WELCOME!
Yule: We Are Light
Come in, come in! I’m so happy you’re here. The season of Yule (pronounced YOOL) is upon us! It all begins with the Winter Solstice, which is celebrated by people all around the world and marks the longest night of the year. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice falls on Monday, December 21st. This ancient holiday honors the return of the sun and highlights themes of rebirth, active hope, intention-setting, illumination and enlightenment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Story of the Season: a Homily for the Winter Solstice (audio & PDF)
The Great Wide Open (video)
In the Studio (video)
Collaborative Alchemy Podcast: Episode 3 with Yusef Seevers
Fuel for the Fire: Writing prompts, links, reading lists, Spotify playlists, etc.
Further Connection: Community Zoom call (link)
NOTE of ENGAGEMENT:
Please do not share the link to this page with others. This content was created just for you. Thank you for your respect and understanding.
Story of the Season
This is a great place to begin. For each of the eight bundles that make up the Creative Alchemy Cycle, I write a seasonal homily to set the container for the bundle. These stories are my way of practicing alongside you and using the creative alchemy tools to create my own work. You can download a copy using the button below and/or listen to the audio.
The Great Wide Open
My creative process always begins outside. This is where I weave the outer landscape with the inner one. Pine Valley is covered with its first layer of snow. Follow me down to the Powder River to catch the last glimpses of the water flow before it ices over. Then we’ll walk through the Wallowa foothills along Pine Creek and marvel at the conifers.
In the Studio
After viewing The Great Wide Open, let’s head into my studio. This is where I metabolize, incubate, and process all the elements which make up my current state of creative alchemy. We’ll chat about your care packages, build our seasonal altar, talk about themes of this season, and create two botanical paintings to honor the wonder and magic of Yule.
Collaborative Alchemy Podcast
Collaborative Alchemy is a series of conversations with artists, thought leaders, activists, farmers, educators, creatives, and other polymaths where we tell our stories, expand our histories, and hold space for new ways of being. My guest is actor, musician, dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur Yusef Seevers. Y’all, I can’t wait to share this leading edge conversation with you. Let’s get our glow on!
FUEL FOR THE FIRE
Writing prompts and further exploration, links, reading lists, spotify playlists, etc. Click on the images or buttons below to view, visit, or download.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Invitations for Further Connection
CREATIVE ALCHEMY COMMUNITY CALL — January 10th, 2021
Our call was on Sunday, January 10th at 10:00am Pacific Standard Time. This gathering was not recorded due to a technical error.
The Yule Community Gallery
Would you like to share your work with our community? Please send photos or copies of your in-process art, knitting, poems, jewelry, short stories, sculptures, gardens, quilts, and other creative endevours inspired by the Yule bundle to Sarah at sarah.greenman@gmail.com!
“Penumbra”, a play by Thelma de Castro
About the Yule Care Package
For those of you subscribing to the full Cycle through Patreon, your care-packages will be arriving between December 15-19. These love-filled packages contain natural objects, local Eastern Oregon flavor, and art ephemera to inspire your journey, and adorn your seasonal altars. Please note that there are fresh cut pine boughs in your box. They are pokey and may also have bits of pine resin (which is why they smell so good).
CONTENTS of the YULE PACKAGE:
✦ Welcome Letter and Poem by E.E. Cummings
✦ Handcrafted Yule Brew (for snacking, simmering, infusing, or mulling)
✦ Scottish Shortbread (from Sarah’s Great Aunt Ruth Lambie)
✦ Norway Spruce Pinecone (long & slender)
✦ Douglas Fir Pinecone (round & fat)
✦ Douglas Fir Pine Boughs
✦ 2021 Moon Phase Calendar & Description
✦ White Votive Candle for your Yule Altar
ABOUT the YULE BREW:
Ingredients: Dehydrated Winesap, Rome, and Red Delicious apples, whole clove, whole allspice, whole cinnamon stick, and dehydrated orange, lemon, and ginger.
Source: Do you remember our trip to Eagle Creek Orchard during the Samhain “Great Wide Open” video? That was the day I harvested the apples used for the Yule Brew in your care package. The Winesap is an old apple cultivar dating at back to American colonial times. All the apple varieties are organic. And all fruit was dehydrated in my kitchen under Covid-19 safe restrictions.
Directions: There are lots of ways to enjoy this handcrafted Yule Brew.
SNACKING: The apple chips are ready to eat and have absorbed the flavors of the citrus and spices.
SIMMERING: For a lovely home scent, add contents of the jar into a pot of water on the stove. Simmer for a few hours and enjoy the aroma. Make sure you add water to the pot if the water level gets low.
INFUSING: Add your favorite spirit (vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey or gin are best) to the mason jar. Seal the jar with an airtight lid and store in a dark, cool place until it's ready to strain. You can leave it for 1-6 days. The longer you leave it, the stronger it will be. (I like to check mine after 24 hours. If I like the taste, I’ll stop there. If I like it stronger, I’ll let it sit for another day or so.)
MULLING: For a warm mulled beverage, add contents of jar to a pot of apple cider or wine and simmer on the stove for 20-30 minutes. Strain and enjoy!
ABOUT the SHORTBREAD:
This recipe comes to me from my Great Aunt Ruth Lambie, a Scotswoman through and through. She called them tea biscuits. This shortbread was prepared by me in my kitchen ((a Covid-safe environment)). Ingredients: butter, flour, brown sugar, and salt.
Gratitude.
“I am divinity defined. I am God on the inside. I am light.” – India Arie