Yule: Honoring The Winter Solstice

The word 'solstice' derives from the Latin words sol (the Sun) and sistere (to stand still). Symbolically, this is a time of pause but also vibrant celebration. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice signifies a symbolic rebirth. It marks the Sun's lowest point on the horizon, after which daylight hours gradually lengthen. In the Southern Hemisphere, this time witnesses the culmination of the Sun's radiant power. Both hemispheres experience threshold moments and transitions to honor.

At Samhain, the Goddess followed the God into the Underworld and the Earth began its long winter slumber. As the Wheel turns to Yule, the Goddess is with child and gives birth to the tiny Oak King, spirit of the waxing Sun. The Holly King is defeated and returns to the Underworld to rest until Summer Solstice when he will again be reborn as spirit of the waning Sun.

A central myth associated with this time of year is the fight between the Holly King and the Oak King. In Celtic mythology, these two figures take turns ruling for half of the year, fighting for the favor and love of the Goddess. Both willingly surrender their life force for the well-being of the land. In truth, they are one.

This battle has a few different perspective based on traditions. From Wiccan and neo-pagan perspectives, the solar year is interpreted as a cyclical battle between the Holly King, representing darkness, and the Oak King, representing light. The Holly King's power reaches its peak at the winter solstice, but it is also at this moment the Oak King is reborn. The Oak King gains power, ultimately defeating the Holly King at the spring equinox, and reaching his own peak of power at the summer solstice, when the Holly King is reborn anew. The cycle repeats eternally as the Wheel turns, mirroring the natural rhythm of the year.

They two mythological figures are seen as two sides of a whole –  birth and regeneration, and death and decay. It is not a battle between good and evil, but the harmony of life where birth and death are both integral parts.
Fun fact: the Holly King is also seen as part of the inspiration for Santa Claus as he was often depicted wearing a sprig of Holly.

The myth is a reminder that nothing lasts forever. Each one brings gifts that are needed – a time for growth, activity and blooming, while the other encourages introspection, surrender, and a gentle slowing down. This dance of life and death is essential for the continuous renewal of the natural world.

Winter Solstice Rituals

Go outside and forage on the day of the solstice to connect with the earth and season. Forage pine cones, sticks, and evergreens to make your own crafts, ornaments, and decorations for your home and altar. Bringing in flowers and plants from outside stems from solstice traditions of recognizing life during the dead of winter. Since these were the plants that thrived during the winter months, they were brought in to decorate homes during the holidays.

Wake up early on the day of the winter solstice to watch the sunrise. Close your eyes, feel the sun’s warmth on your face. Observe how the sun lights up the world around you. Bring a journal and write down any thoughts that come to mind. When the sun peeks over the horizon, toast the sun with words such as these: “Sunshine of my soul, radiant and beloved star, I salute you. I welcome you. I thank you.”

Make/burn a yule log. You may even find one from foraging. Bring it home and decorate it with candles, ribbon, pine cones, spruce branches, whatever you have. You can use it as a centerpiece for your dinner table or on your altar. If you have a fireplace you may even burn it on the day of the solstice. Or burn it outside in a bonfire.

Different types of wood are believed to possess unique magical and spiritual properties. Burning logs from different trees was thought to produce a variety of effects. Aspen wood, for example, was favored for enhancing spiritual understanding, while the mighty oak symbolized strength and wisdom. A family in need of prosperous year might burn a log of pine, while a couple seeking fertility blessings may bring a bough of birch to their hearth.

Create a solstice altar with items that bring you joy and peace. This can include  crystals, herbs associated with the season, fresh greenery, and holiday decorations that were passed down or hold meaning to you. Fire is an important element to Yule, so be sure to adorn your altar with candles! You might place one large candle in the center to symbolize the sun, surrounded by smaller candles or tea lights.

Make a traditional winter feast with warming foods to eat the night of December 21. Have fun creating a meal that warms and nourishes the body while being surrounded by loved ones.

Make Yule decorations using oranges to symbolize the returning Sun. A popular Yule tradition is to create pomanders by sticking cloves into oranges, representing warmth, prosperity, and protection during the winter.

How To Make Orange Pomanders

Step 1: Carve out lines of the orange skin using a peeler. Then, using a toothpick or skewer, begin to poke holes in your oranges following any pattern you like. (I like to make rune shapes with mine for extra protection around the home). Be sure to space your holes about 1/4-inch apart since the orange pomander balls will shrink as they dry.
Step 2: insert cloves into the holes.
Step 3: dry or display your orange pomander balls. If you choose to display your pomander balls without preserving them, you’ll want to place them in the refrigerator at night to prolong their freshness.

You can run wire through the balls to hang as ornaments, garland, or a wreath. Orange and clove pomander balls can last quite a long time when properly made and cared for.

Make a Wishing Pinecone or Pinecone Petition

Write your wishes for the next year onto small pieces of paper. Roll them up towards you and stick into your pinecone. Seal the deal by dripping melted wax over it all. You can dust your pinecone with herbs, spices, oils that correspond to your wishes. Add natural twine to the top and hang on your tree or burn in your fire on the Winter Solstice to put your intentions in motion.

Draw a winter solstice bath, by incorporating winter scented oils, orange slices, or cranberries.

Bless your home's entryway by sweeping your doorstep and cleansing the threshold. Any time we cross from one place in time to another as we do during Yule, it's important to physically and energetically cleanse your entry. After all, your front door is always a point of power: it’s the point where the energy of the world at large becomes the unique energy that swirls around and defines your personal realm. Make sure to keep such a space cleansed and clear.

 Yule Correspondences

Animals: Bear, Boar, Squirrel, Stag, Sow, Tiger

Birds: Eagle, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Owl, Robin, Snow Goose, Wren

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Fortuna, Gaia, Hel, Holle, Ishtar, Isis

Gods: Apollo, Attis, Balder, Dionysus, the Green Man, Lugh, Odin, Ra

Herbs & Spices: Cinnamon, Clove, Pine, Nutmeg, Juniper, Cedar, Cardamom, Chestnut, Holly, Blessed Thistle, Chamomile, Ivy, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Sage, Star Anise

Scents: Cedar, Frankincense, Juniper, Myrrh, Pine

Stones: Bloodstone, Clear Quartz, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian

Trees: Apple, Birch, Cedar, Chestnut, Fir, Holly, Juniper, Oak, Pine, Yew

Zodiac: Capricorn, Sagittarius

Spell workings/themes: new beginnings, rebirth, the future, balance, gratitude, release, peace, hope, endings & cycles, introspection, and happiness.

Like all Wheel of the Year festivals, Yule is a portal: a sacred moment when we step from one energy into another, when we are empowered to let go of the old and welcome in the new. We turn inward, resting, reflecting, and engaging in the solitary acts of contemplation and self-care. May the darkness and silence of winter grant you peaceful rest, and may the days that follow be abundantly blessed.

Witching you a very merry solstice 🌟🕯❤️️
-Kendra

Do you have any Yule/Winter Solstice traditions you incorporate into the holiday season? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. 

Updated on: December 17th, 2024
Originally published: December, 13th, 2022

About the Writer

Kendra is the creator of Luna Lifted, a brand dedicated to empowering women to seek their magic. She is a practicing {eclectic} witch of 10+ years. When she's not designing and creating new things for Luna Lifted, you can find her reading a fantasy novel, gardening, gaming, or indulging in a long bath. Kendra resides in Minneapolis, MN with her three cats: Tunechi, Rumi, and Marceline.