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.
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 👇
$38.95
- Small enough to fit in travel bags ✈️
- Perfect for hidden altars 🚪
- 6" x 6" x 4" 📏
Out of stock
$5.25
Escential Essences’ Winter Solstice Incense Sticks are strongly scented & elegantly packaged. Use these for family, security, safety, thankfulness, and charity magick. Made in USA. ShareTweetPinRedditMore0 Shares
$5.95
- Great for Yule spells 🎄
- Perfect for money spells 💰
- 2 ounces of cinnamon powder ⭐
$1.25
- Snip the tip to make a quill 🖋️
- Great for petition spells 📜
- Size and shape will vary ⭐
$2.95
Mistletoe has long been reported to be of great aid in spells of fertility, love, protection, prophetic visions, and passion love magic. Popular around Yule, this is a 1 ounce packet of dried mistletoe. ShareTweetPinRedditMore0 Shares
$10.95
- Use in self-confidence spells ❤
- Carve names or symbols, visualize, light! 🕯
- Hand-poured. 7" 📏
Out of stock
$40.95
Gold is the color of masculine energies, abundance, the Sun, the God, luck, wealth, and more. Use these Gold Spell Candles in spells for increasing prosperity, guidance, justice, and more. This pack of chime candles contains 20 individual candles, measuring 4″ x 3/8″. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$67.95
Invite the energies of Deer into your ritual space and life with this beautiful ritual tool. This Stag Horn Damascus Athame blends the artistry of Damascus steel with the natural quality of deer horn as a beautifully crafted knife perfect for magical craft. The athame measures 8 1/2″ with a 3 1/4″ blade. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
-10%
Out of stock
$1.75
HEM’s Frankincense Incense cones come with a small, metal burner plate; please be sure to place that plate on a heat-resistant, non-flammable surface. Burn frankincense incense when working spells for courage, strength, success, and health! Pack contains 10 cones. ShareTweetPinRedditMore0 Shares
$13.95
This great Red Witch Candle is perfect for finding your passion for Witchcraft! Light this candle any time you need to find what fuels your personal path of Witchcraft or Wicca! This candle measures 6-7″. ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
$7.95
AzureGreen’s Cedarwood essential oil is a potent aid to spells and rituals involving purification, healing, and the removal of hexes. Indeed, as an essential oil it is derived directly from cedar, using the natural oils and essences of the wood to produce the highest quality of oils that is imbued with all of Cedarwood natural [...]
-24%
$5.25
This Gold Taper Candle measures 9 inches in height and is perfect for representing the Sun, God, strength, prosperity, and energies of Yule! ShareTweetPin1RedditMore1 Shares
-20%
$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
Out of stock
$1.95
Light up the Yule season with HEM’s Cinnamon Apple Incense cones! This 10 pack of incense cones is perfect for bringing love, vitality, and warmth into your home! ShareTweetPinRedditMore0 Shares
$1.95
- Great for money spells 💰
- Wonderfully scented ♨️
- 20 incense cones ⭐️
-24%
Out of stock
$15.25
- "Feed" or store your lodestones ⛰️
- Use in spells to pull wealth and success to you! 💯
- 1 pound of golden, magnetic sand
-35%
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
Out of stock
$178.95
- Perfect on an Air altar 🌬️
- Use when meditating with the spirit of Raven 🖤
- 6 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 14" 📏
