Yule marks the longest night of the year and celebrates the return of the sun, symbolizing the rebirth of light and the coming of longer days. Across Northern Europe, communities honored this important turning point with gatherings, ritual fires, feasting, and deep communal celebration. One of the central elements of the night was the Yule log, a large and carefully chosen piece of wood—often oak—brought into the home or communal hall and ceremonially lit. It was meant to burn throughout the night, representing the strengthening light and warmth of the returning sun. Feasting was also a major part of Yule, with families and neighbors coming together to share hearty meals of roasted meats, root vegetables, fruits, nuts, and warming drinks like spiced ale or mead. Outdoors, bonfires blazed against the winter darkness, drawing people into circles of warmth, dance, song, and storytelling.

The custom of decorating evergreens during Yule is difficult to trace precisely, but Germanic peoples did adorn their homes with greenery, and given the symbolic importance of trees like Pine, Oak, and Yew, many modern Heathens continue the tradition of a Yule tree with reverence. Gift giving also formed part of the seasonal festivities, an expression of generosity that embodied the spirit of goodwill during the dark months. Mummers plays brought liveliness to the celebrations, with dramas featuring archetypal figures such as the Sun King and Winter King, reenacting the cosmic struggle between darkness and the returning light. Music was ever-present, as singing and chanting bound communities together and filled the long winter night with shared joy.

Within the extended Yule season, Mōdraniht—Mother’s Night—held a special place. This night honors the powerful feminine ancestral spirits known as the Idese, associated with the Matres and Matronae of Northwestern Europe. These figures are seen as guardians of fertility, shapers of fate, and bearers of luck and prosperity. On Mother’s Night, ancestor veneration becomes central, especially honoring the women of one’s lineage who sustained and shaped their families and communities. For many, the ancestors are understood to have a direct stake in the wellbeing of their descendants. A place is often set for the departed Mothers at the feast table, and after the meal, their offering is returned to nature—either burned or placed outside with care not to leave foods harmful to animals. Storytelling also becomes an important part of the evening, as tales of the women who came before keep their memory alive and affirm the belief that what is remembered continues to live on.

For more information on how to practice with the great mothers, click [here].

The Yule season culminates with Twelftadæg, the Twelfth Night, which brings its own set of meaningful traditions. Wassailing is among the most well-known, a practice rooted in the Old English phrase waes hael, meaning “be well” or “good health.” There are two forms of wassailing. The first resembles caroling, with groups visiting homes to sing, toast, and offer blessings for health and prosperity in the coming year, sometimes with an expectation of hospitality in return. The second form involves wassailing apple trees, an old agricultural custom meant to ensure a strong harvest. Wassailers carry a warm, sweetened drink—originally mead or wine, and later mulled cider or ale—and offer it to the trees while singing traditional songs and reciting verses. The purpose is to awaken the trees, drive away negative influences, and call forth abundance. The drink is poured onto the roots, and pieces of toast soaked in wassail are placed in the branches as offerings.

Together, these traditions form a rich tapestry of winter celebration, weaving together reverence for ancestors, devotion to the returning light, and a deep-rooted sense of community. They remind us that even in the darkest season, warmth, memory, and renewal continue to shine brightly.

Embracing the Spirit of Yule: The Icelandic Yule Lads and Yule Cat

In Iceland, the Yule tradition takes on a uniquely whimsical and moral dimension through the tales of the Yule Lads and the Yule Cat. These figures, rooted in Icelandic folklore, continue to inspire playful, meaningful, and mindful ways to celebrate the season.

The Yule Lads, thirteen mischievous brothers, each have distinct personalities and quirks, ranging from spoon-stealing to door-squeaking. They arrive one by one on the thirteen nights leading up to Christmas, leaving gifts for well-behaved children—or rotting potatoes for those who misbehave. While their antics are often humorous, they carry a subtle lesson about attentiveness, kindness, and the consequences of one’s actions. By embodying these traits in stories and family practices, the Yule Lads encourage reflection on behavior, gratitude, and generosity during the darkest time of the year.

The Yule Cat, or Jólakötturinn, presents a more formidable figure. According to folklore, this enormous, ferocious feline roams the countryside during Yule, preying on anyone who has not received new clothes to wear before Christmas. While it may initially seem frightening, the tale can be interpreted as a metaphor for diligence and preparation. In a cultural context where long, dark winters required practical effort and care, the Yule Cat served as a reminder to participate in communal work and contribute to household well-being. Today, the story can be a playful prompt to honor diligence, self-care, and mindful work as part of one’s seasonal observances.

Bringing these Icelandic stories into our celebrations allows for creative and meaningful practices. We can create small traditions inspired by the Yule Lads, such as nightly moments of generosity, secret acts of kindness, or small gifts left for each other to cultivate gratitude. The story of the Yule Cat can inspire us to take care of ourselves and finish up any projects or work we may have been putting off before the year ends. Both tales offer opportunities to weave lessons of generosity, responsibility, and attentiveness into the heart of Yule.

For more information on how we can practice self-care during the holidays, click [here].

Yuletide Activities

1. Light Candles & the Yule Log

   • Light a candle or light a Yule log as a tribute to the returning light, to compassion, and to renewed commitment. Let the flame symbolize warmth, clarity, hope and joy.

2.  Create Wreaths & Give Gifts

   • Create yule wreaths and holiday decorations, and decorate your home in the spirit of Yule. Give wreaths, decorations, and treats as gifts to families and friends just as the Yule Lads do. Don't forget to give a gift of clothing to protect from the Yule Cat. 

3. Spend Time Outdoors around a Fire

   • Spend some time outdoors, perhaps around a fire, to feel the season shift, to sense earth, air, maybe cooler breezes or quieter mornings, to reconnect with the cycles of nature. Practice touching the five elements found in nature.

4. Share a Yule Dinner

   • Share a warm meal with family or friends. Make wassail drink (warm, spiced holiday punch) to perfume the home, and delight your guests on cold nights.

5. Make a Ham Oath

   • To make a ham oath, you put your hand next to the ham and say what you wish to accomplish in the next year. Then you fulfill the promise by quite literally eating your oath. It’s a great way to bond and remember the family that heard you make the resolution. For vegans and vegetarians, make your oath on whatever is appropriate to eat.