this aesthetically pleasing method of use, it also offers a variety of uses in spells and ritual, being a potent aid [...]
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$34.25
Commonly used for rituals of purification or as an offering to Gods and spirits, this cut bulk Red Sandalwood is great for spells seeking healing and protection. Simply add a little to your spell or burn on your charcoal disc! ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$3.95
- Purify your space 🏠
- Neutralize your energies 🙏🏽
- 1.5 ounces of resin ♨️
$1.95
Call in the energies of warmth, vitality, strength, luck, prosperity, Mars, and courage with HEM’s Clove and Cinnamon Incense cones! This pack of incense cones contains 10 cones. ShareTweetPinRedditMore0 Shares
Out of stock
$6.95
Guide and shape energy within your candle magic using this wonderful Red Pyramid Candle. Scented with cinnamon oil, this candle can be used to call love or lovers, keep a lover from straying, or for any purpose that requires red and cinnamon! Inscribe or place petitions under the candle and burn! This candle measures 2 [...]
$13.95
AzureGreen’s beautifully blended Yule Oil has been created specifically for the winter holiday, drawing upon influences that conjure to mind the rich fragrances of the celebration of Yule. Traditionally, it is utilized in spells revolving around and celebrating Yule, and the winter Solstice, and is most specifically oriented towards this end. However, outside of the [...]
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$1.75
Offering you the fragrant aroma, energies, and protection of Frankincense, these HEM Incense sticks are a wonderful addition to the incense that you burn for the atmosphere of your home and sacred space. Coming 20 to a box, this incense is great for Lammas and Lughnasadh rituals! ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$115.95
- Perfect for Yule incense blends! 🎄
- Great for bringing wealth and luck to your home🍀
- Bulk 1 pound order
$1.95
- Great for Yule! 🎄
- Perfect for money spells! 💰
- 20 incense sticks ⭐
$5.95
- Great for Yule spells 🎄
- Perfect for money spells 💰
- 2 ounces of cinnamon powder ⭐
$4.95
Traditionally, Rosemary is great for increasing memory as well as being a powerful aid in spells of love and romance. This 4 ounce packet of rosemary leaves makes a great addition to Mabon rituals! ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$13.95
- Great as an altar cloth or wall decoration ⭐
- Has every Northern Hemisphere Witches' Sabbat date 📆
- 24" 📏
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$2.75
No additives or dilution here! This Frankincense Tears Resin, when burned on charcoal tablets, raises the energies of your sacred space to the vibration of meditation, protection, purification, and consecration. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
