Wicca is a modern Pagan religion that celebrates nature, the cycles of the seasons, and the lunar phases. The Wiccan Wheel of the Year consists of eight main holidays, or Sabbats, that mark the changing seasons and the agricultural cycle. One of these holidays is Yule, which is typically observed on December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21st or 22nd in the Southern Hemisphere. Yule is a celebration of the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. During Yule, Wiccans gather to honor the rebirth of the sun and the return of light. The focus is on the balance between light and dark, and the celebration of the returning sun represents hope and renewal.
If you see any of our youth or staff celebrating this time of year — such as our Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR), which is hosting Kwanzaa events at multiple facilities — we hope you view it as a chance to connect and learn more about other cultures and traditions.
Mexicans and Mexican-Americans often celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico who symbolizes patriotism and devotion. I would like to extend a huge thank-you to these youth who took the time to share with everyone about their religions or the holidays they honor during this time of year.
The focus is on the balance between light and dark, and the celebration of the returning sun represents hope and renewal. Many Wiccans decorate their homes with evergreen wreaths, holly, and mistletoe to symbolize the everlasting life of nature during the cold winter months. Yule rituals often involve lighting candles or a Yule log, which represents the return of light and warmth.
December holiday observances
December is a time when many of us take part in holiday, religious, and cultural observances.
This month, I wanted to take time to highlight some of these observances to recognize and honor our teammates or youth who may be celebrating. Please know that there are many more observances that are not included here.
Hanukkah, Nov. 28-Dec. 6: Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for “dedication,” is a Jewish tradition that celebrates the recovery of Jerusalem and rededication of the Holy Temple after a Maccabean revolt. Hanukkah frequently is celebrated by lighting a menorah (a candle holder with nine candles), playing dreidel, and eating special foods.
Advent, Nov. 28-Dec. 24: Many Christians celebrate Advent to prepare for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. It starts the fourth Sunday before Christmas and concludes on Christmas Eve. People often celebrate by reflecting on a specific theme each week, typically related to the ideas of hope, faith, joy, and peace.
Bodhi Day, Dec. 8: Bodhi Day commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment. It’s celebrated annually in many Buddhist countries, including China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. People often celebrate through meditation, chanting Buddhist texts, or doing kind acts for others.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12: Celebrated mostly by people in Mexico and the U.S., this holiday honors Mary, the mother of Jesus in Christianity, and commemorates her appearance to Saint Juan Diego in 1531 in Tepeyec, Mexico. For the holiday, many people often travel to the church and shrine in Tepeyac to pray.
Las Posadas, Dec. 16-24: This holiday is celebrated mainly in Latin America and Spain, and by Hispanics in the U.S. “Posada” is the Spanish word for lodging. People often celebrate by re-enacting the Christian Nativity story where Jesus’s mother, Mary, and her husband, Joseph, travel from inn to inn looking for shelter before Jesus’s birth.
Winter Solstice, Dec. 21: Winter solstice is the date with the least amount of daylight, due to the Earth reaching its maximum tilt away from the sun. Numerous cultures have celebrated Winter Solstice in unique ways, going back centuries, often centering on honoring the sun, celebrating the end of harvest, and connecting with others for games or feasts.
Yule, Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Yule began as a pagan celebration for Germanic peoples with traditions including the Yule log, Yule goat (connected to the Norse god Thor, who drove a chariot drawn by two goats), and singing. Yule later underwent a Christian transformation and today it is often considered a general word to describe Christmas and multiple festivals during the winter holiday season.
Kisan Diwas, Dec. 23 (in India): This holiday is observed in many countries, including India, Ghana, Pakistan, South Korea, and Zambia, to honor the contributions of farmers. Kisan Divas is Hindi for “Farmers’ Day”, and it is celebrated on Dec. 23 in India through exhibitions, debates, workshops, and other informative programs.
Christmas, Dec. 25: This Christian holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus and is celebrated by billions of people worldwide. In the U.S., people frequently celebrate through church services, home decorations, exchanging cards or gifts, and feasts. Many also associate Christmas with Santa Claus, who is said to bring gifts to children.
Kwanzaa, Dec. 26-Jan. 1: Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture based on African harvest festival traditions. The holiday focuses on seven principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Celebratory symbols include a kinara (candle holder with seven candles), corn, a unity cup, and gifts.
Another important winter holiday in Wicca is Imbolc, which is typically celebrated on February 1st or 2nd. Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and it is associated with the awakening of the earth and the first signs of spring. This holiday is often dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigid, who represents healing, poetry, and the hearth. On Imbolc, Wiccans may perform rituals to honor Brigid, such as making a Brigid's cross or leaving offerings of milk or honey. This holiday is also a time for purification and cleansing, as Wiccans prepare for the renewal and growth of the coming spring. In conclusion, Wiccan winter holiday observances revolve around the celebration of nature, the cycles of the seasons, and the rebirth of light. Yule and Imbolc are two important Sabbats that mark the winter season and the transition to spring. These holidays are a time for reflection, hope, and the celebration of the changing seasons..
Reviews for "The Role of Music in Wiccan Winter Holiday Observances"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I attended a Wiccan winter holiday observance out of curiosity, and I have to say, it was not my cup of tea. The rituals and chants felt quite bizarre to me, and I struggled to understand their purpose. The whole experience seemed chaotic and disorganized, which made it hard for me to fully embrace the event. While I respect everyone's right to practice their beliefs, I personally did not find any sense of connection or meaning in this particular holiday observance.
2. John - 1 star - The Wiccan winter holiday observance I attended was a complete letdown. The decorations were tacky, the attendees seemed more interested in socializing than actually participating in any meaningful rituals, and the whole experience lacked the solemnity I was hoping for. I found it difficult to take the event seriously, and I left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. In my opinion, this kind of observance is better suited for those who already have a deep understanding and belief in Wiccan practices, as it can be quite alienating for newcomers like me.
3. Emily - 3 stars - As someone who has always been intrigued by different spiritual practices, I decided to give Wiccan winter holiday observances a try. While I appreciate the inclusivity and the emphasis on nature and the cycles of life and death, I personally couldn't fully connect with the rituals and the symbolism used during the observance I attended. It felt a bit too esoteric for my taste, and I left with more questions than answers. However, I can see how this holiday observance can be meaningful and fulfilling to those who are deeply rooted in Wiccan beliefs and traditions.