Yule: An Introction
Many cultures around the world celebrate the winter solstice. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year, taking place between December 20th and 23rd. Themes of fire and light during celebrations held on this darkest day of the year symbolize the rebirth of light and new beginnings.
Brief History
In Scandinavia, Yule was celebrated from December 21st through January, influencing many of today's Christmas traditions. The famous 12 Days of Christmas is a Norse tradition that believed Odin rode across the sky for 12 nights during this season, starting at the winter solstice. They also decorated evergreen trees with carvings of the gods, runes, clothing, and food. These items were thought to ward off evil spirits and encourage brighter ones to visit the home because they honored the gods. This tradition continues in people placing precious objects and sacred images on an evergreen tree, such as figures of angels, or putting a Christmas creche beneath the tree.
In Celtic tradition, at Yule, a tree was decorated outdoors to honor the sun god's birth, and gifts were offered. Evergreen trees symbolize the power of life to survive the year's seasons.
The burning of the Yule Log on a bonfire was another tradition. People gathered around the log to sing and throw a piece of holly into the flames, symbolizing the past year's challenges. A portion of the Yule Log was saved for the following year's fire.
Yule also celebrated the triumph of the Oak King over the Holly King, his brother. The two entities represented the seasons. The Oak King reigned over the earth from yule to midsummer, but the Holly King gained power from midsummer to yule. The exchange of control represented the cyclical nature of life.
The tradition of wassailing is akin to caroling. Wassailers went door to door, singing and drinking to the health of their neighbors. The concept dates back to fertility rites. Villagers traveled through their fields and orchards in the middle of winter, singing and shouting to drive away spirits that might inhibit the growth of future crops. They poured wine on the ground to encourage fertility in the crops.
In the fourth century, the birth of Jesus was instituted as a holiday, and December 25th was chosen. It is commonly believed this date was determined to adopt and absorb the traditions of pagan festivals.
correspondences
Colors: red, green, silver, white, gold
Plants: birch, cedar, oak, pine, fir, spruce, conifer, holly, ivy, sage, rosemary, thyme, mistletoe, peppermint, clove
Crystals: bloodstone, garnet, ruby, citrine
Goddesses: Aphrodite, Gaia, Holle,
Gods: Apollo, Dionysus, The Green Man, Odin, Saturn
Animals: bear, boar, stag, robin, wren, cardinal
Magical focus: darkness, divination, light, messages/ omens, purification, rebirth, transformation
