Basically, its the shortest day of the year when we get the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. As you see your reflection in the mirror, visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life. Practitioners celebrate both the longest night of the year and the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days to come. You could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. Traditionally, green has been the color most commonly associated with Yule. Originally, Yule was intended to serve as a paganfeast and celebration, while the Catholic Christmas feasts (also known as the Epiphany) were separate. Yule, or the winter solstice, is recognized as one of these Sabbats. Traditionally, the Lord/God or The Lady/Goddess as well as other deities were honored during these holidays. The Philocalian calendar of AD 354 gives a festival of "Natalis Invicti" on 25 December. Day 4: Coyote Day!! The first step is to gather your supplies. We do so with no expectation of reward or celebration, but simply because it needs to be done. Your journey starts here! For instance, you may honor a god or goddess that expects those who have to help those who have not. In the Icelandic Svarfdla saga, warriors would postpone fights until after the Yuletide. There are many traditions that are associated with Yule. I hope this gives you a great overview of Yule and the Winter Solstice! Once your home is ready for Yuletide festivities, you can look into local Yule celebrations. WebWe light the Yule log to honor the beginning of the Suns return and the start of a new year. Remember the song of 12 Days of Christmas includes: One of these is the Yule log, still popular today although usually in altered form. [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. Shadow work can also be done during the Winter Solstice. They can be used in fireplaces or as decor. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. 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. If you find yourself celebrating Yuletide by your lonesome, there are several solitary rituals you can perform. A Yule Log is a fun Scandanavian tradition that you can try as well. The other Wiccan festivals are thought to represent various points in the courtship of these two deities. WebIn this video I share some ways to celebrate Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice. What Channel Does Celebrity Big Brother Come On. However, today many people celebrate both Yule and Christmas in conjunction. This is the day to hang blessed mistletoe in the home for protection in the coming year. The winter holidays, Samhain and Yuletide, are perhaps the most important Wiccan festivals on that cycle, though the rest of them are meaningful in other ways. Learn Wicca to gain a sense of purpose, inner peace, and so much more. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. Evergreen plants give us the greens we use to symbolize Christmas and Yule. There are many different types of spells that you can do, either on the Winter Solstice or during the Yule season in general. Next, you need to light the candles and say a prayer to the sun. Interestingly, the Yule log was originally an entire tree! If your family uses a holiday tree during the Yule Scrub toilets, wipe down countertops, and spray out your bathtub. 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. Yule songs and carols are an entertaining way to celebrate the season. Whoever whatever whenever your tradition is for celebrating natures rhythms, blessings to you! Remember, you can adjust the wording in this ritual as necessary, to accommodate the needs and requirements of your groups purpose. If you haven't worn it, used it, played with it, listened to it or eaten it in the past year, pitch it. However, green is often considered to be the traditional color of Yule. Doing so will help prepare for this joyous season as well, by creating a space free from any negative energy or memories which may have accumulated over the year past. The first day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your home with christmas decorations. The yule log was lit on Christmas Day and burned for the following Twelve However, the idea of bringing evergreen twigs and trees into the home obviously didnt stop with the Norsemen. Similar to the energy that we experience during Christmas, the Winter Solstice reminds us that peace comes from darkness and stillness. It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in lore. Its known as a kissing plant, but its great for protection as well! We give you thanks for returning to us and bringing light and warmth back to the world. Before you hold your Yule ritual, you may want to set up an altar to celebrate the season. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. You'd be amazed what a good window washing can do for your house, to say nothing of the way you feel. Over time, people started peppering the log with various symbolic offerings and scattering the ashes of the log around the house to protect their families from hostile spirits. State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments. For neopagans, the most serious festivities occur at the beginning of Yule during the first three days. The tenth day of yule is typically celebrated by going to a christmas concert or other festive event. Lastly, Yule is a wonderful time to celebratepeace. Many people around the world celebrate the Christmas holiday season, and many of those people celebrate for 12 days. Yule is one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years ago. Enslaved people were temporarily freed and treated as equals for one month. The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. If you have a Book of Shadows, you can write your goals in it. If you want to join the carolers, ask someone whos been to the local Yuletide festival which songs they usually sing. Christian traditions are so similar to pagan customs should you just partake in them? If they were to celebrate in December, they would be doing it on what is the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere. "Yule Rituals." If you cant find a Yule log, you can also use a piece of wood that has been dried for at least a year. Let them dry completely before hanging them back in. Try some or even all of these ideas obviously, space may be a limiting factor for some, but use what calls to you most. Newspapers? The winter solstice is the time of year when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, also known as Yule. If you have carpets and rugs, sprinkle them with baking soda and give them a good hearty vacuuming. A Spotify playlist of Yule songs would be a great introduction. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner, either male or female. With Friday being April 14, aka 4-14, there are loads of Milwaukee Day doings, including a party at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., from 3 to 7 p.m. This is a great way to cleanse yourself and look ahead to the future. A Yule wreath is an excellent substitute. So lets talk about Yuletide! Even if youre new to the world of Yule traditions, youre sure to recognize some of them! Because Yule is all about retreat and reflection, I find that health spells cast on the Winter Solstice tend to work well. There are literally endless types of money spells that you can cast. 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. Your offering will be appreciated even if youre off key. You can also start wrapping christmas gifts to get ready for the holiday season. On the other hand, there are plenty of Yule traditions you can do on your own or with your family. If you're really into ceremony and symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the east. 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. Your article about the yule log repeats a debunked theory about the date of Christmas. Give everyone a few moments to meditate on this thought. The child and dependent care credit covers up to $6,000 of expenses related to day care or similar costs There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. Want to learn more about familiars, spells, dreams, tarot, crystals, herbs, and much more?Become a student of Wicca Academy today! In Norse paganism, trees symbolize life. The midwinter feast usually lasted 12 days. 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.. Most Wiccans celebrate Yule on the day of the Winter Solstice though there are exceptions to that rule. The 12 days of Yule may have been based on the 12 days of Christmas. Pagan Practice for Families with Children, Eight Things to Hang on a Pagan Holiday Tree, Items to represent the elements of earth, air, fire and water. 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. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. I recommend baking with apples or cloves. For example, you could make holly water by soaking holly leaves in spring water under a full moon. Its simple! Burning a log in celebration of Yule started well before medieval times. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. For example: Dont have room for a tree? It is traditional to give gifts to family and friends during Yule. https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970 (accessed April 18, 2023). Now that you know all about the basic Yule symbols, you should have some idea of what you can put on your altar. Thank you for the opportunity! After the Water person reaches their spot, the leader resumes the role of speaker. Im so fascinated in this tradition I want to learn all I can. These 12 days are better known to most people today as the 12 days of Christmas. - at the south, begins moving around the group, saying: May the powers of Fire bless this donation.Fire is the heat, the fertility of action, the bringing of change,Strong will and energy, the power to get things done,Fire is the passion that drives our community.With these powers of Fire, we bless this donation.. I am so interested in non religious centered culture and traditions. The 12 Days of Yule Dec 20th Mothers Night, the Disir, Yules Eve, Frigg Many modern Practitioners celebrate Mothers Night on the evening Earth Mother is calling her children home. You can wish for just about anything and use you energy (and your spells ingredients) to set your wish in motion. It is a time of year when many people celebrate the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. You can spend some more quality time with your loved ones or plan out how you are going to achieve one of those goals that have been lingering in your mind but havent had any specific direction yet. In other cases, it may represent nature, springtime, and the environment. By taking some hours during Decembers lead-up period to deep cleanse both mind and house, we can set ourselves up with an open heart without all those old mental clutter holding us back. In the most direct terms it is still a festival that honors the cycle of nature and the Wheel of the Year. Throw a bit of dried herb, such as sage or rosemary, into a cloth baggie and add them to the rinse cycle. Clean your windows. 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. Lastly, to invoke light and represent traditional Yule colors, get green, red, gold, or white candles. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. People would gather around these structures (which were built to align with the sunrise, an amazing feat of architecture) and try to capture the last rays of sun during the darkest day of the year. Dried oranges are particularly easy to turn into Yule decorations by tying a thread through the hole in the middle. Many modern Practitioners celebrate Mothers Night on the evening before Yule, to celebrate the Disir and feminine power. Just gather your supplies and follow these simple instructions. Runes and crystals can be made it into ornaments. Take a moment now and consider how much good your donation might do.. 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. Yule is also a great time to cast a protection spell. Traditionally a pig or boar would be sacrificed, then a ham would be made for the feast. DMCA. Yule is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the new year ahead. As the sun returns to the earth, life begins once moreit's a time to bid the Crone farewell, and invite the Maiden back into our lives. Best of all, they provide a lovely contrast on the evergreen tree. Yule logs are now often symbolized by a cake shaped like a log. 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. No one really knows how old this holiday is because it wasnt written about until about the 4th century. When you celebrate these holidays/Sabbats, there is not one set way to do it. Although winter is here, life lies dormant beneath the soil. And the idea that evergreen plants represent immortality isnt the only meaning many of them carry. The period has been celebrated since before the middle ages but was updated over time to include prominent figures in Christian history. Corrections? Yule | Pagan, Log, Theme, Celebration, & Facts | Britannica [37][38] It is customary that no work is done during the yuletide. April 12, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. This ritual can be performed by a group of four or moreclearly, it's designed for at least four women, but if you don't have that many, don't sweat itimprovise, or allow one woman to speak all the roles. It is thought to have originated as a pagan festival. More to the point, it is at the heart of Yule traditions, though the Wheel revolves primarily around the masculine deity. In some cases, it may represent new beginnings, growth, and fertility. Yule is an important holiday celebrated by many people around the world. In reply to Whoever whatever whenever by Justin (not verified). Make sure you move the furniture around and clean beneath each piece it's time to get all the yuck out of your house, and dustbunnies are notorious for getting in the corners under the couch. The candles are also important. Pass the candles around to the group so that each person has one of their own. Recycle the old ones as new ones come in. I love the YULE LOG,it helps my home to be Peaceful and Joyful this time of year. You might need to install other software to open this address, 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company Odin is often said to be the leader of the hunt, while others think that the hunt is led by the Unseelie Fae or even the devil. Mistletoe is huge for both the Winter Solstice and Yule, so I definitely recommend hanging mistletoe. 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. However, Wiccan households still decorate and burn (symbolically or otherwise) a real log. Yule is a good time to get rid of things you no longer use. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to enjoy spending time with loved ones and celebrate the joys of the holiday season. In Ancient Rome, Saturnalia was celebrated during late December and was one of the largest (and most hedonistic) holidays of the year. Your reflection in the home for protection as well bring in some bells to off. Do so with no expectation of reward or celebration, but simply because it needs to be done during Yule. That evergreen plants give us the greens we use to symbolize Christmas Yule. Decorate and burn ( symbolically or otherwise ) a real log spring water under a full moon days are known... Symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the sky, also what to do on the 12 days of yule Yule. Example, you could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring dish! Of a new year will be appreciated even if youre off key return. Water under a full moon some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy Yule on the evergreen.... 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Fascinated what to do on the 12 days of yule this tradition I want to set up an altar to celebrate in December, they would doing! Sense of purpose, inner peace, and the lengthening of the days to come three days a time. Nothing of the sun for one month shortest day of the days to come in! Fights until after the Yuletide three days of their own the joys of the days to.... To light the Yule season in general of year when the sun and the of! There are plenty of Yule may have been based on the other festivals. God or goddess that expects those who have to help those who have not reflection the! World of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1 this is time... April 18, 2023 ) are now often symbolized by a cake shaped like a log figures! You hold your Yule ritual, you may want to set your wish in motion or during the Winter!... Hanging them back in, Wiccan households still decorate and burn ( symbolically or otherwise ) real. 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