Veganism and the Wheel of the Year: Holding Light and Darkness at Yule

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with gentle rituals, plant-based peace, and light in the quiet

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Yule marks the Winter Solstice—the longest night and the quiet turning point when light begins its slow return. It’s a sacred invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect. 🌒

This post is all about exploring Yule through a plant-based lens, where stillness is powerful, simplicity is meaningful, and compassion lights the way forward. From gentle rituals to seasonal reflections, we’ll look at how Yule can deepen our connection to the Earth, to others, and to ourselves.

You don’t need to be in a specific place on the Wheel of the Year to find meaning here—this is a celebration of balance, of honoring both light and darkness, and of finding peace in the pause.

Please Note: These articles aren’t meant to match the actual timing of each Sabbat. Instead, they’re here to help you explore how each seasonal celebration connects with vegan values. Think of it as a gentle guide to learning and reflecting year-round—no matter what the calendar says.

Photo from Depositphotos

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Slowing Down with the Season

Yule is the Winter Solstice. It’s the longest night of the year and the quiet turning point toward the return of light. The days will grow longer from here. But for now, the world is still and hushed.

Outside, the trees have gone bare. The air feels heavy and cold. Even the animals are tucked away, resting. Nature is not in a hurry, and neither are we. This season invites us to pause, to breathe deeply, and to listen to what we need most.

I ask myself, what inside me is tired? What parts of my heart need a little more peace? In this quiet moment of Yule, I look for hope. Not loud, flashing hope, but the soft kind that glows gently in the dark. And I remind myself that rest is not giving up. It’s preparing for what’s next.

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A Celebration of Light Returning

Yule, celebrated around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and around June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere, marks the Winter Solstice. It’s the longest night of the year, a moment when the sun begins its slow return, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.

This celebration, rooted in nature and the changing seasons, is a time for rest, reflection, and the anticipation of renewal.

This time of year has been honored for centuries. People lit fires, brought evergreens into their homes, and gathered close to stay warm. These simple acts were reminders that there is still life even in the cold and dark. There is still a connection.

Yule is a festival of stillness, a time to rest and reflect. It’s a season that whispers of hope, even in its quietest moments. Life continues under the surface, even when we can’t see it.

Roots grow deep. Hope quietly stirs. The sun is coming back, and in this stillness, we find a serene beauty that brings a sense of peace and tranquility.

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Gentle Living, Kind Choices

Yule is a time for slowing down. Nature is resting, and we are invited to do the same. A plant-based lifestyle fits this season beautifully. It calls us to live with care. It helps us remember that gentleness is strength.

Vegan values go beyond food. They show up in how we treat others, care for animals, and care for ourselves. Yule is the perfect moment to reflect on those choices. Are they bringing warmth? Are they rooted in love?

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Here are five ways Yule and vegan living connect:

• Rest honors life. Just as animals hibernate and trees pause, we can step back and allow space for healing and renewal.

• Nourishment is sacred. We honor our bodies by choosing whole, plant-based foods and supporting gentle, sustainable living.

• Kindness matters. Extending compassion to animals and people brings more warmth into a cold world.

• Simplicity is powerful. Yule reminds us that we don’t need excess to feel full. Small, meaningful choices significantly impact us, empowering us to take control of our lives and make a difference.

• We are all connected. The season’s stillness helps us see the thread that ties us to all living beings. What touches one, touches all.

Photo from Depositphotos

A Light in the Darkness

Candles have always been part of Yule. Their soft glow reminds us that even in the longest night, light still lives inside us. This simple candlelight ritual is a gentle way to slow down and reconnect with what matters most.

Wait until after dark. Then light one candle. Let the room stay quiet. Sit with the flame for a few minutes and breathe. Let the stillness settle around you. Let it move through you. There is nothing you need to do right now except be present.

As you watch the flicker of light, you might feel something shift. Gently ask yourself: What have I learned in this dark season? Where do I need more warmth or kindness? What part of my light needs tending?

You can hold these questions in your heart. You can write them down if that feels right.

When you feel ready, blow out the candle slowly. Before the smoke fades, think of something you want to carry forward: a thought, a feeling, a quiet intention. Let that be your gift to the light that is returning.

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Holding Light and Darkness Together

Yule reminds us that the light always returns. But sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is wait. Not with fear, but with patience. Not with worry, but with trust. The Winter Solstice invites us to rest, not just because we are tired, but because rest is part of the rhythm, reassuring us that hope is always on the horizon.

In a world that tells us to keep going, choosing to slow down is a radical act. It is brave. It is beautiful. When we honor this season with stillness, we live in alignment with nature.

Just like the Earth, we are allowed to pause. We are allowed to soften.

As we honor Yule, I invite you to consider a profound question: How can I hold space for both light and darkness in my life? This is not about denying the challenges or the pain but acknowledging them while nurturing hope and rest.

It’s about finding balance and resilience in life’s inevitable ups and downs.

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Coming Up Next: Litha

Litha is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It is a time to celebrate strength, joy, and everything that has come into full bloom. In our next post, we’ll explore how to shine your light purposefully while staying rooted in kindness and compassion.

I’ll see you there, under the brightest sun.

©2025 Julene Cole, all rights reserved

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Yule gently reminds us that rest is not weakness—it’s wisdom. As the world quiets down, we’re invited to do the same. The light will return, but for now, we’re allowed to soften, to reflect, and to simply be.

Thank you for walking the Wheel of the Year with me. I hope this season brings you warmth, rest, and the quiet kind of hope that flickers gently in the dark.

I’d love to hear how you honor Yule. Hit reply and share—I read and respond to every message. 💬💚

Expect Miracles!
Until next time,
Julene