Yule Calendar Day 25: Honoring the Ancestors
During the Yule season, December 25th is set aside as a day to honor our ancestors — the people who came before us, whose lives, wisdom, and actions have shaped who we are today. This day is about reflection, gratitude, and spiritual connection. Many pagans believe that the veil between the living and the dead is thinner during Yule, making it an ideal time to connect with those on the other side.
Honoring the ancestors is a practice found in many cultures around the world. For Yule, it’s a time to invite their presence, offer them respect, and recognize their influence on our lives. This practice strengthens the ancestral line and helps us understand the spiritual connection between past, present, and future generations.
Why Honor the Ancestors on December 25th?
This day follows Sacred Fires (December 24th), which focuses on purification and transformation. After cleansing the self and space, the following day is perfect for calling in the presence of loved ones and ancestors. The quiet winter season is symbolic of the dormancy of life, much like how our ancestors “rest” in the otherworld. On this day, we acknowledge their presence, offer gratitude, and invite their guidance for the year ahead.
Symbolism of Ancestors on Yule:
Roots & Connection: Ancestors represent our roots, both physically and spiritually.
Continuity & Legacy: Honoring them acknowledges the legacy they have left behind.
Guidance & Wisdom: By connecting with them, we can receive insight, support, and guidance.
How to Honor Your Ancestors on December 25th
This day can be celebrated in many ways. The rituals don’t have to be elaborate, and you can customize them based on your personal beliefs, heritage, and traditions.
🔥 1. Create an Ancestral Altar
An altar for ancestors is a sacred space where their energy is welcomed and honored. It acts as a point of connection between the physical and spiritual realms.
How to Set It Up:
Choose a Location: It could be a small table, a shelf, or even a dedicated corner of your home.
Add Photos and Memorabilia: Place photos of ancestors, keepsakes, or small objects that belonged to them or remind you of them.
Candles: Light a white, blue, or black candle for each ancestor or one single candle to represent all of them.
Symbolic Items: Add natural elements like stones, pinecones, or branches to symbolize nature’s cycles. You can also add crystals like amethyst (spiritual connection) or obsidian (protection).
Offerings: Place small offerings on the altar. This could be their favorite food, drink, flowers, or incense. Wine, bread, milk, or nuts are traditional offerings for the dead.
Ritual Idea:
Light a candle on the altar and say:
“I light this flame in honor of my ancestors. May you be remembered, loved, and celebrated. I invite you to join me in spirit today as I reflect on the paths you have walked before me.”
🌿 2. Leave an Offering for the Ancestors
Offering food and drink to ancestors is an ancient and well-practiced tradition. This symbolizes gratitude and reciprocity — just as they provided for us in life, we now provide for them in the spirit realm.
What Can You Offer?
Bread, grains, or rice (symbolizes sustenance)
Wine, cider, or milk (symbolizes abundance)
Nuts, berries, and dried fruits (symbolizes nature’s gifts)
How to Offer It:
Outdoors: Leave the offering at the base of a tree, by a stream, or in a natural spot. Return it to nature.
Altar Offering: Place it on your ancestral altar. Leave it for the day, then return it to nature or dispose of it in a respectful way (burial or composting).
Invocation:
“I offer this food and drink to the spirits of my ancestors. May you be nourished and honored by this gesture of love and gratitude.”
📜 3. Storytelling and Ancestral Reflection
One of the most powerful ways to honor your ancestors is through storytelling. Sharing stories helps keep the memory of the dead alive. It strengthens your connection to the past and ensures that their legacy continues into the future.
How to Do It:
Family Stories: Sit with your family and tell stories about relatives, grandparents, or distant ancestors.
Write a Letter: Write a letter to an ancestor. Share your thoughts, express gratitude, or ask for guidance. You can leave this letter on the altar or burn it in the flame of the Sacred Fire.
Reflection Prompts:
“Which ancestor would I like to honor today, and why?”
“What is a lesson I have learned from my family lineage?”
“What part of my identity comes from my ancestors, and how does it serve me?”
Ritual Idea:After sharing a story, light a candle and say:
“With this flame, I honor the memory of [insert ancestor’s name]. May their story live on through me. May their wisdom guide me, and may I walk with the strength of their legacy.”
🕯️ 4. Candle Ritual to Call in Ancestors
If you wish to directly connect with your ancestors during Yule, you can do so through a simple candle ritual.
What You’ll Need:
1 white, blue, or black candle (for spirit connection)
Matches or a lighter
How to Do It:
Set the Space: Create a calm, quiet atmosphere. Cleanse the area with incense or smoke.
Call the Ancestors: Light the candle and say:
“Spirits of my ancestors, I call to you. Join me in this space of love and reflection. I open my heart to your guidance and wisdom.”
Observe the Flame: Watch how the candle burns. If it flickers, dances, or burns steadily, take note. This is sometimes seen as communication from the other side.
Meditation: Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and visualize your ancestors standing around you. If you feel a message coming through, trust it and record it in a journal.
Closing: When you’re ready to end, snuff the candle and say:
“With gratitude, I release the spirits of my ancestors. Thank you for your love, protection, and guidance. Walk with me through the coming year.”
🌌 5. Ancestral Dream Work
Dreams are one of the easiest ways to receive messages from ancestors. This practice is ancient, as many cultures believe that the dead can visit the living through dreams.
How to Encourage Ancestral Dreams:
Before Bed: Say a small prayer or intention, such as:
“Beloved ancestors, I invite you to join me in my dreams tonight. I am open to your guidance and will remember your messages.”
Sleep with Amethyst or Labradorite: These crystals are known to enhance dream recall and spiritual connection.
Dream Journal: Keep a notebook by your bed and write down your dreams immediately upon waking. Look for symbols, names, or figures that stand out.