Yule is an ancient pagan holiday that celebrates the winter solstice. It is also known as Yuletide or the Festival of the Sun. Yule has been celebrated for centuries by various pagan cultures, including the Norse, Germanic, and Celtic peoples. The word "Yule" is derived from the Old Norse word "jól", which means "wheel" or "cycle". During Yule, pagans believe that the sun is reborn and begins its ascent in the sky, bringing new life and hope for the coming year. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and is seen as a time of introspection and reflection.

Witchy birthday

This page offers a brief history, from a Christian perspective, of witches as a Halloween symbol and image.

NOTE: This information is drawn from a Rose Publishing pamphlet, Christian Origins of Halloween. The content has a copyright © 2012.

NOTE TO PARENTS: Since the Halloween season is full of images of witches, it affords the perfect opportunity to discuss the dangers of witchcraft. Kids (particularly teenagers) are often lured into witchcraft that purports to be “good” or to use “white magic.” However, witchcraft of any kind (even simple charms or divinations — seeking to know the future) makes us extremely vulnerable to demonic spirits.

Witches most likely came to be connected with Halloween for two reasons:

1. Witches and their “craft” were associated with darkness, and Halloween marked a change in season to an increasingly dark time of year.

2. Witches had a supposed ability to communicate with the dead and Halloween was established specifically as a holiday to remember the dead. See our Halloween History page to understand the association of Halloween with the dead.

God expressly forbids the practice of witchcraft:

“Let no one be found among you . . . who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12a).

Webster’s broadly defines a “witch” as one who “is credited with usually malignant supernatural powers.” Many modern proponents of witchcraft, especially within the Wicca movement, claim that their magic (some add the letter “k” and use the term magick to distinguish it from stage magic or illusion) is innocent and harmless. Yet, even witchcraft that purports to be “good” or use only “white magic” usually seeks its source of power from the spirit world (making one extremely vulnerable to demonic spirits whose intentions are never good).

This page was created by:

We welcome your ideas! If you have suggestions on how to improve this page, please contact us.

You may freely use this content if you cite the source and/or link back to this page. This content is drawn from Christian Origins of Halloween by Angie Mosteller. It has a copyright © 2012 by Rose Publishing Inc.

80 Gifts Your Witchy Friend Will Actually Use

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.

Whether your friend really, really loves The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, is has three million followers on WitchTok, or is a practicing witch, they’ll love a present that fits their actual interests. Say goodbye to socks, lip gloss, and candles and hello to crystals, tarot cards, and, um, candles. (They’re important for spellwork, okay? Ever heard of candle magic. )

You want your witchy friend on your good side. After all, you never know when you’ll want to ask them for a little help casting a love spell or money spell. Show that you support their occult interests, even if you don’t totally understand why they carry around so many crystals.

There are many different witchcraft traditions out there, so it’s a good idea to begin by asking your friend a bit more about their own personal practice. They might still be exploring their options and figuring it out—and that’s totally okay! But if you know they follow a particular practice, don’t buy them sh*t they can’t use. If they’re a green witch (someone who works with the natural world, particularly plants), they might not want a ton of accoutrements for an indoor altar. Same goes for their interests—maybe they’re just not comfy with anything involving fire, so a candle magic kit is not for them.

And whether you’re shopping for yourself or a friend, do a little background research into the context and history of a particular spiritual practice. Some spiritual traditions are what’s called closed practices, meaning they require an invitation or initiation to join and aren’t for just anyone to dabble in. Some are tied to particular cultural contexts; for example, Hoodoo—also called conjure or rootwork—is a specifically African American tradition. White sage is traditionally used by Native Americans but is now at risk of overharvesting because so many big brands are selling it as a tool. Be respectful of these traditions, and if you’re not sure, take some time to read up on the practice’s history. And make sure you look into where these gifts come from too—for example, you want ethically-sourced crystals, so you know that no one was forced to work in dangerous or underpaid conditions to get you your amethyst.

Odds are that your witchy friend already has a favorite tarot deck or owns a few candles, but you can never have too many of either! So if you’re looking for a present for your witchiest friend, we’ve got some ideas.

Witchy Birthday

• size A2 (4.25" x 5.5")
• printed on 100% recycled paper
• paired with a coordinating envelope
• blank inside
• sealed in a protective cellophane sleeve
• made in the U.S.A.

It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and is seen as a time of introspection and reflection. Many pagans view this holiday as a time to honor the cycles of the natural world and to connect with the energy of the sun. Yule has many traditional symbols and customs associated with it.

Customer Reviews

One of the most well-known symbols is the Yule log, which is a large piece of wood that is burned in a hearth or fireplace. The Yule log represents the rebirth of the sun and is believed to bring good luck and blessings for the new year. Another common tradition is the hanging of mistletoe, which is seen as a symbol of fertility and protection. Pagan rituals and ceremonies during Yule often involve lighting candles, singing songs, and feasting with family and friends. Many pagans also participate in outdoor activities, such as bonfires or nature walks, to connect with the natural world and honor the changing seasons. Some may also perform rituals or spells to manifest their desires and goals for the coming year. Overall, Yule is a time of celebration and renewal for pagans. It is a time to honor the cycles of nature, connect with the energy of the sun, and set intentions for the upcoming year. Whether through traditional customs or personal rituals, Yule is a time for pagans to come together and celebrate the beauty and magic of the winter season..

Reviews for "Yule Altars: Creating Sacred Spaces for Pagan Winter Solstice Celebrations"

1. John - 2/5 - While I appreciate cultural diversity and different religious beliefs, I found "Yule pagan beliefs" to be quite confusing and nonsensical. The rituals and practices described in the book seemed far-fetched and lacked any logical explanation. I struggled to understand the purpose and relevance of the various traditions mentioned. Overall, I was disappointed with the content as it failed to provide any meaningful insights into Yule pagan beliefs.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Yule pagan beliefs" was a complete waste of time for me. As someone who is interested in learning about different religious practices, I found this book to be a jumbled mess of superstition and unfounded claims. The author's writing style was difficult to follow, and the lack of coherent explanations made it hard to grasp the concepts being discussed. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a serious understanding of Yule pagan beliefs.

3. Michael - 2/5 - I thought "Yule pagan beliefs" would offer a comprehensive exploration of Yule pagan traditions, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked depth and failed to delve into the historical and cultural aspects of these beliefs. The information provided was fragmented and lacked proper citations or references. As someone who enjoys studying different religious practices, I found this book to be quite superficial and disappointing.

4. Emily - 1/5 - I was highly disappointed with "Yule pagan beliefs." The book seemed more like a collection of personal anecdotes rather than an informative guide on Yule pagan traditions. The author's writing style was also distracting, with excessive use of flowery language and unnecessary details. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Yule pagan beliefs, but this book failed to deliver any meaningful or credible information. I would not recommend it to anyone serious about understanding Yule pagan practices.

Yule and the Pagan Belief in Sun Gods: Celebrating the Return of Light