Winter Solstice: The shortest day of the year
On December 21st, the longest night of the entire year, we celebrate the Wheel of the Year festival Yule and the Winter Solstice. This darkness heralds a new beginning, as the days will now gradually grow longer. Symbolically, it is the perfect moment to turn once more towards light and hope. This time serves as a reminder that even the darkest night or period eventually comes to an end. In this blog post, we offer you a powerful cacao ritual to leave the old behind and celebrate the return of the light.
The Birth Festival of the Sun: Where does Yule come from?
According to a study by Penn University in the USA ➚ it is assumed that the winter solstice has had a cultural significance for us humans for 10,000 years. However, the exact origin of the winter solstice festival is disputed. It likely originates from Germanic and Celtic culture, where it was celebrated under the name Julfest, Jule, or Yule. This festival was held in honor of the main god Odin. In the Celtic cycle, Yule follows about 6 weeks after Samhain and about 6 weeks before Imbolc.
The Yule festival, or Winter Solstice, was the most important celebration of the year, as it was considered the Birth Festival of the Sun. Even today, this festival is celebrated under this name, especially in Northern Europe, between December 21st and early February. Our modern Christmas holiday is also believed to have originated from this tradition.
In mythology, it is said that during this time of deepest darkness, the Earth Goddess brings forth light and, with it, new life to the Earth. The cycle of life begins anew. It is this connection to nature and the cycle of life that we wish to honor and celebrate with a powerful cacao ritual.
Instructions for a powerful Yule cacao ritual
Plan one to two hours for yourself and your trip.
Build a small threshold, e.g. B. from sticks, twigs, a rope or whatever you have there
Get cozy with blankets, pillows, candles, and your power items and prepare something to write about as well.
Prepare a cup of cacao (you can find a recipe here). Also put on music that puts you in a meditative mood and light a candle.
Smoke yourself and your rooms. Particularly suitable for smoking at this time are: white copal, mugwort, juniper, myrrh and frankincense.
Stand with your cacao at your built threshold. Step consciously into your ritual space and thus into the new quality of time. Leave everything old behind you and feel how something changes in you as soon as you step over.
Sit in an upright meditation position that is comfortable for you. Invite the Cacao Spirit to be here with you and speak your intention for the ritual in your cacao.
Start drinking your cacao and imagine yourself opening up to your higher self and your light with each sip.
Pay attention and listen to the messages that come to you
Take something to write after the meditation and answer the following questions:
✦ How do I want to share my light?
✦ What does the world look like in which I would like to live in the future?
✦ What is my task to help create this light-filled world?
Reconnect with the image of your light-filled world and let this light flood you inwardly.
At the end of this ritual, thank the Cacao Spirit and your spiritual helpers for the creation of this world.
Get up and consciously cross the threshold again. You can then dismantle them to completely close the room.
We wish you much joy with this ritual and hope that it serves you and fills you with light and hope.
