Yule Traditions & Celebrating the Solstice

In this household, we revel in the ever-turning wheel of the year and the cyclical dance of our four seasons. Aligning with the natural ebb and flow has always felt like second nature to me. My journey from Cornish roots to settling in Sussex has seen the city as a constant home while keeping the countryside, sea, and landscapes close by. The organic rhythm of the year, punctuated by solstices and equinoxes, resonates deeply. While not holding religious beliefs, I find profound inspiration in the elemental aspects of life. As an artisan, my connection with materials intertwines with the natural world. Thus, within these walls, the solstice holds a special place, honouring traditions—especially those of Yule—that encapsulate my personal world while honouring ancestral connections.

Yule holds a traditional significance as a time of change and remembrance, symbolising the shift from one year to the next as the longest night converges with the shortest day. As the Sun fades on solstice eve, it heralds its return, commencing its reign until mid-summer.

Across cultures and traditions from around the world, the changing seasons and the relevance of the sun and moon phases in the sky have given us many symbols, characters, and associations with the land, deities, and various belief systems.

For me personally, I align with my Cornish background and connection to the land and elemental world, celebrating by bringing symbolic emblems and rituals into my home to celebrate the place I feel most comfortable and the people who support and nurture that feeling. Yule and any solstice is a great time to connect with people and through activities create memories and take some time out for yourselves.

At Yule, certain actions and traditions are upheld each year. From bringing in foliage and decorating the home to making our decorations and ornaments. This year I am celebrating Yule with beautiful deep green hues of Holly and Mistletoe, with accents of Ochre and steel.

Mistletoe is traditionally a symbol of the feminine, and Holly of the Masculine, a nod to the god and goddess of our pagan past. At Yule, Oak and Holly are also symbolic of folklore traditions that focus on the changing of seasons and the reign of the Oak king over the Holly King. The Oak King is a symbol of summer and the sun, and the Holly King is symbolic of winter and the moon.

I chose Ochre ribbons for the house this year as a token to the sun and its pending arrival into the new year as well as silver and metal, symbolic of the moon and the longest night.

We made handmade, naïve tin shapes that twinkle in the light of the tree as well as some more abstract, hand-painted bauble decorations which are fun to make and add a personal touch. We remember each of the years that the decorations were made, and it is always fun to dig them out year after year and look back at the moments shared on various Solstices gone by.

I enjoy the rituals and traditions of this time of year. Turning all the 'big' lights off and lighting the home with cosy lamps and candlelight to bring the cosy feelings throughout the house. As the Sun sets in the afternoon, the dusk winter light falls and the warm light of candles takes over.

Bring a little Yule into your annual celebrations

If you're looking to incorporate a touch of the Solstice into your annual traditions, there are several simple and affordable ways to infuse a bit of Yule celebration into your homes and spaces, whether for yourself or to share with others.

Natural Decorations

Craft a wreath using seasonal foliage and symbolic greenery available at local stores and florists. You needn't create elaborate, costly wreaths; simply gather a sprig of holly and ivy, tying them with a ribbon ready to hang from your front door or indoors on your walls, bringing Yuletide greenery into your space.

Homemade Ornaments

Design simple objects either with loved ones or on your own. Choose symbols and motifs that hold personal significance. It could be colours and shapes that resonate or more explicit imagery translated into hand-painted baubles or easily crafted tin shapes.

Homemade Treats and Beverages

Embrace Yuletide rituals by gathering autumnal sloes and making traditional Sloe Gin to enjoy over the holidays. If you can't find sloes, various berries and fruits from local shops can be used. For instance, blackberries can be steeped in gin and served over homemade meringues to create a Yule-time dessert.

Simple Yule Rituals

Yule is a time for reflection and remembrance. Each year, consider writing a message or a note to honour a loved one who has passed, acknowledging their presence during the Yule holidays. You could also compile a list of goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. Write this list on the eve of the solstice by candlelight and keep it with you from one year to the next. Revisit and reflect on it under the same candlelight, creating a personal ritual where you take time to, dare I say, manifest or meditate on your intentions.

Wherever you are, and whatever your own personal traditions and celebrations, I wish you all a Merry Yule and Solstice and a Happy New Year.

See also - Samhain Traditions - Bringing in the Winter