Yule – pagan holiday of the winter solstice

Last night I lit a candle on the windowsill and waited quietly...

Not for anything in particular—just for that moment when the night reaches its peak. And then, even though I won't actually see it, it happens: The sun turns back toward us. The days start to get longer. The light returns.

And this year, for the first time, I realized how much I actually need to celebrate.

Yule is an ancient pagan holiday The winter solstice, celebrated around December 20-23, marks the longest night of the year and the turning point when the days begin to lengthen again. It is a holiday of hope, a new beginning, the rebirth of the Sun.

When I read about it, I understood why the Christmas season has always been so fulfilling to me – it's not just about presents and a tree. It's a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and new beginnings. It's something ancient that simply lives within us.

The sun is lowest above the horizon, so its rays fall most obliquely into the Czech basin. And after the shortest day of the year comes the longest night. But it is precisely this night that carries the beauty – because from that moment on, the days begin to get longer. Step by step. The light returns.

When I found out how our ancestors celebrated Yule, I was completely drawn in. The ancient North Germanic tribes believed that the sun was a huge wheel of fire that rolled back and forth around the world, so they supported and celebrated its return by lighting large bonfires and burning large yule logs in their homes.

Now imagine: Yule log. Traditionally, a special log was left burning throughout the 12 days of the holiday. Today, you can decorate it with pine cones, twigs, ribbons – and keep it as a beautiful winter decoration with candles.

What surprised me the most?

A Celtic tradition is the decorated tree, a symbol of eternal life. It is not a Christian invention at all! Families would carry a living tree into their homes to protect the spirits of the wood from the cold of the harsh winter months. And at the top was a five-pointed star – a pentagram, a magical symbol of the five elements.

So when you put a star on your tree this year, you can say to yourself, "Women before me have been doing this for thousands of years."„

This is where things started to get magical... and a little mysterious. During the winter solstice, when the border between our world and the world of the dead is open, the souls of the dead move freely around the world.

Among the Slavs, it was customary to set the table for deceased family members at dinner, who were invited before dinner and in whose honor a toast was then made. And you know what? You might find it strange, but I was moved by it. The idea that we can symbolically place a plate for our loved ones who are no longer here, light a candle... that we simply do not forget them. That is beautiful.

Ancestors can appear during the winter solstice in the form of unknown visitors, so everyone, even unknown visitors, must be properly entertained. So – be kind to people. You never know who is behind that door.

And protection? The most reliable protection was the proximity of a sacred fire, and the protective effect of garlic was also widely used. So candles and garlic. Pure magic.

You don't have to be a witch, a wiccan, or a pagan to enjoy this beauty. I tell myself that I just feel what suits me. And this suits me a lot.

Prepare 1 white and 4 tealights. Light the tealights in silence – they symbolize the dark days that are just ending. Finally, light the white candle – a new light, a new beginning.

You can say it out loud:
„"Out of darkness comes light. I open myself to hope and life."“

I tried it last night. Silence. Darkness all around. And then – light. It was strong.

Decorate your Christmas tree. And while you're at it, add something personal to it. Crystals: garnet - fire and life force, carnelian - creativity and motivation, golden obsidian - inner light and transformation. Or just pine cones, twigs from the forest, fabric ribbons, whatever you have at home.

Give gifts. Gifts make us feel appreciated and fulfilled, they are a reward and a pleasure for us. Giving gifts is also great for boosting our self-esteem. So yes – give gifts. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Just be sincere.

Be sure to bring home some mistletoe, it's best if given as a gift. It brings love and prosperity. And you can also hang holly around the house to ensure happiness and protection for the whole family.

I hung mistletoe over my door this year. And it makes me smile every time I walk past it.

Slow down and take some time alone. Write down everything you are grateful for in the past year. Turn off your phone, meditate, be offline. Make herbal tea, light candles, surround yourself with nature.

This is exactly what I need. Not to rush. Just to be. To feel. To perceive.

I discovered that Yule is not just a holiday „somewhere in history.“ It is something that lives on. In us. In that longing for light. For peace. For a return to ourselves.

The winter solstice is a time of complete silence. But in the depths of darkness lies potential – new beginning, spark, possibility of rebirth.

And that's wonderful, isn't it? Even when it's dark outside, even when we feel tired, confused, lost - even after the longest night, the sun rises again. Even when everything seems lost, life is always renewed.

So when you light your candle on December 21st, remember: that The days are finally starting to get longer.. The light is returning. And you are part of it.

Birthdays of stars, who did December give us...