The 11th Night of Yule is a liminal threshold — a place between waking and dreaming, past and future. The veil is thin here, not only between worlds, but between what has been and what may yet come. This night belongs to Mari Lwyd, to prophecy, to symbols, and to the deep wisdom that speaks when the mind finally grows quiet.
Mari Lwyd: The Blessing Bringer
Rooted in Welsh tradition, Mari Lwyd (“Grey Mare”) is a spectral yet benevolent figure — a horse skull adorned with ribbons and bells, carried door to door in midwinter. Far from fearsome, Mari Lwyd is a challenger, a trickster, and a bringer of luck. Through playful verse duels (pwnco), she tests the household’s wit and generosity. Those who welcome her are rewarded with blessings, abundance, and protection for the year ahead.
On this night, Mari Lwyd reminds us that the old year must be met honestly. We cannot hide behind locked doors or silent hearts. We must answer the call, speak our truth, and invite the strange and sacred inside.
Divining the New Year
The 11th Night of Yule has long been associated with divination. It is said that dreams dreamed now are prophetic, carrying symbols that reveal the shape of the coming year. Simple forms of divination are especially potent tonight:
Pulling a single rune or tarot card before sleep Scrying by candle flame or darkened water Writing a question and placing it beneath your pillow Noting animal visitors, recurring symbols, or songs heard in dreams
Do not force interpretation. Let meaning unfold slowly over the coming days, just as winter itself moves at its own pace.
Entering the Dreamworld
This is a night to rest deeply. The Dreamworld is not escape — it is instruction. Ancestors, spirit guides, and the quiet knowing of the self speak here in metaphor and emotion. Prepare for sleep intentionally: dim the lights, warm the body, and nourish yourself with grounding foods and gentle herbs.
Recipe for the 11th Night of Yule
Rooted Winter Stew for Dreaming
This hearty, grounding dish anchors the body while allowing the mind to wander safely into the dream realms.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, sliced
2 parsnips or turnips, cubed
1 cup potatoes or sweet potatoes, cubed
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
1 bay leaf
4 cups vegetable or bone broth
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Warm oil or butter in a heavy pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add root vegetables and mushrooms, stirring gently. Sprinkle in herbs, add bay leaf, and pour in broth. Simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes until tender. Season to taste and serve warm.
Intentional Note: As it simmers, reflect on what you wish to carry into the new year — strength, clarity, courage — and imagine those qualities infusing the stew.
Accompanying Drink
Dreamer’s Apple & Mugwort Elixir (non-alcoholic)
A gentle, traditional-style infusion to support prophetic dreams.
Ingredients
2 cups apple cider
1 small cinnamon stick
1 thin slice fresh ginger
½ tsp dried mugwort (or chamomile if preferred)
Honey to taste
Instructions
Warm apple cider gently over low heat. Add cinnamon, ginger, and herbs. Simmer very gently for 10–15 minutes. Strain into a mug and sweeten lightly with honey.
Sip slowly before bed, thanking the dreamworld for its guidance.
Closing the Night
Before sleep, speak a quiet blessing:
“Grey Mare of winter night,
Carry wisdom, guard my sight.
Through dream and dark, through veil and year,
Let truth be shown and path made clear.”
On this 11th Night of Yule, may Mari Lwyd bless your threshold, may your dreams speak clearly, and may the coming year reveal itself gently, one symbol at a time.
Not Your Grams Kitchen 