Yule, the Winter Solstice

The winter solstice arrives when darkness reaches its peak and the sun stands still in the sky before beginning its slow return to strength. Yule marks the longest night of the year, that sacred pause between the old sun's dying and the new sun's birth. Our ancestors understood this as a turning point, a moment when the wheel of the year pivots from descent into ascent, from shadow back toward light.

In the deep quiet of midwinter, nature teaches us about surrender and trust. The earth lies dormant, seemingly lifeless beneath frost and snow, yet beneath that stillness seeds are dreaming of spring. Trees stand bare, their sap withdrawn into roots, conserving energy for the renewal that will come. This is the wisdom of Yule: that rest is not defeat but preparation, that darkness is not our enemy but the womb from which light is reborn.

The Yule log burning through the longest night symbolises our faith that the sun will return, that warmth and life will come again. We light candles in windows to guide the sun back home, to remind ourselves that even in the deepest darkness, we carry light within us. The evergreens we bring into our homes speak of continuity and resilience, of life that endures through winter's harshest trials.

This is a time for reflection and gratitude, for gathering with loved ones around the fire and sharing stories that keep hope alive. We honour the Holly King who rules the waning year and welcome the Oak King who will carry us toward summer's abundance. In this transition between the two, we are reminded that all things move in cycles, that death and birth are inseparable, that every ending contains within it the seed of a new beginning.

Yule teaches us that we must descend into darkness before we can truly appreciate the light, that we must rest before we can grow. As you celebrate this sacred season, remember that you too are part of nature's rhythm. Honour your need for stillness and introspection. Trust that the light is returning, both in the sky and within your own spirit, bringing with it the promise of transformation and renewal.

Blessed be

And so it is