Northern Hemisphere: December 20-23
Southern Hemisphere: June 20-23
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Yule is the Winter Solistice. It is the time of the shortest daylight
hours in the year, and of course, the longest night. The Goddess gives
birth to the God at this time, representing a rebirth of light.
It is the time of year when the Earth (wood) spirits are encouraged to rest, in preparation for all the hard work ahead of them to replenish the Earth with the fresh blooms of new life, the forthcoming of spring.
Celebrations were held in honour of the wood spirits. Trees were brought into the homes,and decorated with bells,candles and brightly coloured threads to attract the spirits. Bread,fruit and nuts were hung from the branches to provide food for the spirits. Group singing (carolling) was also a way of guiding the spirits towards the shelter of the homes and Yule logs were lit to provide warmth.
This festival has been adapted since its earlier Pagan origin to be known as the more popular festival Christmas.
Yule coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. This Sabbath represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of the year, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and hope for new light is reborn.
Some covens hold a Festival of Light to commemorate the Goddess as Mother giving birth to the Sun God. Others celebrate the victory of the Lord of Light over the Lord of Darkness as the turning point from which the days will lengthen.
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present. Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree. The colours of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts.
A solar festival, Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. A piece of the log is saved and kept throughout the year to protect the home. That piece is used to light the next year's log.
Moon
Cold, Oak,
Moon of Long Nights
Symbols
Yule Log, Yule Tree, Candles, Advent Wreath,
Gods/Goddess
all Newborn Gods and Sun Gods, and all Mother Goddesses and Triple Goddesses.
Colors
Red, Green, Gold and White
Traditional Foods
Nuts, Fruits such as apples and pears, Cookies and Cakes of Caraway, Pork, Wassail
Herbs and Growths
Holly, Mistletoe, Ivy, Cedar, Bay,
Juniper, Rosemary, Pine, Evergreens,
Poinsettias, Valerian, and Myrrh
Incense
Pine, Cinnamon
Gemstones
Bloodstones, Rubies, and Garnets
Focus of Yule
The sun is at its nadir, the year's longest night. We internalise and synthesise the outward-directed activities of the previous summer months. Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and leaving old regrets behind.
Spellwork for balance, beauty, peace, and harmony are great to perform at this time of the Pagan year. Love spells and spells to increase happiness are also appropriate.
CRAFTS
RITUALS
ACTIVITIES
POEMS
LORE
updated May 13, 2000
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