Happy Yule, witchlings!
(If you know where I got the term witchling from, I see you girl!)
I have not written a blog post in a long time, but I felt compelled to after celebrating Yule tonight. So here it goes! Please remember as you are reading this that there is no right or wrong way to practice, so please do not be offended if I contradict something you do, but if you are inspired instead, then I have done my job. ❤️
Some of you may not know what Yule is. If you're like me, you've heard of a yule log, or Yuletied carols from Christmas songs, but never really looked into it much, let alone consciously celebrated in your practice.
📖I am not a historian, but if you want a lovely overview of Yule, then this instagram post is a great starting place: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkVXqcsJ5C/. Hopefully you can view that on a browser if that's how I'm reaching you, too.
🔮I decided to follow the tarot spread in that post, as well as a ritual I found on TikTok. I will post the link here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8ySjhQw/.
🎄In the off-chance that get's deleted or you can't view it, here is the premise of the ritual:
- on twelve (or 13) pieces of paper, you write intentions, statements, and/or manifestations for yourself in the new year
- each night, beginning on the solstice (Dec 21), you pick a piece of paper without reading it and burn it, setting the intention off into the universe
- if you cannot burn safely, you can bury it in dirt, or submerge/release in water - the intention is the important part, not the performance
- on the final night, you read the last slip of paper. that is your mantra for the new year. do not burn. place it somewhere you will see it often.
- all the others will still become true - the magic is set. but the final one is what you are meant to be reminded of again and again
✨I performed this tonight and made an altar of crystals I thought were fitting for the occasion. I chose the following crystals for the following reasons (again, these are personal reasons and there is no right or wrong).
- Citrine - bringing the light back after the longest night. Happiness, abundance, and joy.
- Garnet - the stone of December. Deep love. Rebirth. Warmth.
- Lion's Gate Quartz (golden healer and pyrite) - manifestation and luck.
- Selenite - cleansing.
- Spiderweb Obsidian - grounding and protective, removing the cobwebs of the darkness and welcoming new growth.
- Moonstone - always welcoming the divine feminine, the power of the moon on the darkest night, and new beginnings.
- Himalayan quartz - ascension to higher frequencies, opening the crown chakra to all that is possible.
- Villiaumite - intense transformation, potent personal power, courage and willpower.
🕯️I look forward to lighting the candle on my Yule altar for the next 11 nights and embodying the final message I am meant to see for the year ahead.
The final thing I did was a tarot spread. I used the suggested guides from the Instagram post I linked above. I use the Moonstruck Crystal tarot deck, and the "Tarot No Questions Asked Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading" by Theresa Reed. https://www.thetarotlady.com/tarot-no-questions-asked/
❓Usually when I feel the impulse to do tarot, I will shuffle until a card pops out, or just spread the deck and pull what I feel drawn to. This time I did it a little different. I shuffled the deck, and then because I had 4 questions to ask, I dropped the deck into 4 piles and flipped the top card. My second pile was practically 3 cards, but I went with it, and I'm very glad I did. The questions that I asked were the following: What does the Yule cat warn me? What does the Yule goat ask me to sacrifice for my future prosperity? What gift does Father Frost give to me? and How does the Winter Goddess protect me?
Now the results are what truly moved me... Some of you know snippets of my personal life from the past year, but most I keep hidden. It has been a year of tremendous accomplishments and fulfilling relationships, but also a year of heartbreak and shedding of past grief. I have felt like I am on the edge of something monumental for myself for months, but also feel like I'm stuck and walking through molasses trying to reach it. So here comes the results...
(mostly quotes from the guide linked above)
What does the Yule cat warn me?
🧙🏻♂️The Magician - The Magician knows what he is doing. He's standing fully in his power, ready to manifest something big. Focused willpower, the kind you need when upping your game...indicates committing to a goal and using all of your resources to make magic happen. Everything you need is present. It can also mean there are signs of trickery. Is there mischief afoot? Do not take shortcuts. Operate fair and square.
What does the Yule goat ask me to sacrifice for my future prosperity?
🐚The Hermit - sometimes you need to be alone. It's the only way you can find the answers. When the Hermit shows up, it symbolizes the withdrawal from the outside world. Instead of being part of everything, he is stepping away so that a better, clearer perspective can be discovered.
What gift does Father Frost give to me?
🍻Ten of Cups - the happy ending card! Peace, joy, and prosperity. [this is where I started crying.] This card can indicate the joyful conclusion to a goal or any reason to celebrate. It symbolizes domestic bliss and family harmony. The family you have always wanted is possible.
How does the Winter Goddess protect me?
💞Nine of Cups - often referred to as the wish card, indicates realizing your heart's desire, but also feeling that everything seems to be lining up beautifully. Your universe is now set up for good things to happen. It's because you focused and did your part.
SO. Yeah, I cried. I had goosebumps. I felt seen, refreshed, and ready to take on the sun's rebirth after the longest night. I will take no short cuts to make my magic happen; I will sacrifice my solitude after taking the time to gain a clearer perspective; the future I want is possible; and the Winter Goddess is and has always protected my heart's desires.
🫂I hope you feel inspired after reading this to do a little practice of your own. Have a Happy Yule, Gaia Gang.
xoxo,
Kristen @ Go to Gaia 🦋