Magic in the Woods - Yule Gathering

Join us in person to celebrate Yule - the celtic celebration of Winter and returning to a space of deep rest and time for our internal 'wintering' .

This event is a time to come together in a simple, soothing, connection of this time of year, gathering outside by the fire, feeling the temperature drop and the welcome of the cold, and then pausing to get cosy in the cabin to journey deep into a place in your imagination where you can be held in a space of nurturing comfort to pause away from the noise (and chaos) of Christmas outside.

Remembering forgotten Yule traditions and the promise of returning light

There comes a night in the turning of the year when the darkness seems to settle deep into the bones of the earth.

The trees stand bare against the winter sky. Frost gathers on the grass, the rivers move slowly beneath their icy breath, and the sun slips away before we have quite finished our day. The world grows quiet, inviting us to slow our footsteps, draw closer to the fire and remember the ancient promise held within the longest night.

This is Yule. A time of gathering, of remembering, of keeping faith with the light, even when it seems far away.

Long before Christmas lights shone in our windows, the peoples of northern Europe marked the winter season with fire, feasting and stories of the returning sun.

In the old English world, the Anglo-Saxon name Giuli is associated with a celebration by the hearth. Across the North Sea, the Norse celebrated Jól, a festival of feasting and drinking, honouring the bonds between family, community and the powers that watched over their world.

On stormy nights, people listened to the wind and wondered what unseen company might be travelling overhead. Winter was not an empty season, but one alive with presence, mystery and magic.

In Ireland, the old stories remind us that darkness and light are never quite as separate as they appear. At Brú na Bóinne, the great passage tomb of Newgrange, the rising sun at the winter solstice illuminates the inner chamber through a carefully aligned opening. Built thousands of years before the Celtic stories were written down, this extraordinary place speaks across the centuries: even at the heart of winter, the light finds its way home.

In Scottish folklore, the Cailleach, who shapes the land with her wild power, is associated with winter storms, mountains and the hardening of the earth. Yet winter, in these traditions, is not simply an enemy to endure. It is a force to respect, a season with its own wisdom, teaching us that rest, stillness and retreat belong as naturally to life as growth and blossom.

And perhaps the true magic of Yule that unites all these old traditions, is the power of the hearth, the fire that holds us safe, that calls us home, that shines a light in the terrible darkness and reminds us that little by little the light is returning and while we can not banish every darkness from our lives, we can kindle a light within it.

This evening aims to honour what the year has brought us: the joys, the losses, the unexpected changes and the quiet moments of courage. Offering you space to lay down the things that have grown heavy, forgive ourselves for what remains unfinished, and make space for the seeds of something new.

Imagine, then, a circle gathered close to the longest night, the winter trees standing watch beside the campfire and under a sky scattered with stars.

Here, there is no need to rush towards the new year, no need to focus on everyone else tonight, but find space for your quiet truth. No need to arrive with resolutions or certainty. be treated to warmth, connection, reflection and seasonal treats with the simple wonder of being together.

This Yule, you are invited to gather in the turning of the light.

Come share in the ancient spirit of midwinter: to honour the darkness that allows us to rest, celebrate the light that lives within us, and welcome the returning sun with open hearts.

Bring your hopes, your stories, your gratitude and whatever part of yourself needs a little warmth.

The longest night will pass. The wheel will turn. And somewhere beneath the sleeping earth, the promise of spring is already stirring.

Bring your curiosity and your open heart.

The fire is waiting*. The circle is open.

Come, let us welcome the light home.

What to expect

Tonight's event with honour these themes and invite you into a space of reflection and celebration and the opportunity for this night to be a point of release and reconnection with what really matters in your life..

This evening of connection and magic in the woods will help you to take time for you, noticing the power of the season and explore the rich story-telling of Yule over cake/treats and hot drinks, alongside campfire connection and shamanic journeying.

*We have the space to gather in the cabin if the weather doesn't allow being out by the fire, but if it's a dry, Winter evening, we'll be outside by the fire and under the stars for more of the session. If weather does not allow a camp fire, we'll create a fire ceremony with light and storytelling.

This evening event is for curious minds and open hearts of all genders, ages and abilities (disabled friendly venue).

Want to know more or ask questions not highlighted below? Just drop a message to [email protected]

Event venue & nearby stays

Padworth, YMCA, Rag Hill, Reading, United Kingdom

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