Thoughts of writing this YULE article has given me fits for weeks. It is important to remember that not everyone is looking forward to Yule or the overlapping mundane Christmas season. Most especially in this time of COVID with all its health restrictions!
Think of Yule and what comes to mind is the fragrance of warm spices, fire, and the colors red and green. Whether you live in the Northern or Southern Hemispheres, cinnamon is a Yule staple in food and drinks, poinsettia and holly adorn tables and doorways, and of course, there’s the warmth of the fire. In the Northern Hemisphere, cozy fireplaces make us feel comfortable, safe, and empowered. While in the Southern Hemisphere, its mid-summer and the fiery sun fills us with vitality, energy, and a sense of freedom. It’s no coincidence that the properties of cinnamon align with the masculine energy of fire and the vibrations of freedom, power, safety, and vitality. We can only assume that’s why cinnamon is associated with Yule because the lore behind it isn’t that convincing.
Garnet occurs across the world and is a group of silicate minerals. Evidence of garnet being used as jewelry, embellishments, talisman, and an abrasive has been unearthed in settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. The stones occur in different grades of hardness, opacity, and color. Harder qualities saw them being used as abrasives in early civilizations, and industrial quality garnet is still widely used today. The clearer gems got used for jewelry, crystal carvings, and decoration. Colors include clear, black, blue, brown, orange, yellow, green, pink, purple, and red. In this article, we’re going to discuss the properties of red garnet.
Yule is a time when new life begins to manifest, but it is still invisible to the naked eye. Deep below the bleak, barren surface new life is developing; warm, protected and coddled in the earth or the womb.That’s in nature, of course, but Yule is a time when you can start planning the manifestation of new beginnings of any kind as well. New beginnings need not be something new; it can be a continuation or expansion too. Maybe you’re looking to manifest financial security, health, and prosperity for yourself and your family, or perhaps you would like to find balance and harmony in life. New beginnings don’t have to be anything big or spectacular.
Since ancient times, humans have watched the earth revolve around the sun. Since the dawn of time, we have traversed this path and watched in awe as the sun has ebbed and flowed throughout the seasons. The longest night of the year is the winter solstice — the pivotal day when the sun shifts and begins to journey back towards the earth. Ancient and modern people honor the sun’s return at the midwinter by celebrating and rejoicing in its return. Warmer days are ahead, and the earth will soon begin to awake as the animals come out of hibernation, and tiny seedlings sprout once again. As the warmth increases, animals will become abundant and lush plant life will cover the ground.
As with all Sabbats on the wheel of the year, Yule has powerful Deities associated with it. For Yule, perhaps the most well-known and honored Deities are Dagda and his daughter, Brigid. Both hold a role in making Yule the celebration that it is as they go hand-in-hand in bringing the magick of Yule for people to celebrate. If you do not know about Dagda and Brigid, then this is the time to learn as you will want to leave offerings to this parent-child duo this coming Yule. We will go over a brief history, their symbolism with Yule, and what you can do to show your respects to these Yule deities.
