I know, I know - we're already inundated with holiday decorations and merchandise everywhere we go and we're barely beyond Samhain. In the drug store the other day they were playing the most awful, smarmy Christmas music - it was without a doubt more powerful than syrup of Ipecac.

Still, Yule is the next celebration on the Wheel of the Year and it will be here before we know it. But we don't have to buy into our culture's frenzied slide into the holidays. Instead, we can make the next few weeks a fun, celebratory series of opportunities to get creative, enjoy the arrival of a new season, cultivate a festive atmosphere, and make our Yuletide full of meaning and magick.

We can start with Dorothy Morrison's book Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth as a source of inspiration:

There''s just something magical about the Yuletide season, no matter where you live or who you are. As bright candlelight mingles with the smells of pine and warm cookies and we perform our yearly rituals of song and family gatherings, the spirit of peace and goodwill seems to reach the heart of even the most cynical Scrooge.

In the pages of Yule, Dorothy Morrison presents a wonderful potpourri of holiday lore from around the world and throughout history, along with fun crafts, delicious recipes, even a calendar of celebrations for every day in December.

Learn where the traditions of the season originated. For instance, did you know that the ringing of bells was meant to drive away the demons who inhabited the darkest days of the year? That leaving cookies for Santa mirrors the old tradition of leaving a loaf of bread on the table overnight to bring prosperity in the new year? That the Yule log can be traced back to the ancient Greeks?

Need a recipe for wassail or plum pudding? Tips for your holiday party? Want to make the season special by making your own decorative crafts and gifts? That''s just a sampling of what''s inside.

Best of all, Yule shows that the spirit of the season is universal and, however we chose to celebrate and worship, we can all join together in the spirit of peace, love, and harmony at this special time of year.

This year, you can also celebrate the season with a special Blogickal Yule t-shirt! Soft, 100% cotton, long-sleeve t-shirts printed with a custom Yule design by yours truly. You know how good one of these will look with your favorite flannel pajamas! They also would make perfect gifts for coven-mates and witchy friends (as well as supporting Blogickal - every little bit helps keep the server serving!).

Another way to make this Yule special: Dedicate a Tree. Through TreePeople's “Gift of Life” Tree Dedication program, holiday shoppers can order a gift that will last for generations and benefit the environment. In celebration of an earth-based faith, what could be a better gift or expression of thanks to Mother Earth than dedicating a tree? Instead of killing a tree to decorate your house, why not plant one instead?

I usually dread the winter holiday season. I'm trying to embrace Yule this year with a different attitude and something akin to happy anticipation. Despite my intense disdain for the commercialization of seasonal celebrations in our culture, there is something to be said for planning ahead. I bought some cute gumdrop candles the other day. I'm thinking of making Yule cards (but I'll be happy if I can just get some sent this year). I might even try my hand at making gifts for family and friends. No humbugs here! I'm looking forward to Yule.

Posted by Angela-Eloise at 12:47 PM