Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. You can also decorate a holiday tree during 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. In the story of the birth of the Sun God, you can see why Yuletide represents the return of light after a long winter. The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. Its believed that Yuletide was celebrated for a period of about 12-days. Traditional Yule gifts are less commercialized than other holiday gifts. Its a chance to look ahead to the year to come and begin again. 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! Use an environmentally-friendly cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. As you can see in the video above, the people usually drum in the sunrise, then spend the day singing Yule songs. I like to leave out offerings during the Winter Solstice. Happy Yule! Instead of 5 golden rings, you can give 5 golden doughnut rings and instead of 2 turtledoves, give 2 Dove chocolate bars. The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. Love this article? Its also a good time to whip up warding for the coming winter. Of course, some Wiccans believe that the end-of-the-year festivities should start on Samhain, which is also known as the Witches New Year. Another important part of the celebration is the gift giving. Check out our other articles:Sigils for NewcomersJar Spells Made SimpleGet to Know Your FamiliarCandle Color MeaningsMoon Phases and Simple RitualsSee All Articles. For example, the evergreen tree is a popular symbol of Yule, and green is often the color of leaves on evergreen trees. 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. Yule logs are now often symbolized by a cake shaped like a log. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yule-festival, celebrating the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Families would bring the trunk of the Yule tree inside and stick the big end of it into the fireplace. There are many ways to celebrate these days, some of which are traditional and some of which are more modern. Before you drop them off, why notinvoke the elementsto do a formal blessing of the donated items? 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. 2021 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But you dont have to incorporate that custom if you dont want to. The tenth day of yule is typically celebrated by going to a christmas concert or other festive event. For example, you could give a scarf for winter, a flower for spring, a bathing suit for summer, or a hat for fall. The Winter Solstice was celebrated as early as the Stone Age, when Newgrange in Ireland and Maeshowe in Scotland were constructed. The wind gets colder as winter deepens. Yule is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the winter season. If you make it a week or two in advance, you can enjoy it as a centerpiece prior to burning it in the ceremony. Other natural items like pine cones, herbs, The fourth day of yule is typically celebrated by spending time with loved ones. Many organizations do coat and clothing drives this time of year; look for one in your area. 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. Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of each. But really, theres no manual stating when you have to start your celebration. If they were to celebrate in December, they would be doing it on what is the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere. This could be done as a family activity or you could read a different christmas story each day. The point of Yule decorations is ideally to use things youve had a hand in making, not items youve purchased. However, that date tends to move around from year to year. [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. Lastly, ginger tea and spiced cider complete the spread. Many of these ingredients are thought to have protective properties. Our towns Boy Scout troop drilled holes in birch logs to create special candle holders for Scoutceremonies. Or if you want to keep it low-key, just prepare a festive dinner for your loved ones! Or perhaps you like to troll the ancient yuletide carols? Like many Christian holidays that have their roots in pagan celebrations, Christmas is basically Yule in disguise. 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. Notably, stories about the god describe him as having a long beard which is potentially what inspired old Saint Nicks appearance. Tonight, light candles in the house to fill the home with light and hope. Why not take a moment to offer upa prayer on Yule? December 21 is for self reflection and rebirth. Let us take a few moments to consider what we have given. Its not uncommon toattend a Pagan eventin which guests are invited to donate clothing, canned goods, toiletries, books, and even pet care products. If you're really into ceremony and symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the east. Pre-Christianity, many believed that the hunt signified good or bad things to come, depending on the sounds you heard from the sky. You might need to install other software to open this address, 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company 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. According to that way of thinking, a tree is at the very core of the universe. The last day of Yule and the year, bless the house for protection and drive out the last of the wandering Yule spirits. Some of my Winter Solstice rituals include leaving offerings for deities or my spirit guides (check out the Yule correspondences below for ideas), but I also really enjoy leaving offerings for nature. There are several cheeky pagan versions of established wintertime classics, such as Dancing in the Wiccan Wonderland. If you want to celebrate Yule/the Winter Solstice at home, there are endless ways to do this. Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970. Many people around the world celebrate the Christmas holiday season, and many of those people celebrate for 12 days. Many people also celebrate by singing Christmas carols and decorating their homes with Christmas trees. Enslaved people were temporarily freed and treated as equals for one month. Record Store Day, which happens Saturday in Maine and all around the world, is the equivalent of Christmas and your birthday to those who love, collect and listen to vinyl Customs and traditions associated withYule vary widely. If you want to go all out, you can praise the sun and pray for a prosperous year. Yule is the perfect time to decorate! Scrub toilets, wipe down countertops, and spray out your bathtub. That doesnt mean you cant buy your gifts, but making them is usually a better option. This blog post will provide an overview of Yule in general, including its history as well as some popular rituals and traditions you can use to celebrate the holiday! Later, when Christianity came to the British Isles, Christians adoptedaspects of the pagan festival into a celebration of the birth of Christ. 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. If your windows have mini-blinds, dust them and wipe them down. Its a day to pull out preferred divination sets and use them for the coming year. You can say whatever you like, but here is an example: "Hail, sun! Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. In reply to Whoever whatever whenever by Justin (not verified). Since you shouldnt disturb living plants, try to only gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you find on the ground. The oldest female present should take on the role of High Priestess (HPs) to lead the ceremony. Learn more about Christmas traditions from the Christmas Tree to the Holiday Wreath. Newspapers? Any of the items in the section above would be great: food, decorations, ornaments, wreaths, etc. In Norse paganism, trees symbolize life. Firefox doesnt know how to open this address, because one of the following protocols (applewebdata) isnt associated with any program or is not allowed in this context. Go ahead and cast those celebratory spells! Here are some great Yule rituals that you can do to celebrate this winter Sabbat, either as part of a group or as a solitary. Apple Music Classical app - HOW TO PRE-ORDER. WebA Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule - Jenn Campus The Maiden then takes her candle and holds it while the HPs lights it for her. 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. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. You'd be amazed what a good window washing can do for your house, to say nothing of the way you feel. A Yule tree or wreath may have red and gold ribbons on it as well as decorative lights. If you have curtains, take them down and launder them. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. Dogma is antithetical to spiritual living so follow your highest aspiration to recognize divinity! This color roots the festival in nature and also symbolizes abundance since it is the color of money. 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. Yuletide is associated with many festive foods, particularly of the sweet and spicy variety. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). This day is best for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread! 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. Today Yule is still an important holiday. Today, Wiccans would get a 1418-inch long log and decorate it with dried berries, evergreen twigs, pine cones, ribbons, feathers, and cinnamon sticks. It was a time of celebration, and for rejoicing in the knowledge that soon, the warm days of spring would return, and the dormant earth would come back to life. Happy Yule!!! Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. It is generally agreed that Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol, although assessments of the purpose and traditions vary. Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. Perform this ritual to celebrate the return of the sun. The Fae can be a bit more provocative and aggressive than humans, so its hard for us to understand what a celebration looks like. But what is the significance of the Wheel in the Wiccan tradition? Yule is a time to celebrate the winter solstice and the return of the sun. [49] Each member of the family should be responsible for their own belongings. Because the veil is so thin between our world and the Otherworld (the world where Fae reside), we might be able to hear pieces of the hunt. Dressing for the season is a fun and festive way to prepare for the holiday. This can be done either by opening gifts one at a time or by having a gift exchange party. 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. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. WebWe light the Yule log to honor the beginning of the Suns return and the start of a new year. If you have multiple levels, continue up and down stairs as needed. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? These are just some of the ways that you can celebrate the 12 days of yule. 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. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner, either male or female. Tied with red ribbon, such logs make ideal Christmasgifts! There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. Share it on your favorite social media platforms! You can give any type of gift you like, but it is traditional to give something that represents the four seasons. Finally, the most important part of Yule is the Christmas tree. Yuletide concludes with the celebration on the Twelfth Night, which often coincides with the modern New Year celebrationfull of revelry, food, and drink. If you're not organized yet, now's your chance to get there. Get your bathroom clean. The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, December 25, and last right through until January 6 - also known as Three Kings' Day or Epiphany. What Is Yule? Evergreen plants give us the greens we use to symbolize Christmas and Yule. Lastly, Yule is a wonderful time to celebratepeace. The yule log was lit on Christmas Day and burned for the following Twelve Which can be viewed as each month of the preceding year in summary. You can also make a delicious tea with rosehip, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, or cloves for warmth. The celebration of Yuleis one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Perhaps your deity has blessed you in some special way, and to honor him or her, you want to share your good fortune with others. If you have carpets and rugs, sprinkle them with baking soda and give them a good hearty vacuuming. Wigington, Patti. I love learning about the old traditions and ways. 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? I am so interested in non religious centered culture and traditions. April 12, 2023. The leader of the ritual begins with the following: We gather today to celebrate community.To honor those who contribute selflessly,Those who contribute what they have to those who have nothing,Those who speak out for those who have no voice,Those who give to others without taking for themselves.Each of you has contributed something to this community today.Whether it is a monetary donation, a packaged good, or simply your time,We thank you.We honor you for what you have given, and we celebrate these donationsBy blessing them before they move on.We call upon the elements to honor the many aspects of community today.. Burning a log in celebration of Yule started well before medieval times. Vikings decorated evergreen trees with gifts such as food, carvings, and food for the tree spirits to encourage them to return About a month before Yule rolls in, start thinking about all the clutter you've accumulated over the past year. The word Yule comes fromOld Englishgeol, which shares a history with the equivalent word from Old Norse, jl. Many people spend time cooking traditional holiday foods and enjoying time together. Each culture may associate a different color with Yule, depending on their own traditions and customs. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. 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). This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. Donations are then presented to local aid groups, food pantries, libraries, and shelters. I love the YULE LOG,it helps my home to be Peaceful and Joyful this time of year. Learn more about thiscenturies-old festival and its traditions (including the Yule logcake!). But if those options arent available to you, you could attach a few candles to the log and burn it symbolically. "Yule Rituals." The Saga of Hakon the Good also speaks that the Yule was to be kept holy. Gather up kin and enjoy each other before travel becomes too difficult. Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. After all, this dark night is an opportunity to reflect. or "Happy Holidays!". Here are more fun Yule ornaments that can be made at home. Like at every solstice, we acknowledge that darkness will always be defeated by this brighter side, with each day continuing to get longer as we head towards our beloved summertime! Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes in the upcoming year. 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