Yule & the Winter Solstice: Welcoming the Return of Light

As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, we arrive at Yule & the Winter Solstice, the longest night and the quiet heart of winter. This sacred pause has been honoured across cultures for centuries as a time of stillness, reflection, and deep trust in the return of the light. In the forest, life does not disappear at midwinter... it withdraws. Beneath frozen soil and fallen leaves, roots hold fast, seeds rest, and energy gathers. Yule reminds us that rest is not emptiness, but preparation. What appears dormant is, in truth, germinating.

Mary-Ann Robinson

12/20/20253 min read

Folklore of Yule: The Oak, the Birch & the Returning Sun

In Celtic and Northern European lore, trees were revered as keepers of wisdom, guardians of seasonal thresholds, and mirrors of human life.

At the Winter Solstice, the story of the Oak King and the Holly King is often recalled. Throughout the darker half of the year, the Holly King reigns, symbolising introspection and inward focus. At Yule, the Oak King is reborn, reclaiming his crown as the days begin to lengthen once more. Though the oak now stands bare and skeletal, its strength endures… a powerful reminder that resilience does not always look vibrant or loud.

Alongside the oak stands birch, a tree deeply associated with renewal, clearing, and fresh beginnings. In folklore, birch is the pioneer tree, the first to grow after disruption. Its energy teaches us that new life often follows periods of uncertainty and release.

Together, oak and birch reflect the deeper truth of Yule: we do not rush toward renewal, we root into rest so that renewal can arise naturally.

Winter as a Season of Germination

Modern life often resists winter’s wisdom, encouraging productivity even when energy is low. Yet nature shows us another way. This is a time to:

Conserve energy
Reflect on the year that has passed
Gently consider what you wish to nurture in the months ahead

Rather than setting rigid goals, Yule invites us to plant quiet intentions, seeds that will slowly gather strength and bloom at Ostara, the Spring Equinox.

Many people find it helpful at this time to choose a word for the year ahead. A single guiding essence such as rooted, gentle, clear, or becoming. This word is not a demand, but a companion for the turning seasons.

Forest Bathing at Midwinter

Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) aligns beautifully with the energy of Yule. Research shows that time spent among trees supports the nervous system, reduces stress hormones, and encourages deep rest… precisely what winter asks of us!

Winter forest bathing is not about distance or exertion. It is about slowing down, awakening the senses, and allowing the forest to hold you in its quiet presence. Even bare branches, muted colours, and crisp air offer profound nourishment when we meet them with attention.

Two Forest Bathing Invitations for Yule

1. The Oak Pause - Rooting into Resilience

Find an oak tree or any tree that feels steady and grounding.

Stand or sit nearby and place one hand on the bark.
Notice the texture beneath your palm, the temperature of the air, the stillness around you.
Take slow breaths and reflect on the past year. What has supported you, even during difficult moments?
Silently offer gratitude for your own resilience.

Before leaving, imagine your energy rooting down into the earth, drawing strength and calm from the land beneath you.

2. Winter Seed Walk - Setting Gentle Intention

Begin a slow, mindful walk through woodland or green space.

Walk at a pace that feels unusually slow.
With each step, soften your gaze and notice small details: moss on bark, fallen leaves, winter light.
As you walk, consider one gentle intention you wish to nurture… not something to force, but something to allow.
When you feel ready, pause and imagine planting that intention into the earth, trusting it will grow in its own time.

This practice can be repeated throughout winter, allowing your intention to evolve organically.

Honouring the Return of Light

At Yule, we do not celebrate abundance, we celebrate hope. The light returns gradually, almost imperceptibly at first. In the same way, clarity, energy, and growth return to us slowly when we honour the need for rest.

The forest teaches us that nothing is wasted… not darkness, not stillness, not waiting.

As you move through this sacred turning point, may you rest deeply, root gently, and trust in the quiet unfolding of what is yet to come.

Sending the warmest Yule blessings.

References:

Britannica - Yule traditions and solstice lore.
Li Q. et al., Effects of forest environment (Shinrin-yoku) on health (2022).
Siah CJR et al., The effects of forest bathing on psychological wellbeing: a meta-analysis (2023).
Yeon PS et al., Effect of forest therapy on depression and anxiety: systematic review (2021).