Wiccan Yule customs, also known as Yule customs, are the traditional practices and rituals followed by Wiccans during the winter solstice known as Yule. Yule is a significant holiday for Wiccans as it represents the rebirth of the sun and the return of light after the darkest time of the year. These customs and rituals are aimed at celebrating the cycle of nature, honoring the gods and goddesses, and bringing warmth and light into the home. One of the main customs during Wiccan Yule is the decorating of the Yule tree. This tradition involves bringing in evergreen branches or a small tree and adorning it with lights, ornaments, and symbols that represent the elements, the gods, and the spirits of nature. The Yule tree is often placed in a central location in the home and serves as a focal point for the Yule celebrations.

D&D: Five New Magic Items Straight From Critical Role

The Vestiges of Divergence might be powerful magic items, but just as fun are some of the regular, new magic items in Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount.

The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount is here, and in it you’ll find a host of new player options that expand the game in all kinds of exciting ways. Whether it’s new magic that feels like something D&D should have had for a while, new adventures that bring you into the world, or powerful magic items–we’ve talked previously about the new Vestiges of Divergence . These are powerful magic items that level up and “awaken” as the story progresses. They give you that anime mid-fight powerup feeling that I didn’t realize D&D needed until I read it. But the new book is also full of some incredibly fun regular magic items and we’re going to look at five of the best ones.

Amulet of the Drunkard

This magical amulet lets you regain 4d4+4 hit points once per day whenever you drink a pint of beer, ale, mead, or wine. It is the single most D&D magical item in the world.

Duskcrusher

This one is just cool–it’s a leather-wrapped rod that normally looks fairly mundane, but if you take bonus action you cause it to project a warhammer head of crackling radiance, transforming it into a magical +2 Warhammer that deals radiant damage instead of bludgeoning, 1d8 extra radiant damage against the undead, and it also lets you cast Sunbeam once per day, but that does deactivate it for the rest of the day.

Last Stand Armor

A lot of the magic items in this book center around characters dying–it’s a little unsettling, but many of these are very cool. The Last Stand Armor, for instance: if you die while wearing this armor, every celestial, fey, and fiend within 30 feet of you must save (DC 15) or be banished back to their home plane.

Potion of Maximum Power

This one feels like something straight out of a video game. It’s a potion, you drink it, and the next damage dealing spell of 4th level or lower (so Fireball) you cast deals maximum damage.

Ring of Temporal Salvation

Another death item–this one lets you cheat death. When you die while wearing it, you instead vanish and reappear within 5 feet of the space you left and have 3d6 + your Constitution modifier hit points. If you died because your HP maximum was reduced to zero, it’s restored to however many hit points you have. You remove one level of exhaustion if you had any, and your teeth are cleaned and shiny. Then the ring is destroyed.

The book is full of fantastic items like these–if you’re looking to add some power to your game, check ’em out.

Happy Adventuring!

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Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and on occasion eats sandwiches. You can ask him about either at [email protected]

18 Best Monk Magic Items in 5e DnD

Magic items. Every player wants them. Even Monks. Like experience, they’re almost a right of passage as you level. You can buy them, find them, or sometimes, steal them. You may even fight a party member for it. I’m looking at the Rogue. My Swashbuckling rogue has a Rapier +2 with tentacles on the hilt called Octopierce, glamoured studded leather +1, and a homebrewed Caustic handaxe +2. It’s taken me two years in real life to pick these items up or about 6 months in-game time. Unless you have a generous DM, don’t expect them to arrive every week. And certainly don’t expect them to be cheap. That’s what makes it fun when you obtain one.

You’d think monks, with their magic fist punches and ability to walk on water, they’d dismiss the idea of any ability to change magic items. But no, they’re actually great and can enhance your Monk in many ways. From AC enhancing abilities, to movement, even to weapons, and everything in between. Monk magic items are a thing. And they’re here to stay.

The Yule tree is often placed in a central location in the home and serves as a focal point for the Yule celebrations. Candle lighting is another significant custom during Wiccan Yule. Wiccans light candles to symbolize the return of the sun and the triumph of light over darkness.

How do Magic Items Work in D&D?

Magic items have set rules in how they work in the world of D&D.

Attunement

Some magic items require attunement. This is where you must bond with your magic item. I usually take it out to dinner or to see a movie. But seriously, your Monk must spend a short rest attuning to the magic item and you can’t attune to any more than three magic items at any one time.

Paired Magic Items

Magic items that come in pairs, such as boots or bracers, only work when they are in their pairs. You also can’t wear one boot of speed and a one-winged boot to get both benefits. Nice try Einstien!

Multiple Magic Items

Look, no matter how you try, you can’t wear two pairs of magic boots. Or two pairs of gloves. Don’t be silly. However, with the DM’s discretion, you could layer two magic cloaks or wear many magic rings.

Activation

Sometimes a command word needs to be uttered to activate your magic item. Which is fine. Just make sure you’re not standing in an area where you can’t speak. Such as the area where the spell silence is cast. Some magic items are consumable and disappear when used. Scrolls disintegrate when read, oil goes on the body, and potions are drunk.

Charges

A lot of magic items only have a set amount of charges per day. Once used you must wait for the following day to use it again.

Without further ado, let us look at which magic items work perfectly for Monks that will improve your Monk’s flavor, skills, and abilities. For more information on general monk builds, you can check our Monk build guide here.

They may use specific colors that correspond to the gods and goddesses they are honoring during this time. Lighting candles throughout the home adds warmth, light, and a sense of sacredness to the holiday festivities. Feasting is a common custom during Yule, where Wiccans gather with loved ones to share a meal. The feasting is often done on Yule Eve or Yule Day and includes traditional foods and drinks that are associated with the season. These foods may include roasted meats, vegetables, bread, and spiced drinks like mulled wine or cider. The feast is a time to celebrate the abundance of nature, give thanks, and connect with loved ones. Gift-giving is also a part of Wiccan Yule customs, symbolizing the exchange of blessings and good wishes between individuals. The gifts are often handmade or meaningful, representing the love and thoughtfulness behind them. This tradition encourages the spirit of giving and generosity, fostering a sense of community and kinship. Furthermore, Wiccans may engage in rituals and ceremonies during Yule to honor the gods and goddesses associated with the season. These rituals may involve chanting, meditation, spellwork, and invocations, connecting the practitioners with the spiritual energy and the natural forces at work during Yule. Rituals may also include the lighting of a Yule log, which represents the turning of the wheel of the year and the burning away of old energies to make way for new beginnings. Overall, Wiccan Yule customs encompass a variety of traditions and practices that are centered around celebrating the rebirth of the sun and the return of light. These customs not only connect Wiccans with the natural world and the cycle of the seasons but also create a sense of warmth, joy, and spiritual fulfillment during the darkest time of the year..

Reviews for "Yule for Solitaries: Creating a Meaningful Celebration as a Solo Practitioner"

1. John - 1 star - I found "Wiccan yule customs" to be a complete waste of time. It was filled with frivolous and superstitious practices that had no basis in reality. The book didn't provide any logical explanations for the customs or rituals it presented, and it seemed to cater to those who believe in supernatural powers rather than relying on scientific evidence. I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone seeking well-reasoned and rational information.

2. Emily - 2 stars - While I respect people's right to practice their own spiritual beliefs, I personally didn't connect with "Wiccan yule customs" at all. The instructions and suggestions for the rituals were too vague and lacked clear explanations. It felt more like a collection of random ideas rather than a cohesive guide. Additionally, I found some of the customs presented to be unnecessarily complex and difficult to implement, which discouraged me from trying them out. Overall, I felt disengaged and unsatisfied with this book.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Wiccan yule customs" was not what I expected. As someone interested in exploring different spiritual practices, I was hoping for a more comprehensive and well-researched guide. However, I found that the book lacked depth and relied heavily on personal anecdotes and beliefs without providing any factual or historical context. It felt more like an opinion piece rather than an informative resource. I would suggest looking elsewhere if you are seeking a more informative and evidence-based approach to Wiccan customs during yule.

The Joy of Yule: Celebrating the Winter Solstice with Wiccan Customs