Yule is a wonderful time of year to reflect on the past, let go of what no longer serves us and set intentions for what we want to welcome into our lives.

I have some additional ideas about working with it in 365 Ways to Feel Better: Self-care Ideas for Embodied Wellbeing (White Owl, 2017).

Winter Solstice or Yule is a celebration of the return of the light (the days begin to get longer) and a time of hope that no matter how cold and dark, even a flicker of candle light can potentially show us our next best step and bring warmth and comfort.

For the past 20 plus years, since I began honouring the Celtic Wheel, I longed for a proper Yule Log at this time of year.

I used to use a lot of imagination, in flats in London and Essex, setting my intentions over a chocolate Yule Log.

The past couple of years, I didn’t even have that (am on the lookout for a delicious vegan friendly Yule Log, though) but THIS year, I have a fire place.

I can burn my first ever Yule Log.

Remember Twin Peaks? This next few days, I’m embracing my inner Log Lady big time.

If you don’t have a fire place, you might have a bbq or outdoor space that is OK to use – my attic studio in north London and the other places I lived had nowhere I could use.

I’ve not been organised enough to go the traditional, decorative route (adding pine cones, burnable ribbons etc) BUT just did a little experiment and wanted to share my results in case you want to create some Winter Solstice magic for yourself and your loved ones.

If so:

1. Choose a log (I’ve chosen one from next to the fireplace)
2. Meditate a little on what you intend to release – because we’re entering a new decade, I’ve been reflecting back over the lessons I’ve learned (and all I’m grateful for) especially since 2009 – a pretty tough time
3. Meditate on what you’d like to welcome more of in the coming days, weeks, months, years and decade. Things that come from your heart, like a sankalpa (you can read a feature I wrote about them HERE) rather than what you feel like you SHOULD be working towards. Which intentions do you feel most energy around?
4. Between now and the Solstice, simply use a biro (I could Happy Dance at how effective this is) to write your intentions onto your log.
5. This weekend, Yule / Winter (in this hemisphere) Solstice, as part of your Solstice celebrations (or simply as a small stand alone ritual), add your Yule Log to the burning fire
6. As it burns, visualise the flames transmuting all the energies you’re ready to release.
7. Spend some time visualising your dreams and intentions (all written on the log) for yourself coming true
8. Be open to guidance around how you might be of service for your and others’ highest good, for a better decade than you might even be hoping for.
9. Open up to God/dess, the Universe, Divine Love, Nature or whatever you believe in. If you don’t believe in something bigger than yourself, simply tune into that highest, wisest, truest part of yourself (link)
10. Ground with some journalling or gentle movement or maybe by indulging in a delicious slice of chocolate Yule Log (I really must learn to bake)

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If you have ANY questions, about today’s blog post or any other areas I deal with, please email me and I’ll answer as many as I can in future blog posts – eve@selfcarecoaching.net

Wishing you the coolest of Yules and a wondrous week.

With love,