December is the 12th month of the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The name December means 10th month as it was the 10th month of the year according to the ancient Roman calendar that began in March.
Other Names for the Month
Anglo Saxon – Yule monath or Winter monath
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In witchcraft, December is a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration. As the last month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, witches honor the turning of the Wheel of the Year and prepare for the winter solstice.
December is associated with Yule, a festival marking the rebirth of the sun and the return of light after the longest night of the year.
Witches may engage in rituals and ceremonies to honor the sun’s return, kindle the Yule log, and celebrate the warmth of community and connection.
They may work with symbols such as evergreens, candles, and mistletoe, and may participate in divination practices to gain insight into the coming year.
Contents
Magickal Practices in December
December is a month of renewal, manifestation, and reflection in witchcraft, marked by the festivals of Yule and Saturnalia.
It’s a time to celebrate the return of light to the world, set intentions for the coming year, and reflect on the past year’s experiences.
We often engage in rituals, spells, and meditations that reflect the themes of renewal, manifestation, and reflection, aligning themselves with the cycles of the natural world and the turning of the wheel of the year.
| Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Yule Rituals | Witches often perform rituals to celebrate Yule, honoring the rebirth of the sun and the return of light to the world. Traditions include lighting candles, decorating evergreen trees, and performing rituals to honor the sun’s return and the turning of the wheel of the year. |
| Setting Intentions | December is a powerful time for setting intentions for the coming year, manifesting goals, and preparing for new beginnings. Witches may perform rituals, write spells, or create vision boards to clarify their desires and intentions for the future. |
| Reflective Meditation | With the end of the year approaching, December is a time for reflection, introspection, and inner work. Witches may engage in reflective meditation practices to review the past year, release what no longer serves, and set intentions for personal growth and transformation in the year ahead. |
Correspondences and Themes for December
| Correspondence | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbols | Evergreen trees, candles, yule log |
| Colors | Red, green, gold, silver |
| Herbs and Flowers | Holly, mistletoe, cedar, pine |
| Crystals | Ruby, garnet, obsidian, jet |
| Themes | Rebirth, renewal, light, generosity |
December Folklore
Weather
Much rain in October, much wind in December
Green on winter’s solstice, white on spring’s equinox
A green December fills the graveyard
Romance
Marry on December 3rd, for all the grief you’ve ever heard.
The December Sky
In December, those in the Northern Hemisphere get the best view of Orion’s constellation.
The new moon in December will be either in the sign of Sagittarius or Capricorn.
The full moon in December is called the Full Cold Moon or the Long Night’s Moon. If the full moon falls in the first half of the month, while the Sun is in Sagittarius, the full moon will be in Gemini. If the full moon falls in the latter part of the month when the Sun is in Capricorn, the full moon will be in Cancer.
Feast Days in December
The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs sometime between December 20th and 23rd.
- Saint Nicholas’ Day – December 6
- Egil Skallagrimsson’s Day – December 9
- Human Rights Day – December 10
- Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – December 12
- Saint Lucia’s Day – December 13
- Festivus – December 23
- HumanLight – December 23
- Yule – December 21
- Christmas – December 25
- Boxing Day – December 26
- Kwanzaa – December 26 – January 1
- Dies Natalis Solis Invicti – December 25
- Brumalia
- Saturnalia – December 17
- Mōdraniht
- Holy Innocents Day – December 28
- New Year’s Eve – December 31
English 
Spanish