Yule (pronounced ‘Yool’) the ancient Celtic festival, marks deepest, darkest winter, short, dark days and a shifting of the wheel of the year. This magical time, ushers in solstice, welcoming the slow return of the light after the shortest day and the longest night. The sun has reached its nadir and the darkest days begin to recede. The Celts were connected to the rhythms of the natural world and celebrated Yule to honour the shortest day of the year, heralding longer days and lighter nights in the northern hemisphere before spring or Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st. This centuries old tradition provides a sacred opportunity to pause and reflect on our own renewal.
‘The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination, a time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable, like a monarch butterfly masterfully extracting itself from the confines of its cocoon, bursting forth into unexpected glory.’ Gary Zukav
Celtic Festivals
A fire festival recognised for thousands of years. The Celtic tradition of Yule celebrates the return of the light. It happens slowly, day by day, as the earth continues to shift, but it happens nevertheless. It’s a time to go within. To reflect. Instead of being afraid of the darkness, the Celts honoured it. Yule was often celebrated with bonfires and candles to celebrate all that had passed, grieve and bid farewell to the challenges of the previous year before beckoning in the emerging light.
The Celtic Tradition of Yule Reflections
Everything slows down at this time of year. We spend time in darkness before we step back into the light. It’s a lesson we learn and re-learn throughout our lives. The light is always within us. This fallow period is followed by renewal and new life. It’s a rebirth. We can take time to re-connect with the inner light in ourselves and others. Light a candle, reach for a journal and embrace this ancient Celtic tradition by reflecting upon how you can embrace renewal.
Renewal Reflections
- As the natural world retreats and rests, we can adopt the Celtic tradition of aligning ourselves with the natural rhythm. How could you slow down? What nourishes you? How can you find comfort within these darker months?
- Are there lessons that you have learned from the darkness? How will you press pause on the demands of life and embrace renewal?
- What have you achieved this year? Who or what would you like to thank?
- What would you like to let go of from the previous year? Is there heavy energy that is weighing you down, something that needs releasing or someone who needs forgiving? How could you mark that?
- Are there intentions that you’d like to set for the coming year? What would you like to create in your life, to manifest for the New Year? What do you want to create or call into your life?
- What are you ready to renew? What part of you is ready to move towards the light and reborn?
- How can you contribute to the earth’s renewal? Are there ways that you can commit to connecting with nature? Take a look at our free resources to get started.
- How might you be part of the solution to climate change? How can you show love to the natural world?
