Yule is the first Sabbat of the new year that began at Samhain. It is a time of new beginning, as we celebrate the re-birth of the God, born of the Mother.

The past year has, undoubtedly, been an eventful one for me and my family. This new year shows no sign of being any less eventful.

Does that mean that I should fear what is to come, in view of the nature of some of the lessons I have learned in the past year?

The last year showed me the meaning of friendship, with events enabling me to renew my bond with my deities as a result of my return to being a Solitary Witch.

I have learnt the value in waiting and in patience, as events have unfolded, some of which I could influence, and some of which I could only watch unfold, with little chance of influencing the outcome directly.

I have seen the impact that fears and a lack of knowledge can bring, and yet, in the same year, have been gratified to realise that for all those who fear, there are those who seek to understand, and thus, continue to grow and learn.