A Journey of Light, Intention, and Renewal

As the Earth turns toward winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the world grows quieter. Nights lengthen, light softens, and we are invited to slow down. Yule refers to an ancient European midwinter festival celebrating this longest of nights, while focusing on the rebirth of the sun and the return of light. The 13 Days of Yule is an ancient seasonal rhythm that honors this sacred pause. Beginning on Mothers’ Night and carrying us through the first dawn of the New Year, each day offers a theme that helps us reflect, connect, and begin again.

If you're anything like us, this season can feel anything but still.  There is a lot of "hustle and bustle" associated with preparing cards & gifts, traveling to family, producing and attending events, and closing out the year.  We created this 13 Days of Yule letter as an invitation for you to align with Nature's gentle, quiet pulse even in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.

The 13 Days of Yule Countdown

Below you will find 13 days of celebratory activities, each one inviting you into heartfelt stillness & reverence. You are invited to follow along and adapt the rituals in your own way. If you miss a day or choose to celebrate that day's themes on another day, all is well. Like kintsugi, this is not about "doing it right." It's about following the art of the moment. Whatever inspires you, follow that, and you will find yourself in the art of the moment.

What's Kintsugi? Pronounced "keen-soo-gee." Since the 15th century, instead of discarding pottery that breaks, the Japanese have been joining the pieces with gold. Kintsugi literally translates to "Golden Joinery". At LIFEHONEY®, we cherish traditions that bring intention to change. Just as kintsugi transforms broken pieces into something golden and whole, the days of Yule help us weave together remembrance, celebration, and hope. Families, children, and friends can all take part, creating rituals that warm the home and the heart.  We've provided a simple overview of each day, along with easy ways to take part + optional ideas for weaving your already-made LIFEHONEY® Kintsugi Bowls or yet-to-be-made Kintsugi Kits into the journey.

 
May this modern way of honoring an ancient festival bring light to your winter and a sense of renewal to your year ahead.

 

 

Day 1: Mothers’ Night (Modraniht)

A candlelit evening honoring maternal ancestors and nurturing lineages. This is a night of remembrance, gratitude, and storytelling.

Ways to treasure Mother’s Night:

• Light candles.
• Create a small altar with photos or keepsakes of your family's maternal ancestors. Many like to say,

"To my maternal ancestors in flesh and spirit, including Mother Earth, thank you for your sustenance. Thank you for nurturing me."

• Offer simple items such as bread, milk, chocolate or wine as a gesture of honor.

This is a picture of a Mother's Night Altar I made.

• Share stories, sing songs, and tell Yule tales, passing down memories and wisdom through generations.
• Invite children to join in by helping decorate a tree or crafting ornaments from natural materials like pinecones, dried oranges, or cinnamon sticks, turning the evening into a living memory for the whole family.
  

Kintsugi pairing: 

Our Family Kit offers a way to honor shared roots and create a golden keepsake that reflects resilience and love across generations.

Day 2: The Winter Solstice (Earth's New Year!)

The longest night and the return of the light. This is Earth’s New Year's Eve and a powerful moment of renewal.

How to welcome the Winter Solstice:

• To invite the scents and spirit of Yule into your space, you might prepare a simple simmer pot. Add water, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and a sprig of pine or rosemary. Let it warm gently on the stove throughout the day. This little ritual fills your home with the fragrance of comfort and abundance, creating a cozy atmosphere as you welcome the rebirth of the Sun.
• A Yule altar can be another beautiful way to mark this moment. Decorate a small space with golden candles, evergreen branches, pinecones, seasonal fruits, or symbols of light. Let this be a place to pause and reflect as you set intentions for your own growth. When you light your Yule log or candle, you might choose to speak a few quiet words. Many like to say,

“I celebrate this dark, potent winter night as I  welcome the returning light.” 

This is truly Earth's New Year! It can be yours too.

Kintsugi pairing:

Our New You Kit supports release and rebirth as you step into a new chapter.

Day 3: Honoring your Ancestors

A day to acknowledge those who came before us and the wisdom they carry into our lives.

How to honor the Ancestors on Day 3:

• Decorate or refresh your altar with items that reflect your heritage. You might choose photographs, heirlooms, regional foods, or symbols that represent where your family comes from.
• Light a white candle and offer a simple blessing of gratitude. Many like to say,

"To those who walked before me, I give thanks. May your love and wisdom light my path."

• Sharing a meal, raising a glass, or retelling family stories is a touching way to connect with this day.

These small acts help pass memories forward and strengthen the sense of belonging across generations.

Kintsugi pairing:

Our Family Kit helps preserve shared stories and lineage in a tangible, meaningful way.

Day 4: A Day of Gratitude

A pause to recognize blessings both large and small.

How to celebrate Gratitude on Day 4:

• Take a quiet moment to write down everything you feel grateful for this year. These can be small comforts, meaningful relationships, personal growth, or moments of joy that carried you through.
• During a meal or peaceful pause, you might say something like, 

"I am blessed with abundance and love. I give thanks for all that I have."

• Consider offering food, kindness, or donations to those in need. Sharing your abundance with others is a powerful part of this day. Each act of generosity becomes a way of extending gratitude outward into the world.

Kintsugi pairing:

Our Sweetening Change Kit reflects how gratitude softens transitions and brings ease to life’s shifts.

Day 5: Blessings for the Animals

A day to acknowledge animal companions, wildlife, and the quiet ways they support and comfort us.

How to honor the Animals on Day 5:

• Spend a few quiet minutes reflecting on the animals who have touched your life. This could be a beloved pet, a spirit animal that appears in dreams, or the wildlife that surrounds your home.
• Leave simple offerings outside such as seeds, nuts, or vegetable scraps, and whisper a blessing as you do. Many like to say,

"To the creatures of the Earth, I give thanks. May you find warmth and plenty this winter."

• You might also spend extra time with your pets, giving them affection or taking a peaceful walk.
• If you feel inspired, create a small piece of art featuring an animal that holds meaning for you.

These gentle acts are a way of acknowledging the quiet companionship animals offer and the sweetness they add to everyday life.

Kintsugi pairing:

Many of our customers use our Sweetening Change Kit or Bereavement Kit to create a kintsugi keepsake as a reminder of a fur baby they've lost and wish to remember & honor.

Day 6: Community and Connection

A celebration of togetherness, shared joy, and meaningful bonds.

How to celebrate Community and Connection on Day 6:

• Host a small gathering or reach out to friends and family in a way that feels meaningful to you.
• Share handmade gifts or speak words of appreciation, letting those around you know how much they matter. You might say, In community,

"We find joy and strength with one another. May our bonds grow ever stronger."

Acts of kindness also carry great power today. A thoughtful message, a warm gesture, or a shared laugh can be enough to brighten someone’s season and strengthen the threads that tie us together.

Kintsugi pairing:

Our Family Kit transforms shared moments into a lasting symbol of connection.

Day 7: Elemental Magic

Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. A reminder that we are part of nature itself.

How to connect with the elements on Day 7:

• Create a small Yule altar that honors each element. You might place stones or evergreen boughs for Earth, feathers or incense for Air, candles for Fire, a simple bowl of water for Water, and a crystal or sacred object to represent Spirit. This space can become a grounding point for meditation or quiet reflection.
• You may choose to light a candle for Fire, place your hand on a stone for Earth, breathe deeply to honor Air, and hold a bowl of water in gratitude for Water. A simple blessing can bring the elements together with intention. Many say,

"Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, I honor your presence in my life."

Kintsugi pairing:

Our New You Kit supports balance and transformation as you reconnect with your inner landscape.

Day 8: Reflection

A tender look back at the year and the lessons it brought.

How to Reflect on Day 8:

• Choose a practice that helps you turn inward. You can open your journal and write about the lessons that shaped you, the strengths you discovered, and the moments that changed you. A simple affirmation can guide the heart. Many say,

"Through reflection, I find clarity. I honor the lessons of the past."

Let this be a gentle and compassionate process. Reflection is not about perfection. It is about seeing your story with honesty and love.

Kintsugi pairing:

Our New You Kit helps release old patterns while honoring who you have been.

Day 9: A Day for Cleansing

Clearing physical and energetic space to welcome what comes next.

How to cleanse on Day 9:

• Begin with your physical space. Clean a room or a closet, open the windows for a moment, or refresh your home with sage, incense, or sound. As you move through your space, you may choose to say,

"I release what no longer serves me. My space is clear, my mind is light."

• To deepen your cleansing ritual, you may wish to create a purifying simmer pot. Add bay leaves, lemon slices, sage, and rosemary to a pot of water and let it warm on the stove. As the fragrant steam fills your home, imagine any stagnant energy dissolving and being replaced with clarity and vitality. Let each breath remind you that renewal is already on its way.

Kintsugi pairing:

Our New You Kit marks the threshold between release and renewal.

Day 10: A Day for Prosperity

An invitation to welcome abundance and share it freely.

How to welcome prosperity on Day 10:

• One of the most cherished traditions is baking something symbolic. You might create a loaf of bread or a prosperity dish flavored with honey, cinnamon, or nuts. As you stir or knead, set an intention for the year to come. Many say,

"I welcome abundance into my life. Prosperity flows freely to me."

• Once your creation is finished, share it with family, neighbors, or friends.

The act of giving strengthens your intention, reminding you that abundance grows when it is shared with an open heart.

Kintsugi pairing: 

Our Sweetening Change Kit honors prosperity as something that flows and grows when shared.

Day 11: A Day for Joy and Play

A day of laughter, creativity, and lighthearted magic.

How to celebrate Joy and Play on Day 11:

• Sing your favorite songs
• Dance in the living room or in nature
• Play games, or
• Spend time making something with your hands. Create art that reflects what happiness feels like to you. A playful affirmation can guide your heart. Many say,

"In joy, I find strength and renewal. My spirit is light and free."

• Invite them to join in by making Yule crafts, baking cookies, or playing seasonal games.
• You might even create a small scavenger hunt with Yule symbols like evergreen sprigs, candles, or Sun motifs. These moments of shared wonder can become treasured memories.

Children often bring a special kind of sparkle to this day (both the kind that live inside you and the little ones that run around you.)

Kintsugi pairing:

Our Family Kit captures shared joy and playful connection in gold.

Day 12: Vision and Hope

Dreaming forward. Setting intentions. Imagining what wants to be born.

How to celebrate Vision and Hope on Day 12:

• Spend time writing down your hopes, goals, and intentions for the coming year.
• You might also create a vision board, gathering images or words that reflect the future you feel called toward. A simple affirmation can guide this moment. Many say,

"I look to the future with hope and clarity. My dreams are manifesting."

• This is also a beautiful day to invite children into the magic of intention setting. Offer magazines, markers, glue, or paper so they can create their own vision boards.

Encouraging them to express their hopes through art can help them dream boldly and step into the new year with excitement. 

Kintsugi pairing:

Our New You Kit anchors intention and transformation as the year turns.

Day 13: Renewal and Rebirth

The first day of the New Year and the closing of the Yule journey.

How to celebrate Renewal and Rebirth on Day 13:

• Sit in a peaceful space and write down an intention or wish for the coming year. Hold it for a moment, then burn it in the flame of a candle as a symbol of release and renewal. Many speak a simple blessing such as,

"As the wheel turns, so too does my spirit. I embrace renewal and rebirth."

• Your Yule altar can become a place of closing and gratitude. Add symbols of new beginnings such as seeds, eggs, or fresh candles to represent the life that is just beginning to stir.
• Offer a quiet thank you for the guidance, warmth, and wisdom that the Yule season has brought.

Kintsugi pairing: 

Our New You Kit becomes a lasting symbol of growth, courage, and beginning again.

𖤓 Carrying Yule Forward 𖤓

The 13 Days of Yule remind us that life moves in cycles. Through candlelight, storytelling, crafting, cooking, and quiet moments, we weave a tapestry of meaning that carries us into the year ahead.

May the light you welcomed during Yule continue to grow, gently and steadily, through every season to come.

Sending wishes for warmth and golden blessings!

I love being on this journey with you. Thank you for being part of LIFEHONEY® and thank you for honoring the Earth this holiday season.