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| Yule / Winter Solstice |
| Yule / Winter Solstice Other names: Mean Geimhridh, Alban Arthuan, Modranicht (mother night). Date: December 20, 21, or 22 depending upon the calender. Sun at 1 degree Capricorn. Many people celebrate on the 21st or 25th. Meaning of the word: Yule means "wheel" (scandinavian derivation); solstice means "the sun stands still". Primary ritual focus: Rebirth and renewal. "saining" or "blessings" in ritual form, burning of the Yule log. Age of holiday: Wooden pillars throughout Europe aligned with the rising sun of the winter solstice have been recently dated to 3200-3000 B.C. (Newgrange in Ireland, Maes Howe in Scotland, Stonehenge and the Dorset Curus in Britain), enabling us to currently calculate this holiday to be at least 5000 years old. Popular Mythos: Battle fo Oak and Holly King (Oak King wins), Divine King, the Stag and the Wolf; Festival of the Dark God as seen in the German Belsnickle. Astrological Sign: 1 degree Capricorn; earth. cardinal. Planetary Ruler: Saturn. It was custom of the Pagans to celebrate on the same 25th of December the birthday of the sun, at which they kindled lights in token of festivity. In these solemnities and revelries the Christians also took part. Accordingly, when the doctors of the Church perceived that the Christmas had a leaning to this festival, they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnized on that day-Scriptor Syrus, fourth century A.D. Thus Christams began, and the Dark God of the Pagans, represented by the first stranger to set foot in one's house bearing gifts, is the surrogate for Cernunnos, Herne the Hunter, and Old Nick, who grew into the character of Santa Claus. Yet the celebration of WInter Solstice is far older then the fourht century. |
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