Festivus for the rest of us. Embracing Yule: Reflection, Fire, and Fresh Starts
You know that moment when life throws big existential questions your way—like, “What about dinosaur fossils if the creation story says otherwise?” or “Why does Jesus seem to require cash in the donation plate?” Yeah, that was me as a kid, sitting there with way too many questions and no satisfying answers. Fast forward a bit, and I realized I felt more at home with pagan beliefs rooted in nature, history, and the raw, undeniable cycles of the earth and stars. Yule. A tradition that makes sense on a soul-deep level without asking for explanations or donations.
Nature Doing Its Thing
Yule, aka the winter solstice, hits home because it’s basically nature’s reset button. The darkest days of the year slowly give way to light, whether we’re ready or not. There’s something grounding about acknowledging that—even when things feel stuck, change is inevitable. The Yule log crackling in the fire isn’t just cozy—it’s a symbol of survival, of light returning after dark.
Fun fact: the sun literally “pauses” for three days during the solstice before climbing higher again. Three days of stillness, followed by progress. If that’s not the universe reminding us to chill out and trust the process, I don’t know what is.
Intentions, Fire, and Cookies
Our Yule traditions are a mix of intention-setting and just straight-up fun. Each of us grabs some paper, writes down personal goals or hopes for the coming year, and rolls them up into tiny scrolls. We hang them on our Yule tree, like promises whispered to the universe. No peeking—they’re private until the last night of Yule, when we toss them into the fire and watch the flames carry them away. There’s something weirdly satisfying about seeing them burn—it feels like locking in your goals while letting go of what you can’t control.
We balance that heavy, meaningful stuff with lighter traditions: winter hikes, crafting, baking cookies, and cooking big family dinners and desserts. It’s not about perfection—some crafts end up looking like abstract art, and at least one cookie batch burns—but that’s kind of the point. It’s time spent together, creating memories that stick long after the cookies are gone.
The Joy of Gift-Giving:
Gift-giving during Yule is a cherished tradition that emphasizes thoughtfulness and connection rather than consumption and commercialism. We still exchange gifts, but by spreading the celebration over 12 days, we enjoy a more relaxed and meaningful way to exchange small, heartfelt gifts. This extended period allows us to focus on simple, personal gestures—handmade items, thoughtful tokens, or experiences—that truly reflect our appreciation and love. This approach transforms gift-giving into a joyful, less commercialized experience, fostering deeper connections with family and friends. Less about stuff, more about things that matter.
Looking Back Before Moving Forward
Yule isn’t just about setting new goals—it’s also about hitting pause and reflecting. Every year, we sit down and talk about what went right, what surprised us, and how we’ve grown. It’s easy to miss progress when you’re living it day by day, but looking back makes it clear just how far you’ve come.
What’s cool is that our intentions change every year. Some seasons are all about adventure and family time, while others focus on personal growth or strengthening our relationships. There’s no right or wrong—it’s just life evolving, and Yule gives us space to notice it.
Wrapping It Up
Yule is a reset—a reminder that light returns, growth happens, and fresh starts are always within reach. Whether we’re burning intentions, baking something sweet, or just sitting by the fire, it’s about embracing change while being thankful for where we’ve been.
So here’s to longer days, brighter moments, and trusting that whatever comes next, we’re ready for it. Yule’s message is simple: Reflect. Release. Begin again. And maybe eat a few cookies while you’re at it.
Peace, love and all that good shit people. Be nice to each other and enjoy it all while we're still here above dirt.
In case anyone is curious, here's a pdf of the twelve days of Yule and what they signify and celebrate. Personally, I find one of the greatest things about Yule (other than it lasting twelve days) is the fact that none of this is written in stone. You can do whatever the fuck you want, loosely adhering to the guidelines or not at all. Just enjoy the time. There's no penalty, no fine, no eternal damnation.
You know that moment when life throws big existential questions your way—like, “What about dinosaur fossils if the creation story says otherwise?” or “Why does Jesus seem to require cash in the donation plate?” Yeah, that was me as a kid, sitting there with way too many questions and no satisfying answers. Fast forward a bit, and I realized I felt more at home with pagan beliefs rooted in nature, history, and the raw, undeniable cycles of the earth and stars. Yule. A tradition that makes sense on a soul-deep level without asking for explanations or donations.
Nature Doing Its Thing
Yule, aka the winter solstice, hits home because it’s basically nature’s reset button. The darkest days of the year slowly give way to light, whether we’re ready or not. There’s something grounding about acknowledging that—even when things feel stuck, change is inevitable. The Yule log crackling in the fire isn’t just cozy—it’s a symbol of survival, of light returning after dark.
Fun fact: the sun literally “pauses” for three days during the solstice before climbing higher again. Three days of stillness, followed by progress. If that’s not the universe reminding us to chill out and trust the process, I don’t know what is.
Intentions, Fire, and Cookies
Our Yule traditions are a mix of intention-setting and just straight-up fun. Each of us grabs some paper, writes down personal goals or hopes for the coming year, and rolls them up into tiny scrolls. We hang them on our Yule tree, like promises whispered to the universe. No peeking—they’re private until the last night of Yule, when we toss them into the fire and watch the flames carry them away. There’s something weirdly satisfying about seeing them burn—it feels like locking in your goals while letting go of what you can’t control.
We balance that heavy, meaningful stuff with lighter traditions: winter hikes, crafting, baking cookies, and cooking big family dinners and desserts. It’s not about perfection—some crafts end up looking like abstract art, and at least one cookie batch burns—but that’s kind of the point. It’s time spent together, creating memories that stick long after the cookies are gone.
The Joy of Gift-Giving:
Gift-giving during Yule is a cherished tradition that emphasizes thoughtfulness and connection rather than consumption and commercialism. We still exchange gifts, but by spreading the celebration over 12 days, we enjoy a more relaxed and meaningful way to exchange small, heartfelt gifts. This extended period allows us to focus on simple, personal gestures—handmade items, thoughtful tokens, or experiences—that truly reflect our appreciation and love. This approach transforms gift-giving into a joyful, less commercialized experience, fostering deeper connections with family and friends. Less about stuff, more about things that matter.
Looking Back Before Moving Forward
Yule isn’t just about setting new goals—it’s also about hitting pause and reflecting. Every year, we sit down and talk about what went right, what surprised us, and how we’ve grown. It’s easy to miss progress when you’re living it day by day, but looking back makes it clear just how far you’ve come.
What’s cool is that our intentions change every year. Some seasons are all about adventure and family time, while others focus on personal growth or strengthening our relationships. There’s no right or wrong—it’s just life evolving, and Yule gives us space to notice it.
Wrapping It Up
Yule is a reset—a reminder that light returns, growth happens, and fresh starts are always within reach. Whether we’re burning intentions, baking something sweet, or just sitting by the fire, it’s about embracing change while being thankful for where we’ve been.
So here’s to longer days, brighter moments, and trusting that whatever comes next, we’re ready for it. Yule’s message is simple: Reflect. Release. Begin again. And maybe eat a few cookies while you’re at it.
Peace, love and all that good shit people. Be nice to each other and enjoy it all while we're still here above dirt.
In case anyone is curious, here's a pdf of the twelve days of Yule and what they signify and celebrate. Personally, I find one of the greatest things about Yule (other than it lasting twelve days) is the fact that none of this is written in stone. You can do whatever the fuck you want, loosely adhering to the guidelines or not at all. Just enjoy the time. There's no penalty, no fine, no eternal damnation.
Day 1: Mother’s Night / Winter Solstice - December 21
Day 2: After the Solstice / Restoration - December 22
Day 3: Family Day - December 23
Day 4: Day of The Wild Hunt - December 24
Day 5: Community and Giving - December 25
Day 6: Spiritual Renewal - December 26
Day 7: Wisdom - December 27
Day 8: Abundance - December 28
Day 9: Strength - December 29
Day 10: Protection - December 30
Day 11: Midnight Celebration / New Year’s Eve - December 31
Day 12: New Year Beginning Ceremony - January 1
Read Next
The Ballad of Ambrose and Gunnel
Bruh, Mr. Milchick hittin’ that shit like the opps on the beat. 🤣
Dave Chappelle SNL Monologue
Worth a watch if you're a fan. He's still one funny, cool dude.
The Beginning of 2025: New Year, New Chaos
Is This the Twilight Zone or Reality?
Midjourney Images of the Week
Last week of 2024. Enjoy.