Understanding Your Daily Focus
Yule, the Pagan Celebration of the Winter Solstice, is an ancient tradition with its roots in the Germanic and Nordic traditions. The Pagan calendar is a wheel, and, like all Pagan holidays, Yule begins a new chapter, a new cycle. There are myriad beginnings and endings in the wheel of the year, and each of them lead into something new, before it eventually feeds back into itself, reminding us that there are new lessons to be learned in old places.
Yule is tied to the seasons, to the harvest, to the sun, the moon, and the stars. It is the darkest day of the year, but it actually kicks off our return to light. Every day throughout winter, we will get a bit more warmth, and a bit more light. Therefore, even though winter is our darkest season, where food is scarce and the weather harshest, it is cosmically and spiritually working to return us to the light. Much like the New Moon brings about a period of growth and abundance, so does winter.
Yule also encapsulates the spirit of winter, family, and giving. Historically, when times were tough, food was scarce, and travel impossible through ice and snow, we have leaned on those closest to us. Yule is about togetherness, about staying safe inside, about both conservation and giving, about sharing.
This year, as so many of us are unable to travel to be with loved ones, it’s important to remember the spirit of this season, and what it means for us that we know how to survive the dark days, and return to the light. In this week’s Daily Focus, we’ll reflect on the magic of the season, and the slow return to the light after of Yule.
Saturday, December 19
“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” –Paul Theroux
I think of winter as the four of swords, rather than the Hermit. It’s not about isolation as much as it’s about recuperation. This has been a year for all of us. Take time to rest and recover.
Sunday, December 20
“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” –William Blake
There is a season for everything. There’s a time to work hard and make changes, to pass on knowledge, and to enjoy the fruits of your labor. This is the time to spend at home, eating well, with loved ones.
Monday, December 21
“Yule—Yul log for the Christmas-fire tale-spinner—of fairy tales that can come true: Yul Brynner.” –Marianne Moore
It’s officially Yule! The darkest and shortest day of the year. From today until the first of January, people across the world will be celebrating Yule, the solstice, and other holidays. Today is a great day for baking something sweet, using canned jams and goods, and of course, building a fire. The Yule Log burns in your hearth or in spirit. When the tradition first began, an entire tree would be cut down and burned in the hearth, starting with the bottom. It would be allowed to burn for all twelve days of Yule, uninterrupted. Modern fire codes make this pretty impossible, but many people still burn a Yule Log, placing one large log into the fire and letting it burn itself all the way out as a form of welcoming the return of light and luck in the new year.
Tuesday, December 22
“From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens – the garden outdoors,
the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind’s eye.” –Katherine S. White
Winter in general is a great time to prepare for what’s to come. We can reflect inward and look back at what the year has given us, and what we’ve given in turn. Now is the time to think about what you want to bring into your life in the coming months.
Wednesday, December 23
“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose if there was no winter in our year.” –Thomas Higginson
In some ways, this entire year feels like a winter as it taught us hard lessons about ourselves, our world, resources, community, and perseverance. Look at all you have overcome. Can you imagine telling yourself a year ago what you would have to face down, and how you would survive it? What have you come to appreciate like never before?
Thursday, December 24
“The pine stays green in the winter, wisdom in hardship.” –Norman Douglas
Today, I want to ask you how you are stronger now than you were a year ago? Think about it and be honest with yourself.
Friday, December 25
“Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.” -Anamika Mishra
No matter what hardships we may be facing, today is a day for celebrating. Maybe it’s with family, friends, or pets. Maybe it’s digital, maybe it’s quiet. Maybe it’s just movies and cookies. Celebrate however you can, looking back on the year and how things have changed, and how you intend to carry these knew lessons into the future, as we face a new season.
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