A Yule Blessing

The longest night has come. Darkness stretches wide, yet within it lies a quiet promise: the light will return. Yule is the hinge of the year, the moment when the wheel turns and the sun begins its slow climb back into the sky.

This is not a night to fear, but a night to honor. The stillness of winter holds wisdom, reminding us that rest is sacred, that renewal begins in silence, and that even in the deepest dark, the seed of light is already stirring.

Here is a simple ritual to mark the solstice:

• Prepare a Space: Clear a small area, perhaps with evergreen sprigs or a bowl of water to symbolize renewal.

• Light a Candle: As the flame rises, speak aloud a blessing for the return of the sun, and for the return of your own inner light.

• Offer Gratitude: Name aloud three things that carried you through the year. Let your words rise like sparks into the night.

• Sit in Stillness: Close your eyes and breathe. Imagine the light of the candle expanding, filling the room, filling your heart, carrying you forward.

A blessing for this night:

In the longest night, may you find rest. In the returning light, may you find hope. In the turning of the year, may you find renewal.

Yule reminds us that endings are never final, and beginnings are always near. The sun returns, and so do we—again and again, carrying our light into the world.