Twelve Days of Solstice and Yule

A Twelve day practice to welcome the arrival of Winter.

I have written this with a nod towards the traditional folk practices of Yule, a time before it became the 12 days of Christmas. It is my own adaptation and reflects the interest I hold in ancient, Pagan, Wiccan, Celtic and Norse traditions. The old and ancient people held a strong connection to nature, the land and the seasonal rhythms, as do I. Each day contains an invitation to a practice, key themes, representations and a little affirmation to focus on. I would love for you to join me in a few days of intentionally slowing down and holding yourself with the love and thought you give others this time of year.

A few things that you may like to have ready:

A journal, a log/wood, candles, rosemary, mugwort, sage, pine cones, evergreens, oranges, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cranberries, bay leaf, ceremonial cacao.

Day 1. Mother's Night, Mōdraniht, New Moon.

December 20th. The divine feminine. A time for renewal and new beginnings.

Creativity - Nurture - Intuition - Wisdom - Cycles

This year the new moon falls on the evening before solstice, known in some ancient cultures, such as Anglo-Saxon and Norse as 'Mother's Night' it's an evening to honour ancestral women and deities. These women are said to watch over us and our families during times of need. Reflecting on your own qualities and connection to the feminine, tune into an affirmation that resonates and honours your journey. Write this and pin it up somewhere visible to speak it out loud every morning for the 12 days of Yule.

I shall take some time to plan a couple of Spring projects, noting a few ideas in one of my ever growing selection of notebooks (I love stationary). January the 1st is not the time to 'start' anything and nor is the eve of winter, but it is a good time for dreaming and imagining our future being.

Embrace the thoughts and dreams that keep you curious.

Day 2. Winter Solstice, Yule.

December 21st. The shortest day, the longest night. A pause.

Fire - Yule log - Yellow - Evergreens - Community - Feasting

A gentle start to the day, either out to welcome sunrise, or indoors lighting candles, with some quiet meditation.

Decorate a log with seasonal foraged finds and some festive scented evergreen leaves, fruits and spices, such as; cinnamon, pine, rosemary and orange, then attach a hand-written blessing marking the return of the light.

"I embrace the darkness and my deep need for rest this time of the year, I trust in the natural cycles of light and dark, death and rebirth. I know the light is returning and can feel a stirring of hope igniting within me".

Gather with others, or alone around a bonfire and burn the Yule log. Wassailing to stir the tree spirits; making noise, singing, drumming, howling.

Fall in love with the feral one of you.

Day 3. Restoration, Re-birth, Cleansing.

December 22nd. The sun's rebirth and restoration of the light.

Sun - Candles - Air - Pine - Ginger

Open windows in the house and allow the fresh cool air in, use a smudge stick to cleanse the home; I have some with sage, mullein and mugwort drying in my shack. I recommend making your own with locally sourced or foraged plants, rather than imported white sage. Take time to indulge in some cleansing practices for the body;  an epsom salt and pine bath soak (pine represents eternal life and hope) apply warm oils to the body and hair. Prepare and drink a detoxifying tea with nettle, ginger and lemon and eat foods that are gentle, healthy and comforting, including lots of fresh seasonal vegetables. I have lots of kale, spinach and purple sprouting broccoli growing on the plot, and winter squash recently harvested, so will be using that.

Learn which foods are seasonal right now and set an intention to eat more of those.

Your body deserves to be nourished and nurtured.

Day 4. Connection, Nature.

December 23rd. Time on the land, embracing the return of the light.

Soil - Oak - Presence - Earth - Grounded

Spend time with the land, find a tree and have a conversation, be sure to listen out for it's wisdom. Slow down, breathe deeply, embrace the soil, lay down on the ground or spend time barefooted. Notice the changes now it is winter and speak out loud to anything you find interesting or beautiful. Perhaps you can compliment a bird on their beautiful plume or loudly embrace anything which reflects back a little of yourself. Take some extended time today to connect with non-human folk, and feel that deep connection to everything we ourselves are a part of. Winter carries a quiet wisdom, it requires us to believe in the cycles unfolding below our feet and trust that it's ok to surrender ourselves to the gentle rhythm, not fight against it. Today is a reminder of that, before the madness of Christmas.

The Earth remembers me, it can hold me however I show up.

Day 5. Comfort.

December 24th, Xmas Eve. Easing into the day, open your senses.

Warmth - Cranberry - Cinnamon - Clove - orange

Start the day slow and cosy; breakfast in bed, breath work, meditation. Be with each of your senses; the smells, the sounds and appreciate what is around you, the safety of your home.. Wack up the heat. Enjoy a gentle and nurturing yoga practice, followed by a warm spiced cranberry and apple juice. Make a simmer pot with orange slices, cinnamon, pine needles, cloves, cranberry and water. Enjoy the festive scent filling your home and set an intention based around renewal and hope. Perhaps the craziness of Xmas has arrived today, and time may be limited, so starting the day in a comforting, slow way is a gift to yourself.

You were made to move with the natural rhythm.

Day 6. Giving and Gratitude.

December 25th, Christmas Day, Kindness.

Holly - Rosemary - Remembrance - Gold - Generosity

It's Christmas Day, so today needs to be kept simple. I plan on an act of kindness - donating to two charities; one human and one non-human. Before the day fully kicks in, light a candle and take time to journal a few words of gratitude for your life. And then, message someone you haven't spoken to in a while to wish them well. If the sky is clear and you are awake early enough, go outside to see the moon, the magical waxing crescent.

Remember to slow down and breathe through the madness of the day, it does not have to be perfect, it just needs to feel right for you.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted - Aesop

Day 7. Release and let go.

December 26th, Boxing Day, Renewal.

Fire - Movement - Somatic - Music - Abandon

Start the day outside with a fire (or light a fire in the hearth). Write down a few fears that are currently residing in the mind and body, then release them into the embers. Let go of stagnant energy by playing some loud music; shake, dance, and somatically move in any way that feels good. I'm a firm believer that to move somatically and therapeutically the music can be whatever you need and whatever you love. I do listen to a lot of ethereal, meditative music with deep, meaningful lyrics, but I also love filthy electro, gangster rap and shouty rock/punk.. and sometimes that is the best music for me to elevate my mood or shake off some anger/frustration.

I take time to really listen to my body and what she needs.

Day 8. Craft and Creation.

December 27th, Connecting to nature through art.

Creativity - Inspiration - Curiosity - Mindful - Nature

Today is about creating something made from found natural items, and then participating in some mindful art; photography, drawing, painting, writing a poem, cookery.. whatever gets the juices flowing. Take time to connect with the artistic soul that resides within, and whatever you do, do it mindfully and connect it to the natural world. I shall likely take some pictures and then spend some time in my shack on the plot making some pine cone feeders for the little birds that share the land and the trees with me. I am hoping my Robin friend will return soon, he has been gone for some time and maybe a peanut butter cone will tempt him back.. although, I expect some fresh wriggly worms would more likely entice him.

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt - Sylvia Plath

Day 9. Stillness and Protection.

December 28th, Protecting your peace.

Rosemary - Sage - Mugwort - Bay - Clarity - Calm

Today's focus is on herbalism, using that which nature provides to bring about a deep sense of peace, clarity and calm.

• Rosemary wards off negativity, brings clarity and strength.
• Sage is a powerful cleansing herb, which clears energy.
• Mugwort (the dreamweaver) aids in spiritual journeying, can bring upon lucid dreams and intuitiveness.
• Bay is for manifestation and prosperity.

I plan on using the herbs in a number of ways today; a tea, burning as a smudge, bathing, and making a decoration for my front door. I shall weave together some rosemary from the plot (it's a fabulous evergreen) along with some hops and bay leaf from my garden, no evil spirits shall be able to enter my home with that powerhouse of herbs!

I am grateful to the plants for their healing.

Day 10. Reflection and Wisdom.

December 29th, honouring your path.

Growth - Healing - Inner Peace - Ceremonial Cacao - Journeying

As much as it's good to plan and visualise the future and new year, it's really important to take time to honour your journey over the last year. Speaking from a personal viewpoint, it's so easy to feel that I have stagnated or not achieved a whole lot. That's why today I shall take the time to reflect on what I have actually accomplished and overcome. Life, just like the natural World around us, isn't static - it shifts and changes, throwing us constant challenges and that's why happiness can be so fleeting. Elation cannot be a constant state, so looking at how I have maintained a level of peace and equilibrium in difficult times is just as important, if not more so. This year, I have lived in the moment more than ever and my commitment to eco therapy has supported my healing journey and given me a deeper knowledge of myself.

Gift yourself time to sit with the wintery landscape, drink some ceremonial cacao and reflect on moments from the last year where you have overcome adversity or noticed moments of growth and wisdom. Perhaps write them down, or speak them to the wild. Feel a sense of pride knowing you are an incredible and worthy being, that is able to manage uncertainty, change and challenge.

Nature does not move in straight lines, she spirals, she circles, she rises, she rests, she returns. (Nabalo).

Day 11. The priority is Joy.

December 30th, I shall prioritise myself, guilt free.

Rebellion - Pleasure - Romanticism - Frivolity

Today, forget chores, to do lists, goal setting.. it's all too easy to get hung up on goals this time of year; the must do's, the should do's, the feeling of not having enough planned and not being enough. What would it feel like to prioritise JOY? You don't need a reason to prioritise yourself (in fact you're almost through 12 days of doing some of that). In the Western landscape, we are pushed and conditioned to believe that enjoying ourselves should be a reward for being good and productive. As I near 50. I believe more and more strongly that this is total bullshit and I refuse to feel guilt for doing things that are commonly seen as frivolous. It is a rebellious act to find the joy in each day, and not be ground down by constant pressure from seen and unseen powers.

I am a strong believer in romanticising your life.. joyful things don't need to be expensive or even cost any money. So today, romanticise the hell out of the day.. make everything super bougie! I won't give suggestions here, because joy is so subjective, often it can be a subtle invitation to return home.. a reconnecting with the child inside you - a time before adulthood and bills got in the way of unbridled pleasure!

You're allowed to feel good today and everyday.

Day 12. Celebration.

December 31st, the final day of 2025.

Reflect - Grace - Breathe - Chanting - Crone - Respect

You have made it. Full stop. Not only to the end of the year, but to the final day of this Yule practice. Reflect back on the practices that felt easy and those that were a little more challenging.. perhaps you didn't complete every day. We can only show up each day as ourselves, sometimes that's as a lazy slut languishing around the house eating chips and chocolate (me). And that is ok. Hopefully, though the practice has helped you survive this crazy time of year. Entering winter can be hard and un-motivating, especially knowing there's weeks of cold weather and dim days... but the light is returning! Stay in tune with the rhythm of this time of year, forget resolutions, forget pressure and enter into tomorrow with ease and grace for yourself.

I will start the day with a Kundalini Kriya, some chanting and a meditation, followed by an Oracle card reading to set myself an intention for January. It shall be gentle and kind. I also like to come up with a word for the year. Something to circle back to. I am entering my 50th year and I can feel huge shifts, the crescendo of menopause (hopefully) and crone-hood. I know for sure that I will continue to deepen my relationship with the land and respect for the non-human folk. But as I am writing this, I am uncertain of what the word will be. Perhaps the 12 day practice will lead towards something that feels right.

In your own wild timing, in your own way, in your own rhythm.