The Winter Solstice
The moment of the solstice is an astronomical event that can vary year to year in the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, the solstice occurs at 10:03am EST today (Time and Date)
But while the solstice itself occurs at one moment in time, solstice traditions have historically taken place over several days or even weeks. The Twelve Days of Yule is a series of celebrations that bring light and joy in the darkest time of the year as we welcome the return of the Sun.
In Pagan traditions, we celebrate Yule as the return of the sunlight. At Samhain we celebrated the end of summer and the fruits of the harvest. Yule marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. This is when the sun begins, once again, to rise in the horizon, promising the start of a new seedtime; encouraging us to move forward and trust that spring will come. Yule is a way to celebrate rebirth.
This sentiment comes from the ancient folklore of the Oak and Holly Kings, who mark the cycles and celebrations of rebirth throughout the year. ~ Spells8: Yule Traditions
Fall of the Holly King, Rise of the Oak King
In some pagan traditions that honor the Kings of Holly and Oak, the day of the winter solstice marks the fall of the Holly King, who rules the darker half of the year. As the solstice sun rises, the battle ends and the Oak King emerges victorious - heralding the start of the lighter half of the year.
And there stood the Oak King, young again, and healthy, and the Holly King happily stepped aside for his brother to take his place as King of the land.
The days grew longer, and warmer, the moon rode in the sky for less and less time. The land grew green again, and the plants and animals awoke.
Each year the cycle continued, one brother ruling the green time, and one the dark time. And this is the story our ancestors told to explain how our seasons were created. ~ Spells8: The Story of the Oak King and Holly King
The Wild Hunt
The second night of Yule is associated with the Wild Hunt. Regional variations and folkloric depictions of the Hunt differ, with some versions portraying a ruthless hunt of the dead while others depict a more benevolent game of sport. Some Germanic versions of the Hunt say that a female figure took the lead, while Norse versions often crown Odin (or his darker side) as Jólnir or Jauloherra - the “Master of Yule”. Meanwhile, British and Celtic depictions of the Hunt tend to involve fairies and the Fae.
On the second night of Yule, the very air crackled with supernatural energy as Odin, the All-Father himself, lead his ghostly hunt across the storm-dark skies. This wasn’t just a spectral parade - the Wild Hunt was both terrifying and awe-inspiring, a manifestation of winter’s raw power. Odin rode his eight-legged steed Sleipnir, accompanied by the Valkyries, fallen warriors, phantom hounds, and other spirits of the dead. ~ The Daily Dish
The hunt was said to pass through the forests in the coldest, stormiest time of the year. Anyone found outdoors at the time would be swept up into the hunting party involuntarily and dropped miles from their original location. Practitioners of magic may have sought to join the berserkers in spirit, while their bodies remained safely at home. Grimm postulated the story inevitably changed from pre-Christian to more modern times. The myth originally began as a hunt led by a god and goddess visiting the land during a holy holiday, bringing blessings, and accepting offerings from people. They could be heard by the people in the howling winds, but later became known as a pack of ghouls with malicious intent. ~ Mythology: The Wild Hunt
Want to celebrate? Here are a few spells and other ways to honor the energies of the day.
Light of Renewal: Winter Solstice Spell of Rebirth
Yule Solitary Celebration Ritual
Wild Hunt Spell - Llewellyn
The Wild Hunt is the Wild Huntsman (the God) and his cavalcade of horsemen who ride across the sky on windy autumn nights. They come from the Otherside to gather the souls of the recently departed. The lesson they teach is about change and transition. Call for their help when you’re afraid to make a change. You’ll need your wish written on plain white paper and one red apple. On a windswept night, hide your wish outside and place the apple on the paper. The apple is your gift to the Huntsmen. As you hide your wish, say:
The riders of the Wild Hunt
ride untamed
Upon night stallions with
flowing manes.
I ask, bring me the change I seek,
Only to you I reveal the secret I keep.Tell no one about your wish. The next day, if your wish and apple are still there, hide the paper until your change occurs and compost the apple If they’re gone, your wish is already working in the Unseen Realm.
Spell from Llewellyn: The Wild Hunt Spell
TWELVE NIGHTS OF YULE COUNTDOWN:
0. Intro and History of the Twelve Nights
1. Mother’s Night and The Longest Night (Dec 20)
2. The Winter Solstice and The Wild Hunt (Dec 21)
3. Day of Light & Reflections, Sacred to Ancestors (Dec 22)
4. Day of Family, Sacred to All-Father Odin (Dec 23)
5. Day of Gifts & Miracles, Jolabokaflod, Night of Animals Talking (Dec 24)
6. Day of Hearth & Home, Sol Invictus, Rauhnächte Begins, Sacred to Frigg (Dec 25)
7. Day of Cleansing (Dec 26)
8. Day of Snow, Sacred to Deities of Winter, Skadi & Ullr (Dec 27)
9. Day of Preparation (Dec 28)
10. Day of Community (Dec 29)
11. Day of Mischief, Sacred to Loki and Sigyn, Mari Lwyd (Dec 30)
12. Oath Night, Twelfth Night, Day of Wassailing, Gregorian New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)