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meridian_roseCelebrated at the 21st or 22nd of December this marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemipshere while Litha is celebrated as the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. It is of course close to Christmas Day while that is also the feast day of Frau Holle, a Scandinavian spirit who is honored as the embodiment of nature and the woods. There's an article at About.Com on the History Of Yule and the various global celebrations held on or near the solstice.
~Magickal Graphics~
Yule for many modern pagans is about the recognition of the return of the light, of new beginnings, a time of reflection on the past and a time to celebrate another year over and the hope of spring to come.
Holly, ivy, mistletoe and evergreens are in plentiful supply for Christmas and make great decorations, as do star and gingerbread themed ornaments. I love combining as many facets of Yule and Christmas as possible. Red, green, gold and white are great colours to use at this time of year.
Some people like to try divination at this time, although it isn't as powerful a time as Samhain; some like to wait until the New Year. It's a good time to think about the things you're thankful for and the things you want in your life over the next year.
It's one of, if not my favourite, festivals. The return of the light before we seem doomed to perish from cold and hunger! This is my spiritual celebration and Christmas is my secular celebration with the wider family.
For reference, here's a list of winter solstice correspondences and of Deities of the Winter Solstice
The Fire Bucket
I don't usually keep the Yule log, the last piece of wood from the previous year's fire, but if you do, this is a time to burn it. Some mulled wine and home made cookies in front of the outdoor fire pit, fire bucket, chimenea or whatever else you can find is a great way to celebrate Yule. The best cookie and a small portion of the wine as libation are a suitable offering to the gods and the libation is a form of wassailing – if you have fruit trees pour it near them. The wassailing tradition honours the apple trees with singing and cider from their fruit in the hope of a good harvest next year.
While the fire burns, you might want to burn a copy of the list of thanks and goals you've written down. Some cultures believe this is the way to send a message to the gods or even to send a letter to Santa.
The Oak King and the Holly King
Source
Secular Fun
For secular traditions at/around Yuletide (Yule-6 Jan) I love reading Hogfather and watching Nightmare Before Christmas and listening to all sorts of holiday songs!
The Educational Bit
In previous years I have written about the Pagan secrets of the festive season and how Religions intertwine during the winter solstice. This year I want to highlight three more articles:
10 Christmas Customs with Pagan Roots - includes carolling, gift giving, tree decorating, use of mistletoe, holly, and the Yule Log.
10 Reasons to Enjoy the Winter Solstice - includes music, food, decorating, and my favourite, The Return of the Sun :
The Forgotten Female Figures of Christmas mentions the Germanic holiday of Mōdraniht, Saint Lucia, and the aforementioned Frau Holle, amongst others.
Links/further reading
Previous Yule posts
The Magical Colors of Yule
Ten Things to Hang on a Pagan Holiday Tree
Yule Rites and Rituals
Winter Customs Around the World
All about Yule
Celebrations Through the Ages
Songs for your Yule Playlist
~Magickal Graphics~
Yule for many modern pagans is about the recognition of the return of the light, of new beginnings, a time of reflection on the past and a time to celebrate another year over and the hope of spring to come.
Holly, ivy, mistletoe and evergreens are in plentiful supply for Christmas and make great decorations, as do star and gingerbread themed ornaments. I love combining as many facets of Yule and Christmas as possible. Red, green, gold and white are great colours to use at this time of year.
Some people like to try divination at this time, although it isn't as powerful a time as Samhain; some like to wait until the New Year. It's a good time to think about the things you're thankful for and the things you want in your life over the next year.
It's one of, if not my favourite, festivals. The return of the light before we seem doomed to perish from cold and hunger! This is my spiritual celebration and Christmas is my secular celebration with the wider family.
For reference, here's a list of winter solstice correspondences and of Deities of the Winter Solstice
The Fire Bucket
I don't usually keep the Yule log, the last piece of wood from the previous year's fire, but if you do, this is a time to burn it. Some mulled wine and home made cookies in front of the outdoor fire pit, fire bucket, chimenea or whatever else you can find is a great way to celebrate Yule. The best cookie and a small portion of the wine as libation are a suitable offering to the gods and the libation is a form of wassailing – if you have fruit trees pour it near them. The wassailing tradition honours the apple trees with singing and cider from their fruit in the hope of a good harvest next year.
While the fire burns, you might want to burn a copy of the list of thanks and goals you've written down. Some cultures believe this is the way to send a message to the gods or even to send a letter to Santa.
The Oak King and the Holly King
In many Celtic-based traditions of neopaganism, there is the enduring legend of the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. These two mighty rulers fight for supremacy as the Wheel of the Year turns each season. At the Winter Solstice, or Yule, the Oak King kills the Holly King, and then reigns until Midsummer, or Litha. Once the Summer Solstice arrives, the Holly King returns to do battle with the old king, and defeats him. The Holly King them rules until Yule.
In some Wiccan traditions, the Oak King and the Holly King are seen as dual aspects of the Horned God…Often, these two entities are portrayed in familiar ways - the Holly King frequently appears as a woodsy version of Santa Claus.
Source
Secular Fun
For secular traditions at/around Yuletide (Yule-6 Jan) I love reading Hogfather and watching Nightmare Before Christmas and listening to all sorts of holiday songs!
The Educational Bit
In previous years I have written about the Pagan secrets of the festive season and how Religions intertwine during the winter solstice. This year I want to highlight three more articles:
10 Christmas Customs with Pagan Roots - includes carolling, gift giving, tree decorating, use of mistletoe, holly, and the Yule Log.
10 Reasons to Enjoy the Winter Solstice - includes music, food, decorating, and my favourite, The Return of the Sun :
The days are going to start getting longer again. Aren't you tired of it getting dark before you eat dinner? Of course you are. However, when the nights are long and the sun has gone down, there are plenty of ways for you and your family to get some quality time together. Build a fire, read some stories together, play board games, and hunker down for the chilly nights. Then at Yule, celebrate the return of the sun.
The Forgotten Female Figures of Christmas mentions the Germanic holiday of Mōdraniht, Saint Lucia, and the aforementioned Frau Holle, amongst others.
Links/further reading
Previous Yule posts
The Magical Colors of Yule
Ten Things to Hang on a Pagan Holiday Tree
Yule Rites and Rituals
Winter Customs Around the World
All about Yule
Celebrations Through the Ages
Songs for your Yule Playlist
