My First Yule

**I tried to not take my own pictures that night, so I can focus my energy with the family :) So enjoy some Yule vibes I found online.

Simple Cozy Yule Decor <3

November 21st was the winter solstice, the one time in the year the sun is at its most lowest point. From this day, the sun is only going to get stronger, rising ever so much since it's previous day.

Caleb, his mom and I have always been curious about different traditions. We love going to spirit shops and skimming through books, and my favorite, looking at crystals.

Today, November 22nd, marked our first annual Yule Winter Solstice.

So what is Yule exactly? Yule is a traditional winter festival that has historical roots in Germanic and Norse cultures. It is typically celebrated around the time of the Winter Solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Illustration of Celtic Yule Celebration

Yule has been embraced by various traditions, including Celtic, Christian, and spiritual practices. It is a time of festivities, symbolizing the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Yule celebrations often involve rituals, feasting, and the lighting of candles or a Yule log to symbolize the return of light during the darkest time of the year. The traditions and customs associated with Yule can vary across different cultures and belief systems.

We were still in the twenty-four hour window since the solstice began at 10:22 PM, giving us plenty of time to celebrate. We arrived at mama K's boyfriend's house around seven, him and his daughter joining us. We're welcomed by her beautiful yule feast of pork-loin studded with rosemary thyme, garlic mashed potatoes, figs, homemade applesauce, cranberries, fruitcake, and roasted brustle sprouts. It smelled amazing.

And to top that off, eggnog and a delicious golden mead called Viking Blod :P

And for desert, Yule logs!

My Yule Dinner <3

We said no prayers except a thank you for everyone gathering and not eating until we all sat. While we waited, we grinded our wish powder - a combination of spices dumped into a stone grinder where we mush into a fine powder. As we grinded it we put all of our good intentions and energy - it sure did take some time to get all the chunks out and make it into a sandy texture. With this powder we hold it in our hand and walk up to the fire, make a wish, and blow it into the flames.

Grinding tools and ingredients!

It was a lovely (and delicious) dinner where I felt very relaxed, comfortable, and got to know a lot more about each other. It's mazing the new things I learned about the people I loved, and I began to appreciate dinners like this much more.

As dinner wrapped up, our host went outside to began the fire while we carved candles. I never carved a candle before, and I certainly never used a ritual knife to carve one! A couple of slips here and there but eventually I found comfortable techniques where I can gently rotate the candle while the tip of the blade pierces through making nice curved edges. The pattern I came up with was a sigil form of a snail, and some elemental forms such as waves, mountains and a sun.

My Snail Sigil <3

With this candle we will place it in front of us during the prayer, while carrying a different candle inside a makeshift lantern made with a mason jar and rope handle, dressed in our warmest winter clothing. Our host's backyard is absolutely beautiful, almost his own nature trail - a naturists dream. A small hill leads up to two spots: the spot where we gather and say our Yule prayer, and the campfire. Further beyond is a trail that leads to a hilly golf course that's PERFECT for sledding. Before we made our prayer we set up a contribution to wildlife - edible dry fruit on a string hung onto the trees.

Dried Orange Ornaments

Fun quirk: our host put faces on the trees, making the woods seem more magical! Talk about a perfect place to hold Yule.

The five of us gathered into the prayer spot, phones left in the house, surrounding a pretty table that has a compass-looking design on it. We were pretty much standing to make a star. Our lanterns were placed behind us and in front of us we lit our carved candles. Holding hands, my boyfriend's mom began reciting the beautiful Yule prayer she wrote, reminding us how the days further on is blessed with more light, how we come together as friends and family to celebrate the awakening, and ending it with "happy winter solstice".

We weren't in masks like this I just thought this photo was super cool!

One by one we go up to the fire with our wish power. I went first. Since the powder was kept in ziplock bags it was difficult to pour. But I got enough in my cupped hand, and I spent a moment thinking about the things I want to improve and to achieve for the year. Blown into the dancing fire, I felt a sense of relief. To be quite honest I don't take deep breaths like I should. But that night I felt a type of tranquility and content I couldn't recall in the past.

After we all made our wishes we went inside to play Catan :)

As the night progressed I began to feel very tired. We stayed over and I was the first to cash out in the guest bedroom. I actually slept through the whole night like a bunny, no recollection of going to use the bathroom or any tossing or turning. Even on an rough air mattress.

The next morning we had breakfast - biscuits and gravy :P We also watched a huge throwback for Calebs family. Little Bear's Winter Solstice Episode.

Something in me recognized this scene. Growing up, I wasn't a big Little Bear watcher (more like Blues Clues and Max and Ruby) but this particular episode called to me. It was one of the most charming children show content I've ever seen and I must share this with you all! Watch and enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YfpKSNzQ2g

Similar to Yule the bears had a family dinner, however they began their tradition before the feast. The bears walked outside in the night with lanterns, hung them on a tree and sung a song. Then they hung food for the "snow angels" - dry fruit and cookies on a string. After an epic snow ball fight they finally feasted, while the deer and birds munched on the goodies left on the tree.

I felt like Caleb was about to shed tears watching this with his mom and I. Its amazing how kids shows left a mark on us growing up - how him and his family were huge nature lovers and appreciators. (That day I was reminded about how Blues Clues had an affect on me - always imaginative, wanting to jump through paintings, and having some sort of handy dandy notebook in my pocket!)

Magical Yule Log <3

Yule was such a special night, and the beginning of an annual tradition for our family. As I was experiencing it, I thought about my family back home and how they would appreciate something like this. Over the years they slowly became more open to spiritual practices, such as burning incense, learning about crystal powers, reiki and tarot readings. I have never heard of Yule until years ago. Similar to new years Yule a time of reflection - however we also give to nature... instead of getting wasted at wild parties 😂

I hope after writing this I can acknowledge others about the magic of this tradition. I loved the witchyness of our celebration 🧙 grinding powder, carving candles, and gathering around a fire in the woods, and I hope to have more of these kinds of rituals more often in my life.

GOALS?! I wanna be in costume <3 !

But most importantly, to stay away from my phone, my laptop, and become more connected with nature, friends and family.

I feel like most of us forget how to experience togetherness without technology. It's like we always have to have a movie in the background, or play a video-game, showing each other memes. I'm certain the celts back in the days didn't have the Superbowl during their Winter Solsice dinners.

Hope you enjoyed my Yule Tale <3 Happy Winter Solstice! Wishing you love, laughter and peace as the days become lighter and brighter.