Name: Yule Ritual and Potluck
Start: 2025-12-20T19:00:00-06:00
Location: Unitarian Fellowship of Regina

Yule marks the Winter Solstice, the longest night (shortest day) of the year when we celebrate the return of the light. In the Northern Hemisphere this is on Dec 21st when darkness has reached its peak. (June 21st in the Southern Hemisphere). Yule is a pagan holiday that celebrates the changing of the seasons with themes of rebirth and renewal.
This is the time to celebrate that each day, little by little, the light is returning because with the sun brings life and growth to the world. Even though these solar energies are coming back this is also one of the hardest and coldest times of the year. There are still dark, cold days we will have to endure before we know we can shake Winters grasp.
Traditionally, Yule festivities are derived from the Celtic legends about the battle between the young Oak King and the Old Holly King. The Oak King represents the light coming back and the holly king is the darkness disappearing. There is also a lot of Germanic and Norse origins to many aspects that are celebrated at Yule - Such as the Christmas tree.
Yule is a time for giving, usually small, handmade gifts or donating time or food to those in need, honoring love and acts of goodwill. Back in the day people needed each other in their communities to help get through this time together in order to survive. Gathering with friends, wassailing, getting out in nature, sharing joy and looking for the magic of the season is what Yule is all about.
Some correspondences for Yule:
Direction: North
Element: Earth
Time of Day: Midnight
On the Witches Wheel of the Year is at the top
Colours: Red, green, white, and gold.
Altar Decorations: Pine cones, evergreen branches, candles, sun symbols, cloves, oranges, mistletoe, ivy, holly
Foods/herbs: Roasted meats, mulled wine, cider, squash, cranberries, wheat, cinnamon, cloves, oranges
Activities: Wassailing, gathering with friends, decorating a Yule tree or branch of evergreen, lighting or burning a Yule log, exchanging gifts, carolling, feasting and watching the sunrise, bonfires.
All are welcome to attend our ritual and potluck.
Hope to see you there!