Yule is a wonderful time of year to reflect on the past, let go of what no longer serves us and set intentions for what we want to welcome into our lives.
I have some additional ideas about working with it in 365 Ways to Feel Better: Self-care Ideas for Embodied Wellbeing (White Owl, 2017).
Winter Solstice or Yule is a celebration of the return of the light (the days begin to get longer) and a time of hope that no matter how cold and dark, even a flicker of candle light can potentially show us our next best step and bring warmth and comfort.
For the past 20 plus years, since I began honouring the Celtic Wheel, I longed for a proper Yule Log at this time of year.
I used to use a lot of imagination, in flats in London and Essex, setting my intentions over a chocolate Yule Log.
The past couple of years, I didn’t even have that (am on the lookout for a delicious vegan friendly Yule Log, though) but THIS year, I have a fire place.
I can burn my first ever Yule Log.
Remember Twin Peaks? This next few days, I’m embracing my inner Log Lady big time.
If you don’t have a fire place, you might have a bbq or outdoor space that is OK to use – my attic studio in north London and the other places I lived had nowhere I could use.
I’ve not been organised enough to go the traditional, decorative route (adding pine cones, burnable ribbons etc) BUT just did a little experiment and wanted to share my results in case you want to create some Winter Solstice magic for yourself and your loved ones.
If so:
- Choose a log (I’ve chosen one from next to the fireplace)
- Meditate a little on what you intend to release – because we’re entering a new decade, I’ve been reflecting back over the lessons I’ve learned (and all I’m grateful for) especially since 2009 – a pretty tough time
- Meditate on what you’d like to welcome more of in the coming days, weeks, months, years and decade. Things that come from your heart, like a sankalpa (you can read a feature I wrote about them HERE) rather than what you feel like you SHOULD be working towards. Which intentions do you feel most energy around?
- Between now and the Solstice, simply use a biro (I could Happy Dance at how effective this is) to write your intentions onto your log.
- This weekend, Yule / Winter (in this hemisphere) Solstice, as part of your Solstice celebrations (or simply as a small stand alone ritual), add your Yule Log to the burning fire
- As it burns, visualise the flames transmuting all the energies you’re ready to release.
- Spend some time visualising your dreams and intentions (all written on the log) for yourself coming true
- Be open to guidance around how you might be of service for your and others’ highest good, for a better decade than you might even be hoping for.
- Open up to God/dess, the Universe, Divine Love, Nature or whatever you believe in. If you don’t believe in something bigger than yourself, simply tune into that highest, wisest, truest part of yourself (link)
- Ground with some journalling or gentle movement or maybe by indulging in a delicious slice of chocolate Yule Log (I really must learn to bake)
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Wishing you the coolest of Yules and a wondrous week.
With love,
