Yule, Oak Moon in Gemini, and honouring the sacred darkness
Hey Witches,
And so the Wheel turns once again. It feels like just yesterday I was writing to you about my Mabon altar-in-a-jar and this morning that I poured my pain onto the page at Samhain.
Yet here we are, at Yule, the winter solstice, face to face with the darkness. One of the things I love about Witchcraft is that it reminds us to stay present and honour the sacred in every season.
Even this season, which is literally the darkest of the year, and metaphorically the darkest of my life.
To say losing a loved one takes the joy out of Christmas is an understatement — especially when that person has been at the heart of Christmas celebrations your whole life. In fact, every reminder of the festive season feels like another twist of the knife. You probably won’t be surprised to learn I haven’t listened to a single Christmas song or put up any decorations this year.
I have, however, been finding comfort in my Witchcraft practice. Journaling, water rituals, grounding, meditation, pulling cards, fire rituals, and kitchen witchery have all been helping me stay grounded when difficult emotions become overwhelming.
Many of the traditions we associate with the Christian celebration of Christmas come directly from paganism, including decorating our homes with fir trees.
But for those of you looking to infuse your Christmas with a Witchy twist, today I’m sharing a few ways to honour the sacred darkness and say goodbye to 2021.
Winter Solstice & Yule — embracing the darkness
This year, the Winter Solstice falls on the 21st of December in the northern hemisphere, corresponding with the pagan festival of Yule (when Witches in the southern hemisphere will be celebrating Litha). At Yule, the Oak King defeats the Holly King, thus beginning the return of the light.
For millennia, on the longest, darkest night of the year, Witches have celebrated the light. Traditional ways to honour Yule include keeping vigil till sunrise (Witches were the original party animals) and burning the Yule log all night to represent the return of the sun.
You’ve probably heard a Witch say, “As above, so below.” What this means is that we are microcosms of the Universe, and whatever happens outside of us in Nature is reflected in our bodies, minds, and lives.
Collectively, we have been going through an extended period of darkness for the last two years. We are all suffering from pandemic fatigue. All of us have lost something. And in our moments of despair, it might feel like the light is never going to return. The Solstice reminds us that it will.
The darkness also represents death. Witches believe that death is not permanent, but is instead just another phase in the spiral of life. Without death, there can be no life.
New life begins in the darkness — think of a seed or an embryo — so the Solstice encourages us to embrace the darkness in our lives, knowing that the light will return and that when it does, it will seem even brighter.
The Solstice invites us to be still and to let go of that which must die in order to incept the new. It will soon be time to plant the seeds, tend to them, and watch them bloom and bear fruit. But for now, we must surrender ourselves to the sacred dark.
Oak Moon in Gemini — balancing physical and spiritual
The Full Moon in Gemini will fall on the 18th of December, just three days before the Winter Solstice. The last Full Moon of the year is known as the Oak Moon in the northern hemisphere. It will bring with it a much-needed gentle energy following the eclipse portal. It may also bring to light more information that was illuminated under the eclipse.
Gemini is represented by the twins, one of which is mortal, and the other immortal. This reminds us that we are both physical and spiritual beings. It also ties in with the symbolism of the oak tree, whose branches reach to the sky while its deep roots were once believed to penetrate the underworld. This Moon asks us to reflect on how we can find greater balance between these two aspects of ourselves.
Solstice, Yule, & Oak Moon ritual suggestions
Divination spread
Materials:
Your favourite tarot or oracle deck
Cleansing tool of choice
Start by cleansing yourself and your space with incense or steam, using clockwise motions to infuse positive energy.
Sit down, get comfortable, close your eyes, and bring your awareness to your breath. You might want to imagine roots reaching down into the Earth to help you feel grounded and centred.
I like to use a simple three-card spread to gain insight into past, present, and future. The first card represents a past influence that is related to the second card, a current influence. The third card may give insights into the future such as what action you should take.
Alternatively, the first card could represent darkness (what shadow aspects of yourself are you avoiding?), while the second card can reveal what needs to be illuminated (what should you be focusing on?). The third card could represent motivation (what do you feel excited about right now?).
Call on your ancestors
Materials:
Candle
Photos of ancestors or objects that represent them
Small container of water
Fruit, sweets, or flowers
Tea lights
Journal and pen
Connecting with your ancestors is a portal to the world of spirit and can strengthen your ability to communicate and channel messages from the other side. Everyone has this ability, but for most people, it takes time and effort to develop. In my experience so far, the death of a loved one accelerates that process.
If you’re ready to connect with your ancestors, start by making an ancestor altar. Place a photo of your ancestors or an object that represents them on the altar and light a tea light in front of them.
Then, make them an offering of water and fruit, sweets, or flowers. Water represents life, the subconscious, psychic abilities, and travel between the two worlds.
Take some time to close your eyes, breathe, and ground and centre. When you feel ready, call on your ancestors, both known and unknown, to come forward and connect with you. Observe any physical sensations, images, or thoughts that arise automatically. These signs can be very subtle, so don’t dismiss them. Continue to sit quietly and meditate for a few minutes.
When you’ve finished, make a note in your journal of anything that came up. Continue to do this practice as often as you feel called, noting any sensations each time. After a while, you might start to spot patterns. If you didn’t notice anything, that’s okay. Don’t give up! It can take time to develop your sensitivity.
Fire ceremony for release
Materials:
1 white candle
Piece of paper
Pen
Fireproof container
Fire lights up the darkness and represents the light that will soon return. It also represents transformation — think of the phoenix who rises from the ashes.
Full Moons are always about releasing, and traditionally at this time of year, we tend to review everything that’s happened and prepare for the year ahead. Just as there must be death in order for new life to come forth, we must let go of everything we’re leaving behind this year.
This makes it the perfect time for a fire release ceremony.
And let’s be honest — Witches love to burn shit.
Light the candle and take a few moments to meditate, breathe deeply, and become present in your body. When you feel ready, make a list of everything you wish to leave behind this year.
When you’ve finished writing, light the paper with the candle and (safely) burn it in the fireproof container. Allow the candle to burn all the way down, transforming everything you’ve left behind and releasing it back to the Universe.
Celebrate with kitchen witchery
Materials:
Mulled wine (or non-alcoholic cider)
Make some mulled wine for your loved ones using the recipe above or your favourite recipe.
As you gather your ingredients, think of their properties — such as cinnamon for prosperity, cloves for protection, and star anise for good luck. Visualise sending these properties to your loved ones as good wishes for the coming year.
As you make the mulled wine, stir your intentions into it as you add each ingredient. Stirring clockwise will infuse your intentions into the wine along with the spices.
If you want to make an alcohol-free version, swap the wine for non-alcoholic cider.
A Solstice blessing
On the darkest night
I wish for you
A return to the light
And abundant blessings due
May health, happiness, and prosperity
Walk with you through this year
And may you and your family
Be always filled with cheer
But don’t forget to thank the dark
For helping us to see
That even now there is a spark
Of light
As I will, so mote it be!
Blessed be, Witches! Wishing you and your families a peaceful and loving Solstice and Yule. Let me know if you try any of these rituals!