Today is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Although there is more winter to come, the Light is on its way back. Since ancient times people have been celebrating the Light’s rebirth at Yule. This holiday has been around for a very long time! There are many customs and festivals associated with this time of year. Here are some of my favorites:
Gather a group of people in a room and turn off all lights. Send the youngest person into another room. (If the youngest person is a child, send a supervisor with them.) While sitting in the dark, think about the blessings of the past year, and what you’d like the Light to bring. Meanwhile, the youngest person will light a candle or candles and when the time is right, open the door and bring the Light into the room again. This sounds simple, but it can be powerful and dramatic. Sing “light” or “sunshine” songs as the new Light is carried into the room. Some of our favorites are: You Are My Sunshine, This Little Light of Mine, and Let It Be.
Have a Yule fire. Tie a ribbon around a piece of wood, and place it on the fire. Aromatic wood is even more special. When the fire dies down, rake out one small bit of charred wood. Let it cool completely (this may take days) and save it for next year’s Yule celebration. Next year place this tiny bit of charred wood into the Yule fire, as a symbol of continuation. In this way the same Yule fire may keep alight for years on end.
Wear white to symbolize the light, or deep forest green like the evergreen, which is sacred to Yule as a natural symbol of continuing life.
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