Yule, The Longest Night of the Year
Celebrate Yule in December with crafts, recipes, and rituals that rejoice in the sun's return to earth.
When is Yule 2009?
Yule is a celebration of the return of the light at the time of the winter solstice. When is Yule 2009?
Yule is a celebration of the return of the light at the time of the winter solstice. When is Yule 2009?
All About Yule
No matter how you celebrate it, the winter solstice is traditionally a time for all kinds of festivities, feasting, and fun. Here's where you'll find all the Yule-related topics rolled into one handy place.
No matter how you celebrate it, the winter solstice is traditionally a time for all kinds of festivities, feasting, and fun. Here's where you'll find all the Yule-related topics rolled into one handy place.
History of Yule
The celebration of Yule at the Winter Solstice goes back hundreds of years. From the hearths of the Celtic tribes to the bonfires of the Norsemen, this winter holiday has been celebrated in many ways.
The celebration of Yule at the Winter Solstice goes back hundreds of years. From the hearths of the Celtic tribes to the bonfires of the Norsemen, this winter holiday has been celebrated in many ways.
Deities of the Winter Solstice
Cultures around the world have celebrated the winter solstice, and each has its own unique set of deities. These are some of the gods and goddesses associated with the holiday of the winter solstice.
Cultures around the world have celebrated the winter solstice, and each has its own unique set of deities. These are some of the gods and goddesses associated with the holiday of the winter solstice.
Setting Up Your Yule Altar - What to Put on a Yule Altar
Yule falls at the time of the Winter Solstice. Use seasonal concepts and themes to represent the longest night of the year on your Yule altar.
Yule falls at the time of the Winter Solstice. Use seasonal concepts and themes to represent the longest night of the year on your Yule altar.
Yule Altar Gallery
Want to see how other readers have decorated their altars to celebrate Yule? Be sure to check out our Yule Altar Gallery for some great ideas!
Want to see how other readers have decorated their altars to celebrate Yule? Be sure to check out our Yule Altar Gallery for some great ideas!
Hold a Family Yule Log Ceremony
If your family enjoys celebration around the holidays, this Yule Log ceremony is a simple one you can perform with or without kids. Welcome the sun back into your lives as you burn your Yule Log.
If your family enjoys celebration around the holidays, this Yule Log ceremony is a simple one you can perform with or without kids. Welcome the sun back into your lives as you burn your Yule Log.
Hold a Goddess Ritual for Yule - Group Ceremony
At the winter solstice, some Wiccan groups celebrate with a goddess rite -- saying goodbye to the old, and welcoming the new. This ritual is designed for a group of four or more people.
At the winter solstice, some Wiccan groups celebrate with a goddess rite -- saying goodbye to the old, and welcoming the new. This ritual is designed for a group of four or more people.
Hold a Goddess Ritual for Yule - Solitary Rite
If you're a solitary practitioner, but still wish to hold a goddess-themed ritual for the winter solstice, this rite can be done by a single person.
If you're a solitary practitioner, but still wish to hold a goddess-themed ritual for the winter solstice, this rite can be done by a single person.
Welcome Back the Sun for Yule
The winter solstice is a festival of the sun, so why not celebrate by honoring its return? This simple ritual can be performed by one person or a group.
The winter solstice is a festival of the sun, so why not celebrate by honoring its return? This simple ritual can be performed by one person or a group.
Blessing Your Yule Tree
If your family celebrates Yule with a decorated tree, you may want to consider doing a blessing ritual either when you cut it down or before your decorate it. Here are some tips on how to do both.
If your family celebrates Yule with a decorated tree, you may want to consider doing a blessing ritual either when you cut it down or before your decorate it. Here are some tips on how to do both.
Yule Cleansing Ritual
Yule is a time of new beginnings for many people, as the sun returns its light back to the earth. Use this time of year to do not only some emotional refreshing, but also a physical cleansing of your personal space.
Yule is a time of new beginnings for many people, as the sun returns its light back to the earth. Use this time of year to do not only some emotional refreshing, but also a physical cleansing of your personal space.
Great Ways to Celebrate Yule With Kids
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the commercialism of the Christmas season? Here are some suggestions to get you back into the spirit, and celebrate the winter solstice with your little ones, without spending a fortune at the toy store.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the commercialism of the Christmas season? Here are some suggestions to get you back into the spirit, and celebrate the winter solstice with your little ones, without spending a fortune at the toy store.
Ten Great Books to Read at Yule
Looking for some great books to celebrate the Yule season? Curl up in front of a nice warm fire with one of these ten Yule-themed titles!
Looking for some great books to celebrate the Yule season? Curl up in front of a nice warm fire with one of these ten Yule-themed titles!
I'm Pagan -- Can I Still Have a Holiday Tree?
Just because you're celebrating Yule instead of Christmas doesn't mean you can't have a tree for the holiday. Here are some tips on Pagan and Wiccan decorating for the winter holidays -- and why a tree itself is actually a pretty Pagan thing!
Just because you're celebrating Yule instead of Christmas doesn't mean you can't have a tree for the holiday. Here are some tips on Pagan and Wiccan decorating for the winter holidays -- and why a tree itself is actually a pretty Pagan thing!
Surviving the Winter Holidays
So you're a Pagan and you celebrate Yule, or Winter Solstice... but the rest of your family does Christmas. How do you get through the holidays without total chaos? Here are a few tips for a peaceful and harmonious holiday season.
So you're a Pagan and you celebrate Yule, or Winter Solstice... but the rest of your family does Christmas. How do you get through the holidays without total chaos? Here are a few tips for a peaceful and harmonious holiday season.
Dealing With Stress at Yule
Yule should be a time of joy and happiness, but for many people it becomes a stress-filled nightmare. Find out how to keep the anxiety in check and have a low-stress Yule holiday season.
Yule should be a time of joy and happiness, but for many people it becomes a stress-filled nightmare. Find out how to keep the anxiety in check and have a low-stress Yule holiday season.
Save Money for Yule - How to Have a Budget-Friendly Yule
Worried that this year's Yule celebrations will break your bank account? Here are some tips on how you can save some dough but still have a happy and healthy Yule season with your family!
Worried that this year's Yule celebrations will break your bank account? Here are some tips on how you can save some dough but still have a happy and healthy Yule season with your family!
Keeping Your Weight Under Control at Yule
During the Yule season, a lot of us tend to eat more than our normal share. After all, it's the time of year when you're visiting friends and attending celebrations, and there's always food involved! Here are some tips on keeping your weight under control at Yule.
During the Yule season, a lot of us tend to eat more than our normal share. After all, it's the time of year when you're visiting friends and attending celebrations, and there's always food involved! Here are some tips on keeping your weight under control at Yule.
Go a-Wassailing For Yule!
In England, it was traditional for people to visit from house to house, singing songs, much like Christmas Carolers do today. As a reward for their songs, they'd be given a cup of wassail. Start a new family ritual, and go out a-wassailing with these traditional songs for Yule!
In England, it was traditional for people to visit from house to house, singing songs, much like Christmas Carolers do today. As a reward for their songs, they'd be given a cup of wassail. Start a new family ritual, and go out a-wassailing with these traditional songs for Yule!
Hogmanay: Scotland's Winter Celebration
In Scotland, the festival of Hogmanay is even more important than Christmas. Evolved from the Pagan celebrations of Yule, Hogmanay is observed at the end of December, just before the New Year.
In Scotland, the festival of Hogmanay is even more important than Christmas. Evolved from the Pagan celebrations of Yule, Hogmanay is observed at the end of December, just before the New Year.
Io, Saturnalia!
The ancient Romans had a festival for just about everything, and the winter solstice was no exception. The week-long celebration of Saturnalia was a time of great partying, debauchery, and general revelry.
The ancient Romans had a festival for just about everything, and the winter solstice was no exception. The week-long celebration of Saturnalia was a time of great partying, debauchery, and general revelry.
The Legend of the Holly King and the Oak King
In modern Paganism and Wicca, one of the most popular legends is that of the Oak and Holly Kings. These two archetypes battle as the Wheel of the Year turns, and at Yule, one must relinquish his crown.
In modern Paganism and Wicca, one of the most popular legends is that of the Oak and Holly Kings. These two archetypes battle as the Wheel of the Year turns, and at Yule, one must relinquish his crown.
Mistletoe: Myths, Mysteries and Medicine
Although Julius Caesar attributed the use of mistletoe in ritual to the Druids, it has also been traced back to the Greek winter ceremonies. Learn what it is about this little green parasite -- yes, it's a parasite! -- that makes it so special!
Although Julius Caesar attributed the use of mistletoe in ritual to the Druids, it has also been traced back to the Greek winter ceremonies. Learn what it is about this little green parasite -- yes, it's a parasite! -- that makes it so special!
The Origins of Santa Claus
There's a great song by the band Emerald Rose called "Santa Claus is Pagan Too", and that's not a bad way of looking at him. The jolly old elf may be a Christmas mainstay, but his origins are a blend of early Christian figures and Norse deities.
There's a great song by the band Emerald Rose called "Santa Claus is Pagan Too", and that's not a bad way of looking at him. The jolly old elf may be a Christmas mainstay, but his origins are a blend of early Christian figures and Norse deities.
Winter Customs Around the World
Did you know that in Greece, fresh basil is attached to a wooden cross, or why the Scots want a dark-haired visitor on New Year's Day? The winter holidays are celebrated in a number of ways in different countries -- learn about customs and festivals from around the globe.
Did you know that in Greece, fresh basil is attached to a wooden cross, or why the Scots want a dark-haired visitor on New Year's Day? The winter holidays are celebrated in a number of ways in different countries -- learn about customs and festivals from around the globe.