BotB's 12 Nights of Yule

Night One, December 20, The Vigil of the Long Night

This is the threshold night; time to prepare your space and your magickal tools. Maybe clean your altar and make sure you have what you will need for the coming days. 

Choose a tarot deck or divination tool of your choice and of course a journal.

Each day represents a month of the next year. Pull a card a day to represent that month. For example on Dec 21st you will draw a card that will represent January 2026, Dec 22 the card will represent February 2026 and so on

Day One, December 21, Hope

Theme: Hope, planning, manifestation

January 2026 Tarot Reflection: What seed of an idea or hope will you carry with you into the coming year? What spark of inspiration will light for you in 2026?

Magick: Any time after sunset light the gold candle for the sun 

Day Two, December 22, The Growing Light

Theme: Today is about warmth, abundance, and joy. Sharing fire, hot food, warm drinks, and connection with friends and family.

February 2026 Tarot Reflection: What new idea, hope, goal, direction needs your attention? 

Magick: Light the gold candle for the sun, and the silver candle for the moon

Day Three, December 23, Awakening

Theme: Action and energy

March 2026 Tarot Reflection: Where in my life do I need to take action rather than wait for things to be “perfect”?

Magick: Light the gold candle for the sun, the silver candle for the moon, and the green candle for the God

Day Four, December 24, Family 

Theme: Celebrate the family you love

April 2026 Tarot Reflection: What relationship in my life needs care and attention?

Magick: Light the gold candle for the sun, the silver candle for the moon, the green candle for the God, and the Red candle for the Goddess

Day Five, December 25, Reciprocity

Theme: Finding balance in giving and receiving 

May 2026 Tarot Reflection: What gifts are coming my way and what will be the price?

Magick: Giving and Receiving Spell

Write something you're offering on a bay leaf, scrap of bark, or slip of paper. It can be an intention or promise of something you will do in the coming year. For example: "I will listen to my friends more," "I offer the gift of being present with my spouse," or "I will call my parents every week." Choose something you are willing and able to give, but be careful; if you promise to do it, you should do your best to actually follow through. Place it in a fireproof bowl.

On another bay leaf or piece of paper, write what you're calling in: abundance, love, friendship, health, travel, adventure, joy, etc. Set it aside.

Burn the bay leaf with the gift you are offering. As it burns, concentrate on the promise you have made. Think about how it will look as you're doing it and how you will feel each time it is accomplished.

When the flame is out and the ashes cool, pour them into a small container. Place the second leaf/paper (what you're calling in) on top of the ashes. Hold the container in both hands and focus on the act of giving and receiving. Which is harder for you? Recall times you gave and felt great satisfaction and joy. Picture times you received a gift and the moment felt perfect.

Place the container on your altar to remind you of the balance of reciprocity. In the spring, add the ashes and paper/bay leaf to garden soil or a potted plant to symbolically grow the energy you have put into the work.

Day Six, December 26, Gratitude

Theme:  Acknowledging blessings and expressing thanks

June 2026 Tarot Reflection: What abundance already surrounds me that I've overlooked or taken for granted?

Magick: Create a Gratitude Jar Spell

Find a jar, bowl, or container and place it on your altar or in a sacred space. Throughout December 26th, write down things you're grateful for on small slips of paper and add them to the jar. These can be big things (love, health, home) or small moments (a warm cup of tea, a kind word, sunshine on your face).

At the end of the day, take your slips out and read each one out loud. Feel the gratitude fully, and then burn them as an offering of thanks to the universe, your deities, or the turning year. As the smoke rises, visualize your appreciation being carried out into the world, creating space for more blessings to flow to you.

Day Seven, December 27, Crafting and Creation

Theme: Make something, even if it’s messy and even if you’re worried you’ll do it wrong.

July 2026 Tarot Reflection: What creative project or passion have I been putting off?

Magick: Action Energy Infusion Spell

Hold your created item in both hands. Take three deep breaths, then speak over it:

"I charge you now with action's fire;

Wake my will, fuel my desire,

By hand and heart, this work is done.

I keep moving til goals are won."

Clap your hands sharply three times over the item to "seal" the energy into it. Place it somewhere you'll see it daily as a reminder to take action rather than wait for perfection.

Day Eight, December 28, Community

Theme: Support your neighbors or chosen community through acts of kindness, volunteering, or offering practical help

August 2026 Tarot Reflection: Where am I being called to show up for others?

Magick: Create a blessing sachet or charm bag filled with herbs for protection and abundance (rosemary, bay, cinnamon, salt) to gift to a neighbor or friend

Day Nine, December 29, Hearth and Home

Theme: Honoring your home

September 2026 Tarot Reflection: What needs to be released from my home or my life to make space for what's coming?

Magick: Cleanse your home with smoke or sound (bells, singing bowl, clapping). Ward your entrances with charged water or protective oil. Then, light candles and incense throughout your space to draw in comfort, prosperity, safety, and joy.

Day Ten, December 30, Self

Theme: This day belongs to you. Take care of yourself; nourish the physical, delight the mental, and honor the spiritual sides of you.

October 2026 Tarot Reflection: What part of myself needs more love, acceptance, or healing?

Magick: Have a spell bath or shower for self love - use the most luxurious soap and products you have access to

Day Eleven, December 31, The Threshold

Theme: The turning of time. This is a liminal space, the doorway between what was and what will be.

November 2026 Tarot Reflection: What must I release to cross this threshold? What old story am I ready to leave behind?

Magick: Choose your word or phrase for the coming year and set your intention. Write it down, say  it out loud, or repeat it silently. 

Day Twelve, January 1, Balance

Theme: Finding the center. Endings and beginnings

December 2026 Tarot Reflection: What will my main focus be for the next year?

Magick: Light all 4 candles one final time, meditate on the year ahead and the year you just left behind, and extinguish the candles in reverse order (red, green, silver, gold) to seal your intentions and complete the cycle