Yule/ Winter Solstice

Dec 21st marks the time when the Sun is hidden for the most part of the day. This is "the shortest" day of the year. After this day the days get longer and the Sun lights up the Earth, more again.

Okay that is the lamens terms in the scientific meaning of Winter Solstice. What it means to me and others around the Northern hemisphere is the day the Sun is born.

With the end of the longest night the dark is defeated with the Return of the Sun, the return of light, hope and promise. The Goddess gives birth to the Sun/Sun God. All that is hidden will begin to emerge.

Ways to celebrate Yule:

Walk out in nature

Make an altar space:

colors to use are: Green, Gold, Silver,red

Stones: Garnet, Bloodstone

Herbs: Evergreen, frankincense, holly, pine, sage, wormwood,sunflowers, calendula

Foods: Cookies, dried fruit and nuts, pork dishes, wassail

WHAT IS WASSAIL?

Wassail is like the tastier sister to Apple Cider. Traditional wassail was made with apples, brandy, and other spices. This recipe is made with cloves, apples, cinnamon, lemon, orange, ginger, and nutmeg and is a nonalcoholic wassail recipe. You could certainly add alcohol if you wish!

HOW TO MAKE WASSAIL:

To make hot wassail, start by piercing an apple all around the outside with whole cloves.

Add the apple and the rest of the ingredients and spices to a large saucepan. Simmer everything for up to 45 minutes.

Remove the apples and cloves. Serve warm and enjoy!

Burn a yule log (we burn ours out in the fire pit)

Baking sweets like cookies with spices and herbs. Carraway, anise, dries fruits and nuts. Try making this recipe:

I substituted the wheat flour with regular flour and it was fine. If gluten free is your game, I am sure you can sub. with something more suited to your needs.

Last but not least, Decorate!

Holly, pine cones, Candles, Evergreen trees, ivy, citrus fruit, berries, gold, silver,cut glass

Popcorn and cranberry garland

We always decorated the tree with popcorn and cranberry garland. After the celebrations we give this a special gift to our birds friends.

The most important this is to have fun and know the Sun will rise again and rule over the land again. Giving us the gift of warmer days and greener views.

Happy Yule to you all and see you next Year!

Bright Blessings, Sarah Petrin