The winter solstice is a solar festival which marks the return of the sun. Whilst it varies depending on the year, it is usually celebrated on the 21st or 22nd of December. This is the longest night of the year and once endured, the light will begin to fight back, eventually overriding the darkness. The winter solstice marks the first day of Yule.

In Pagan tradition 'yuletide' was used to refer to the period of time between the winter solstice and the beginning of the next solar year. A liminal period of time, belonging neither to the old or the new year. These 12 days were and still are, considered particularly sacred. Rituals such as the burning of the Yule log occur over this time.

Nowadays it's easy to get swept up in the traditions of Christmas due to societal expectation and pressure. At Rooted, we have been seeking ways to get back to the pagan roots of this holiday. One way we are doing this in our household, is by not celebrating Christmas on the 25th. Instead we will be celebrating the 12 days of Yule...the 21st until new year's day.

We launched a 12 days of Yule advent calendar as a daily Yule reminder. This has been available in our shop over the month of December.  We will be opening each day with you here on our blog, taking you through what you will find inside each daily box. Perhaps this will give you some insight into whether you might want to order our crystal calendar next year or perhaps it will give you some insight into metaphysical properties of crystals, which you weren't aware of.

Regardless, we invite you to come on this journey with us...