Sabbats Archives · Page 3 of 3

It's that time of year! Let's learn how to celebrate Yule! We celebrate Wiccan sabbats, or holidays, on eight occasions throughout the year. Yule is a sabbat falling within the month of December. It occurs on the Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. To celebrate Yule, bring greenery indoors like mistletoe, evergreen, and holly. Decorate a Yule tree, and burn candles and Yule logs to keep your home bright and toasty. Create joyous memories by feasting with family and friends, giving gifts, and reflecting inward. In this article we will explain more in depth about the Wiccan sabbats, in particular the sabbat of Yule. We'll discuss what it is and how to celebrate Yule! Wheel of the Year Each sabbat represents a spoke in the Wheel of the Year which is the Wiccan yearly cycle. Both the Wheel of the Year and its sabbats are rooted in storied pagan traditions. Each sabbat falls on a seasonal marker based on the positions of the moon and sun. To talk about the passing of time, Wiccans refer to the turning of the Wheel. The occurrence of sabbats, and the turning of the wheel, are used to stay in tune with the Earth’s natural rhythms. They allow us to reflect on the cycle of life, and express gratitude to the God and Goddess. The eight sabbats are Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon. Celebrating Sabbats You can easily participate in these storied holidays and become at one with the Earth. Sabbats can certainly be celebrated alone, especially if you are a solitary practitioner. There are many rituals which can be done by yourself, introspection you can perform, and ways you can adorn your altar at home. Sabbats can also be celebrated as a group. This can your coven or with fellow witches. However it can also be celebrated with friends and family who are not Wiccan. For example, if you'd like to celebrate the harvest by feasting and showing gratitude, what better way to do that then to assemble some close friends and family! Even non-Wiccans like to feast regardless of the reason! So for those solitaries whose family doesn't know that they're Wiccan, this is a great way to avoid celebrating alone. How to Celebrate Yule Yule is a sabbat on the winter solstice which is the shortest day of the year. It’s the day when the day is shortest and the night is longest and falls around December 21. It’s an important holiday when the Great Mother gives birth to the Horned God. She has breathed new light and life into the world and has allowed the God to reincarnate himself. The newborn God is a fresh start and conveys the promise of the return of light and spring. The Goddess also goes to sleep after giving birth. She will sleep until Imbolc, and the yearly cycle will repeat itself again. There are many ways to celebrate Yule! Light Up Your Home Burn Yule logs, and decorate your home with candles and lights to make it a beacon in the darkness of the solstice. Bring In Greenery Decorate your altar and home with mistletoe, ivy, holly, myrrh, and frankincense. Put up evergreen wreaths and garlands. You can also put up a Yule tree, which is the Pagan origin of the Christmas tree! Introspection Meditate on resolutions for personal renewal. Welcome Back the Sun Perform a candle ceremony to welcome back the sun. Merriment Celebrate and feast with your coven. Be Generous Give gifts and spend joyous time with family and friends. Encourage Peace Cast spells for peace and love to manifest in the world. Yule Correspondences Color Correspondences RedGreenWhiteGoldSilver Herbal Correspondences IvyHollyRosemaryEvergreenPineJuniperSageChestnutFir Crystal Correspondences RubyGarnetJasper Deity Correspondences HelLughOdinFortunaGaiaJanusIshtarRa Animal Correspondences DeerGooseRobinBear Magick Correspondences Darkness and lightJoyful expressionPurification and rebirthTransformation Conclusion I hope this has given you a good background on Wiccan sabbats, the sabbat of Yule, what it means, and how to celebrate it! Click below to get more helpful information about other Wiccan sabbats. And for a wider overview of Wiccan sabbats, visit our comprehensive guide to the Wheel of the Year. ← samhain imbolc →