About this Event
Introduction to the Winter Yule Retreat
Welcome to the Winter Yule Retreat! Join us for a day of warmth, connection, and celebration as we explore the best of the Yule season in the cozy, rustic setting of Duncan, where we’ll honor ancient traditions and embrace the quiet beauty of winter on the Pacific West Coast. This retreat invites you to relax and recharge with festive crafts, nourishing food, drumming and visualization, and meaningful practices that celebrate the turning of the year and the return of the sun.
Retreat Details
Arrive between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m., settle in and begin a day dedicated to reflection, rejuvenation, and connection. Our gathering space in Duncan offers a welcoming and rustic atmosphere with ample parking. Throughout the day, we’ll come together in a supportive circle for reflection and intention-setting for the new year. You’ll be guided in creating a Yule log to take home, adorned with seasonal greenery and symbols of warmth, as well as in crafting a festive swag to grace your door with winter beauty. You’ll enjoy a guided meditation and visualization session to deepen your seasonal connection, and we’ll conclude with a Yule log lighting ritual and closing ceremony to honor Yule’s promise of renewal. The day includes all supplies, a catered meal, and a selection of snacks, offering you everything needed for a relaxed, enriching experience.
Understanding the Pagan Tradition of Yule
Yule is rooted in Pagan traditions that celebrate the winter solstice, marking the longest night and the turning point toward light’s return. As a festival of renewal, Yule honors the rebirth of the sun, symbolizing hope, warmth, and life’s resilience even in the darkest season. Ancient rituals such as lighting the Yule log and adorning spaces with evergreen swags symbolize the cyclical nature of life and our connection to the earth. By gathering to celebrate Yule, we embrace the rhythm of nature and set intentions for the new year, welcoming its light and new possibilities.
Traditional Crafts: Yule Logs and Winter Swags
One of our festive crafts will be the creation of Yule logs, traditionally decorated with evergreens, berries, and seasonal adornments. The Yule log, historically burned on the solstice night, symbolizes the light returning to the world and is kept as a charm for protection and luck. Alongside the Yule log, we’ll craft winter swags with fragrant evergreens, a practice rooted in Pagan custom that invites nature’s resilience and beauty into the home. Each participant will take home these handmade creations as a reminder of warmth, renewal, and the season’s spirit.
Yule Charcuterie and Festive Meal
A delicious, catered Yule-inspired lunch will be served family-style, featuring a spread of seasonal charcuterie, warming foods, and classic winter flavors. You’ll enjoy artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and warm, mulled beverages, followed by traditional treats like spiced gingerbread and sugared cranberry bites. Each dish is prepared to evoke the cozy spirit of Yule, giving us an opportunity to gather and celebrate the season’s bounty together.
---
This retreat offers a beautiful balance of craft, connection, and ritual, providing an inspiring space to pause, reflect, and welcome the light of the new year with open hearts. We look forward to sharing this special day with you.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Duncan, Canada
CAD 214.33
