Winter Rituals: a Yule Workshop
An intimate session at Story Owl to celebrate the winter solstice and the spirit of Yule. Over about 2h30, participants are welcomed with a warm drink, discover the stories and symbolism of Yule, and then create their own light-jar with natural elements (pine, cinnamon, dried orange, etc.), which works as a light talisman for the winter months.
This is followed by a moment of intention-setting for the new cycle, kept inside the jar or in an envelope, and a small literary oracle where each person receives a surprise quote from a book.
The workshop ends with a simple and cosy ritual: low lights, jars glowing and a short reading out loud, to mark the beginning of a new cycle with more calm, meaning and inner light.
What we'll do:
🌲 Get to know the symbolism of Yule and the Winter Solstice;
🌲 Read stories and folklore;
🌲 Create your own Yule light-jar with natural elements;
🌲 Write intentions for the new cycle and keep them in a special way;
🌲 Draw a surprise quote from our winter literary oracle;
Share a small light ritual around candles.
What’s included in the “Winter Rituals: Yule at Story Owl” workshop
♦️ Around 2h30 of immersive experience at Story Owl
♦️ Welcome with a warm drink (winter tea / hot chocolate, etc.)
♦️ Storytelling moment about Yule and the winter solstice, in an intimate, conversational style
♦️ All materials to create your Yule light-jar:
▪️ glass jar
▪️ small light / LED candle
▪️ pine sprigs and other greenery
▪️ cinnamon, dried orange, pinecones and other natural elements
▪️ string, tags and small charms (star, moon, owl, etc.)
♦️ Step-by-step guidance to create your winter light talisman
♦️ Guided writing exercise for intentions, with cards and/or envelope to take with you
♦️ “Winter literary oracle” – each person receives a surprise quote from a book
♦️ Small final Yule ritual: low lights, jars glowing and reading out loud
♦️ And of course, your light-jar and all the texts you write, so you can continue the ritual at home.
So if you’ve been craving a slow, magical evening to pause, breathe and rekindle your inner light, this is your invitation. ✨
Come curl up with us at Story Owl, create your own Yule light-jar and share stories by candlelight. Places are limited to keep the atmosphere cosy, so grab a friend and save your spot now – we’d love to spend this winter ritual with you.
Meet your Yule guide
Catarina Alves de Sousa is a writer, creative copywriter and co-founder of Story Owl, a bookshop–café dedicated to stories, readers and slow creativity. After years helping brands and people find the right words, she’s now building a space where books, conversation and imagination naturally spill into workshops, circles and cosy gatherings.
Since she was a child, Catarina has had an intense love for Celtic culture. She is especially in love with Ireland and Scotland — places she has visited more than once and will return to any chance she gets. The misty landscapes, ancient myths and quiet, stubborn kind of magic she finds there have shaped the way she reads, writes and sees the world.
Now that a bookshop–café (a lifelong dream) is part of her everyday life, she has the perfect excuse to share her inspirations and her deep love for Celtic fantasy books. In this Yule Workshop, Catarina weaves together mythology, storytelling and gentle reflection to help you step into the winter season feeling more connected, inspired and just a little more enchanted.
