November and December are packed with celebrations, and for good reason. Around the winter solstice, nearly every culture has found ways to honor this turning point of the year. We see echoes of those traditions today in Christmas, Chanukah, Yule, Kwanzaa, and even Festivus.
For Atheopagans, though, this time can be a mixed bag. While the festive spirit is undeniable, it can be tricky to navigate the season without the religious or supernatural elements. And yes, the constant stream of well-meaning but religious messages from loved ones can get exhausting. But most of the time, those messages come from a place of love, so we try to take them with kindness (even if it’s hard sometimes).
Hallows: A Time to Honor the Dead
For us, the real midpoint between Harvest and Yule falls around November 6th or 7th. That’s when my circle, Dark Sun, gathers to celebrate Hallows. We’ve been doing this for 23 years, and it’s always a highlight of our year.
Our ritual is simple but powerful. We start by gathering around a fire circle filled with seasonal symbols—pumpkins, bones, ancestor photos, and ritual tools. After grounding ourselves, we symbolically journey to the Land of the Dead.
Here, we speak to those who’ve passed in the last year. It’s a chance to express feelings we didn’t get to share and, hopefully, find closure. When the cold starts creeping in, we return to the fire, light it up, and celebrate being alive with wine, chocolate, and laughter.
It’s a deeply moving ritual, and with each year, it feels even more meaningful.
Thanksgiving: A Moment for Gratitude
Thanksgiving, while not an original Atheopagan observance, has its place for us. It’s a day to gather with friends, share delicious food and drink, and remind ourselves how lucky we are to have each other.
Yule: Welcoming the Sun’s Return
Yule is a big deal. It’s the turning point—the Sun begins its journey back, and a new cycle starts. Our tree is topped with a Sun and decorated with symbols of nature: owls, bats, mushrooms, apples, and even a quirky octopus ornament. A few vintage decorations from the 1940s and 50s also make it onto the tree, sparking warm memories of childhood.
One of our favorite traditions happens on Yule night. We make hot cider, turn off all the lights, and sit outside in the stillness. It’s cold and dark, but that’s the point. It’s a reminder to appreciate the warmth, love, and safety we have in our lives.
When we come back inside, we light candles, burn our Yule log (made from last year’s tree), and dig into a cozy dinner. There’s music, laughter, and plenty of toasts to carry us into the night.
These rituals remind us to stay connected—to each other, to the Earth, and to the cycles that guide our lives. They’re simple, yes, but full of meaning, and they make this time of year truly special.