Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule
Yule is a celebration of the Winter Solstice, which is the start of longer days, celebrating the warmth coming soon. Christmas got a lot of their traditions from Yule!
Yule starts the day before the Winter Solstice and continues for the next 12 days.
Before the 12 days start, here is how to prepare:
· Clean the whole house
· Create a Yule Alter:
o Cleanse the space, set an intention
o Yule Log
o Candle to honor the Sun
o Things that represent this season- snowflakes, reindeer, Father Christmas, the sun
o Incense
o Crystals
o A daily offering for each of the 12 days
· Decorate the house with nature
o Dried Orange Slices:
o Pine Needles:
o Pinecones:
o Cinnamon Sticks:
Here is how to celebrate the 12 Days of Yule.
Day 1: Mother’s Night (December 20th)
The first day if Yule is the day before the Winter Solstice. This day is to thank the maternal energy of the world. Acknowledge the wisdom that all women in your life and lineage have brought. Nurture.
Activity: bake cookies, color, do something creative, tap into your feminine energy, braid your hair, braid a friendship bracelet with 3 strings and wear it for Yule
Alter Offering: a cookie that was baked, thank the feminine deities, something that represents feminine energy
Day 2: The Winter Solstice (December 21)
This day is when we celebrate the return of the light with a feast!
Activity: stay cozy and warm, watch the sun rise in the morning, sun salutation yoga,
Alter Offering: butter, write down all the wishes for the year at night, light the Yule candle and burn the wishes
Day 3: Hygge (December 22)
A day to embrace the cold winter season. Don’t fight against it.
Activity: watch a holiday movie, stay cozy, read, crafts, do your daily routines, spend time in nature, paint a birdhouse to bring in the warmer weather
Alter Offering: something that symbolizes home, if there is something that you need to make your house feel more like a home write it on a paper and put it on the alter and have an intention to bring it in your home the next year
Day 4: Count Your Blessings (December 23)
This is a day to give thanks and gratitude.
Activity: make a gratitude list, smoke cleanse house to bring in more gratitude, ring bells or sound cleanse
Alter Offering: salt for cleansing energy
Day 5: Santa and Reindeer Day (December 24)
This is a day to believe in the things you cannot see, and things that are bigger than you.
Activity: Read a book, watch a movie, write a letter to your higher power
Alter Offering: chocolate, a cookie, or something sweet
Day 6: Jul (December 25)
Spend the day with family and friends. This is when we celebrate life and rebirth.
Activity: give gifts, spend time with people and feast, make Pomander Balls (oranges and cloves)
Alter Offering: a whole grain or nuts
Day 7: Hospitality (December 26)
This day is about hosting and making guests comfortable.
Activity: paint a stone and put on front porch
Alter Offering: a drink, pineapple
Day 8: Warding for the Winter (December 27)
This day is about protecting your home for the new year.
Activity: ward your house inside and out
Alter Offering: herbs that represent protection
Day 9: Your Relationship to Gods (December 28)
This day is to connect to your higher power.
Activity: meditate and connect with your higher power.
Alter Offering: chai tea spices
Day 10: Connect with Nature (December 29)
Be grateful for nature today. Spend some time outside.
Activity: get outside, create an elf from clay and infuse the elf with your magic and intention
Alter Offering: put your elf on the alter
Day 11: Divine the New Year (December 30)
This is the day to create your own magic for the new year.
Activity: create a vision board
Alter Offering: citrus
Day 12: The Twelfth Night (December 31)
This is the last day of Yule! This is the last opportunity to be with family and friends this new year. Celebrate and be happy today.
Activity: prepare for the new year, whatever this means to you, smoke cleansing for the last time.
Alter Offering: feather, pomegranate