Yule & Winter Solstice: The Shortest Day & Longest Night | David Allen Tracy & Stephanie Ulven

As the wheel of the year turns, Yule and the Winter Solstice invite us into the deepest pause of the calendar—the shortest day and the longest night. Across cultures and centuries, this moment has been honored as a threshold: a time of stillness, reflection, and the quiet promise of returning light.In this episode of Rooted & Wild, David Allen Tracy and Stephanie Ulven explore the ancient history of Yule, the astronomical significance of the Winter Solstice, and how these traditions predate—and later influenced—Christian observances. Together, they unpack church history, theology, and the ways spiritual symbolism was adapted, reinterpreted, and sometimes misunderstood over time.This conversation also gently addresses common misconceptions about faith, religion, and spirituality—where doctrine ends, where personal experience begins, and how different belief systems often speak to the same human longing for meaning, divine guidance, and connection. Grounded, thoughtful, and expansive, this episode invites listeners to step beyond binaries, honor complexity, and reconnect with the wisdom carried in both darkness and light.About David Allen TracyDavid Allen Tracy is a ThetaHealing® Practitioner, Behavioral Consultant, Certified Herbalist, Certified Chef, and Functional Genomics & Nutrition Coach. With a background spanning subconscious healing, plant medicine, nourishment, and behavioral insight, David’s work bridges science, spirituality, and lived experience. Through Rooted & Wild and his holistic practice, he helps people explore healing as a gentle, layered process—one that honors the body, the nervous system, and the deeper stories we carry.About Stephanie UlvenStephanie Ulven is the founder of Equanimity, a healing sanctuary devoted to balance, truth, and energetic restoration. She is a Master Educator in Usui Reiki, Kundalini Reiki, Crystal Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, and Sekhem Reiki, as well as a practitioner of EFT Tapping, meditation, sound healing, shamanic energy work, and end-of-life care. With early academic training in psychology and sociology, Stephanie’s path weaves together touch, energy medicine, and compassionate presence—creating spaces where people can release pretense, process emotion, and return to their authentic center.Learn more about Stephanie: https://www.equanimity-wellness.com/Rooted & Wild provides general information for educational and informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of David Allen Tracy. The content shared on this podcast is not intended to replace individualized medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding any medical or mental health concerns.