We welcome you to Yuletide! 

We welcome you to Yuletide!

We welcome you to Yuletide!

And a fire’s warm cheer!!

Here we are once again; the official start of winter, the longest night of the year, the celebrations of various holidays surrounding the Winter Solstice event. Yuletide welcome to everything and everyone!

What will you be doing this weekend? Will there be a bonfire? A Yule log in the grate? A Yule log cake on the table? Will you exchange presents? Have you decorated with holly, ivy and mistletoe? All traditions are wonderful, and should be well-enjoyed. 

No matter how, when, or where you celebrate this season, please remember the importance of traditional rituals. Consider blending traditions in the following manners:

Hot Chocolate Reflections: Enjoying a special seasonal drink with extra whipped cream? While you savor the textures, flavors and fragrances of your drinking treat, allow yourself to accept and enjoy the inevitable memories triggered by the senses of taste and smell. Reflections on the past hold lessons for the present as well as the future; take a good look at those memories – including any parts that may have been unpleasant – and accept them for the complex moments they were. Love those memories for their truth rather than their illusion.

Candlelight Meditation: Candles are an important part of holiday festivities, bringing color, warmth, and often fragrance into our homes with their dancing light. Light the candles, take a comfortable seat, and watch the fire flicker and dance. Allow the fire to lead you within yourself, to review the contents of your heart, your loves and longings, hopes and fears, deepest desires. Keep what is dear, release what does not serve you. 

Taking stock stockings: So many of our traditions are routine to us – we could complete the tasks blindfolded – and do not require our full attention. While baking cookies or wrapping presents, allow yourself to use the time to take stock; what do you have, what do you want, what do you need, what will you change? Decisions and planning can be made another time; formulating your plan of action is a ritual of its own and should occupy your full attention. For now, just review the various aspects of yourself, your relationships, and your life, particularly those areas you are likely to take for granted in daily living.

Welcome company and enjoy the season!

Yuletide gifts and blessings to you all!!

((All images courtesy of Google Images.))