Also called Midwinter or Winter Solstice, Yule is the celebration of the shortest day of the year. We celebrate the end of Winter (the length of the days get longer after) and the coming of Spring.

The Lady gives birth to the Lord on this day. He is reborn from the seed he planted at Beltane.

Yule is a gathering of family and friends in order to lift everyone's flagging spirits by exchanging gifts and enjoying a feast. Celebrate this day by spreading birdseed outside for hungry birds, reading stories to children, and singing songs in front of a burning Yule log.

December 21st

The altar is decorated with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper or cedar. Dried leaves can also be placed on the altar.

Place a red candle inside your cauldron (If you do not have a cauldron, just use the candle and put it in a candle holder). Place the cauldron on your altar.

Cast the Circle and invoke the Goddess and God.

Stand before the cauldron and gaze within it. Say these or similar words:

The warmth of summer is gone
On this shortest day and night so long
Though the chill of Winter has covered the Earth
It is time for celebration on this night of rebirth!


Light the candle. As the flames leap up say:

I ignite this flame in Your honor, Mother
You are the Giver of Life
The Sun lives again because of You
With pure heart, I welcome Thee, Sky Father!</>

Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flame. Say the following chant at least 3 times:
The wheel turns; the power burns

Meditate upon the Sun, on the hidden energies lying dormant in winter, not only in the earth but within yourself. Think of birth not as the start of life but as its continuance. Welcome the return of the Sun.

After a time, cease and stand once again before the altar and flaming candle. Say:

Sky Father
I welcome Your return
May you shine brightly upon Mother Earth
And always fill my heart with Your rays of light
So that I may continue to grow in Mind and Spirit
Hail Father of the Sky!

Celebrate the Simple Feast, then release the Circle.
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