Yule Vigil

Since I started practicing witchcraft, my Yule-time celebrations and practices never really happened because I would always be at my grandparents' house having Christmas. Not just for Christmas day or eve, but

 for an entire week or so, depending on when my sisters and I would be resuming school after New Year's. Of course I wouldn't have any of my Pagan items with me to feel a connection to my own version of the Sabbat, and neither would I have enough time to myself to take in some peace and quiet. Christmas at my grandparents' house was like that.

 But things are different now, and I can have the time to myself to be one with my spirituality on a very important night- the longest night of the year.

Having this time to myself, I've decided to hold a vigil the entire night of Yule so that I can welcome the God back from his long slumber during the fall months as I watch the sunrise in the sky on the winter solstice. It's been more than a long time since I've properly watched a sunrise, so I'm very excited to finally have the chance to do this. I'll be staying up (at least trying to) all night until the sunrise in the morning. Around here sundown is around 4:30 pm and sunrise is about 7:45 am to 8 am, so I will be staying up for quite a long time.
To prepare for my vigil, I have my Goddess rosary and some prayers lined up, and I also have a new Tarot spread just for Yule that I will be trying out for myself. I will begin by symbolically lighting a candle at sundown, which will burn (hopefully!) until sunrise the next morning. As the longest and also darkest night of the year, having a candle burning will be my symbol of hope for the next turning of the wheel, and my gift to my ancestors; those that should be here on Yule will be with me during that long night in the flame of the candle.

If you would also like to participate in a Yule vigil with me, all you need is a longer burning candle like a small pillar or a votive (I don't suggest a tea light unless you have nothing else and don't mind relighting another periodically). These can be just plain white, or if you would like any of the festive colors and/or scents of Yule. Also optional is a figure or picture of your personal Goddess and/or God (I will be putting out my Virgin Mary and Child figurine, as I personally feel that it represents my own symbolism of this Sabbat).

I will post pictures of my vigil on the Winter Solstice, so I hope everyone that wants to participate in the vigil will be able to do so and have a great night filled with love, hope, joy, and giving.

Let me know how your night goes, too.

Blessed be.