Yule Workshop
Yule is the time of great celebration for most Pagans and Wiccans. Yule, which is celebrated on December 21st, marks the rebirth of the sun god and the end of the dark half of the year. This also marks the end of the solar year and the beginning of the new year. Also, Yule is the time of the winter solstice, a day when light and dark are equal during the year. During Yule, it is traditional to decorate the Yule tree, especially with natural decorations, to light a Yule log, sing carols, exchange gifts, and to decorate with holly and ivy. The lighting of the Yule log symbolizes the welcoming back of the light (sun). This is an important turning point in the year and it is traditional to light many candles in honor of the sun�s return. Also, this is seen as the time when the Oak King is born to the Goddess and the Holly King prepares for his death.
There are several things that correspond with this sabbat, including ivy, mistletoe, pinecones, evergreen trees, and holly. Some incenses are cinnamon, pine, apple, bayberry, and cedar. If you are going to do magick during this time, it is a good time for magick pertaining to new beginnings, harmony, and relationships.
Making a Yule Log (taken from Grimoire for the Green Witch by Ann Moura)
Making a Yule Log candle holder: take a 12-14 inch white birch log and split it. Chisel out three holes in equal distances across the rounded part, making them deep enough to support taper candles; sand the flat side of the cut as the base of the holder, decorate with fresh or artificial holly, evergreens and pinecones as desired, keeping the items in place with glue as with a hot glue gun; use in family ritual.
Lighting the Yule Log:
�Hail to the elementals! Welcome Lady and Lord to this Yuletide rite!� (waft incense over Yule Log)
�Blessed be the Lord and the Lady who turn the mighty Wheel of the Year!� (raise Yule Log)
�We welcome the Yule, the turning point of Winter, for the end of the Solar Year comes and the New Year has begun.� (place log on table)
�We bring forth the light of our Yule Log to bid farewell to the Dark Lord of the Solar Night and to greet the rebirth of the Sun!� (light candles in log)
�Hail the God of the Yule� �Hail the God of the Sun� �The Holly King ends His reign� �That the Oak King�s may begin� (beverage toast) �May this Yule bring Light and may the joy of the Sun enter here. Good health, good cheer, good fortune in the coming year! So mote it be!�
General Correspondences
Other Names: Saturnalia, Midwinter, Pagan New Year, Winter Solstice
Symbols: Holly, wreaths, Yule log
Colors: Red, green, gold
Stones: Bloodstone, ruby, garnet
Goddesses: Gaia, Lilith, Spinning Woman, Na�at
Gods: Apollo, Helios, Cronos, Janus, Ra
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