This sabbat is also known as Winter Solstice, Winter
Rite, Midwinter, and Alban Arthan. Yule is celebrated around December 21st. or
the first day of winter. The night prevails over the Earth making it the longest
night of the year. In some traditions, it is the time the Holly King overcomes
the Oak King. For most pagans this is the time when the Goddess gives to her
son, the Sun God. The Winter Solstice has been viewed as a time of divine
births. Yule is celebrated by lighting fires or candles, and the use of the Yule
log.
It is typical to decorate the Yule tree, make wreaths of holly, and exchange
gifts. A portion of the Yule log is saved and kept to protect the house and then
to be lighting next year's log. Burn bayberry candles to ensure wealth and
happiness throughout the year. These are lit at the beginning of the ceremony.
Decorate your altar with mistletoes, holly, colored lights, a candle in the
shape of Kriss Kringle (Santa Claus), homemade wreath, and presents wrapped in
colorful holiday paper. The traditional food of this season is roasted turkey,
nuts, fruitcakes, caraway rolls, eggnog, and mulled wine.
Traditional herbs: bay, bayberry, blessed thistle, cedar, chamolile,
evergreen, frankincense, holly, juniper, mistletoe, moss, oak, pinecones,
rosemary, and sage.
Traditional incense: bayberry, cedar, pine, and rosemary.
Sacred gemstones: cat's eye and ruby.
Candle colors: red, green, white, gold, and silver.
information taken from:
D.J. Conway's Celtic
Magic, Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary
Practitioner, Silver RavenWolf's To Ride a Silver Broomstick, and
Gerina Dunwich's Everyday Wicca
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