Twelve Days of Yule Ritual Guide

Twelve Days of Yule

December 21st - January 1st

First Day of Yule- Shortest Day of The Year- Moon Aries to Taurus

Opening Ceremony of Lights

On the First day of Yule we say goodnight to our final fire of Sagittarius and initiate ourselves into the death cycle, welcoming in Father Saturn with our beloved Capricorn on the horizon. The Yule Opening Ceremony will probably relate similarly to a New Moon Ritual. This is the day to gather pinecones, feathers, leaves etc from outside your home or other nature based area. (Store bought is fine if more aligned within your routine.) Create a Yule Altar with the items. This can be in the form of a traditional altar with Winter Solstice symbolism, a Yule Log as a centerpiece to your dining room table or simply upon your Yule/Christmas Tree; And who says you only need one altar anyways. I find this the best day to intentional decorate your space for the season and in alignment with the flow of nature.

I suggest having twelve candles to be lit. Lighting one at Sunset for each day of Yule. If you prefer, you can light all twelve each night. Lean into whichever feels best within your ritual needs.

Create a simmer pot with intentions to welcome in the spirits of the holiday, honor your ancestors for your bountiful harvest and welcome in the cleanse of the death cycle. I suggest using ingredients within multiple of five to represent the five elements of this plane as well as the five days of darkness. Allow the Sun to rest into His five day slumber. Honor Him and the Life he has provided you throughout this Solar Year.

Simmer yourself down into peace and serenity. Ignore the societal urge to hustle and bustle. Create a comforting meal. Settle in to a seasonal movie or book. Release yourself of the pressure to incessantly shine. Whatever it is that will rejuvenate you. Initiate yourself into the mindset. Do your best to breath into your own darkness and slumber.

Second Day of Yule- Moon in Taurus

Gratitude Reflection Ritual

On the Second Day of Yule we rejoice in all the glory of our hard work from being reborn anew and living another segment of our evolutionary life. With an official Capricorn Sun, we honor our Earth balance of grounded flow. We express gratitude for our dedication that brought us to this next transformation. We rest in the confidence of all we have cultivated through discipline and hard work. We accept the blessings and lessons of our beloved Father Saturn.

For the ritual, I suggest a paper bag. One large enough to hold all you will need through the Fourth Day of Yule. For this Second Day, select a Pinecone for each moment of gratitude you wish to honor. Find the gratitude not only for blessings but the lessons of wisdom you cherish within your self evolution. Pinecones may not be the easiest tool to write upon, depending on the cone. However, if possible either write a key word/phrase or symbol upon each pinecone that represents a moment of gratitude for this year. You can combine gratitudes onto one pinecone if desired. You may decorate the cones with color or herbs to represent your expressions. Find a creative and deeply symbolic design that aligns within your heart.

This ritual can be done privately if desired, however I suggest engaging with the family. While each person is completing the task, openly discuss and express your gratitude. Share the stories that lead you to such joy. Express the vulnerability of your emotions and bliss. Once you have completed the pinecones, place them into the paper bag and place upon your altar or sacred space.

Third Day of Yule- Moon in Taurus

Surrendering/Letting Go Reflection Ritual

On the Third Day of Yule, we acknowledge the hardships of this year. Honoring the pain and suffering that comes along with wisdom and peace. Within this ritual I suggest utilizing the alchemy of accountability/acknowledgement with triumph and victory by writing a key word/phrase or symbol of each hardship/habit/etc you wish to release/let go on a Laurel Leaf. You can utilize paper or any other preferred backing instead. However, ensure the item used is flammable and safe to burn to connect this rite to the ritual on the Fourth Day.

Again, I hope find the courage to express these stories within your family unit, if available to you. If you are single, there is no shame in completing the ritual for yourself. During the time of the season, especially with Mercury Retrograde in our mix, there is power in sharing these insights and vulnerabilities with trusted and loving supports. Only share with those you trust. Do not allow the fear of the Retrograde to inhibit your healing activation of release through voice. Once you have completed writing out that of which you wish to release from the year, place the leaves or items into your paper bag with your pinecones and place back upon your altar or sacred space.

Fourth Day of Yule- Moon Taurus to Gemini

Releasing Fire Ceremony

On the Fourth Day of Yule, we complete a rite of death within the flames and release the end of this life, of this cycle, of the good and the bad, of our positive and negative poles. We honor the transformation within ourselves and all this time has brought and taught us. Create a fire, whether outdoors or indoors, it is up to you and what is available to you. I suggest placing the paper bag at the center of the fire and building the wood around the bag before lighting. However, if you wish to throw each item onto the fire, that is possible choice.

Allow yourself to feel into that of which you need to release these intentions back into spirit, to be laid to rest as you await the Rebirth of the Spring. Add herbs of death and gratitude into the fire. Call onto the ancestors and bask in the glory of any curses you may have freed your lineage of. Dance by the flames. Radiate the muse of a job well done. If you are able, maintain the fire throughout the entirety of the night, until the dawn of the sun.

Fifth Day of Yule- The Sun Begins to Lengthen- Moon in Gemini

Yule Meal and Sex Rite

On the Fifth Day of Yule, the Sun has been (re)born! Today is the day of the deepest of celebrations. The day of which the Sun slowly begins to creep His way out of the darkness. A day to give and receive presents. A day to create the most delicious of intentional meals and gather around a table of family. Even if you are single or seemingly “alone” during the season. You are never truly alone. Set an offering of your holy meal out for the spirits and ancestors. Rejoice the light that continues to overcome the darkness. Bask in the glory of the lantern that never fails to bring us through to the other side.

For those interested, the night of the Fifth Day of Yule, is equally a beautiful night for a sex rite. We can potentially interpret the alignment of the Sun “rebirthing” as the ovulation period of the feminine. A complicated and potentially confusing metaphor, as the true Rebirth of the year is at the Spring Equinox. When the daylight and nighttime are at equal lengths. We can view this fifth day as the day that “Christ” died instead of being born and the three months between now and the spring equinox, to be equivalent to the three days awaiting the resurrection. Understanding the spiral of cycles within the Earth and how the teeter. In how the pendulum swings. Embracing the idea that our old self has died and we are celebrating our life, an Othala, within a version of the afterlife here on Earth. I digress, engaging in a sex ritual at the night of the day the Sun begins to lengthen, is the fertilization of the seed that will grow into the true birthing of the light, the nourishment of the roots necessary for them to safely slumber and the turning of the wheel into a season of flourishment.

You may complete with a trusted partner or within the realm of self pleasure. Create an altar within your bedroom or space of engagement. Place red, green, white and gold candles. Carve into them the intentions of which you wish to grow into your rebirth as well as expressing gratitude. Feel into that of which is best aligned for you at this time. Add herbs, crystals or other fertility tools onto the altar by the candles. Initiate your rite with yourself or your partner. Focus on building in the energy of passion within self/each other, not just to achieve climax but to nourish, to fertilize the seeds of your desires, your intentions, your gratitude. Others may state you have to verbalize your intuition out loud at the point of climax. I find once you set the intention at the beginning of the ceremony? It is more than okay to get lost in the passion of intercourse. However, add into the casting needed for your personal beliefs or needs. Once completed you can choose how to close out the ceremony. I personally suggest creating a container spell with a mixture of the candle wax, parts of the herbs, crystals and other tools, as well as mixing in the sexual fluids. If you are menstruating at this time, the blood will be significant to add within the container spell. Seal the container with more wax and place upon your altar.

Sixth Day of Yule- Full Moon Gemini to Cancer

Ritual Bath

On the Sixth Day of Yule, we cleanse ourselves within a ritual bath as if we are new born babies just released from the womb or as if we are being mummified and awaiting our next life. If you have a large enough tub and a willing partner, this can be a sensual moment of connection to bathe together. Otherwise, individually is just fine. Anoint the bath with mummification or rebirthing herbs of choice. Place ritual candles long the corners of the bath and set the mood with a deeply restful binaural beat meditation. Wrap your hair in a hot towel with a healing mask, as well as enjoy a face mask. Wash your skin with a cloth and envision cleansing yourself of all the skin you have shed. Embrace yourself and the afterlife of your desires. Envision your Othala and rejoice in the heave on Earth you have cultivated for yourself.

Seventh Day of Yule- Moon in Cancer

Gratitude Manifestation Ritual

On the Seventh Day of Yule, we express gratitude at the holy gates and are set to enjoy our new form. Engaging in activities of fun with our loved ones. We may be feeling eager to set goals for the Solar New Year. There ain’t no rest for the wicked. And the wicked (Capricorn) is in a never ending cycle of groundbreaking evolutionary flow. It is important to continue to enjoy the fruits of your labor. To process and embrace the beauty of death. Slow down and enjoy the spirit realm. Not to rush through the fun of your personal heaven on earth and get back to work too quickly. We can continue to prepare ourselves for the next cycle by completing a manifestation rite of gratitude. Honoring all that we have been granted from the work of our past life. Harvesting and noting all the powers, gifts and rites of passage we wish to bring with us into the next cycle. Blessings of milestones that are integrated within us and cannot be taken away.

For this ritual, I suggest gathering a box. A box you won’t mind burying. Decorate her if you wish. Anoint her with herbs, flowers, crystals and symbols of rebirth. Add protective elements as well. Leave offerings to your spirit team in gratitude for their help to achieve such success. Write your intentions of gratitude onto Bay Leaves. These can be kept private or expressed within your trusted soul family. These intentions may be wished to be kept more quiet than the reflection pieces. Many have superstitions about not sharing their dreams. Align this however it fits best for you. However, I do suggest ensuring your divine counterpart is aware on some level of the plan of which you are desiring to manifest into your next life. Place the Bay Leaves into your box. Place the box upon your altar or sacred space.

Eight Day of Yule- Moon in Cancer to Leo

Self Love Affirmation Ritual

  On the Eighth Day of Yule, we bask in all our glory. As we leave the hearth oriented Cancer Full Moon and step into the Leo energy, this is the best day to truly gloat within your afterlife expression. Be proud of all you have endured. You expressed your gratitude to the gods at the gates of heaven. Now is the time to thank yourself. Take yourself out on a date or have a fun filled day with your loved one(s) continuing to hone in on that celebratory energy. Wear your new gifted outfits, engage with your new toys. Fully embrace the joy of your gifts. Reaffirm for yourself all the qualities that make you, you!

For this ritual, I suggest purchasing a bouquet of roses. I love the theme of twelve and would do your best to attain a dozen. Any colored roses will do. If you wish to write upon the roses you are more than welcome. However, due to the fragility within the rose petals? I am recommending to use ribbons. For each rose, tie the stem with a ribbon into a bow. While tying the bow onto the stem, state out loud a loving affirming of yourself that you know to be true and that you wish to manifest into your next cycle. Gain the momentum of the sun to catapult you into glory upon the Rebirth of the Spring Equinox. After the bow is tied, place the rose into your box with your bay leaves. You can use a different colored ribbon to add in more color magick if you desire. Maybe you equally wish to tie in special knots. Allow yourself to become creative. The rose not only represents self love, but the rose is acknowledging Persephone and her descent into the underworld. Honoring your descent into the underworld. Once complete, place the box onto your altar or sacred space.

Ninth Day of Yule- Moon in Leo

Abundance Manifestation Ritual

On the Ninth Day of Yule, we fill our cups with all the abundance of heart. Connecting into the Nine of Cups Tarot representation of wish fulfillment, I suggest using nine cups for this ritual. You can chose whichever sizing or representation of a cup you desire. You can fill nine regular cups, mini cups, plastic cups or even draw images of cups with symbolic representation. Fill each cup with the abundance you have created within yourself this year and that you would love to continue to fill/fuel into your next cycle. You can fill them however you see fit to align within your intentions. Once complete place the cups into your box and place upon your altar or sacred space.

Tenth Day of Yule- Moon in Leo

Prosperity Manifestation Ritual

On the Tenth Day of Yule, we fill tap into the prosperity frequency. Allowing money to flow in and out. Understanding that money loves to be spent and cannot be hoarded, however it equally cannot be taken for granted. Connecting into the Ten of Pentacles Tarot representation of financial freedom. I suggest using either a ten dollar bill, ten dollar bills, ten coins or any other representation of money you can best align with. There is no shame in using fake money if you are in a financial bind. The focus is on the intention and that of which you feel will best achieve the manifestation within yourself. This will be where your inner shame, guilt and judgement of ego can inhibit your spell workings. Remind yourself to give yourself some grace at this time.

If you are using paper money (of any kind) write onto them the material blessings you are grateful money has provided you with, as well as blessings you are seeking to manifest into your life. If you are not using paper money or money/symblism that can be written on, you can attach a note to each item or simply hold the item in your hand and enchant the coin with your energy; just like making a wish at a wishing well. I suggest placing the money into a green, gold or black sachet. Placing each bill or coin (etc) into the sachet one at a time. Closing the sachet tight with love and gratitude. Not allowing money to become a sin of greed. Place the sachet into your box with your other items and place the box back upon your altar or sacred space.

Eleventh Day of Yule- Moon Leo to Virgo

Solar Tarot Wheel

On the Eleventh Day of Yule, we tap into the eleventh house of Aquarius and engage in divination for our solar year! While this can type of wheel reading can be beneficial for the astrological year, we cannot deny our solar year and Gregorian calendar of the modern world. Find a tarot deck in alignment for this ritual. Pull one card for each month of the solar year. (Note: You can do this again at the astrological year). Make sure to keep note of the cards pulled, whether in a planner, journal or photo on your phone, do not lose tracks.

I suggest either writing out the cards onto a piece of paper with notes, creating an art piece of your tarot wheel or another form of separate expression of your reading. If you have a plethora of decks and it will not hard you to do so, write the month designated to each card upon the card and place into your box. Otherwise, utilize your preferred separate expression to place into your box. Once complete, place your box back on your altar or sacred space.

Twelfth Day of Yule- Solar New Year- Moon in Virgo

Yule Closing Ceremony

On the Twelfth Day of Yule, we close out our celebration and ceremony of rest. After a late night of welcoming in the Modern Day New Year, we can surrender into any duty or need to do anything at all. We sleep in and enjoy the final day of holiday before society travels back to work and the world begins to chatter once more. We light our final candle and allow them all to burn to completion, doing our best not to snuff them out ourselves. We find a shovel and (hopefully) some soft(ish) ground. We bury our ritual box and give her to Mother Earth. Entrusting her with love and care to bring us back to life in the way we deserve and desire. We enjoy a final meal intended with good luck for the year to come. We continue to embrace the blessings and joys of our Othala. We await a final release on the Fourth of January for a Lunar Last Quarter release. Along for the never ending spiral ride that is the Universe. Thanking her for a time to rest and align deeper into her cycles on all scales.

Blessed Yule, Blessed New Year and Blessed Othala.

XoXo,

Sarah