When i first started writing this post i was on my way to parents house by the sea, an hour long bus ride for christmas. I had set off as the sun was setting. The moon had watched over me the whole journey. She was 99% illuminated, big, bright and a glowing pale yellow. By tomorrow she will be a complete full moon on Christmas day. A rare occurrence.
As a wiccan I celebrate Yule, the Winter Solstice. It marks the point when the sun reaches its most southerly declination or in other words the north pole is tilted furthest away from the sun. This thus makes it the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and the shortest day of the year.
This year I celebrated yule with my partner and my best friends. I had my altar prepared as I had a lovely ritual in which we could all do. I had bought frankincense and myrrh incense and even a little Yule tree too.
My friends came over before it got dark and they brought their gifts, before long there were four little piles for each person. I had the candles on, green, white and red to represent the season of winter.
We decided to make vegan gingerbread and we all took it in turns to do different parts and add different ingredients, all including our energy which made the whole thing more magickal. We also made vegan yule log (a cake covered in chocolate icing) and instead of water, oil and eggs with the cake mix, we used to lemonade. It was a weird experiment and we weren't sure if it was going to work. But it did! :D
With the cake and the gingerbread ready and the sun had finally set we got prepared to do the Yule ritual. Placing the loose incense in my cauldon we lit a charcole disk, and let the smoke travel around the room. We placed the cake on a table and placed four candles in it (one candle for each person). In turns we lit our own candles and made a wish a written saying which was part of the ritual and then blew out the candle. We then cut the cake in four slices and tucked in. It was Delicious :D!
We then opened our presents and spent the rest of the evening socialising, playing games, listening to music and spending time together. Its the little things we take for granted like having friends, or a roof over our heads or food to eat. But that night we appreciated it all, grateful for the goodness in our Lives.
And that is how I spent Yule this year! I do also have photos on my camera but I'm still at my parents for Christmas after spending a few days here by the beach. I will be returning tomorrow and will be looking forward to 2016.
Let's hope its full of magick and happiness.
