The Pagan holiday of Yule is celebrated at the Winter Solstice on December 21 or 22. Other names include Midwinter, Saturnalia, and Year’s Long Night. This holiday marks the deepest part of winter, when people gather together to ward off the darkness. They feast, make merry, and exchange gifts.
From Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice, the nights grow longer. Winter Solstice is thus the longest night, after which the days begin to grow again, promising the spring to come. As a seasonal festival, is a time to reflect on the cold and dark, then push the darkness away and celebrate the light.
Place symbols of the winter (and a secret symbol of spring, such as a branch with buds) on your altar. Choose colors to represent day and night, such as black and gold or blue and silver. If possible, plan to stay up all night and greet the sunrise. Feast with pinwheel cookies, black-and-white pudding, or other foods with stark color contrasts. Winter vegetables are also apt.
The Sun’s Return
In some traditions, the Sun will not return without help. Winter marks a time when the Sun is held captive by the forces of darkness or is exhausted from a hard year’s work. Rituals for this theme often feature mythic theatre presenting the story and inviting attendees to help bring back the Sun.
Cover your altar with images of the Sun. Other good choices include pinecones, cranberries, and stags. The colors red and gold are especially appropriate. Solar deities include Ra, Apollo, Amaterasu, and Helios. For your feast, serve sun-dried or spicy foods.
The Holy Child
In many traditions, the Mother Goddess or another female figure gives birth to the God, the Sun, or a hero. More rarely, the Goddess cycles through the seasons alone, and at this time She transforms from Crone to Child Goddess. This is a special time to honor mothers and children. Consider this theme for interfaith events.
Bedeck your altar with pictures of the Holy Mother and Child, or even a whole creche scene. Blue and white, red and green, or red and gold are some popular color combinations. These rituals often involve lighting candles or incense; the traditional frankincense and myrrh is especially appropriate. Lamb is a good meat for this feast, and you might consider serving eggs or milk to symbolize motherhood.
The Oak King and the Holly King
In one myth, the Oak King and the Holly King do battle twice a year. At the Winter Solstice, the Oak King vanquishes the Holly King. The Oak King then rules over the waxing year until Midsummer, when the Holly King returns to challenge him.
For decorations, wreaths or garlands of holly may be combined with acorns or silk oak leaves. In ritual the two men portraying these gods are customarily crowned with their respective leaves. The colors are green (for the Oak King) and red (for the Holly King). Red and green foods are traditionally served at the feast.
Apples for Yule are usually red ones, and often preserved in some way. Whole spiced crabapples or sliced and spiced apple rings come in jars, to be served alongside the meat dishes. Dried or fresh apples are also chopped and combined with nuts in many fillings.
Dried fruit platters appear at many holiday parties. These often include a selection of figs and dates in addition to the more familiar apricots, pears, and apples. Many holiday dishes also feature chopped or stewed dried fruit.
Nuts are a popular type of winter food. These include hazelnuts, acorns, and walnuts in particular but there are many other types. (Avoid tropical nuts unless you live where they grow.) Many stores sell mixed whole nuts at this time, and it’s fun to crack them.
Root vegetables including turnips, onions, and potatoes store well through the winter. Some potatoes have red skins; red onions and beets are red all the way through.
Winter squash ripen late in the season and have strong rinds for storage. They may be peeled, chopped, and mashed; split and baked in their shells; or used to make stuffings. Here are some resources.
Meat for the Yule table is usually domestic but occasionally wild. Ham and goose are classics. Historically, whole suckling pigs — or even adult hogs — were roasted and brought out on platters. Venison is sometimes served too.
Candy and other sweets are a mainstay of Yule celebrations. These include candy canes, ribbon candy, cookies, etc. Many traditional “Christmas cookies” are in fact holdovers from much older traditions. Look for colors, shapes, and ingredients that match your beliefs and/or holiday theme.
Yule Log cake is an iconic centerpiece, for which there are many recipes. This is most often a rolled chocolate cake filled with jelly or cream, but you can also find log-shaped pans for solid cakes. Decorations are elaborate and include sculpted bark made of frosting or fondant; marzipan sculpted into birds, animals, holly or mistletoe sprigs; and chocolate shavings.
Fruitcake is another classic, although more people like to make it than like to eat it. This is usually a mass of dried or glace fruits held together with a small amount of cake (and often a large amount of alcohol). An amusing guide to fruitcakes, with recipes, is here.
Eggnog, a Yule favorite, is a rich beverage made from milk, eggs, and often alcohol. Modern versions include other flavors, even chocolate; you can find recipes online. Remember that eggs are a symbol of rebirth, suitable for honoring the sun’s return.
Wassail is another famous holiday beverage, a hot spiced punch. It may be made with fruit juices and spices, or with alcohol. Wassail is also a traditional offering to encourage fruit trees to grow and yield, as described in many wassailing songs.
Colors: Red and green are the classic colors of life in deep midwinter, as combined in holly berries and leaves. White and silver stand for snow, purity, and daylight. Deep blue is the color of midnight. Gold represents the sun and abundance.
Plants: Greenery is more apt for the season than flowers; evergreen boughs are ubiquitous. Holly and ivy are also used to make wreaths and garlands. Mistletoe is tied in small bunches to hang. Pinecones may be hung as ornaments or stacked in bowls. Most of these are masculine symbols. The poinsettia and Christmas cactus are more feminine; bright red ones can stand for the fire of the sun, while white ones represent the purity of the Goddess.
Incense: Frankincense and myrrh give an intense, spicy fragrance with a long tradition. Cinnamon, clove, and orange are popular fruity-spicy choices. Pine and bayberry are more resinous and woodsy. Consider the woodsy-musky oakmoss if you’re honoring the Oak King.
Altar Tools: Candles, candle holders, and candle snuffers appear in most Yule rituals. You may also want a mirror or other shiny things, sun symbols, animals to honor the deities, divine icons, etc. Cakes and ale are often presented on elaborate dishware: a platter of gold or silver metal or glass, or ceramic made to resemble an evergreen tree or poinsettia flower; and a chalice of silver, gold, or crystal. (You can get these things on sale for a few dollars between Christmas and New Year.)
Yule Log: This comes in at least four types. The traditional Yule log is a giant hunk of wood left burning in a fireplace for a whole festival lasting several days. A modern variation is a small log sliced flat on the bottom and drilled for several candleholders on top. Then of course there is the Yule log cake. I’ve even seen some cast of hollow chocolate and filled with candies!
Bells: A rope or strap of bells, either round sleigh bells or trumpet bells, is a traditional holiday decoration. Bells produce a cheerful sound that lifts the spirits and drives away malicious influences.
Snow: Decorate with artificial snowflakes, glitter, or other materials that mimic snow. If there is snow on the ground, you may wish to build snow gods and goddesses, or snow lanterns.
Lights: Holiday lights are a modern alternative to open flames. They come in all colors so you can choose them to match your theme. The new LED lightsuse much less energy and are very beautiful.
Background: This interfaith ritual accommodates Pagan-friendly Christians and other folks. It uses common motifs such as bells, candles, and incense that span multiple traditions.
Preparation: Celebrants gather in the ritual space. There will be an altar set up, with a Yule fire already burning in the woodstove.
Circle Caster: Casts the circle using a rope of sleigh bells. Cast the circle by the sound Bells that jingle travel ‘round Keep away the things we fear Summon close the ones held dear Shape for us a sacred space While we’re gathered in this place Bells that jingle travel ‘round Cast the circle with the sound
Caller for the East: Calls East/Air; all turn to face that direction. As we face the East, I call to the element of Air, And pay respects to the cold winds of winter – Winds which inspired us to first seek, and then create Shelter. As we shelter here tonight, we ask that you guard our Circle with your force, and join us with your inspiration.
Caller for the South: Calls South/Fire; all turn to face that direction. As we face the South, I call to the element of Fire, And pay respects to the natural blazes which we first Attempted to harness for our warmth. As we bask in the Yule Fire tonight, we ask that you guard our Circle with your power, and join us with your persistence.
Caller for the West:Calls West/Water; all turn to face that direction. As we face the West, I call to the element of Water, And pay respects to the snows and ice of winter – Aspects which inspired us first to seek, then to create Furs, robes, and clothing. As we gather here tonight, we ask that you Guard our circle with your strength, and join us with your endurance.
Caller for the North: Calls North/Earth; all turn to face that direction. As we face the North, I call to the element of Earth, And pay respect to the great forests, which at one time were Places of terror for all mankind. As we circle here tonight, We ask that you guard our circle with your density, and Join us with your mystery.
All face the center of the circle.
Caller for the North: Delivers introduction of ritual, drawing specific comparisons between the way different faiths (particularly Christianity and Paganism) approach this time of the year. Both rejoice in the coming of the sun/Son, and many traditions feature the birth of a Child of Hope around this time. Similar symbols appear, sometimes representing different metaphors: incense, candles, gold and silver, rich foods, evergreens, etc. We view this as a season of hope, however we choose to celebrate it in our various traditions.
Caller for the West: Week by week and day by day, The golden sun has gone away. Month by month and night by night, The dark has swallowed up the light.
One by one, extinguishes a row of candles. Yet never comes the total dark, For there lives a hidden spark
Caller for the South: Takes a light from the Yule fire.
Caller for the West: The secret seed of sunlight’s fame, Waiting to be fanned to flame.
Caller for the South: Relights the candles in reverse order.
Speaker 1: Sprinkles frankincense into censer. “For thousands of years, people have treasured the spices and resins. Tonight, we burn frankincense in honor of the gifts we give.”
Speaker 2: Sprinkles myrrh into censer. “For thousands of years, people have gathered to celebrate the return of light from darkness. Tonight, we burn myrrh in honor of the gifts we receive.”
Speaker 3: Passes “coins” around to all in circle, followed by chalice. “For thousands of years, people have shared their bounties with friends, family, and loved ones. Tonight, our “gold” is in the gift of chocolate.
Caller for the North: Calls North/Earth; all turn to face that direction. As we face the North, I call to the element of Earth, And offer appreciation for the fields of grain, and crops that will Grow again with the change of the season. We thank you for your presence here tonight -- Go if you must, stay if you will: Blessed Be!
Caller for the West:Calls West/Water; all turn to face that direction. As we face the West, I call to the element of Water, And offer appreciation for the gentle rains that will Foster the growth with the change of the season. We thank you for your presence here tonight -- Go if you must, stay if you will: Blessed Be!
Caller for the South:Calls South/Fire; all turn to face that direction. As we face the South, I call to the element of Fire, And offer appreciation for the warmth of the sun Which now begins its return to glory. We thank you for your presence here tonight -- Go if you must, stay if you will: Blessed Be!
Caller for the East: Calls East/Air; all turn to face that direction. As we face the East, I call to the element of Air, And offer appreciation for the gentle breezes That will return with the change of the season. We thank you for your presence here tonight -- Go if you must, stay if you will: Blessed Be!
Circle Caster: At end of ritual, while extinguishing all candles: May we keep throughout the year These candles’ light and Yule’s good cheer. Carry each within your heart As we all merry meet and part.
All: “Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.”
Ritual for Yule 2006
Background: This seasonal ritual celebrates the winter solstice as an abstract astronomical event with spiritual implications, rather than worshiping a specific deity. This is the time when dark is strongest and night is longest -- yet the light returns, and days begin to lengthen again.
Setup:Organize dining room space for ritual use. Place altar table (small one or large one depending on group size) in center of room. Place gold taper candle on sun mirror and arrange gold pinecone candles around it, with snuffer and matches on table. Place additional candles in holders around the room. Turn off all lights, leaving only the taper candle burning in its brass holder. Participants gather in a circle around the table.
South Caller:Picks up the taper candle by its holder and hands it to the next person clockwise, saying:
“As the flickering light is passed Hand to hand the circle is cast.”
Each person passes the candle to the next, repeating the verse. When the circle is cast, South Caller sets the candle on the altar and lights the other altar candles from it.
South Caller:Faces south and says: “Southern Fire, beacons burn Promising the Sun’s return. Lend your passion and your light As we strive against the night.”
West Caller:Faces west and says: “Western Waters, dark and slow Bind the world in ice and snow. Join us now – your presence felt Makes the winter start to melt.”
North Caller:Faces north and says: “Northern Earth, now fast asleep, Pray recall the seeds you keep. Send your spirits where we meet For to summon back the heat.”
East Caller:Faces east and says: “Eastern Breezes, breath and life, Bring an end to storm and strife. Blow into our rite, we pray – Drive the winter far away.”
North Caller:Picks up the snuffer and slowly extinguishes all the candles except for the taper, while saying:
“Day by day, for half the year, The nighttime has grown longer; Night by night, for half the year, The darkness has grown stronger.
We have known anger and fear; We have known want and hunger. We have seen the Earth grow sere … And we’re not growing younger.
But what is this I see here? The night was never utter! One spark remains, burning clear In the dark, a brave flutter.”
South Caller:Re-lights all the candles on the altar from the taper (other people may light additional candles around the room) while saying:
“Behold! Deep in winter drear, At last comes the lightbringer! Cheer the Sun’s return, and cheer The glad heart, the praise singer!
We will know fields full of deer And bread dripping with butter. Share the loaf, and pour the beer And scorn old winter’s mutter.
Night by night, for half the year, The daytime will grow longer; Day by day, for half the year, The sunlight will grow stronger.”
North Caller and South Caller:Distribute “cakes and ale” in the form of buttered bread and ginger beer.
East Caller: “Eastern Breezes, breath and life, Who have ended storm and strife, Hear our gratitude, we pray, As we send you on your way.”
North Caller: “Northern Earth, though fast asleep, Safe the seeds of spring you keep. As you leave from where we meet, Let our thanks renew your heat.”
West Caller: “Western Waters, dark and slow Who released the ice and snow, We give thanks for all we felt – Now leave us, with the running melt.”
South Caller: “Southern Fire, beacons burn That have brought the Sun’s return – Hear our thanks for all your light As we say farewell this night.”
South Caller:Turns to the next person counterclockwise, releases hands, and says:
“As these words of hope are spoken, The circle is open, but unbroken.” * * * Tools & Supplies
Background: This ritual belongs to a set in which each sabbat honors a different culture. Here the focus is the Kemetic (Egyptian) tradition. The featured deities are Isis, Ma'at, and Horus.
Ritual Prep:Clear dining room. Set up candles and candelabras all around the room, including the wall sets. Set up small altar table with blue placemat, gold circle candle in holder, three altar candles in holders, gold bowl of baking soda, incense burner with charcoal, resin incense in dish, and long matches in vase. Gather celebrants into a circle, in chairs. Priest is dressed in white, Isis in black and gold, Ma'at also in black and gold (with her feather), Horus in red.
First Caster:Lights the gold circle candle, then hands it to the next person, saying: “As the flickering light is passed, hand to hand the circle is cast.” The recipient then passes the candle on, repeating the same words, and so on around the circle.
When the circle is complete, First Caster then lights the altar candles from the gold circle candle: "May the goddess Isis bring us the light of ankh, the life force. May the goddess Ma'at bring us the light of ma'at, order. May the god Horus bring us the light of udjat, vision." Lights the charcoal to prepare it for the incense. Snuffs the circle candle and sets it on the altar. Rejoins the circle.
Second Caster: Carries the bowl of baking soda around the circle, saying: "May the purifying salt, natron, (NAY-trahn) banish all malicious spirits from this sacred space." Rejoins the circle.
Third Caster: Places the resin incense on the lit charcoal, saying: "May the sweet perfume of incense rise up and invite the netjeru, (net-CHAIR-oo) the gods, to join us." Rejoins the circle.
Priest: Reads the Opening of the Way: Open, O Heaven! Open, O Earth! Open, O East! Open, O West! Open, O South! Open, O North!
The gates of Thy temple shall be flung wide for Thee, netjeru (net-CHAIR-oo)!
Priest delivers the Statement of Intent. Present principles of ankh (life force), ma’at (mah-aht)(order), and udjat (ood-JAHT )(vision). Mention the dark time of the year and the pending return of the Sun.
Priest invokes Isis: "In the beginning there was Isis: Oldest of the Old, She was the Mistress of the Word of God. She was the Unique. In all Her great and wonderful works She was a wiser magician and more excellent than any other God.
Come to us, O Isis, Queen of Heaven!"
Isis:Steps forward. "I hear and I come to you, O my people!
I bring the creative power of ankh, the life force. When first the netjeru (net-CHAIR-oo) created all that is, we used this power to bring forth the Sun and the Moon and the Earth. We shaped the plants and the animals. We gave birth to the human beings and taught them how to channel their life force to do good works.
I am the mistress of magic, and I remind you that everything which serves life is good. Understand that the ankh within you is a spark of the fire of the gods. Whenever you use it, you are taking part in the eternal dance of life.
Yet there is more to life than creation, for to thrive, life requires order."
Isis steps back into the circle.
Priest:Invokes Ma’at. "I present Ma'at (mah-aht) to you, the Eye of Ra, the unique one in the Temple-of-Maat, Queen of Upper and Lower Egypt, the venerable and powerful One in Temple-of-the-Sistra. Mistress of the sky, sovereign of all the netjeru (net-CHAIR-oo): I present Ma'at to you, chanting to your ka, (KAH) the lie is abolished." Ma'at: Steps forward. "I stand before you, O my people!
I bring the balancing power of ma'at, (mah-aht) which puts all things in order. When the world was made, I took up my duties. I organized the heavens and the Earth, so that all the spheres would sing in harmony and the Earth would dance to their measures. I taught the human beings the nature of justice, and I gave them truth to lighten their hearts. I taught them that all actions are interconnected; a blow is reciprocated with the same; this is the jointure of everything that is done. The reward of one who does something lies in something being done for him. This is considered by the netjeru (net-CHAIR-oo) as ma'at.
Understand that you move in ma'at, you live in ma'at. It fills your body, it rests in your head, it makes its seat upon your brow. The breath of your body is of ma'at, your heart does live in ma'at. All that you eat, all that you drink, all that you breathe is of ma'at. Trust that my power dwells within you always, and that when you desire truth, you need look no farther than your own heart.
Now turn your eyes to the outer world, and see that the Earth is out of harmony, for the darkness has overwhelmed the light."
Ma'at steps back into the circle.
Isis:Steps forward. "I hear the words of Ma'at, who minds the order of the world. Therefore I shall bring forth Horus, god of rebirth and of the Sun. Handmaidens, light the way for the Sun to return!”
While the Handmaidens light candles, people drum, play sistrum, and chant:
Horus, hawk of the desert skies, Open your wings and watchful eyes! Turn on your feathers red and gold Break loose the darkness from its hold! Banish the night and bring the morn Horus, hawk of the Sun reborn!
When all the candles are lit, Isis says, "Horus sees the light, and draws near!" Isis steps back into the circle.
Priest: Priest invokes Horus.
"I present Horus to you, Lord of Things to Come, Eye of Heaven, God of the Sun. On wings of gold He returns from the desert; the light of His plumage banishes the dark. Horus, the Sun, is here!"
Horus: Steps forward, saying, "I return to you, O my people!
I bring the illuminating power of udjat, (ood-JAHT) the gift of vision. When we created the world, we hung the Sun and the Moon above the Earth so that all might see to find their way. I caused the plants to draw life from the Sun and the animals to graze and hunt by its light. I taught the human beings how to see the choices before them.
I am the Lord of Things to Come. My power lies not in what is manifest but in what is imagined. I am the god of crossroads, and if you follow my guidance I will show you the insight to make good decisions. When the present overwhelms you, call to Me and I will send you new possibilities. I am the Child King, so I am never farther from you than the laughter of little children. When you take care of them, you honor me and I will reward you with opportunities to flourish. I am the Sun Reborn, and though I must sometimes pass through dark places where you cannot see me, believe that I will always return to you in the proper season. As the Sun lights the world, so I light the spirit, that your ka (KAH) may find its way and your heart remain lighter than the feather of Ma'at (mah-aht).
Therefore may you be open to enlightenment for all your days. Rejoice, O my people, for I have returned and I invite you into the future!"
Horus steps back into the circle.
Priest:Releases the deities, saying, We honor the goddess Isis for bringing the power of ankh. We honor the goddess Ma'at for bringing the power of ma'at (mah-aht). We honor the god Horus for bringing the power of udjat (ood-JAHT). Return to Thy shining realm with our thanks, netjeru (net-CHAIR-oo)!
Snuffs the altar candles.
Reads the Closing of the Way. Close, O North! Close, O South! Close, O West! Close, O East! Close, O Earth! Close, O Heaven! The gates of Thy temple shall be kept for Thee, netjeru (net-CHAIR-oo)!
First Caster:Pours the baking soda over the charcoal.
"Now the temple is closed, and the circle is opened. Walk in the clear air and greet the new year, O people of the Earth!"
* * * Altar Tools & Supplies Chairs for seating Drums and sistrum (crescent tambourine) Small altar table Blue placemat for altar Candleholder with gold glitter candle (for circle casting) Candleholders with three altar candles (blue: Isis, white: Ma'at, red: Horus) Lighter (inside the shelf space) Long matches in vase Candle snuffer Gold bowl with baking soda Copper incense burner with charcoal Resin incense in glass dish Long matches in vase