The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule, is a time of stillness, reflection, and quiet magic. For me, it’s a season that nourishes the soul—offering an opportunity to pause, reset, and connect with the deeper rhythms of nature. Over the years, my spiritual practice has grown to include a variety of magical companions, symbols, and folkloric practices (in addition to crystals!), each adding its own layer of meaning and intention to this sacred time. From ancient traditions to personal rituals, I’ve curated some of my favorite ways to honor the Winter Solstice. These practices can bring a little extra magic to your holiday season and help you align with the energy of the longest night and the returning light. Below you’ll discover how to celebrate Yule through 8 magical traditions & rituals!
PLUS…I’ve included 3 special free gifts for you from my crystal shop, Mimosa Spirit – keep reading to find them all!
Wondering how to celebrate Yule? Here are some of my all-time favorite Winter Solstice traditions and rituals:
#1: Mistletoe
You may have heard of the Yuletide tradition of kissing beneath the Mistletoe (which may be a distant remnant of a Norse fertility ritual), but did you know that the Mistletoe plant has much older connections with Midwinter? The Druids believed Mistletoe to be one of the most sacred & magical of all plants (especially the ones that grew in the branches of Oak trees). Pliny the Elder wrote that the Druids would climb the Oak trees where the Mistletoe grew and harvest it by cutting it with a golden sickle and letting it fall from the tree to be caught before touching the ground. In modern magical traditions, Mistletoe is used as a symbol of peace & good luck! Place some mistletoe on your Yule Altar to help you welcome the tranquil energies of the Winter Solstice!
FREE GIFT #1! Click to Download a Printable Mistletoe Grimoire Page
#2: Yule Log
Yule logs were burned at the time of the Winter Solstice (or burning a bit of the log during each night from Christmas until Twelfth Night) to celebrate the return of the Sun and to welcome in good luck and protection. For a modern twist on the practice, you can write down your wishes on a small piece of parchment, wrap it around a small cut section of a branch (made of Oak or Birch) and toss it (safely!) into the hearth fire to release its magic and call in good luck! Alternatively, you may leave your wishes and mini Yule log in nature as an offering.
#3: Selenite Crystal
With its icy appearance, this stone is perfect for capturing the purifying energy of snow and frost. Place it in your space or near a door or window to keep the energy fresh and clear. You can also hold a Selenite wand in your sending (dominant) hand and pass it through your aura to cleanse any unwanted energy from your field. Begin at your head, and sweep the energy down toward your feet, removing any psychic debris from your aura to be absorbed by the earth…a perfect practice for after those chaotic family gatherings or any time you need a quick energetic reset during the busy holiday season.
#4: Fly Agaric Mushroom (Amanita Muscaria)
The Fly Agaric mushroom is a traditional symbol of Yule, common to the forest floor in winter. It was these mushrooms that were said to make Santa’s reindeer fly (no doubt due to their psychoactive properties)! These symbols of magic and mystery may even be responsible for the red and white colors we associate with winter holidays like Christmas. Because of their poisonous nature, their association with death (also being known as the “Death Cap”) is a perfect representation for the end of the annual cycle so that a new year may begin with the rebirth of the sun.
FREE GIFT #2! Click to Download a Winter Gnome Digital Phone Wallpaper
#5: Snowflake Obsidian Stone
Snowflake Obsidian perfectly captures the spirit of the season! The tiny snowflakes (known as phenocrysts) act as reminders to create space for stillness, balance, and peace all season long. Winter is a time for reflection and rest and is perfect for honoring ancestors. Obsidian of all kinds has been used for ancestor work and creates a touch point for remembrance and honoring of your ancestors. To work with Snowflake Obsidian for ancestral connection this Winter Solstice, anoint a black candle with cedar oil, light it, and place it near a Snowflake Obsidian stone and a picture of your ancestors. Ask them to impart any wisdom or knowledge that they’d like to share with you in the form of signs, symbols, or messages.
#6: Frankincense & Myrrh
Let the aroma of frankincense and myrrh fill your space and remind you to honor the Divine this winter season. These sacred resins instill generosity and love. Burn some resin or incense sticks or cones in a fire-proof container (while supervised).
Frankincense: meditation, elevating the mind, spiritual connection, centering, comfort, and focus
Myrrh: meditation, purification and cleansing, uplifting, emotional wellbeing, and gratitude
#7: Howlite Stone
Howlite is one of my favorite stones for creating a peaceful environment. Wearing a Howlite pendant or bracelet as a reminder that you carry your sacred space within you wherever you go. This stone also encourages you to be flexible in your thinking. Howlite’s white body with gray streaks is quite similar in appearance to the white bark of the birch tree. When there is bare land, the birch is one of the first to grow to create a forest. Similarly, Howlite encourages new ideas to sprout forth from a blank mind. Allow the energy of the stone to help open you up to new experiences and the positive life lessons that await you when you try new things. Pay close attention to any symbols, words, or images that you see as they may be important to your journey over the coming months.
#8: Wassailing
Wassailing is a practice that comes from the rural villages of England. Wassailing involves the serenading of apple trees with traditional wassailing songs in order to ensure that the next year’s harvest would be bountiful. By honoring the oldest, largest tree in the orchard in this way, it was thought that the spirits of the orchard would be generous and give back. Since cider was such an important part of the day-to-day lives of most people living in the countryside, ensuring a good apple harvest was imperative to the success of rural farms and villages. To perform your own wassailing ritual, dunk a piece of bread into some cider, offer it to an apple tree, and sing a traditional wassail song!
FREE GIFT #3! Click to Download a Wassailing Song Printable Grimoire Page
Devon Wassail Song:
Here’s to thee, old apple-tree,
Whence thou mayst bud,
and whence thou mayst blow!
And whence thou mayst bear apples enow!
Hats full! Caps full!
Bushel-bushel-sacks full,
And my pockets full too! Huzza!
How to Celebrate Yule with these Sacred Symbols:
As the Winter Solstice approaches, take some time to reflect on the traditions and symbols that resonate most with you. One great way to harness the magic of these symbols is by setting up a Yule Altar in your sacred space. You can check out my full Yule Altar Guide here! Whether you’re lighting a Yule log, cleansing your energy with a Selenite wand, or singing an old wassailing tune to the apple trees, these simple practices can remind you of the beauty and magic in the turning of the seasons. Embrace this time of rest and renewal, knowing that the light is on its way back to brighten our days. However you choose to celebrate, may your season be filled with peace, connection, and enchantment.
As crystal healers, it’s important for us to stay in alignment and flow with each season and its unique energies. And because the Winter Solstice is such a potent time for turning inward and manifesting new beginnings, it’s the perfect moment to call upon crystal energy to guide you through this period of deep reflection and reawakening.
That’s why, my Winter Solstice Digital Download Kit is specially crafted to teach you how to celebrate Yule, helping you to tap into the magic of the season and enrich your spiritual practice. Packed with expert insights and thoughtfully-curated resources, this kit is your key to unlocking the full potential of crystal magic during this festive period.
This comprehensive, digital kit includes:
Yule Guidebook
Guided Meditation for Yule
Winter Solstice Card Spread
Yule Crystal Grid Recipe & Template
Learn how to celebrate Yule with the power of crystal energy, meditation and divination with my Winter Solstice Digital Download Kit!
Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!
