It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Yule
In which I suggest some ways to mark the Winter Solstice
I went to two parties over the weekend. I’ve been busy making food and getting ready for gift exchanges and thinking about festive outfits. And there are more gatherings on the horizon and at least one road trip to celebrate with family. It’s all fun. It’s also just… a lot.
We work hard to push back against the darkness at this time of year, just like our ancestors likely did. In my case, “ancestors” means people who lived around the North Atlantic, but acknowledging the darkest night of the year is a multicultural phenomenon.
The desire to be merry and bright when it’s cold and gloomy is natural—especially in cultures without electric light—but we shouldn’t ignore what the darkness has to teach us.
As we approach the longest night of the year, maybe set aside some time and space to be still, to be quiet, and to dream. Don’t rush into the new year without reflecting on the year that is passing. What did you learn in 2023? What did you unlearn? What do you want to leave behind? What do you want to take with you as we enter 2024?
Some Ways to Work with the Solstice
Magick & Witchcraft Academy has a tutorial for doing a little spellwork while making an evergreen wreath.
Katherine May of The Clearing and the author of Wintering posted a lovely essay about finding peace and meaning in the dark half of the year. “The Art of Hibernation” is also worth your time.
Artist and teacher Joanna Powell Colbert makes her Substack debut—and mentions Katherine May’s beautiful book—in a piece that includes a blessing for the longest night.
In my own guide to the Winter Solstice, I talk about how I understand this moment in the Wheel of the Year and offer a Tarot spread for Yule. This 2-page document is available as a download in my shop.
A Couple of Seasonal Playlists
Big Fat Solstice! is a collection of some of the winter season’s more obviously pagan—or at least less obviously Christian—songs reaching back centuries. This playlist was created by Danica Boyce, host of the Fair Folk Podcast.
My own ever-evolving playlist, Baby Jesus, Born to Rock, is extremely ecumenical. Let me know if you have suggestions for tracks I should add!