#omisoka

shoutout to y’all that celebrate hanukkah!

shoutout to y’all that celebrate kwanzaa!

shoutout to y’all that celebrate yule/yulitide/winter solstice!

shoutout to y’all that celebrate bodhi day!

shoutout to y’all that celebrate omisoka!

shoutout to y’all that don’t celebrate any holidays!

Just because there's a societal celebration doesn't mean you have to suppress your feelings.

You're not required to be happy during Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, Saturnalia, Boxing Day, Las Posadas, Ōmisoka, New Year's Eve/Day, Lunar New Year, or any other holiday. Your grief, your stress, your pain is real. And it deserves to be recognized. It doesn't magically go away just because of the time of year; you're allowed to need help!

Winter is actually pretty hard for a lot of people! Seasonal depression is real, and even if you don't experience that, I think everyone gets a little tired of the cold after the first few weeks.

The point is: it gets better. Springtime is just around the corner, and you won't have to deal with any of this for another 12 months. That in and of itself is worth celebrating!!You're doing amazing!

Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘) at Zojoji Temple, Tokyo, Japan

People who are heartbroken over not being able to see their family for the holidays. You aren’t a bad person for desperately wishing that you could see your loved ones in person. It’s your sacrifice that is the reason that we’ll all be able to gather together again soon. This isolation won’t last forever.

People who desperately want to be responsible and safe by quarantining, but are being forced to see their family for the holidays. Whether it’s emotional or physical threat that keeps you from standing firm in your obligation to keep distance, it isn’t your fault that you can’t keep yourself and others safe right now. Whatever happens is on the shoulders of those who stifle your ability act responsibly, and not you.

People who are dreading the holiday family get togethers, whether they’re over Zoom/Skype or in person. You deserve a joy filled holiday season. You don’t deserve to sit through tense back and forths between estranged family members, or snide comments made by egotistical jerks who feel the need to put you down to feel good about themselves, or disgustingly ignorant rants from bigoted family members. This isn’t your fault.

People who know that they will spend the entirety of their holiday celebrations getting into arguments and defending themselves, their loved ones, and even strangers from bigoted rhetoric. I know what a tremendous toll it takes to refute the logical equivalent of a brick wall. Even if the person that you’re arguing with doesn’t recognize your point, you’re doing important work to offer a counter perspective to the more open/impressionable minds that are witnessing the conversation. Take care of yourself.

People who cannot safely stand up to the bigots in their life, and will have to grit their teeth and bite their tongue while hate and misinformation goes unchecked. You aren’t a bad person for having to stay quiet. You aren’t complacent in oppression or injustice due to you being unable to fight back due to safety concerns. You’re allowed to look out for yourself and your life first.

People who are unable to celebrate the holidays the ways that they’d want to due to their financial situation. It doesn’t mean that you love your family or friends any less just because you can’t make the monetary sacrifices that are typically expected during this time of year. The people you love know it regardless of gift exchanges or extravagant experiences and trips. It’s a difficult year for everyone, and if it’s been a difficult several years for you that’s okay too. You’re doing the best you can.

And for the ones who don't celebrate Christmas. happy: Yule Sol Invictus Newtonmas Present Giving Day Decemberween Candlenights (I see you Adventure Zone fans)

And the Celebrations to come, happy: Boxing Day New Years Eve Hogmanay Kwanzaa Omisoka

Yule put very simply is the celebration of the Winer Solstice where Pagan family members and friends gather to just be with each other I guess. There is no set way to celebrate Yule but there is some common ground between all of the rituals.  

Depending on the individuals tradition there are many way to celebrate the Solstice season. Feel free to use this rituals and adapt it to your specifications.

Setting Up your Yule Altar

Colours of the season 

Blue, silver and white as well as reds and greens

Symbols of Winter 

Yule is a Sabbat that reflects the return of the sun, soo add solar symbols to your altar. Gold disks, yellow candles. anything bright and shiny can represent the sun. Some people even get a large pillar candle, inscribe it with solar symbols, and designate it as their sun candle. You  can also add evergreen boughs, sprigs of holly, pinecones, a Yule log, and even Santa Claus (if you want)/ Consider antlers of reindeer, along with other symbols of fertility. 

Try incorporating sacred plants associated with the winter solstice as well. as previously stated Evergreen boughs like pines, fir, juniper and cedar are typically associated with the themes of protection and prosperity, as well as that of a continuation of life and renewals. Hang a sprig of holly in your house to ensure good luck and safety to your family. Wear it in a charm, or make holly water by soaking the leaves overnight in spring water under a full moon. 

Other Signs of the Season 

Fruit and nuts, mistletoe, snowflakes, candy canes, bells, sun wheels and other solar symbols. 

Prayers for Yule 

Prayer to the Earth:

"Cold and dark, this time of year, the earth lies dormant, awaiting the return of the sun, and with it, life. Far beneath the frozen surface, a heartbeat waits, until the moment is right, to spring."

Yule Sunrise Prayer

"The sun returns! The light returns! The earth begins to warm once more! The time of darkness has passed, and a path of light begins the new day. Welcome, welcome, the heat of the sun, blessing us all with its rays."

Prayer to the Winter Goddess

"O! Mighty goddess, in silvery ice, watching over us as we sleep, a layer of shining white, covering the earth each night, frost on the world and in the soul, we thank you for visiting us. Because of you, we seek warmth in the comfort of our homes and hearths."

Yule Prayer for Counting Blessings

"I am grateful for that which I have. I am not sorrowful for that which I do not. I have more than others, less than some, but regardless, I am blessed with what is mine."

Using knots or beads count off each blessing

"First, I am thankful for my health. Second, I am thankful for my family. Third, I am thankful for my warm home. Fourth, I am thankful for the abundance in my life."

Prayer for the Beginning of Winter 

"See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way for the bright sun soon to come. See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way, for the world to awake once more. See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way for the longest night of the year. See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way for the sun to finally return, bringing with it light and warmth."