Winter Solstice 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, I am most thankful for all of the people like yourself who have been supporting me and my little business throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who has bought something, shared a post, clicked like on a story, told a friend about the shop, or popped in to see me freezing my fingers off on the High Street in Crawley!

This year’s winter solstice 2022 in the UK will be at 21:48 on Wednesday, 21 December. The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere marks the day when the days start to get longer, and as pagans we celebrate wecoming the sun back and the return of springtime.

Altar
You can decorate your altar any way you you like for Yule, but here are a few ideas:

Foliage: Pine cones and wreaths, mistletoe, fir, holly, or other evergreens.

Food: Seasonal fruit and nuts

Candles: Red, white and green, but also yellow to welcome the sun.

Crystals: Citrine, Red Jasper, Selenite, Malachite, Carnelian, Rose Quartz

Other items: Bells, anything gold to welcome the sun back

Wassail
What is Wassail? It is a Yule drink traditionally drunk when Wassailing, which is basically going door to door and greeting your neighbours. In this article, it tells of how this evolved into Christmas caroling and mulled hot drinks. There is also a recipe to try!

https://www.learnreligions.com/go-a-wassailing-for-yule-2562973

I lived in a remote part of the Highlands until I was about 21, and we did something similar, but on New Year’s Eve. We called it ‘First Footing’, and it involved us visiting all of our neighbours after midnight until we came home drunk on New Year’s Day!

Have a wonderful Yule, and see you when the sun starts to return!

Blessed Be

Saranne