Infusing Your Yule Decorations with Herbal Magic

Witchy Yule Adornments: Yule, or the winter solstice, holds a special place in many pagan and witchy traditions. As a time of rebirth and renewal, it is common for witches to decorate their homes with various symbolic and magical adornments during this season. These adornments not only add a touch of enchantment to the space but also serve as powerful tools for spiritual practice. One of the most popular witchy yule adornments is the Yule log. Traditionally, the Yule log is a large piece of wood, often from an oak tree, that is burned throughout the solstice celebration. In addition to providing warmth and light, the Yule log is believed to represent the cycles of life and the promise of renewal.

In the long-term, it will take much more than another Olympics to bring tigers back to the Korean peninsula. Experts say the best way to keep the Korean tigers alive is probably to focus on conserving the remaining estimated 450 Siberian tigers in Asia, especially Russia’s Far East. For now, however, as Soohorang is watched by Olympics fans around the globe, the tiger mascot may help his wild brethren — and, at the very least, he will add one more chapter to Korea’s centuries-long embrace of the tiger.

It is unclear when tigers disappeared from the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, though one account describes the killing of the last Korean tiger in 1921 in the coastal city of Gyeongju, South Korea, The Seoul Times reported. White tigers are a variant of the Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris , and their unusual coloring can be traced to a mutation in a single pigment gene.

In addition to providing warmth and light, the Yule log is believed to represent the cycles of life and the promise of renewal. Many witches decorate their Yule logs with natural materials, such as holly, mistletoe, and pinecones, to enhance their magical properties and connect with the energy of the season. Another common adornment during Yule is the use of candles.

Meet the adorable 2018 Winter Olympics mascots that the internet is fawning over

Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email.

Facebook Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email.

Email Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting.

Twitter Snapchat icon A ghost.

Snapchat Fliboard icon A stylized letter F.

Flipboard Pinterest icon The letter "P" styled to look like a thumbtack pin.

Pinterest Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url.

• Soohorang and Bandabi are serving as the mascots for this year’s 2018 Winter Games and Paralympic Games.
• The two animals are not only cute, they also both carry significant meanings in Korean culture.
• One resembles a white tiger, which is considered Korea's guardian animal.

At last, the 2018 Winter Olympics have begun. After months of preparation, including stocking up the Olympic Village and keeping an eye on the games' biggest competitors , the Pyeongchang Olympics are underway.

But not everyone has the time or motivation to keep up with the game schedule . But if there is one thing that everyone loves in large amounts, though, it's adorable animals. Luckily, the 2018 Winter Olympics has no shortage of those either.

The official mascots for this year's games are Soohorang and Bandabi, a white tiger and a black bear respectively.

The pair is significantly more cuddly than past Winter Olympics mascots, including Wenlock , a drop of steel, and Gliz , a piece of ice. There's also a meaningful significance to the two animals.

Soohorang is the official mascot for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

This mascot is derived from the appearance of the white tiger , which is considered a guardian animal in Korea. In general, tigers have held a revered spot in Korean culture for years, appearing in traditional art and folklore . They symbolize protection, passion, and trust.

Soohorang debuted in June 2016 and was designed by a group of Korean design professionals , who took inspiration from a past mascot named Hodori , another tiger who represented the country during the 1988 summer games in Seoul.

Soohorang's name is a combination of the word "sooho," which symbolizes protection of the athletes, and "rang," which comes from both the Korean word for tiger, as well as a traditional folk song from the Gangwon province, where the games are being held. As a character, Soohorang was created to embody that sense of protection for athletes, spectators, and all Olympic participants.

Bandabi is the official mascot for the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games.

Bandabi is a Asiatic black bear , which serves as a symbol for the Gangwon province, according to Paralympic.org . In Korean culture, the bear represents strong will and courage.

This bear also wears a hat, which many Americans might consider Santa-like. For many Koreans, Christmas and the holidays are celebrated and advertised beyond December, according to TronvigGroup.com , hence the festive hat.

Bandabi's name comes from the word "bandal," which means "half-moon," and references the traditional white crescent shape on the Asiatic Black Bear's chest. The "bi" at the end represents the celebration of the Olympic Games.

Bandabi was also introduced alongside Soohorang in June 2016.

"The mascots have been designed to embody the collective will of everyone for the successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2018, and experts of various fields contributed in the process," President of the PyeongChang Organising Committee Lee Hee-beom said at the time.

Since their debut, people have been loving these two furry creatures.

—Tim@ WaveRidin' (@T1mco) February 4, 2018

—sad lil optimist (@changSamchang) January 20, 2018

—나나리. (@littledragonka) February 7, 2018

—Les Shu (@DT_Les) January 28, 2018

Sign up here to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox.

Soohorang the Tiger, an official mascot of the 23rd Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, seen at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.

Candles hold deep symbolism in witchcraft and are often used to represent the element of fire. During the solstice, witches often light candles in various colors, such as red, green, and gold, to honor the changing seasons and welcome the return of the sun. Some witches also incorporate herbs and essential oils into their candle magic, infusing the air with the scents of winter and inviting positive energy into their homes. Witchy yule adornments also often include natural objects, such as evergreen wreaths and garlands. Evergreens, such as pine, fir, and cedar, are believed to bring protection, prosperity, and healing. When crafted into wreaths and garlands, they not only add a touch of beauty to the space but also symbolize the continuation of life and the promise of renewal. Some witches even incorporate special herbs or crystals into their wreaths and garlands, further infusing these adornments with magical properties. Finally, many witches decorate their homes with symbols and imagery associated with the winter solstice and Yule. These can include pentacles, snowflakes, stars, and images of animals such as deer and wolves. By incorporating these symbols into their decor, witches create a sacred atmosphere and invite the energy of the season into their space. In conclusion, witchy yule adornments are a beautiful and meaningful way for witches to connect with the energy of the winter solstice and honor the cycles of life. From Yule logs to candles, evergreen wreaths to symbolic imagery, these adornments infuse the space with magic and serve as powerful tools for spiritual practice during this sacred time of year..

Reviews for "Conjuring Up Yule Magic with Tarot and Oracle Cards"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to see these "witchy yule adornments" advertised, as I love anything related to witchcraft and the holiday season. However, I was sorely disappointed when I received my order. The quality of the items was subpar and looked nothing like the pictures on the website. The candles were poorly made and burned unevenly, while the ornaments looked cheap and flimsy. I expected more for the price I paid. Overall, I wouldn't recommend these witchy yule adornments to anyone looking for high-quality and aesthetically pleasing decor.

2. John - 1 star - I ordered these witchy yule adornments expecting to add a unique and mystical touch to my holiday decorations. Unfortunately, the experience was a complete letdown. The packaging was shoddy, and some of the items arrived broken. The colors of the ornaments were also not as vibrant as advertised. It was clear that these adornments were hastily put together with little attention to detail. Save your money and find better quality products elsewhere.

3. Sarah - 3 stars - The witchy yule adornments I ordered were just okay. The designs were interesting, but the materials used felt cheap and flimsy. I was also disappointed with the size of the ornaments, as they were much smaller than I anticipated. However, the customer service was responsive and offered a refund for the damaged items. If you're looking for unique witchy decor, you might find something better on other platforms.

Transforming Your Yule Tree into a Magical Centerpiece