12 Days of Yule
Yule is a pagan tradition lasting anywhere from 3 days to 12 days, beginning on December 20th or 21st of every year. I myself like to celebrate all 12 days of Yule, and often I am asked what some of those days and nights look like! First things first, there are 2 things I do every night, starting December 21st! We light candles in every room and have a fire, either outside or in our fireplace, at sundown. This is to inspire warmth and light into the darkest hours of winter. There is absolutely no rush, pressure, or consequence in how or why you choose to celebrate Yule. The following breakdown is what I enjoy doing, but in no way is it the standard array or expectation. Feel free to take what resonates with you or twist some of these activities for what YOU like to do.
Day 1 Mother’s Night/ Winter Solstice: Starting December 21st for the Northern Hemisphere, this is the night most people would recognize as “Christmas” type activities. Decorating a tree or yule log, and hanging lights are very popular activities. SInce it is also called Mother’s Night, I find it necessary to reach out to the important women and mothers in my life to thank them and explain how important their impact on me has been. I also like to make a very hearty and filling meal for dinner for my husband and I, utilizing cinnamon, spices, eggs, rice, and meats!
Day 2 After the Solstice: For the first few days after the solstice, we are reminded to honor the sun and do activities that represent the sun and its warmth. Baking lemon crinkle cookies are my favorite way to do this, as the warmth from the oven will heat my home and the bright color and flavor of the lemon reminds me of spring! This is also a great time to do shadow work with your grimoire or daily journaling.
Day 3 After the Solstice: This is another day for sunny activities. Depending on weather, a walk in the sun or meditation outside can be very beneficial! Since I bake cookies the night before and don’t want to overindulge, instead of edible baking I make popcorn and orange garland. Oranges are often used to honor the sun and they make the house smell absolutely divine!
Day 4 Night of Feasting: December 24th is also commonly known as Christmas Eve, so you can imagine some ways to celebrate! I like to make food that contains or represents the main food groups. I then like to share this food with friends and family and dine together. The energy and relationships that can come from food are so powerful. This night is also great for offering food or beverage to your deities, if there are any that you follow!
Day 5 Day of Love and Generosity: December 25th is mostly celebrated as Christmas Day. On this day it is important to utilize your and other’s love languages. Make efforts to give heartfelt sentiments, help others with tasks, give gifts to loved ones, embrace those closest to you, and spend time doing things that others enjoy. Like last night, day 5 is also great for offering gifts for your deities!
Day 6 Reflection Period: After 2 days of spending time with company, the next few days are all about comfort and self care. Starting with the reflection in day 6. I like to start a Yule themed simmer pot to fill the home with warmth and happiness. I keep it on a low simmer throughout the day, but a crockpot works just as well. { Bonus points if you make a simmer pot that you can actually drink! } I like to journal about past and present choices that have defined me, and future happenings I look forward to. I also like to thank the people I have most recently spoken or spent time with, to thank them for sharing their energy with me.
Day 7 Respite and Restoration: Remember that this day and the next are about laying low and taking it easy. Keep activities to a minimum, or at least low energy. Dress comfortably and stay cozy with blankets and hot cocoa! I like to take this day to sit on my couch and make witch balls or spell jars to decorate my home and give as gifts for the remainder of the winter.
Day 8 Respite and Restoration: Still staying in that self care mode, easy baking is fun and delicious. One of my favorite spreads is Hazelnut Chocolate. Think Nutella! I like to make shortbread cookies with hazelnut and chocolate inside. They’re easy to make and very filling, and also last for a while in the fridge!
Day 9 Cleanse to Prepare for Yule End: On day 9 we are nearing the end of Yule. In the am, I first make a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, eggshells, and salt. I grind the ingredients in my mortar and pestle until fine and dust-like, and the I powder every window sill and door entrance with the mix! I then play music to keep me motivated and energized, because it is time to CLEAN! Top to bottom in every room, and cleansing with cedar, juniper or incense smoke after! I also try to get caught up with any errands, chores, or bills, so I’m not feeling overwhelmed at the start of the new year. At the end of the night, make sure to go back to all the windows and doors and do a final sweep so all the powder is out.
Day 10 Divinations: Its time for some intention setting on December 30th! Whether its tarot, oracle, pendulum, bones, or something else entirely, get in touch with the universe and realign with what she wants to give or take from you. On day 12 I do a sunrise ceremony, and since one wants to be up earlier than 5am, I take today to prep for that in advance. I enjoy sticking some manifestations or “wishes” inside an eggshell with corresponding herbs and spices, and then sealing the shells with colored bio-degradable wax.
Day 11 Midnight Celebration: New Year’s Eve is so well known regardless of religion, upbringing, or location and even in Yule, there isn’t much difference. Now is the night for gathering with friends or family and indulging in your favorite wine and rich foods! Party it up with music and dancing to let the year end with a bang and the new year begin with positivity and love!
Day 12 New Year Beginning Ceremony: January 1st is the last day of Yule as well as the first day of the new year! I get up at sunrise, normally around 5am, and bundle up to head outside. I find a part of yard that isn’t too frozen over, and get digging. I find it almost therapeutic to use my hands, so if it is a bit too hard I grab some hot water to help me. Once the hole is big enough to stick in my eggshell, the one I prepped on Day 10, I spit into the hole and then place my egg! I bury it and when its completely covered, I spend a minute or two to meditate with my hands over the sealed hole.
And that’s it friends! Do you celebrate Yule? What are your favorite ways to celebrate? If you don’t partake in Yule, and want to give it a try this year, be sure to let me know! Most of all, remember that this holiday is all about the days getting longer and the sun making a comeback, so make the most of your day and do things that make your heart feel like sunshine! Blessed be everyone!