Wicca 101: Yuletide Greetings!

Hello, guys! It's me again!

In case you couldn't tell by the title, I'm going to explain what Yule is about, the traditions, and ways to celebrate it.

So, Yule is the second Sabbat, or Pagan holiday, of the Pagan year. The first one is Samhain, or in Layman's terms, Halloween. (Yes, that myth about Wiccans and Witches going all out for Halloween is true.) Anyways, Yule is held on the Winter Solstice. It is celebrating the rebirth of the sun and the fact that days will get longer from then on. There's many Gods and Goddesses you can worship on this day. The 2 I'll be working with are Apollo, my main God, and Demeter, Goddess of birth and children.

Traditions of Christmas don't make sense, do they? Well, allow me to explain one: the dreaded mistletoe. Pagans don't really hang it up to get couples to kiss underneath it. Believe it or not, mistletoe is hung up for protection. A feast around or on Christmas is to get the family together and bond with each other. This is also true for Pagans, but it also celebrates the sun's return. If you catch onto these traditions, and you just SO happen to be in the broom closet, notice that you can celebrate Yule like Christmas. Notice how they're less than a week near each other. Yes. This also means that during this time, Pagans and Christians can celebrate different things in unison.

Now, ways to celebrate Yule can range for most people. Some can decide if they would love to open presents and have a feast on this holiday. Others can simply acknowledge and pray to a sun God or Goddess. Usually, a ritual is performed at night. I advise that you plan out this ritual in advance. It's really helpful than just winging it. Wear the colors of Yule: green, red, white, gold, and silver. Welcome back the energies of the sun. Devote yourself to the God and Goddess again, because this is a day of renewal. There are SO MANY THINGS you could do.

Since this day focuses on Apollo, I will most likely be creative and write poetry. I'll also write a Yule chant. I'll drink tea with peppermint, a spice of Yule, and meditate. I'll cast a circle and hold a ritual. Hopefully my plans have sparked something in your interest.

Wishing you a blessed Yule,
Dawn
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