Celebrating Yule: A Guide for Pagan Families

While working in the Special Orders department at a Borders Book Store, I often came across requests for Pagan themed books for children, or at least, for the entire family to enjoy together. Books detailing the Sabbats were especially popular, and incredibly hard to find. People who are just learning about Paganism themselves, and want to share this information with their children, have very few resources they can use. Very few Pagan books for children exist at all, and the demand for these are not being met. 

The books on Sabbats that do exist are geared toward adults practicing without children present. As Paganism grows stronger, more families are practicing together, and parents are looking for activities that are children safe and friendly. They also want books that do not give a prescribed path that the author tells them “must” be followed.
One of the highly regarded aspects of Paganism, is the freedom to worship as we choose, however, too many authors are falling into the trap of telling how exactly things must be done instead of giving suggestions and letting the practitioner choose what feels right for them. 

Through the research I have done with interviewing families on what it is they are looking for, I have found a common feeling of alienation created by authors “telling” instead of “suggesting”. One mother told me, “I want ideas, not a rigid, step by step manual. I want to decide how, what and when – I just need a place to start.” (Michelle Collins – Kenosha, WI).
This article on Yule, is desgined to give Pagan parents that starting point they are searching for. Articles for the other Sabbats will also be available to get parents on their way to celebrating their beliefs with their children.