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. This is one of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions because its simply so cozy! The winter solstice is the growing suns season, so gold is used to correspond with the suns power and energy. You can also make christmas cards or decorations to give to loved ones. I like to bless my ornaments with good energy. 11 Ways to Reuse or Recycle a Christmas Tree. However, the idea of bringing evergreen twigs and trees into the home obviously didnt stop with the Norsemen. The Roman feast of Sol Invictus. Youd be surprised how realistic they feel; I swear these videos give off real fire energy. Yule isnt a great time for aggressive action, but it works well for self-care, which protection spells fall under. and "Happy Holidays!". Your journey starts here! The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. The period has been celebrated since before the middle ages but was updated over time to include prominent figures in Christian history. For pagans, Yule is a time to celebrate the god of the sun, while for Christians, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Yule is expected to last for twelve days which represents the twelve months of the year. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Christmas Day 2022: Why Is Christmas on December 25? Ultimately, there is no one answer to this question. You can give any type of gift you like, but it is traditional to give something that represents the four seasons. Wigington, Patti. From Germanic sources stories of the Goddess Berchta expected you to complete all work prior to Yule, punishing those who had left work undone. When everyone is ready, either end the rite, or continue on with additional rituals, such as Cakes and Ale or Drawing Down the Moon. Give everyone a few moments to meditate on this thought. The word Yule comes fromOld Englishgeol, which shares a history with the equivalent word from Old Norse, jl. TEA & ROSEMARY LLC, Check out my favorite money jar spell here, Crow Symbolism: Spiritual Meaning Of The Crow, 6 Effective Studying Spells For Exams, Class, & Enhanced Focus. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. Today Yule is still an important holiday. However, that date tends to move around from year to year. It is thought that the original Yule log was a large log that burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as 12 days. The celebration of the Yule holiday is a time to clean your home and purge everything that no longer serves you. Go ahead and cast those celebratory spells! Similarly, some Wiccans project a parallel ever-shifting nature onto the masculine deity. Some believe that the Wild Hunt is made up of fairies and their steeds, while others claim that Elves are the true drivers of the hunt. Like most winter solstice festivals, themes of light, fire, and feasting are common threads. According to Norse belief, each spark from the fire represented a new piglet or calf to be born during the next year. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the beginning of a new year. Yule is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the winter season. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. Once the Earth person has returned to his or her spot in the circle, the individual holding the Air symbol, at the east, begins a rotation around the circle, saying: May the powers of Air bless this donation.Air is the soul, the breath of life in a community.Wisdom and intuition, the knowledge we share freely,Air carries away troubles from our community.With these powers of Air, we bless this donation.. The idea that Christians chose to celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December because this was the date of an already existing festival of the Sol Invictus was expressed in an annotation to a manuscript of a work by 12th-century Syrian bishop Jacob Bar-Salibi. Its also a good time to whip up warding for the coming winter. This evening is to honor the male spirits that protect us. And the idea that evergreen plants represent immortality isnt the only meaning many of them carry. Try a different devotional each day, for the next twelve days,to give you food for thought during the holiday season or simply incorporate the ones that resonate with you into your seasonal rituals! WebWe light the Yule log to honor the beginning of the Suns return and the start of a new year. The Maiden then takes her candle and holds it while the HPs lights it for her. The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. After the solsticethe shortest day of the yearthe days once again begin to grow longer, so its thought that Yule was a celebration of the re-appearance of the Sun and the fertile landsrebirth. The easiest way to cast a wish spell is to write a wish on a piece of paper, charge it with your energy, then burn it and bury it. Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the solstice on December 21 (called "Mother's Night) to January 1. Generally, these people will wear seasonal colors or black, to represent the Sun God or the Goddess. Privacy Policy | You can also bake christmas cookies or prepare other festive treats to enjoy during the holiday season. But really, theres no manual stating when you have to start your celebration. Some of them will even dress up! Amen.". In essence, the Wheel represents the cycle of birth that is perpetually repeated year after year. Another remaining tradition is that of the Yule goat. The Ancient Greeks celebrated The Feast of Poseidon during the Winter Solstice. Yule is the perfect time to decorate! Let us take a few moments to consider what we have given. Copyright 2023 Wicca Academy. Learn Wicca to gain a sense of purpose, inner peace, and so much more. Many of the traditions that are celebrated during the 12 days of Christmas have been around for centuries. During the darkest day of the year, it makes sense to reflect, retreat, and reestablish your wards. Blessings ! Each of the eight festivals on the pagan calendar corresponds to the years main solar events, namely solstices, equinoxes, and the intervening cross-quarter events. Before you start decorating for Yule, you'll want to get things organized. Meat, therefore, was plentiful for a midwinter feast or to leave out as an offering. Use a broom to sweep out any little bits of dirt and grime it's also a symbolic way of sweeping negative energy out of your home. In fact, many consider holly berries to represent the blood involved in childbirth. This could be done as a family activity or you could read a different christmas story each day. Although winter is here, life lies dormant beneath the soil. For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. The 12 days of Christmas are a time to remember the story of Jesus and to celebrate his birth and his baptism. You can also eat any other foods that you like. Traditionally, the Lord/God or The Lady/Goddess as well as other deities were honored during these holidays. Yule is a 12 day holiday, it begins on Mothers Night (December 21st) and ends 12 days later on Yule Night (January 1st). Updates? The 12 days of Christmas are a time of tradition. On this 4th day is the time when social rules were turned upside down, gifts were exchanged, and disguises were worn. If your home has a common area like a family room or kitchen that tends to attract clutter, get a basket for each person who lives there. There is no shame to be found in accepting help, and there is no superiority in providing it. In the story of the birth of the Sun God, you can see why Yuletide represents the return of light after a long winter. I really enjoy giving back on this darkest day; it just seems important to me. State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments. Yule is typically celebrated around the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. There are both traditional songs honoring gods and goddesses, and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule holiday. In my experience, this makes the money spell much more effective. The red berries that help wild animals survive the winter give us the reds. as the date of the death of Jesus and having conception and death on the same date signified a divine cycle. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; alargelog is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Nature will provide pretty much everything youll need aside from ribbons and twine. This solstice generally falls on or near the 21st of Dec. Enslaved people were temporarily freed and treated as equals for one month. Many people spend time cooking traditional holiday foods and enjoying time together. Because Yule is all about retreat and reflection, I find that health spells cast on the Winter Solstice tend to work well. Remember, the floor is not a storage place. Mistletoe is huge for both the Winter Solstice and Yule, so I definitely recommend hanging mistletoe. Yule Rituals. Traditional Yule gifts are less commercialized than other holiday gifts. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. Many organizations do coat and clothing drives this time of year; look for one in your area. If you choose to open gifts one at a time, you can either do it on the second day of yule or save it for christmas day. Symbolically speaking and in accordance with Neopagan traditions, Yule represents the rebirth of God after his death in Samhain and it is the first seasonal ritual of the Wheel of the year. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. Yule is a pagan holiday that goes back thousands of years and was celebrated by the Germanic peoples of Germany and Scandinavia. The yule log was lit on Christmas Day and burned for the following Twelve Days of Christmas. You could also use the purple and pink Advent candles. [37][38] There are many different types of spells that you can do, either on the Winter Solstice or during the Yule season in general. Earth Mother is calling her children home. Instead of 5 golden rings, you can give 5 golden doughnut rings and instead of 2 turtledoves, give 2 Dove chocolate bars. ), but also on the current state of state tax policy. Yule logs are now often symbolized by a cake shaped like a log. The eighth day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your christmas tree. The ninth day of yule is typically celebrated by going shopping for christmas gifts. So lets talk about Yuletide! Its roots are complicated and difficult to trace, although there are several theories about how and why the festival was celebrated. During the Winter Solstice, you can celebrate light (as the days will get lighter from here on out), friendship, health, winter, darkness, and just about anything else youd like. This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! WebA Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule - Jenn Campus Many people around the world celebrate the Christmas holiday season, and many of those people celebrate for 12 days. Yule is a 12-day holiday, it begins on Mothers Night (December 20th) and ends 12 days later on Yule Night (January 1st). Now by reading your stories I think that's inaccurate. Many of these ingredients are thought to have protective properties. Here are the themes for each traditional day of Yule based on the twelve astrological houses and the values of the Wheel of the Year. These 12 days are better known to most people today as the Thank you for the opportunity! Modern practices include the nightly lighting of candles honoring the Nine Noble Virtues which come from Odinism or Asatruism. Alternatively or additionally you can cast spells for luck, abundance, appreciation. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the garden! Most of these spells are about positivity and looking ahead. Finally, the most important part of Yule is the Christmas tree. I do believe that there is some truth to the hunt. Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes in the upcoming year. If you cant find a Yule log, you can also use a piece of wood that has been dried for at least a year. Winter is represented by fir, Spring by daffodils, Summer by roses, and Fall by oak leaves. Scrub toilets, wipe down countertops, and spray out your bathtub. With that in mind, lets talk about Yule symbols. If your tradition requires you to formally cast a circle, do so now. This rite is one the whole family can do together. Dried oranges are particularly easy to turn into Yule decorations by tying a thread through the hole in the middle. April 12, 2023.ITEP Staff. But are there really 12 days of Christmas? Its known as a kissing plant, but its great for protection as well! So, throughout the year, the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Clean baseboards and other woodwork. You could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. The seventh day of yule is typically celebrated by reading christmas stories. If you are in the woodlot, plan to cut some of that white birch into Yule logs for your friends. At this time, the High Priestess should invite anyone who wishes to make an offering to the Goddess to come do so offerings can be placed on the altar, or if you're outdoors, in a fire. The 12 days of yule are a festive time leading up to Christmas. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. So why is green typically associated with Yule? Shadow work can also be done during the Winter Solstice. Many of the traditions that are celebrated during the 12 days of Christmas have been around for centuries. Before you hold your Yule ritual, you may want to set up an altar to celebrate the season. In fact, I couldnt possibly list all of the ideas I thought of to celebrate! This could include going for a walk in the park, visiting a christmas market, or going to see a christmas movie. The HPs concludes the rite by saying: We make these offerings tonight,to show our love to you, O Goddess.Please accept our gifts, and know thatwe are entering this new season with joy in our hearts. Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water and spray down your windows, inside and out. Light a log on one end and let it burn; feast until the log burns itself out. Of course, selecting March 25 for the conception was also rather arbitrary, it being calculated [?] If nothing else, gathering items associated with Yule is much easier and cheaper than getting Christmas decorations. After the prayer, its time to start the celebration! Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. There are many traditions that are associated with Yule. Love this article? Similar to the energy that we experience during Christmas, the Winter Solstice reminds us that peace comes from darkness and stillness. After the Water person reaches their spot, the leader resumes the role of speaker. A Yule Log is a fun Scandanavian tradition that you can try as well. One of the most important parts of Yule is the food. But what is the significance of the Wheel in the Wiccan tradition? The ancients knew that the winter solstice was the longest night of the yearand that meant that the sun was beginning its long journey back towards earth. This celebration centers around the caretaker (s) of the household, as they will invite the dead and living to join the festivities and bestow good wishes for family and friends. In Norse paganism, trees symbolize life. Yule is also a great time to cast a protection spell. I put candles (in safe places) all over my home and keep our day bright, even though the sky is dark. Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of each. However, green is often considered to be the traditional color of Yule. Even if youre new to the world of Yule traditions, youre sure to recognize some of them! Alison Eldridge is Managing Editor, Strategic Content at Encyclopaedia Britannica. Best of all, they provide a lovely contrast on the evergreen tree. You can also decorate a holiday tree during Theres laughter, caroling, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right. Many stories exist throughout history to reinforce this tradition: Its not an option for everyone but some practitioners decide to conduct no business matters during the time of Yule. Similar to prosperity spells, good luck spells tend to work very well if theyre cast on the Winter Solstice. Later, each town would host a public banquet and sacrifice animals in the name of the feast, which lasted formany days and was one of the biggest festivals of the year. Pre-Christianity, many believed that the hunt signified good or bad things to come, depending on the sounds you heard from the sky. Lastly, ginger tea and spiced cider complete the spread. Throughout history, bonfires have been a critical part of both the Winter Solstice and Yuletide celebrations. The Yule log is an important part of the celebration. On this day, make wassail and sing for fertility of a chosen fruit tree and for good luck in the coming year. However, this long night is also an opportunity for a cleansing of the soul, just like the New Moon. In reply to Whoever whatever whenever by Justin (not verified). However, this has been disputed in recent years, at least one historian positing that jol was a new year festival intended to set the tone for the months ahead. This tradition originated in Norway, where people would put a large ash log onto the hearth on the night of the Winter Solstice to celebrate the return of the sun. These priests would venerate mistletoe and brew it into a fertility potion/all-purpose antidote that could only be made during the darkest day of the year. Yule is a time to celebrate the hope of returning light and life. While youre at it, you can also decorate the rest of your home. Many churches use white as the color of Christmas. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. Why not take a moment to offer upa prayer on Yule? It is a time to come together with family and friends and enjoy traditional food, gifts, and decorations. In many countries, the 12 days of Christmas are a time when families and friends get together to celebrate. In essence, it is the symbolic end of the cold and dark winter and the return of light. Red, green, white, and gold are great options for clothing during Yule as well. Day 3: The Feast of Reflection. If youre just looking for easy ways to celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice, scroll down a few sections. Northern Yule Feast. If you can't get something put away, get rid of it. You're not obligated to keep things you don't like, don't need, or don't use, and the less physical clutter you have laying around, the easier it is to function on an emotional and spiritual level. After decorating the log, a family might burn it in a hearth or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs. It is typically celebrated on December 21st or 22nd. Burning a log in celebration of Yule started well before medieval times. In the most direct terms, it is still a festival that honors the cycle of nature and the Wheel of the Year. Or if you want to keep it low-key, just prepare a festive dinner for your loved ones! One of these is the Yule log, still popular today although usually in altered form. Yule, or the winter solstice, is recognized as one of these Sabbats. If you believe in the dark night of the soul, then there truly is no better day! However, because this ritual invokes the four elements, and thus the four directions, you may wish to skip this step if youre pressed for time. Your offering will be appreciated even if youre off key. For example: Dont have room for a tree? Today,Yule and Yuletidearelargely synonymous with Christmas and Christmastide, but the meaning behindYule is quite different from that of the Christianholiday. Customs and traditions associated withYule vary widely. You can also make holiday cards or decorations to give to loved ones. In towns and cities throughout Sweden during the Christmas season, large goats are constructed out of straw. About a month before Yule rolls in, start thinking about all the clutter you've accumulated over the past year. They can be used in fireplaces or as decor. A holiday celebration that began in Norway, on the night of the winter solstice it was common to hoist a giant log onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. Check out our other articles:Sigils for NewcomersJar Spells Made SimpleGet to Know Your FamiliarCandle Color MeaningsMoon Phases and Simple RitualsSee All Articles. The first thing you'll need is aYule Log. From this point Christmas continued to overtake Yule, although some vestiges of the original celebration remain. But how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? Finally, the Mother lights the candle held by the Crone. Do you get magazine subscriptions? It is traditional to give gifts to family and friends during Yule. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. So what is the Winter Solstice all about? Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. It is a time for giving thanks he Philocalian calendar of AD 354, part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. You can also make a delicious tea with rosehip, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, or cloves for warmth. Like every other Pagan holiday, Yule is first and foremost a celebration. On day three, we prepare a large meal together and toast to abundance, our the accomplishments of the past year and we declare our aspirations for the year to come. Yuleis the time of year when Pagans around the world celebrate the Winter Solstice. Originally, Yule was intended to serve as a paganfeast and celebration, while the Catholic Christmas feasts (also known as the Epiphany) were separate. Some modern celebrations of Yule attempt to re-create ancient traditions, while others have been adapted or reimagined to suit contemporary personal and religious practices. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. I love learning about the old traditions and ways. St. Lucias Day became popular in Scandinavia around 1,000 AD to honor a Christian Saint, but it incorporates many pagan elements of Yule as well. (2020, August 28). The 12 Days of Yule Dec 20th Mothers Night, the Disir, Yules Eve, Frigg Many modern Practitioners celebrate Mothers Night on the evening If you like working with crystals and precious stones, there are several options you can use during Yuletide, including: As discussed, you can either do this the day before Yule or right after Samhain. The candles are also important. Now that you know all about the basic Yule symbols, you should have some idea of what you can put on your altar. This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. We give what we can, when we can, to aid those in need. They represent the light of the sun and are used to help guide the sun back to us. Many Pagans, especially those You dont even have to have a Yule log even lighting some candles at your altar would be enough. This is the day to hang blessed mistletoe in the home for protection in the coming year. One of the earliest known references to Yule is from English monk and historian Bede, who wrote in the early 8th century about giuli, a period in the old pagan calendar used by Germanic groups such as the Norse and the Anglo-Saxons. Ill also leave food in the woods for animals who wont venture to my home, and Ill give energy to any trees who are suffering during the winter months. The celebration of Yuleis one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Instead, Im pretty sure the hunt is a fairy celebration. the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms, Holly has protective properties and is therefore useful for warding off bad luck or unwanted spirits, Mistletoe represents fertility and healing according to pagan beliefs, it loses its power if it touches the ground, which is why we hang it up, Pine also brings healing and joy into the home, Ivy represents resurrection, rebirth, and immortality, Rubies, which summon protection, prosperity, as well as love and sexual passion, Bloodstones, which boost energy, motivation, and help you make good decisions, Garnets, which are manifesting stones that can reveal your purpose, Apatite stones, which can make you more motivated to pursue your dreams, Emeralds, which summon prosperity and healing.