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. Theres laughter, caroling, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right. You might need to install other software to open this address, 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company But what is the significance of the Wheel in the Wiccan tradition? Some people believe that the Yule log must smolder for twelve days and nights to bring happiness and abundance into the following twelve months. The origins of Yule are a bit of a mystery. [43][45][46] It was a traditional Jewish belief that great men lived a whole number of years, without fractions, so that Jesus was considered to have been conceived on 25 March, as he died on 25 March, which was calculated to have coincided with 14 Nisan. THE 12 DAYS OF YULE IN MODERN PRACTICE While we do not have clear historical evidence pointing to how each day of Yule was celebrated, that hasnt stopped However, that date tends to move around from year to year. Later, when Christianity came to the British Isles, Christians adoptedaspects of the pagan festival into a celebration of the birth of Christ. Yule | Pagan, Log, Theme, Celebration, & Facts | Britannica Green is also considered to be a lucky color in many cultures. It is customary that no work is done during the yuletide. This can include a christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and other festive decorations. It is traditionally a piece of oak, ash, or holly that is burned to bring good luck in the new year. Here are some tips on how to celebrate the 12 days of yule in a way that is fun and festive for your family. Bring in a Yule tree and decorate it with dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, strings of popcorn, and other low-cost options. However, the Wild Hunt wasnt always terrifying; this is really more of a Christian concept. Dont be surprised if you hear some familiar tunes. Historically, Yule was celebrated by various Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. The other Wiccan festivals are thought to represent various points in the courtship of these two deities. Traditional Yule gifts are less commercialized than other holiday gifts. Or perhaps you like to troll the ancient yuletide carols? 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. Most Wiccans celebrate Yule on the day of the Winter Solstice though there are exceptions to that rule. After all, that is when the shortest day is on that side of the planet. The 12 days of yule are a festive time leading up to Christmas. The first thing you'll need is aYule Log. In many modern Pagan communities, an emphasis is placed on the idea of helping those in need. 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. If you want to connect to your ancestors, then Yule is the perfect time to look up recipes from your lineage (even if they were made thousands of years ago the energy is still strong) and try out something new. Tonight, light candles in the house to fill the home with light and hope. Notably, stories about the god describe him as having a long beard which is potentially what inspired old Saint Nicks appearance. Both these words referred to a midwinter festival centered around the winter solstice, which traditionally marked the halfway point of the winter season. There is, of course, the traditional route with a slight variation. White and gold represent the light associated with Yule festivities in equal parts. You could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. These holidays represent birth, death, and rebirth. When it comes to savory foods, meals with pork or boar meat are customary. You dont have to be a musician. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. Its a day to pull out preferred divination sets and use them for the coming year. If you can't stand the smell of vinegar, toss some lemon verbena or lemon balm in the mixture. For example: Dont have room for a tree? Although the word itself was first noted around 1475, the holiday was, by all accounts, present before that. Or if you want to keep it low-key, just prepare a festive dinner for your loved ones! In my experience, this makes the money spell much more effective. And the idea that evergreen plants represent immortality isnt the only meaning many of them carry. Learn Wicca to gain a sense of purpose, inner peace, and so much more. Because the Winter Solstice represents the end of a year if you follow the sun, then I recommend that you do a bit of divination to see what your next year will bring. The point of Yule decorations is ideally to use things youve had a hand in making, not items youve purchased. Some people like to add a small incantation to the process, like this one: Yule is here, and I smudge this place,Fresh and clean, in time and space.Sage and sweetgrass, burning free,as the sun returns, so it shall be. "Merry Christmas!" then simply light a fire during the morning and let it burn all day. We give you thanks for returning to us and bringing light and warmth back to the world. Christmas Day 2022: Why Is Christmas on December 25? The meaning of the color green can vary depending on the culture. The winter season should be a time of hopeful contemplation for everyone, whether they celebrate Yule in the Wiccan fashion or opt for more mainstream festivities. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to enjoy spending time with loved ones and celebrate the joys of the holiday season. The Yule log would feed the fire through the 12 Days of Christmas (from Christmas Day through the evening of the 5th of Januaryknown as TwelfthNight). Giuli was a two-month span that marked the time when sunlight began to increase again at the winter solstice. Interestingly, the Yule log was originally an entire tree! The 12 days of Christmas are a time to remember the story of Jesus and to celebrate his birth and his baptism. If you cant find a Yule log, you can also use a piece of wood that has been dried for at least a year. 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. Heres our dessert recipe for a light. Next, you need to light the candles and say a prayer to the sun. Before you start decorating for Yule, you'll want to get things organized. Other natural items like pine cones, herbs, Yule is a time to celebrate the winter solstice and the return of the sun. The Yule log is another one of those pagan customs that have inexplicably found their way into Christian traditions. If you have multiple levels, continue up and down stairs as needed. This is my first visit to this site , I LOVE this place and intend to be a permanent guest here ! Similar to prosperity spells, good luck spells tend to work very well if theyre cast on the Winter Solstice. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Check out my favorite money jar spell here. Since the night hours will only get shorter after that point, Yuletide represents the rebirth of the Sun God. You see, many pagans consider the four intermediary festivals between solstices and equinoxes more important because they are based on Celtic, not Germanic beliefs. Now by reading your stories I think that's inaccurate. Yule was most commonly celebrated in Germanic countries throughout history, such as in Norway and Sweden. The yule log was a huge log that was part of European Christmas celebrations for centuries. Of the other women present, one represents the aspect of the Maiden, another the Mother, and a third the Crone. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. The Mother can wear a red robe and stand to the south, while the Crone dresses in a black robe and veil, and takes her place to the west of the altar. Our towns Boy Scout troop drilled holes in birch logs to create special candle holders for Scoutceremonies. Day 4: Coyote Day!! Yule is a time to celebrate the hope of returning light and life. If you have a Book of Shadows, you can write your goals in it. I recommend casting a defensive protection spell during the Winter Solstice rather than an offensive spell. The winter solstice is the time of year when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, also known as Yule. The Yule season is full of magic, much of it focusing on rebirth and renewal, as the sun makes its way back to the earth. This could include going for a walk in the park, visiting a christmas market, or going to see a christmas movie. Many Pagans, especially those Some practitioners of the Northern Tradition will even decide to completely withdraw and go incommunicado from online mailing lists, bulletin boards, and social media outlets like Facebook so they can stay focused on spending the yuletide with friends and family. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. WebA Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule - Jenn Campus Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the solstice on December 21 (called "Mother's Night) to January 1. Many people also celebrate Yule by attending parties or by gathering with family and friends. In modern times Yule as a solstice celebration is observed by many Neo-Pagans, both as individuals and as groups. Instead of 5 golden rings, you can give 5 golden doughnut rings and instead of 2 turtledoves, give 2 Dove chocolate bars. For others cultures, the Yule log is defined as a log-shape chocolate cake enjoyed as a Christmasdessert. This could be done as a family activity or you could read a different christmas story each day. It is traditional to give gifts to family and friends during Yule. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. Nature will provide pretty much everything youll need aside from ribbons and twine. You'd be amazed what a good window washing can do for your house, to say nothing of the way you feel. With Tax Day quickly approaching its worth taking some time to reflect not just on tax forms (though those are important! You can wish for just about anything and use you energy (and your spells ingredients) to set your wish in motion. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. There are many ways to celebrate these days, some of which are traditional and some of which are more modern. Thank you for the opportunity! There are literally endless types of money spells that you can cast. Although winter is here, life lies dormant beneath the soil. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. Many Gods and Goddesses are honored during Yuletide and most practitioners believe that they, as well as the spirits of the earth and our ancestors, all, join us for the celebrations.