The heading of this topic says "Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year - one of the Equinoxes..." Sorry but NO!There is a different between Solstices and Equinoxes. The Solstices occur on the first day of Summer and Winter, the longest day and the longest night respectively. Equinoxes are on the first day of Spring and Autumn respectively, when day and night are EQUAL in length.

Anyway, I was making up a batch of Yule incense today so I thought I would share my recipe.

2 parts pine needles
1 part cedar needles
1 part dried juniper berries
1 part frankincense
a few drops of bayberry oil
a drop or two of clove oil

You might want to use up to 2 parts frankincense. I use less because I don't like it to smell too "churchy." Mix these up with your mortar and pestle and put a few pinches to burn on a charcoal block to purify your home for the Solstice or just to put yourself in a seasonal mood.