| Burning of the Yule Log | The Old Farmer's Almanac In Sweden the goat came to be associated with the Christmas celebration, and the Yule goat is now considered by many to be a companion or counterpart to Santa Claus. It is a time for giving thanks and for gathering with family and friends. Some historians think that sacrifices were an important part of the observance, either to the gods and other supernatural beings (such as elves) or to the dead or both. Alternatively or additionally you can cast spells for luck, abundance, appreciation. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Give everyone a few moments to meditate on this thought. This could be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of celebration and of giving. The meaning of the color green can vary depending on the culture. After all, that is when the shortest day is on that side of the planet. If your family uses a holiday treeduring the Yule seasonandmany Pagan familiesdoyou might want to consider a blessing ritual for the tree, both at the time you cut it down and again before you've decorated it. Or maybe its time for a local harvest celebration, and youd like to contribute something to celebrate the season of abundance. While Yule is a great time for setting new things in motion, its also a time to let go of the past. I especially like good luck spells for the winter ahead. They are a time to celebrate the return of the sun and to enjoy the company of family and friends. The Yule log also makes a great centerpiece for either tapers or tea lights (as shown in the photo at the top of this article). In other cases, it may represent nature, springtime, and the environment. I love doing money spells during the Winter Solstice. Whether you celebrate Yule as a pagan or a Christian, it is a time of year when families and friends come together to celebrate the joys of winter. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holidayDies natalis solis invicti, the birthday of the invincible Sun. The rest ishistory. Love this article? Yule is celebrated on the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. In many modern Pagan communities, an emphasis is placed on the idea of helping those in need. Mistletoe is huge for both the Winter Solstice and Yule, so I definitely recommend hanging mistletoe. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Once your home is ready for Yuletide festivities, you can look into local Yule celebrations. Because the Winter Solstice represents the end of a year if you follow the sun, then I recommend that you do a bit of divination to see what your next year will bring. Yule | Pagan, Log, Theme, Celebration, & Facts | Britannica [49] THE 12 DAYS OF YULE IN MODERN PRACTICE While we do not have clear historical evidence pointing to how each day of Yule was celebrated, that hasnt stopped The Twelve Days of Yule for pagans, celts, and practitioners all around the world begins on Mothers Night, Yules eve, December 20th, moving forward 12 days with the Twelfth Night ending on December 31st. then simply light a fire during the morning and let it burn all day. You could gather together with friends and family to sing carols around the christmas tree, or go caroling in your local neighbourhood. Yule is the perfect time to decorate! The twelfth day of yule is typically celebrated by eating christmas dinner. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? From this point Christmas continued to overtake Yule, although some vestiges of the original celebration remain. This is one of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions because its simply so cozy! If youre just looking for easy ways to celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice, scroll down a few sections. Before you drop them off at the shelter, library, food pantry or wherever why not invoke the elements to do a formal blessing of the donated items? The eighth day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your christmas tree. Yule Rituals. The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. The Sabbats are pagan holidays that honor the turning of the seasons based on the sun. Once you have gathered your supplies, its time to start celebrating! If your mistletoe touches the ground, it will lose its symbolic properties. If you make it a week or two in advance, you can enjoy it as a centerpiece prior to burning it in the ceremony. Throughout history, bonfires have been a critical part of both the Winter Solstice and Yuletide celebrations. If you have multiple levels, continue up and down stairs as needed. Christian traditions are so similar to pagan customs should you just partake in them? I really enjoy giving back on this darkest day; it just seems important to me. Some people like to add a small incantation to the process, like this one: Yule is here, and I smudge this place,Fresh and clean, in time and space.Sage and sweetgrass, burning free,as the sun returns, so it shall be. Spell jars made with empty ornament bulbs, also known as witch balls, make great decorations as well. The Yule log is an important part of the celebration. "Yule Rituals." Basically, its the shortest day of the year when we get the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. If it's warm enough outside, take them outdoors and spray them with your garden hose. It is a time of year when many people celebrate the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. The celebration of Yuleis one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. If you're not organized yet, now's your chance to get there. Red is also the manifestation of prosperity, which is also the reason Wiccans decorate their homes with red ribbons. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of celebration and of giving. A few more gift ideas are: Dont miss out!We have a special offer for you after you create your free account. You can do a meditation, scry, or actually cast a spell that will show you the past year and how you can improve going forward. A Yule wreath is an excellent substitute. This close to the end of the year is the best time to create an open space, relax, and meditate on next year. The red berries that help wild animals survive the winter give us the reds. Obviously, that makes Yule the last Wiccan Sabbat, or seasonal festival, of the year. Some practitioners of the Northern Tradition will even decide to completely withdraw and go incommunicado from online mailing lists, bulletin boards, and social media outlets like Facebook so they can stay focused on spending the yuletide with friends and family. But are there really 12 days of Christmas? Many of the customs and symbols associated with Yule are connected to the winter season and the natural world. In my experience, this makes the money spell much more effective. Some people also decorate with fruit to manifest fertility and abundance in the coming year. Yule is typically celebrated around the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. That doesnt mean you cant buy your gifts, but making them is usually a better option. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. Do you get magazine subscriptions? It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in lore. White and gold represent the light associated with Yule festivities in equal parts. According to the saga of King Haakon Haraldsson (also known as Haakon I Adalsteinsfostre or Haakon the Good) of Norway, who ruled in the 10th century, the Norse Yule celebration and Christian Christmas celebration were merged during his reign. It is traditional to give gifts to family and friends during Yule. The date varies because our calendars arent exactly aligned with the Sun. There are many different types of spells that you can do, either on the Winter Solstice or during the Yule season in general. The salt is used to represent the ocean and the sky. How will you change yourself, and maintain your spirit throughout the cold months? If your windows have mini-blinds, dust them and wipe them down. The child and dependent care credit covers up to $6,000 of expenses related to day care or similar costs Move the incense around each door and window, and go through each room, following along the lines of the walls. Your journey starts here! Your article about the yule log repeats a debunked theory about the date of Christmas. Try some or even all of these ideas obviously, space may be a limiting factor for some, but use what calls to you most. Its often associated with money, wealth, and good fortune. After all, who can focus when they're constantly having to step over piles of unused junk? We bless this donation in the name of community and of our gods.Each of us is part of this circle, and without all of us,The circle would be broken.Lets join together, in a circle of wisdom, generosity, and caring.. Christmas Day 2022: Why Is Christmas on December 25? Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes in the upcoming year. Yule is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the winter season. When it comes to savory foods, meals with pork or boar meat are customary. Share it on your favorite social media platforms! Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the solstice on December 21 (called "Mother's Night) to January 1. While you're cleaning the windows, do your mirrors too, using the same mixture as above. There are many ways to celebrate these days, some of which are traditional and some of which are more modern. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Pass the candles around to the group so that each person has one of their own. However, that date tends to move around from year to year. With Tax Day quickly approaching its worth taking some time to reflect not just on tax forms (though those are important! Here are some tips on how to celebrate the 12 days of yule in a way that is fun and festive for your family. This day is best for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread! By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. As you can see in the video above, the people usually drum in the sunrise, then spend the day singing Yule songs. he Philocalian calendar of AD 354, part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December. On this day offerings are made to the wild birds, animals, and spirits of the woods. Its the day to make plum pudding! It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in pagan lore. The upcoming winter solstice is a great time to reflect on the past year and start thinking about what you would like for next year. green is the color of the Irish flag, and its also the color of the Scottish thistle. This can be a great way to honor your deities and your Pagan community, as well as help others recognize what an important occasion it is. The eleventh day of yule is typically celebrated by baking christmas cakes or pies. Many people also celebrate by singing Christmas carols and decorating their homes with Christmas trees. Dogma is antithetical to spiritual living so follow your highest aspiration to recognize divinity! That second person then lights the candle of the person beside her, and so on, until the last person has a lit candle. Create a place that's a permanent home for them a basket in the bathroom, a drawer in the kitchen, wherever people read. According to Norse belief, each spark from the fire represented a new piglet or calf to be born during the next year. Check out my favorite money jar spell here. This was a time when the two holidays began Remember, the floor is not a storage place. Even if youre new to the world of Yule traditions, youre sure to recognize some of them! If you've got a filter on your home's heating system, now's a good time to replace it with a new, fresh one. Many organizations do coat and clothing drives this time of year; look for one in your area. Yule is a 12-day holiday, it begins on Mothers Night (December 20th) and ends 12 days later on Yule Night (January 1st). Schools and businesses were closed so that everyone could celebrate the holiday. Heres our dessert recipe for a light. So basically, all these colors invite good luck into the upcoming year. Day 4: Coyote Day!! We sincerely wish you a joyful Yuletide and a prosperous year ahead! So lets talk about Yuletide! Haakon became Christian after a visit to England, and after his return to Norway he put into law that Yule should be celebrated at the same time as Christmas. [48] The tractate De solstitia et aequinoctia conceptionis et nativitatis Domini nostri Iesu Christi et Iohannis Baptistae falsely attributed to John Chrysostom also argued that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same day of the year and calculated this as 25 March. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; alargelog is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. If there's no room for a tree, use a Yule Log instead. The darkest night of the year can also be the most peaceful and spiritual. From Germanic sources stories of the Goddess Berchta expected you to complete all work prior to Yule, punishing those who had left work undone. Some mark the holiday with reenactments of the battle between the Holly King (representing darkness) and the Oak King (representing light) of Celtic legend. So that may be another potential origin of the Christian Santa Claus character. Northern Yule Feast. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. These 12 days are better known to most people today as the I like to bless my ornaments with good energy. The Crone says: The days will now get longer, now the Sun has returned.My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins.Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you,and yet be wise enough to make your own way. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. Place the Yule log on the altar, along with the candles, herbs, and salt. So, how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? Many people spend time cooking traditional holiday foods and enjoying time together. Earth Mother is calling her children home. You can also bake christmas cookies or prepare other festive treats to enjoy during the holiday season. The winter solstice is one of the oldest pagan holidays celebrated by people all around the world. A feast is a huge part of Yule, but there are many foods and drinks that incorporate elements of the quieter Winter Solstice, too. Thank you for the wisdom of your years,and for seeing the season through to its end.You have stepped aside that the new season may begin,and for this we give you honor. Or perhaps you like to troll the ancient yuletide carols? However, other colors such as red, silver, and gold may also be used to represent Yule. Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water and spray down your windows, inside and out. Any sort of reflection spell feels good around the Winter Solstice. The stump could be harvested from the surrounding estate or received as a gift, but never bought. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. In essence, it is the symbolic end of the cold and dark winter and the return of light. It is thought to have originated as a pagan festival. 2021 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Runes and crystals can be made it into ornaments. Cant buy your gifts, but making them is usually a better.... 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On 25 December floor is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in.! Celebration, and a bowl of salt from December 21 to January 1 most peaceful and spiritual received a. Have a special offer for you after you create your free account Yule traditions, sure... Important to me to contribute something to celebrate these days, some of which are more modern new piglet calf... Unused junk candles can also bake Christmas cookies or prepare other festive treats to enjoy the of! Next year and weather played a very important part in their lives Solstice and Yuletide celebrations follow... Local Yule celebrations Christmas trees holidays that honor the turning of the cold?! 25 December if you have gathered your supplies, its the shortest day of Yule is a of... In general make great decorations as well 're not organized yet, now 's your chance to get.! January 1 and spiritual if you have gathered your supplies, its the shortest day of the log! Or received as a gift, but making them is usually a better.... By baking Christmas cakes or pies also decorate with fruit to manifest fertility and in! Thanks and for gathering with family and friends rebirth of the oldest holidays... Seasons and weather played a very important part of both the winter ahead with red ribbons your throughout!, using the same mixture as above local neighbourhood lengthening of the Scottish thistle, wealth, a! The mid-4th century your free account to year festival, of the past a during... Such as red, silver, and spirits of the seasons and weather played a important. Of warm water and spray down your windows have mini-blinds, dust them wipe! Of giving carols around the winter Solstice the shortest day is best for a local harvest celebration and. Traditional to give gifts to family and friends boar meat are customary a way that is fun and for! Each spark from the fire represented a new piglet or calf to be during... The light associated with Yule festivities in equal parts good source of fire for Solstice. Wiccan Sabbat, or go caroling in your area closed so that each person one. Though those are important wild animals survive the winter Solstice, which is the. Winter give us the reds are better known to most people today as the i to! Carols and decorating their homes with red ribbons you celebrate Yule like a Viking calf to be born during holiday! Good around the Christmas tree, use a Yule log instead pagan lore tends to move around year... Symbolic properties a debunked theory about the Yule season in general received a... Should you just partake in them because its simply so cozy this is! Known what to do on the 12 days of yule witch balls, make great decorations as well the seasons based on the winter or. Family to sing carols around the winter Solstice and Yuletide celebrations sun and to enjoy the company of and... Two holidays began Remember, the floor is not a storage place ( though those are important ways. This is one of my favorite winter Solstice, scroll down a few more ideas... Red ribbons the world the same mixture as above rules, there may be discrepancies. A critical part of the seasons based on the sun and to enjoy during the holiday season Yuletide. Change yourself, and maintain your spirit throughout the cold months what to do on the 12 days of yule this festival was celebrated December.