vi0lethues

[vi0lethues]

𝐘𝐮𝐥𝐞

The winter solstice 🎄

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What is Yule?

Yule, rooted in ancient Pagan traditions, is a time of profound spiritual significance and celebration. Observed during the winter solstice, Yule marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky within the Wheel of the Year. Historically, it is a period rich in feasting, merriment, and magical practices, rooted in ancient pagan traditions. Celebrated from December 21 to January 1 in the Northern Hemisphere and from June 21 to July 1 in the Southern Hemisphere Yule spans 12 days, beginning on the Winter Solstice, and is celebrated with rituals, offerings, and festivities that honor the rebirth of the sun, the changing seasons, and connections to deities or spirits.

The origins of Yule trace back to Nordic Pagan festivals, which began with the winter solstice. The name "Yule" itself carries symbolic meaning. It may derive from juleiss, a Gothic term for a festive month, or from the Anglo-Saxon word for "wheel," a nod to the ever-turning Wheel of the Year. These celebrations emphasized the rebirth of light and the power of community during the dark winter months. Fires were lit to drive away the bitter chill of winter and to welcome the sun’s warmth and light back into the world. These fires symbolized resilience and hope, inspiring those who gathered to reflect on renewal and the enduring cycles of nature. Also known as the Winter solstice, Yuletide is deeply connected to the Celtic tradition of honoring the Sun King’s rebirth. This sacred event symbolizes the return of light and the promise of renewal, hope, and transformation.

Yule remains a powerful time to reflect on the year’s end, set intentions for renewal, and honor the balance of light and dark. In essence, Yule is a celebration of life’s cycles and the eternal return of the sun. Whether through ancient rituals or modern adaptations, its themes of renewal, community, and connection continue to inspire those who honor its magic. From lighting fires to welcoming the Sun King’s rebirth, Yule reminds us of the return of lighter, longer and brighter days.

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Holly King & Oak King

During Yule, the mythical battle between the Holly King and the Oak King unfolds, symbolizing the eternal cycle of the seasons. The Holly King, ruler of the waning year, governs the darker half of the year from Midsummer to Yule, embodying the quiet, reflective energy of winter. In contrast, the Oak King, representing the waxing year, reigns from Yule to Midsummer, bringing the promise of light, growth, and abundance.

At the winter solstice, the Oak King triumphs over the Holly King, marking the turning point from the longest night to the gradual return of light and longer days. This victory signifies the triumph of renewal over stagnation, life over dormancy, and hope over the darkness of winter. It celebrates the rebirth of the sun and the promise of brighter days to come.

The myth of the Holly King and Oak King beautifully captures the cyclical rhythm of nature, reflecting the eternal dance between light and dark, life and death, and the perpetual cycle of rebirth. During Yule, this timeless story is often incorporated into rituals and ceremonies to honor the changing seasons and embrace the natural flow of life. It serves as a powerful reminder of the balance inherent in the universe and the inevitability of new beginnings.

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The Yule Log

The Yule log, a cherished tradition rooted in ancient customs across various cultures, is a powerful symbol of light, warmth, and the cycle of life. Central to Yule celebrations, the log represents the return of the sun, the triumph of light over darkness, and the renewal of life as the longest night gives way to lengthening days.

Traditionally, families would select a large log, often from trees considered sacred, such as oak, ash, or birch, and ceremoniously bring it into their homes to burn during the Yule festivities. Oak symbolized strength and endurance, ash was associated with protection and prosperity, and birch represented new beginnings. Before lighting the log, it was often adorned with seasonal greenery like holly, ivy, or mistletoe, as well as dusted with wine, cider, or oil as offerings to the spirits of the hearth and the divine.

The burning of the Yule log was not just a practical act of creating warmth; it held deep spiritual significance. The fire symbolized the returning sun's strength and the victory of light over the darkness of winter. The ashes from the burned log were often kept, believed to hold protective and healing properties. Some would scatter the ashes over their fields or gardens to bless the land for the coming year, while others used the ashes in rituals for protection or luck.

The log was typically burned for several days, often for the twelve nights of Yule, signifying the transition from the old year to the new. Families would preserve a portion of the unburned log to kindle the following year’s Yule log, ensuring continuity and the protection of the household. During the burning, people gathered around the hearth to share stories, sing songs, and enjoy feasts, celebrating the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.

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The Yule Tree

The Yule tree was an important symbol in Pagan traditions, representing the Tree of Life or the World Tree. It was a way for early Pagans to honor the cycles of nature and the interconnectedness of all life. The tree was decorated with gifts and offerings to the gods, as people hoped to receive blessings for the coming year.In ancient times, the Yule tree was adorned with natural decorations like pinecones, berries, and fruit, which symbolized abundance and fertility. People also hung symbols that were sacred to the gods and goddesses, making the tree a living altar of sorts.

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Magic Correspondences:

Planets: Jupiter, Saturn

Season: Winter

Element: Earth

Time of Day: Dawn

Tarot: The World, Three of Cups, The Star, The Wheel of Fortune

Colors: Red, White, Green, Gold, Black, Silver

Herbs: Sage, Holly, Bayberry, Fir, Ivy, Mistletoe, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedar, Pine, Cedarwood, Juniper, Oregano

Fruits: Orange, Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Clementine, Cranberry, Mandarin, Nuts, Lemon

Vegetables: Potato, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Turnips, Cabbage, Onion

Runes: Dagaz, Sowilo, Jera, Isa

Crystals: Black Tourmaline, Turquoise, Garnet, Clear Quartz, Ruby, Bloodstone, Moss Agate, Blue Zircon, Serpentine, Cat's eye

Trees: Cedar, Oak, Pine, Fir, Chestnut

Goddesses: Amaterasu, Athena, Hecate, Demeter, Cailleach Bheur, Frigga, Freyja, Brigid, Isis, Perchta / Berchta

Gods: Baldur, Dionysus, Cernunnos, Odin, Holly King, Oak King, Horus, Saturn, Osiris, Cronos

Dragon: Naelyon

Flowers: Holly, Poinsettia, Narcissus, Christmas Cactus, Daffodil

Animals: Goat, Squirrel, Stag, Deer, Robin, Wren, Snowy Owl, Bear, Wolf

Mythical Beings: La Befana, Yule Goat, Yule Cat, Gnomes, Yule Boar, Krampus, Gryla, The Disir, Elves

Magical Powers: Snow Magic, new beginnings, love, gratitude, friendship, fulfillment, darkness & light, transformation, house blessings, peace, healing, new cycle.

Activities To Do:

🎄 Make a Yule altar

🔔 Decorate a Yule tree with your favorite decorations (dried oranges, holly, garlands, bows, pinecones, and more)

🎄 Start planning for the coming year

🔔 Bake a Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

🎄 Decorate your Yule Log with ribbons, pine branches, candles, berries, and cloves

🔔 Collect pinecones and arrange them around your home

🎄 Burn small pieces of pine in a cauldron for good luck in the new year

🔔 Drink hot mulled wine

🎄 Craft a wreath

🔔 Create a special Yule Log where you can write your wishes and let it burn in the fireplace

🎄 Hang mistletoe in your home

🔔 Listen to Yule music or Christmas carols

🎄 Sing or dance to your favorite festive music

🔔 Make a Yule magic jar

🎄 Bake spiced cookies

🔔 Connect and spend time with your deities

🎄 Cook as many seasonal recipes as you can

🔔 Perform fire, new beginnings, or prosperity spells

🎄 Exchange gifts with your loved ones

🔔 Write your wishes on bay leaves and burn them to release their energy

🎄 Read about Yuletide traditions and history

🔔 Watch Yule/Christmas themed movies

🎄 Wear seasonal colors

🔔 Spend time with your loved ones, eat together, and play games

🎄 Hang dried oranges around your home for a sweet & festive scent

🔔 Spend time in nature

🎄 Light candles around your house to honor the return of the light, leaving them on until sunrise (keep them in safe spots, especially near where you sleep)

🔔 Enjoy the longest night of the year by staying cozy and doing activities you love

🎄 Meditate in nature

🔔 Host a Yule feast!

🎄 Honor your ancestors during the Yule days

🔔 Drink hot chocolate as you watch your Yule log burn, sending your wishes into the Universe and visualizing them coming true ♡

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Food and Drinks:

Yule Log cake, bread pudding, roasted nuts, gingerbread, potato latkes, Yule ham, roast goose, spiced cakes, cinnamon-flavored cakes, ginger tea, hot apple cider, wassail, seasoned soups, spiced buttermilk bread, nuts, apples, honey, oranges, dried fruits, turkey, roasted meats, mincemeat, eggnog, chocolate, roasted chicken, roasted capon, roasted partridge, roasted suckling pig, venison offal, rabbit stew, fruit mince pies, sugar cookies, grog, spiced cider, mulled wine, plum pudding, marmalade cakes, chocolate biscuits, fruit pies, tarts with nuts, hot cocoa (These are just suggestions for traditional Yule foods, but feel free to eat or drink anything you like! :D)

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useful sources: Wicca: A Modern Guide To Witchcraft & Magick; Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World by Judika Illes; Wicca in the kitchen by Scott Cunningham

gifs credit: Pinterest

TipJar🎅🎄

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Who's excited for Yule?

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If no one believes you can do it, fuck that. Do it anyway, just to spite them.

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Aphrodite; prayer for attracting a healthy relationship

O Aphrodite, Goddess of love,

Bless me with a connection that is pure, true, and whole.

Grant me the courage to embrace love’s fullness,

To offer my heart freely, yet with wisdom,

Help me attract a partner who reflects the beauty within me,

A companion who nurtures and cherishes the love we share.

Aphrodite, in your grace, may I find balance and harmony,

May love flow into my life effortlessly,

And may I always give and receive with kindness,

Creating a bond of respect, passion, and deep connection.

Bless me, O Aphrodite, with a partner who aligns with my soul,

A love that is nurturing, joyful, and free of harm,

Let our hearts beat in unison, our spirits entwined,

And may our union be a reflection of your eternal love.

With gratitude, I surrender to your divine will,

Trusting that in your time, the right love will appear.

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Nyx, Night Goddess by Gustave Moreau (1880)

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Walking Crescent Meadow Road - Sequoia National Park

Prints - Framer.art

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just came across one of your posts about being a worshipper with ADHD, and I'm the same. I've been in and out of my practice and faith for the past four years, mostly due to life situations but partially due to my ADHD (and additionally as I was raised atheist and have no point of reference for any religiousness haha). Do you have any tips for someone trying to remain consistent with their worship? <33 hope college is treating you kindly

Omg! First of all, thank you so much for the ask! College is treating me fairly well, and much better than it did last year-

I relate to this ask a lot oh my. The being raised atheist part is also SO true. Being raised athiest affects so much of my worship I think.

This is just what works for me and it may not work for you, so please trust me when I say that if this list doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean nothing will. I know sometimes when resources don’t work it can feel very disheartening but I promise something will.

So for me, having all my prayers and info I want to remember about my deities written down in a google doc has been really helpful, because my memory is VERY unreliable. You can keep this as a physical thing instead of digital but I have google docs on my phone, so it’s always with me. I have a lot written on there - epithets, prayers, lists of potential offerings, myths I want to remember, etc. this isn’t even strictly an ADHD thing, im sure many people do this and it might be obvious to some but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Next, try making worship into part of your routine. This makes it so much easier to be consistent in it! I don’t mean saying good morning/goodnight to deities (that’s awesome and so valid, but I can NEVER make it a habit, then I feel bad after not having done it for a while). Personally, I devote showers to Aphrodite because of her association with water and the fact that it’s a self care thing. Whenever I remember, I offer food to my deities if I’m eating something I associate with them. I listen to music on my way to college, so if I’m listening to a song I associate with them, I’ll think about them while listening to it. Since I’m a student, I offer a lot of my college stuff to Athena (flash cards, annotated books, etc) and invite Her to study with me. Things like that are a lot easier to remember to do than trying to remember to take specific time out of the day for worship if that makes sense?

So far this blog is also helping me stay consistent! Talking about my deities so much on here, and finding stuff to reblog, means I’m thinking about them a lot more than I would otherwise.

I haven’t done this yet myself but I thought of it while writing this out. Maybe centre aspects of worship around any current hyperfixations you have? If there’s a show you really like, invite them to watch it with you. If you’re getting into a new hobby, maybe it comes under a domain of a deity you worship, and even if not you could still dedicate it to them (like making crafts and offering them to Athena or Hephaestus for example? If it’s a sport, dedicate it to Ares. Etc)

This last one, I can’t stress this enough, and it’s something I forget too - be kind to yourself. We aren’t perfect. We are going to forget. We aren’t always going to be consistent. I truly think our deities understand and expect this of us, and that as long as we aren’t outright disrespectful they won’t hold it against us if we aren’t always able to fully devote ourselves to them, y’know? We’re people. We have busy lives. Our brains don’t work that well sometimes. But we love and respect our deities so much and they definitely see that!

If there’s typos in this I’m so sorry, I hope it makes sense

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Things that I simply LOVE 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

lacy bras and pretty lingerie

oatmeal and HOT coffee on rainy days

layering perfumes

putting notes and annotations in books

coming up with code names for the guys that we are talking to

writing letters to my friends even though we talk daily

making playlists for every occasion but its all just Lana

starting chats with "GIRL" to signal urgency

big earrings and too many bracelets

hosting brunch and dinner at my place

shitposting on main

trying a new makeup and actually liking the result

wearing sweats and a bra as my at-home fit

seeing results when dieting and working out

boy gossip after long days of studying lmao

posting ig stories and yapping

making tumblr gifs of myself

decorating for holidays way too early

going to the store and smelling every scented candle until I find the perfect one

same for the tea section. I love tea.

being asked where my clothes are from

when I smile at old people and they smile back

the feeling of your brain being slow and numb after a good study session

staying up to talk to my girls

doing my skincare after a day of not wearing makeup

floortime

having a cold and therefore not feeling guilty for being lazy (unfortunately, I am a workaholic)

tiktok tarot readings that feed into my delusions

these are just things that I PERSONALLY love, and if you get it, were besties. <3

my insta -> @ malusokay

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This is your friendly reminder that herbs aren't inherently safe.

Natural doesn't mean Safe.

Lightning is natural. Opium, therefore heroin and opiate drugs are derived from poppies. Cinnamon oil will burn your skin. Lilies are toxic to cats and will cause organ failure. Activated charcoal will neutralize your prescription medications and literally anything else in your system. St. John's Wort will destroy your serotonin production and mess with your happiness threshold if it DOESNT KILL YOU FIRST.

So anyway.

Do some damn good research every time you go to eat, breathe, bring around your pets, bathe in, or smoke something. Be safe please.

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Gotta love the scams.

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Moths are just gothic butterflies 🖤✨

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I’ve been trying to learn how to read Tarot more the past few days, it’s been super fun! Still so much for me to learn but i’m getting there slowly :3

Would anyone like to give their opinions on this spread I pulled a couple days ago? Super curious to see how others would read it. (This reading was for someone else btw not me)

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By emackelder

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🙌🏽you go girl