Yuletide, Saturnalia and Closing Out 2025

Hello everyone, I hope you’re all enjoying your holiday season, and that it continues to go well for you. For many, this time of year is difficult for a multitude of reasons, including myself. While I won’t get into why, I do want to offer some closing thoughts for those who have had a less-than-spectacular 2025.

For many, 2025 is the final shedding of the skin (it is the year of the Snake, after all), and that skin shedding process can be painful. Loss, death, change, and even dramatic life altering events are likely to have happened. Whatever 2025 brought you, I wish you resolution, peace, and joy as the sun is reborn.

I’m not one for holiday/Christmas music, but I do enjoy the rock n’ roll covers of some of the holiday songs, and of course, the new ones that rock acts have added to the collection over the years. One of my favorites is “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon. It has a tendency to choke me up a bit, as it’s reflective, and highlights the seemingly paradoxical nature of man: at once being at war with himself, while also spreading messages of love, joy, tolerance and the like. We can, and should reflect-on the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between; but let’s not dwell on it and ruin our festive cheer. Use that reflection and the thoughts it brings to make positive change for the new year.

War is Over, If you want it

The line above is the most famous part of the famed John Lennon Christmas song, and I think it can apply to a lot of different things: literal war, whether it be in Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, or anywhere else. Let’s also not forget the wars we wage quietly: against ourselves, our neighbors, our friends, coworkers, and even family. I’m not saying to turn the other cheek if you’ve been slighted, but do your best to move forward in peace this holiday season. Those of good will pray, petition and cast spells for a peaceful Yuletide season; that’s all well and good, but let’s practice it in the mundane world, too-even despite the toxic political climate we find ourselves in. It only steals your joy if you feed into the hate swirling about in the world.

I probably sound a bit like a Christian, but I’m challenging the Pagan community writ large to embody the teachings that for one reason or another, many christians (especially in the U.S.) simply won’t. You won’t change anyone’s mind, and if you can bear it, then just live and let live. When they say “Merry Christmas” you can reply with “lo Saturnalia!”, “Merry Yule”, or any other holiday greeting you wish. If they have a problem with it, remember it’s their issue, not yours, to resolve. Don’t seek out conflict with these actions, but instead honor yourself, your beliefs, your Gods, in peace and confidence.

As a side note, this is likely the last you’ll hear from me for the year, as I take time to be with loved ones and celebrate.

Merry Yule, Io Saturnalia, and Happy Holidays my friends.

-Bright Solstice Blessings,

The Modern Merlin