Warm Yule Blessings,
For a new witch (and even experienced witches), Yule is full of excitement and a bit of confusion. How do you celebrate? What is authentic? Is it wrong to celebrate Christmas?
Yule is a wonderful time of year; in it we see the promise of light and longer days. We celebrate the turning of the year and the rebirth of the Sun. For millennia, Yule has been a season of joy, sharing, and abundance.
Most modern witches celebrate Yule in ways that are so ingrained in society, that nobody even notices. Decorating with symbols of eternal life; evergreens, holly, mistletoe, pinecones and oranges. They have parties, exchange gifts, and make merry. Think about the traditions you already love—many may be rooted in celebrating the Yule Sabbat.
The key difference between a secular Christmas and Yule, is people celebrating Yule typically understand the significance of the decorations and the rituals. In the return of the Sun, we see that life endures. Whether it be winter or even death, these are not the end, but a mere time of transformation.
Is it okay to observe Christmas traditions? Well, that is up to you. If you are a Christian witch (and yes there are Christian witches) I suspect that you have already reconciled the two belief systems.
However, I would ask, are traditions like unwrapping gifts by the evergreen tree, feasting, singing and getting together to celebrate Christmas traditions? Or are these family traditions with roots that go back to a time before Romans had ever stepped foot in Northern Europe?
At the end of the day, every witch has to decide how they feel authentic. I personally have no issue drinking eggnog, eating cranberry sauce, or listening to Jingle Bells. I like to have a tree ornament with the year on it, like a little sun on the tree holding a memory for me.
This year I am even making my own wooden Yule decorations with the year and Yule motifs engraved on them. I feel that it reinforces the Yule traditions and the connection with nature. So, this may be my new take on an old tradition going forward. None of the traditions I follow are rooted in Christian scripture, even if Christians celebrate them. They’ve been in my family for generations, and that continuity is what makes them magickal.
That having been said, you won’t see me put up a Nativity Scene, or singing Christian Religious tunes. That’s where my line is—but yours may be different, and that’s perfectly valid. Maybe you are offended by Turkey dinners. If so, good on you. Maybe you have an heirloom nativity scene that has deep meaning for you. Maybe it connects you to your ancestors. If that’s the case, don’t be ashamed, enjoy it.
One thing I would encourage, is to do something meaningful. Yule isn’t just another commercial holiday, it has spiritual significance. Part of your celebration should embrace its spiritual nature.
Perhaps you can write a wish or intention and burn it in candlelight as a manifestation for the year ahead. Or write a poem or a chant and say it in a room lit by candles. However, know that Yule doesn’t need to be elaborate—the smallest ritual is still powerful. Just make sure it is meaningful to you.
The nice thing about Yule, and the craft in general, is that witches all do their own thing and support other witches in doing what feels right. Yule is a time to celebrate and be free. You shouldn’t be judged for being true to yourself.
Since Yule is the season of light, I like to have a candle on the table for the feast. If that resonates with you, please feel free to use this Yule feast blessing, or let it spark your own light of inspiration:
“Sun rises from the East, the cherished light returns,
It blesses our Yule feast, as this candle burns,
Hope lies in the year ahead, of happy healthy days.
Let us enjoy this spread, Anticipating the sun’s rays.”
In the comments, please share your Yule traditions, your family traditions or traditions you want to start this year. Your words may inspire another baby witch stepping into their first Yule. Your thoughts can be the first gift you give this year. Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again.
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