Hi Tarot Bumblebees,

Yule is my second favorite Witches holiday. I love being with my family and friends and would usually have a large open event to celebrate the Sabbat. I personally celebrate both Yule and Christmas and always have, even when I lived in Australia and Yule was in June. When I celebrate, I go ALL OUT! I deck the freaking halls with everything. The front door to my apartment looks like tinsel threw up on it, and I love it. Today, I’ll be sharing with you a few simple ways you can celebrate Yule by yourself, with family and friends, or your coven.

Now for a little history…

Yule is the Pagan celebration of the Sun God being reborn on the longest night of the year. From that eve on, the days will slowly get lighter until the longest day of the year at Midsummer. Many Witches celebrate the Winter Solstice (Yule), and it’s one of the eight Wiccan Sabbats on the Wheel of the Year.

You don’t have to be a Wiccan or Witch to celebrate Yule; it’s a holiday that reflects the changing seasons, so anyone can celebrate Yule.

There is a difference between Yule and Christmas. Yule is older than Christmas. Yule changes dates within a specific three-day period every year, whereas Christmas is on the same day every year. Yule in the Northern Hemisphere falls between December 20th – 22nd, and in the Southern Hemisphere, falls between June 20th – 22nd. Check your magical almanac for the dates every year. Christmas is a Christian holiday, and Yule is Pagan. If you grew up in a Christian culture and start to look at Yule’s traditions, you will see that they are eerily similar. That’s because nearly everything that Christmas celebrates is from Pagan traditions. The deities and dates may be different, but their roots are the same.

1. Watch the Sunrise on the Morning after Winter Solstice.

One of the cheapest and most traditional ways to celebrate Yule is to stay up all night on the longest night, telling stories, exchanging gifts, and being with loved ones by the fire and waiting to watch the dawn together, which symbolizes the re-birth of the Sun God. If pulling an all-nighter is not something you can do. Then set your alarm early, rug up, and greet the Sun God!

2. Burn a Yule Log

Yule logs are iconic! Any log can be blessed as a yule log. Yule logs in England are oak, in Scotland, birch, and in France, cherry. If you can’t get any of these safely, use what you can. You can add some evergreen leaves like pines or firs can be used to decorate the log. If you do not have a fireplace (I certainly don’t). Use sandalwood and pine oils to dress a candle; it’s a wonderful way to bring tradition to a smaller space and altar.

You can even roll a beeswax candle sheet to make a makeshift log!

3. Make a Set of Ogham or Divine With your Set

Divination on any Witches holidays is a great activity. Using the sacred Celtic tree divination system of the Ogham can be a fun way to honor the tree spirits. You can make your own set with twigs or use a set you already have. I have a lovely card set that I bought off of Etsy by Lunaria Gold.

This simple Yule three-card/ogham spread is something everyone can do:

1. What is being reborn?
2. What still slumbers?
3. Message from the spirit

4. Sing Some Yule Carols

I freaking love singing, and I tell you ‘All I Want For Christmas’ starts playing in November all the way through – no joke. Even if you don’t think you’re the next Mariah Carey, sing anyway! Enjoy it. Lean into your tone-deafness if you need to.

There is a wonderful list of Yule carol lyrics from the site Ladybridget. They are all to the tune of Christmas carols that you likely know. I love Christmas Carols and music, so I sing both!

5. Exchange Handmade Gifts

One of my favorite things about Yule is making and giving gifts. I delight in finding treasures that people will love. I try to make at least one homemade gift, and then I grab them something from their wish list. Crafting together can also be a gift or put together a crafting kit!

Every year my coven, the Awakened Soul Coven does a gift exchange between members; it’s so amazing to see people connect from all over the world to celebrate together.

6. Sponsor a Family or an Elderly Person for the Holidays

I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can sponsor a family and a couple of elderly people for the holidays. In Canada, London Drugs has an excellent program for elderly people. If you can’t find an organization that is hosting this year, donate to a shelter.

7. Cook and Bake Together

Hit up some Pinterest boards or take on the challenge that my sister and I did with a Yule Log bake-off (coming to my channel soon!!). It doesn’t have to be extravagant. Preparing and sharing a meal with quality time is a lovely Yule tradition.

Not a baker? No worries! Something fantastic that everyone can do is buy a roll cake from the supermarket and hold a decorating competition with everyone in your family. You can even find mini ones for kids!

I have a full Witches Wheel guide that you can download full of free correspondences, spells, activities, and meditations.