🎓 Course Tutor: High Priestess Copper Moon, MPA (Head of Domus Pietatis)

🎯 Level: Beginner and onward

🔑 Prerequisites: None — though prior study of Foundations of Paganism or Wheel of the Year Studies may enrich your experience.

🏆 Mastery Stream & Credits: Devotional — Half a Credit (50 points)

📜 Course Description

The Winter Solstice has been honoured for thousands of years as a time of mystery, renewal, and reverence. In this course, students will journey through the ancient and modern traditions of Yule — exploring its origins, folklore, deities, spirits, rituals, and evolving cultural expressions.

From Norse and Anglo-Saxon celebrations to Slavic winter spirits, from the rebirth of the sun to household deities and midwinter feasting, this course offers a rich and immersive study of the season’s magic. Students will discover how Yule was once celebrated, how contemporary Pagans are reviving and reimagining its rites, and how to craft a deeply personal, meaningful Solstice practice.

Through mythology, ancestral customs, ritual design, creative crafting, and devotional work, students will learn to weave Yule into both personal spirituality and community celebrations.

✨ By the end of the course, students will:

• Understand the historical origins and cultural evolution of Yule.

• Explore winter deities, spirits, and mythic figures across Europe and beyond.

• Recognise key traditions such as the Yule log, wassailing, the Twelve Nights, and ancestral offerings.

• Practise modern Pagan Solstice rites, including candle magic, vigils, and devotional approaches.

• Create meaningful seasonal crafts such as wreaths, charms, and sun symbols.

• Learn the symbolism of winter feasting, offerings, and hospitality traditions.

• Integrate folklore, creativity, and spirituality into their own personal Yule celebration.

• Craft a fully developed personal Solstice ritual or practice plan.
  
  

📖 Course Modules

Lesson 1 — The Winter Solstice: Understanding the Longest Night

Lesson 2 — The Origins of Yule: Pagan, Norse & Celtic Traditions

Lesson 3 — Deities of the Winter: Sun Mothers, Winter Queens & Solar Gods

Lesson 4 — The Spirits of Solstice: Ancestors, Land Beings & Mythic Visitors

Lesson 5 — Myth and Folklore of the Midwinter Season

Lesson 6 — Traditional Yule Practices: Ritual, Offerings & Sacred Observations

Lesson 7 — Modern Pagan Yule Ritual & Devotional Practices

Lesson 8 — Creative Crafting for the Solstice: Art, Storytelling & Sacred Making

Lesson 9 — Food, Feasting and Offerings of Yule

Lesson 10 — Creating Your Personal Yule Practice 

📥 Course Access Requirements

To access this course, students will need a device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) that meets the Canvas system requirements.

 👉 View system and browser requirements 

Students can also access the course through the Canvas mobile app. From any device, you can:

• View lessons and grades

• Submit assignments

• Track progress with the calendar and to-do list

• Send and receive messages via Canvas Inbox
  
  

📚 Additional Resources

To support your learning journey, you may find the following helpful:

• A journal or notebook — for reflections, notes, and working on creative assignments.

• A quiet personal space — for rituals, meditation, and creative practice.

• Basic ritual tools (optional) — candles, incense, bowls, or symbols meaningful to you.
  
  

This course also comes with a curated recommended reading list about Yule folklore, seasonal magic, and Pagan traditions.

Students are invited to join the Academy’s Student Circle community on Facebook for support, discussion, and inspiration.

📝 Coursework & Submissions

This course includes a combination of reflective practices, quizzes and a short assignment. The assignment will be submitted through Canvas and assessed based on:

• Clarity of expression

• Creativity and originality

• Demonstrated understanding of the material

• Sincere effort and engagement
  
  

✍️ Coursework Load: Light

Expect approximately 1–2 hours for completion of the quizzes and final assignments, plus time for reading, reflection and note taking.

🎓 Mastery Stream & Credit Information

🏠 House: Domus Pietatis (Devotional Arts)

🏆 Credits Earned: Half a Credit (50 points)

This credit contributes to your progress through the Academy’s Mastery Streams and Path Training & Advancement system.
Students working toward priesthood or celebrancy roles will find this course strongly aligned with the seasonal, ceremonial, and devotional aspects of the tradition.

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