by Silva Payne

Created on: November 02, 2009

Yule is the mid-winter observance (or for those on the wiccan path, Sabbat). It has no set start and end date; rather it is a period of reflection and celebration during the depths of the winter season. The main feast day is the winter Solstice, which usually occurs on December 21 or 22 each year, when the night is at its longest duration giving the shortest day.

For solitary pagans, knowing what to do on special days in the pagan calendar can be difficult. Those who work in groups or who have like-minded friends often get together to celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year, but for solitaries this is not the case. With the solstice being so close to Christmas, Yule is one of the easier events that solitary pagans can mark without standing out from the crowd. Many of the Christmas "traditions" have evolved from older pagans practices, so there is no real need to be anti-Christmas as such.

If you have an altar, dressing it for Yule can become a ritual in itself. Gathering winter greenery such as ivy, holly and spruce branches, along with berries and other natural objects, is a great excuse for a long walk in the countryside. If you use an altar cloth, green is an appropriate colour for this time of year; the idea is to encourage winter to keep moving so that spring can return. Green candles are also appropriate for a Yule altar for the same reason. You may wish to bring out some green crystals such as malachite, or a small bowl or chalice of spring water to symbolise the continuation of life through the dark winter months.

There are many similarities between Yule and Christmas celebrations and feasting with family and friends is definitely one of them. For solitary pagans this can be an important reaffirmation of close friendships, or a way of sharing food and drink at a time when they may more keenly feel that they are alone. Inviting others into ones home is a good ritual to establish at Yule. Even if you do not want those you invite to know your reasons for doing so, sharing food and drink is a fitting way to honour the Gods at this time of year.

However, there are other ways of sharing food and drink than just having people round for dinner. You could make some small cakes or cookies and take them in to your work place to share with your co-workers. You could also volunteer to spend some time at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter over the Christmas period. This will not only allow you to take part in the Yule spirit, but also it will provide you

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