Yule Activities

Solitary Activities for Yule

 

Finding things to do to get in the spirit of the season while working as a solitary can be difficult. Even more difficult is having to deal with the possibility of family members who do not agree with the path you have decided to take. So how should a solitary celebrate without feeling like s/he is going against family as well as his/her own beliefs?

 

The first thing to remember is that most of the ways that others celebrate now are taken from Paganism. I could go into the old celebrations of Mithras and Saturnalia in Ancient Rome around this time of year, but that would be going too deep for the purpose of this page. I don't suggest that you should point out to your Southern Baptist cousins while visiting them that they're holding Pagan celebrations around Pagan symbols (I'm saying this from experience!), but just know inside that you, too, can sit around and talk about Christmas, give presents, and drink eggnog without feeling like you're betraying your own beliefs. If you don't feel like you can go to a Midnight Mass church service, you might want to state your case, but remember, the birth of the Christian "Son" of God is basically the same as the birth of our "Sun" God! So if you imagine that it's really the Goddess that's giving birth, and granted, some treat Mary as a Goddess, you shouldn't feel too uncomfortable with going to a church at this season.

 

So how should you, as a solitary, celebrate Yule? If your family isn't too keen on your Paganism, then you may want to celebrate early. It may not be the same date as you'd like to hold a ritual, but remember, it's the whole season, not just a day that counts. Light a candle on Solstice night and meditate for a while. Give thanks for what you have and for the coming of the light. You may want to have a type of New Year's Resolution celebration (even though Samhain was the New Year...that was kind of "death" of the year, this is the "birth") write down on a piece of paper how you want the light to purify you as the days grow longer. You can then burn this paper on the Solstice. Remember, rituals don't have to be elaborate, and you don't need every tool to create a circle. Just hold most of the ritual in your head...the Divine will know your intentions.

 

If you like working in the kitchen, help your family prepare foods. While helping, let some positive energy flow into the food itself while you prepare it. People will ingest this energy and it should make them feel a little more happy in this season instead of letting them succumb to feelings of depression, anger, and bitterness that occur with the hassles of shopping!

 

Group Activities for Yule

 

if you want to hold a ritual of some sort, the most exciting thing I can think of is to try to find a place where you can build a bonfire (or even kindle a small fire in a grill) and simply sit around and talk. First hold a small ritual to purify the area around the fire. Tell each other what this season means for you, what the coming of longer days means to you, your history with this time of year, and how you want the coming light to change and "enlighten" you. Have a chalice of eggnog and pass it around the circle...before a person can drink, they have to say something about Yule, your group, etc. This is a good way to create focus and energy.

 

If you can't do a bonfire, get some cheap candles from a $1 store and let each person light one...use those to "light your way" instead of a bonfire. It's a really pretty sight and I think it is usually quite inspiring.

 

Other things you can do with a group are not necessarily for yourselves, but for others. As a group, organize a canned food, clothing, or toy drive. I know the Marine Reserves always has a toy drive...they would appreciate any help you can give them. You can also make some traditional Yule foods to donate to a food shelter. (Check with a food shelter on this one first, though...there may be particular rules on what they can and cannot accept). If that doesn't work, volunteer as a group at a soup kitchen.

 

You can also do an "Adopt a Family" program as a group. In those, you adopt a family, you're given the background on that family, and you can buy simple gifts like coloring books and crayons for the kids, books for the adults, and you're also given their clothing sizes, so you can buy the kids outfits, the parents a pair of gloves, or other sensible items. Generally people who receive these items are simply happy to have the items for their practical uses rather than for their expense. So shopping at Wal-Mart is not an insult to them. Also, you can spend time at a nursing home and cheer the people who live there. Sing carols or any other type of activity...the elderly like to have interaction with others. You may find yourself going back after the holidays!

 

Feel like helping out the animals of the season? Volunteer a day at an animal shelter. (I personally do a Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center here.) You can also simply donate a case of dog or cat food to a shelter, or any other particular place that lives off donations. (The Wild Bird Rehab lives off of donations of newspapers, papertowels, old towels, and small amounts of money...each dollar can feed a bunch of birds at one time.) Don't forget the animals that must get through this time of year! There are also "Adopt a Whale" or other programs all the time. If you live near a zoo, you can probably donate there, as well.

 

One of the best donations you can give people is a smile...so when you go shopping, know that people there are going to be hassled and harried. Smile at people as you pass them...it may brighten their day and remind them that this season isn't about presents but spreading joy! Have a great holiday!

 

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Yule: Activities

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