2021 Yule Newsletter

Yuletide Blessings my friends,

I offer my heartfelt wishes for a meaningful holiday and a hope filled New Year. December 21st is the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. The Winter Solstice is honored with ceremonies using some form of light all over the world. Folks have burned Yule logs, gathered for bonfires, and lit torches, candles, and oil lamps.  The traditions reassured folks that the days of more light would be returning. We string electric lights around our homes at this time but rarely do we appreciate what the effect of long dark nights would have been because it is so easy to switch on a light.

An important theme for Yule has always been finding the light within. Dark days often trigger depression, and with the effects of the continuing pandemic, financial woes, and separation from loved ones are added to this, the need to practice finding your personal alignment with the Light within is essential. Meditation is one of the best ways for this. 

In Northern Europe, Yule was celebrated as a 12-day festival of feasting and drinking, music and dancing. It was also a major time to renew community bonds. I suspect that the “Twelve Days of Christmas” was adapted from this much older Yule tradition. 

Another Yule theme is to celebrate and renew our loving connections.

We all need community, both friends and family; keep in mind that family can mean those you’ve chosen. Given what we know about Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the ventral vagal moments such as hugs and loving touch are required for us to survive and thrive

My wish for you this holiday season is that you will re-connect to loved ones, find much to love about yourself, and to allow this time of going within to teach you what will help you heal your soul and touch your heart.

Love and light to all, Linda