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The Celtic Druids saw the evergreen trees as manifestations of deity and as symbols of the universe. To the Celts, these trees were sacred because they did not die from year to year like deciduous trees. Therefore they represented the eternal aspect of the Goddess who also never dies. Their greenery was symbolic of the hope for the sun's return. The Druids decorated the evergreen trees at Yule with all the images of the things they wished the waxing year to bring. Fruits for a successful harvest, love charms for happiness, nuts for fertility, and coins for wealth adorned the trees. These were forerunners to many of the images on today's Christmas trees. Candles were the forerunners of today's electric tree lights. In Scandinavia, Yule trees were brought inside to provide a warm and festive place for tree elementals who inhabited the woodland. This was also a good way to coax the native faery folk to participate in Solstice rituals. Some believed the Saxons were the first to place candles in the tree. Gradually sacred tree imagery was absorbed and minimalized by the Christian church--but it was never able to destroy trees' resonance within our collective unconscious completely. We realize when we plant a tree we are encouraging the Earth to breathe. And when we decorate our evergreen trees at Yule, we are making a symbol of our dream world with the objects we hang upon it. Perhaps a chain or garland, reflecting the linking of all together on Earth. Lights--for the light of human consciousness, animal figures who serve as our totems, fruits and colors that nourish and give beauty to our world, gold and silver for prosperity, treats and nuts that blend sweet and bitter--just as in real life. The trees we decorate now with symbols of our perfect worlds actually animate what we esteem and what we hope for in the coming year; as from this night, the light returns, reborn. |
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| Collect pinecones and paint spray them red, green and gold. Children will need adult supervision for this one! I scatter these all through the home and pile in crystal vases. Also with pinecones-this is a fun one-cover them with some peanut butter and roll in birdseed, hang up in the trees and watch the birds go wild! I use to do this in Ohio in the spring and watch the chickadees. string together yards of cranberries and popcorn to hang on your tree. On the 21st, place the strand around the trees to honor the winged-ones. In Florida hanging the food may not be the best idea, you might get some little visitors! |
| A Cauldron of fire: A cauldron, or any fire friendly pot. Place epsom salts into the pot, add enough rubbing alcohol to cover them. Lite it, and there you go! Instant fire when and where you need it for your Coven's rituals; perfect for indoors. |
| CinnamonApple ornaments-From Yule, Dorothy Morrison 3/4 to 1 cup apple sauce 1 cup cinnamon cookie cutters ribbon or yarn pencil or knitting needle waxed paper Mix cinnamon and apple sauce together to make a dough. Roll it out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. With a pencil or knitting needle, poke a hole on the top for hanging, then place on waxed paper to dry for a day or two. Thread ribbon through the hole for hanging. |
| " I string protection into thee As I work-so mote it be" |