Blessed Yule, Tragics!
The long winter months have begun and the longest night of the year will soon arrive! Yule is also known as Midwinter, Winter Festival and Alban Arthan. Keep reading to learn more about the meaning of Yule and how you can celebrate this event in Australia & the Southern Hemisphere.
Head to our Yule Altar setup blog to learn how to set up the perfect winter solstace altar, and head to our Yule candle spell blog for the perfect spell this season.
What is Yule?
Marking the Winter Solstice, Yule is a pagan celebration which is associated with the rebirth of the god, who is honoured for his role as the bringer of light and life, and with the goddess as the mother, who is honoured for her role in nurturing new life. The longest night of the year occurs at Yule, therefore we celebrate the light returning to our Earth and the continuation of life as the days grow longer overtime. Due to this seasonal shift, rebirth and renewal are the focal theme of this sabbat.
The well-known Christian holiday Christmas originated from Yule. Thankfully, this festival is less stressful and hectic than Christmas as it is more about connecting with nature and the seasons, giving thanks, letting go of the past and shifting our focus on our path ahead.
When is Yule in 2023?
The seasons and Sabbats on the Wheel of the Year occur at different dates between the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere. The easiest way to remember is by keeping in mind that the seasons are reversed between the hemispheres. Here in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, Yule traditionally falls on the 21st of June 2023 (and more specifically, the 22nd this year) and in the Northern Hemisphere it falls on the 21st of December 2023.
There are many more Sabbats you can celebrate and we've made planning these festivities easy for you with our blog outlining all the sabbats in the Wheel of the Year along with their dates and meanings here!
Brilliant, now how do I pronounce Yule?
Yule is pronounced YOOL, making this one of the easier Sabbats to say out loud. Thank goodness for that!
If you're still suffering from embarrassment after attempting to pronounce other Sabbat names (such as Samhain, which occurs before Yule) and want to be 100% sure, listen to this quick YouTube tutorial to hear its pronounciation.
How to Celebrate Yule
Now that you've got a good understanding of the meaning of Yule and when it is, here are some ideas on how you can celebrate Yule!
- Decorate your home with decorations and symbols associated with Yule such as wreaths, mistletoes and Yule trees
- Dress in corresponding Yule colours
- Go for a walk by yourself or with your loved ones and reconnect with nature
- Set up a Yule altar
- Cleanse your home using smoke or by ringing bells
- Light a candle and meditate on its flame
- Have a feast and bake yummy foods
- Perform a Yule log ceremony
- Light your Yule tree
- Gather with loved ones at your fireplace or around a bonfire
- Kiss under a mistletoe
- Exchange gifts
- Do some divination
- Set intentions and conduct spells around cleansing, happiness and love
Recommended Witchcraft Books
- Seasons of the Witch: Yule Oracle
- Book of Altars and Sacred Spaces
- A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook
Tragic Beautiful has curated a collection of witchcraft supplies, tools, and books available here. Join our coven and learn more about magick! We'd love to see you on Facebook, in our VIP group, on insta and our TikTok!
