12 Days of Yule: A Winter Solstice Journal
The twelve days between Winter Solstice and New Year's Day mark the deepest, darkest stretch of the year.
Historically called Yule, this was a time to rest, reflect, and mark the slow return of light.
This journal offers a modern approach to that ancient practice—a complete 12-day guided experience through the turning of the season.
WHAT'S INSIDE
📖 30 pages including:
Welcome & Setup
- Clear instructions on how to navigate the 12 days
- Complete supply checklist (everything is optional & substitutable)
- 12-day visual overview showing all themes at a glance
12 Complete Daily Practices (2 pages each day)
- Deep reflection prompts that go beyond surface-level journaling
- Simple 10-30 minute rituals designed for apartments and small spaces
- Guided creative activities: mandalas to color, drawing prompts, writing exercises
- Alternative practices for every ritual (no candles? limited space? we've got you)
Integration & Resources
- Guidance for continuing the work beyond 12 days
- Next steps and deeper exploration suggestions
- Community connection (#12DaysOfDarkness)
THIS ISN'T JUST A PDF. IT'S A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE.
Every day is carefully structured to take you deeper:
- Morning/evening reflection (10-15 min) - Thoughtful prompts that guide introspection
- Simple ritual practice (10-30 min) - Apartment-friendly, accessible, meaningful
- Creative integration activity (10-20 min) - Coloring, drawing, writing exercises
Total: 4-8 hours of guided practice across 12 transformative days.
Less than the cost of a single yoga class or therapy session for nearly a week of structured practice.
THE 12 DAILY THEMES
Each day explores a different aspect of winter's wisdom:
🌙 Day 1: Descent - Letting go, darkness as teacher
🕊️ Day 2: Stillness - Silence, rest, not performing
🌑 Day 3: Shadow - Hidden parts, confronting avoidance
🍵 Day 4: Nourishment - Feeding yourself beyond food
⭕ Day 5: Boundaries - Protection, what stays out
🌳 Day 6: Ancestors - Lineage, inherited patterns, wisdom
🙏 Day 7: Gratitude - What kept you alive, appreciation
👁️ Day 8: Vision - What wants to be born, intention
🤝 Day 9: Community - Your people, connection, support
✨ Day 10: Joy - Genuine delight, pleasure, play
🔥 Day 11: Transformation - Change, alchemy, becoming
🌱 Day 12: Rebirth - New Year, new beginning, emergence
PERFECT FOR
✓ Anyone wanting to mark Winter Solstice with more than just candles
✓ People who feel disconnected or overwhelmed during holiday season
✓ Those seeking structured rest and reflection
✓ Witches, pagans, spiritual seekers, and secular ritual practitioners
✓ Anyone experiencing seasonal depression who wants grounding practices
✓ People who want to enter the new year with intention, not just resolutions
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT
Unlike generic gratitude journals or basic solstice guides, this workbook:
✨ Combines psychological insight with spiritual practice
Every ritual is grounded in real nervous system regulation, not just "because I said so"
✨ Offers alternatives for every activity
Can't burn candles? Don't have coloring supplies? Limited space? Every practice includes accessible alternatives
✨ Includes creative practices, not just writing prompts
Mandalas, drawing exercises, visual journaling—engage your whole brain
✨ Takes you on a complete journey with clear progression
Each day builds on the last, creating a cohesive 12-day arc from descent to rebirth
✨ Works for any belief system
Spiritual or secular, pagan or not—these practices work regardless of your framework
✨ Designed for modern life
Apartments, busy schedules, limited supplies—this works with the life you actually have
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Essential:
- This journal (digital or printed)
- Pen or pencil
- 20-40 minutes per day
Optional (but not required):
- Candles (any kind—birthday candles, tea lights, LED all work)
- Coloring supplies (markers, colored pencils, crayons, or just a regular pen)
- Quiet space (headphones work if your space is noisy)
Everything includes alternatives. No candles? Use your phone flashlight or visualization. No coloring supplies? Use a pen to shade or doodle. Limited space? All practices adapt to apartments and small spaces.
The most important supply is your willingness to show up.
HOW TO USE THIS JOURNAL
Start: December 21 (Winter Solstice) and continue through January 1 (New Year's Day)
Flexible timing: Start on December 21 or begin whenever you discover this. The practices work regardless of the exact dates.
Daily structure:
Each day takes 20-40 minutes total:
- Read the daily focus and reflection prompt (5 min)
- Complete the ritual practice (10-30 min)
- Engage with the creative activity (10-20 min)
If you miss a day:
Pick up where you left off (1-2 days behind) or skip ahead to today's date (3+ days behind). There's no wrong way to use this.
After the 12 days:
The themes don't end on January 1. Return to any day's practice whenever it feels relevant. Use this journal every winter solstice. The work continues.
WHAT YOU'RE REALLY GETTING
Instead of:
- ❌ Scrolling Pinterest for scattered solstice ideas (overwhelming, time-consuming)
- ❌ Cobbling together random rituals from different blogs (inconsistent, confusing)
- ❌ Buying multiple books on Yule practices (expensive, not structured)
- ❌ Trying to create your own solstice plan from scratch (takes hours you don't have)
You get:
- ✅ Everything in one beautifully designed guide
- ✅ Clear daily structure with no decision fatigue
- ✅ Practices you can actually complete (not aspirational nonsense)
- ✅ Just download, print or use digitally, and show up
TESTIMONIALS
"This journal met me exactly where I was—exhausted from the holidays and needing structure without pressure. The alternative practices meant I could actually do this even when I was too tired for 'full' rituals."
"I've tried other solstice journals and they all felt performative. This one felt like it was written for real people with real lives. The shadow work day especially hit different."
"The creative activities surprised me. I'm not artistic but the mandalas and drawing prompts were meditative in a way that writing alone never is."
DETAILS
Format: Digital PDF
Pages: 30 professionally designed pages
File Size: Approximately 7.5MB
Print Friendly: Yes—designed to print beautifully at home or at a print shop
Digital Use: Yes—fill in digitally using PDF annotation tools or apps like GoodNotes, Notability
Refund Policy: Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final
READY TO BEGIN?
The longest night is December 21. The light returns after that—slowly, then all at once.
This journal gives you a way to mark that turning point with intention, rest, and reflection.
No prior experience needed.
No elaborate tools required.
No performance necessary.
Just you, this guide, and the willingness to meet winter where it is.
The magic isn't in perfection. It's in showing up.
PRICE: $25
Download immediately after purchase.
FAQ
Q: Can I start this after December 21?
A: Yes. While designed for December 21-January 1, you can begin whenever you find it. The practices work regardless of exact dates.
Q: Do I need to print this or can I use it digitally?
A: Both! Use it digitally with PDF annotation apps (GoodNotes, Notability, Adobe Acrobat) or print at home. It's designed to work either way.
Q: I'm not pagan/witchy/spiritual. Will this work for me?
A: Yes. The practices work whether you approach them as spiritual rituals or secular mindfulness exercises. The psychology is the same.
Q: What if I miss days?
A: Pick up where you left off or skip ahead to today's date. There's guidance in the journal on how to handle missed days. There's no wrong way.
Q: Can I share this with friends?
A: This is a single-user license. If you'd like to gift it to someone, please purchase a separate copy. (Bulk pricing available for groups—email wendy@edgeandaltar.com)
Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Due to the instant-download nature of digital products, all sales are final. Preview images show exactly what's included so you can make an informed decision.
Q: Will you offer this again next year?
A: Yes, though pricing may change. This is the 2025 edition. If you purchase now, you own it and can use it every winter solstice.
Q: I have more questions!
A: Email wendy@edgeandaltar.com and I'll help.
© 2025 Edge and Altar. All rights reserved.
For more seasonal rituals, witchcraft practices, and honest guidance:
→ Website: edgeandaltar.com
→ Instagram: @edgeandaltar
→ Email: wendy@edgeandaltar.com
Join the mailing list for seasonal rituals, new offerings, and community updates.
📥 12 Days of Yule Journal (PDF) - 30 pages, ready to print or use digitally 📄 File size: 7.5MB 🖨️ Print-friendly - Designed for home or professional printing 💻 Digital-friendly - Use with PDF annotation apps like GoodNotes or Notability ⚡ Instant download - Access immediately after purchase