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| �Yule� is the Norse word for �Wheel� so it�s only fitting that Yule be the Solar New Year. During this time the sun is at its lowest point in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the longest night of the year and there are many traditions that revolve around providing shelter for the winter spirits during this cold and dark night. Yule also celebrates the birth of the Sun King and from this day forward will strengthen and grow stronger until Midsummer when the Holly King will begin to overcome which reminds us all that life is born from darkness. Yule is a time for sharing and spending time with family and comforting each other from the cold. This is a great time to look back over the past year and think about what you have learned and what can be improved upon next year. Plans can be made and thoughts lingered on for the upcoming Spring. Spells done at this time can center around raising spirits and bringing harmony, peace and joy to the home and family.
a.k.a. � Winter Solstice, Yuletide, Alban Arthan (Caledonii Tradition-not considered a fire festival), Jul, Saturnalia, Solar New Year Herbs � Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Pine Cones Incense � Bayberry, Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Juniper, Mint Colour � Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold Decorations � Yule Log, Mistletoe, Wreaths, Strings of dried flowers and cinnamon sticks, Apples, Oranges, Lemons, Yule Tree, Adorn house with holly, pine and ivy, Await Father Winter (Santa), Wreaths of Holly, Bayberry candles to ensure wealth and happiness, Reindeer Stag (reminder of the Horned God), Strings of dried rosebuds, cinnamon sticks, popcorn and cranberries Foods � Nuts, Apples, Oranges, Caraway Rolls, Mulled Wine, Roast Turkey, Berries, Egg Nog, Fruit Cakes, Fancy Cookies and Breads, Pears, Pork, Wassail, Hibiscus or Ginger Tea Gemstones � Cat�s Eye, Ruby Goddess � Great Mother, Isis, Mary, Tonazin, Lucina, Bona Dea God � Sun Child, Horus, Jesus, Mithras, Santa/Odin, Saturn, Holly King Goddess and God Aspect � Goddess gives birth to the Sun King Oak King vs Holly King � The Oak King (Life and Rebirth) overcomes the Holly King (Darkness and Death) Celebrates � Increasing light, a time to renew, time to see the world through a child�s eye Traditions Yule Log � The Yule Log is a symbol of the newborn Sun and is usually Oak, Cedar, Beech, Pine or Ash. A piece is kept throughout the year to protect the house and is used the following year to light that year�s Yule Log. Some Witches decorate their Yule Log with pine garland, pine cones, oak nuts, white mistletoe flowers and red holly berries. Holes can also be drilled in the log for incense, dried fruit and herbs as well as blessings, dreams and goals for the upcoming year written on tiny slips of paper. Traditionally Yule Logs were whole tree trunks pulled in and burned all night. That�s not really feasible in many parts of the whole now-a-days so some Witches put a Yule Log on their altar and adorn it with 3 white candles. Small Potted Tree � A Norfolk Island Pine is a great gift as well as altar decoration. They can be decorated for Yule and kept in the home as a house plant. They are slow growers and can be used for years down the road if you have a green thumb! Yule Tree � Traditionally, Celts would fell a tree in the woods. The bottom trunk would be burn as a Yule Log and the top would be brought inside to house winter spirits during the coldest and longest night of the year. Traditionally, decorations were food and candy (for the spirits to eat) and bells (so the spirits could be heard). A 5 pointed star would be placed on the top. Now-a-days we have ornaments, but it�s always nice to add a little tradition so think about adding chocolates or caramels to your tree decorations. Spirits aren�t the only ones who like candy. Little ones love to munch as well and brings the tree closer to the family. Prepared food for the lighting of the tree and Yule Log and make the evening a family affair. A good movie isn�t a bad idea either! Yuletide (Teutonic Version) � Lasts from 20 December (Mother Night) until 31 December (Yule Night) therefore the 12 Days of Christmas Wassail Drink � Ale, brandy and hard cider spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloved apples Story Telling Caroling |
| Yule Renewal and Rebirth ~ 22 December |
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