Thoughts from the Dean's Desk

As the year’s darkest night approaches, something magical happens when the sun begins its slow return. This turning point is celebrated in Pagan traditions as Yule, a festival that in modern practice has become aligned with the Winter Solstice. It’s a time of hope, renewal, and connection to nature’s rhythms. More and more people are rediscovering these ancient practices, weaving them into modern life as a way to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the light that follows darkness. In a modern Pagan and Wiccan practice Yule is usually celebrated on the Winter Solstice, which is often on December 21st, but because it is an astrological event it moves around a bit.  In 2025, the solstice happens on the morning of December 21, 20225. 

Yule has deep roots in ancient Pagan cultures like the Norse, Celtic, and Germanic peoples. For them, this time of year was a turning point in the season. Longer days meant survival, growth, and abundance. Communities honored this turning point with feasts, fires, and rituals to welcome back the sun. Over time, many of these customs like decorating with evergreens and exchanging gifts found their way into later winter holidays, including Christmas. So, when you hang that wreath or light a candle, you’re echoing traditions thousands of years old. 

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year, but it’s also the promise of brighter days ahead. In Pagan cosmology, this moment symbolizes balance the dance between darkness and light. It’s a powerful reminder that even in life’s hardest seasons, renewal is always on the horizon. Themes of rebirth, hope, and transformation make Yule a deeply spiritual time for reflection and gratitude. Rituals to celebrate this holiday often revolve around a final release of things from the current year, an expression of gratitude and wishes for the new year. 

Picture this in ages past: a roaring fire, candles flickering, and homes adorned with evergreens, holly, and mistletoe. These weren’t just decorations they were symbols of life enduring through winter’s chill. Feasting brought communities together, and offerings were made to deities tied to the sun and fertility. Every ritual carried meaning, reinforcing the belief that light and abundance would return. 

Fast forward to today, and Yule is alive and well among modern Pagans and Wiccans. Many celebrate by blending old traditions with new ones lighting candles, crafting Yule logs, and creating altars filled with seasonal greenery and sun symbols. Rituals often include meditation, intention-setting, and even spell work focused on renewal and prosperity. Seasonal crafts like wreath-making or herbal sachets add a creative, hands-on touch to the festivities. 

Yule is rich with symbolism: 

• Yule Log: Burned to invite warmth and light, often decorated with herbs and ribbons. 
• Wreaths: Their circular shape represents the eternal cycle of life. 
• Evergreens: A sign of resilience and continuity through harsh times as well as the ever-living goddess. 
• Deity: The Holly King often appears in Yule lore. As the old Holly King dies, the new Oak King is born. 

Beyond the candles and feasts, Yule is a time for inner work. It invites us to embrace both darkness and light, to honor endings while welcoming new beginnings. Many people use this season for journaling, meditation, and making wishes for the year ahead. It’s a gentle reminder that growth often starts in stillness. Here at WSTS we will set our goals at Imbolc, but Yule is the time to dream of what we might want in the coming year. 

Yule’s magic lies in its timeless message: hope, renewal, and the beauty of life’s cycles. Whether you follow a Pagan path or simply want to feel more connected to nature, Yule offers rich traditions and meaningful practices. This season, why not light a candle, hang some evergreens, and celebrate the returning sun? You might just find a little extra warmth in your heart. 

Have a Blessed Holiday Celebration!