Preparing for Yule in 2020

 

This year will be the first year for many witches that they don't spend it with their friends, family, or coven. 2020 has been difficult for most of us, but lucky for you I am used to doing this alone and am here with some tips.

Decorate
One of the simplist ways to celebrate the season is to decorate your space. Whether it's your whole home, an alter, or just a little space you've set aside. Pine cones, cinnamon sticks, oak, holly, misteltoe and ivy are all traditional Yule decorations and are pretty easy to get your hands on even if you're in the Broom Closet. 
Traditional orange pomanders and orange slice ornaments are another great way to add a little Yule flair to your home this season. 

Yule Ornaments/Gifts

Much like Christmas, Yule is a time of sharing and gifting. I have been making Yule ornaments for friends and casting a spell for prosperity and protection for them and their kin. It gives me time to focus on my craft, think about the people I love, and give them something that's both pretty and meaningful. You could cast the spell on a traditional Christmas ornament as well, but my Yule Ornaments look like rustic Christmas ornaments and everyone has complimented them. They are currently 20% off in my shop, but due to USPS shipping delays I can no longer guarantee arrival by Dec 21, 2020. 

Wassail 
Wassail was originally a word that meant to greet or salute someone–groups would go out wassailing on cold evenings, and when they approached a door would be offered a mug of warm cider or ale.

Brew a Pot of Wassail in your Slow Cooker/Crock Pot! 

INGREDIENTS:
1 gallon apple cider
2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
2 oranges
Whole cloves
1 apple, peeled and diced
Allspice
Ginger
Nutmeg
3 cinnamon sticks (or 3 tbsp. ground cinnamon)
1/2 to 1 cup brandy (optional)

Set your crockpot to its lower setting, and pour in apple cider, cranberry juice, honey, and sugar, mixing carefully. As it heats up, stir so that the honey and sugar dissolve.

Stud the oranges with the cloves, and place in the pot (they'll float).

Add the diced apple and allspice, ginger, and nutmeg to taste, usually, a couple of tablespoons each is plenty.

Snap the cinnamon sticks in half and add those as well.

Cover your pot and allow to simmer up to four hours on low heat.

About a half-hour prior to serving, add the brandy if you choose to use it.

Yule Log 
You don't have to have a fire place or a bon fire to have a Yule Log. Traditionally the Yule Log would be decorated with pine cones and pine needles and holly and ivy and would be used to start the fire that burned through the longest night of the year. If you have a fire place or fire pit then by all means go the traditional route but if you need to scale it back a bit it's easy to do. 
You can get any piece of wood you can find, preferabbly a long but a 2x4 etc works as well, add candles, and decorate. Be sure to be fire smart and not put any flamable decorations too close to the candles. Choose colors like Green for prosperity, Red for protection, and Purple for healing. Once the candles burn down the "log" can be used to start or hold next year's fire. 

You can even make your own mini Yule Log out of twigs, twine, cinnamon sticks, and pine!
I'll be use this one to start my Yule fire. 

Just know that no matter how you celebrate, you're not celebrating alone, I'll be celebrating with you from  here. 

As above, So below.

~Kerri