Yule
circa Dec 21
Pronunciation: yoo-l
Aka:Winter Solstice, Alban Arthuan (AHL-ban ARTH-u-an)
Symbolism and Legend
At Yule, the God, represented by the sun is born again. The lights that abound at this time originate from the custom of lighting fires and candles as a form of sympathetic magick, as ancient celts entice the waning sun to return. Yule celebrations commonly include a symbolic birthing of the sun god.
This time when the sun seemed to change it's course, rising higher each day, rather lower as it had since Midsummer was represented by two battles. One being the Oak king and the Holly King, and the other being the Robin and the Wren.
The Oak King and the Holly King most likely have their origins in Druidic rituals. The Holly King who rules the waning half of the year (Midummer to Yule) is dethrowned by the Oak King who rules the waxing half of the year.
The battle of the Robin and the Wren was the result of observation of different animals being more common at different times of year. In ancient times the triumph of the robin was re-enacted by each household actually killing a wren and burying it, symbolically burying the winter. Modern Wiccans, with an evolved understanding of "An it harm none" no longer sacrifice animals, they may still bury an effigy of a dead wren.
Since ancient times an evergeen tree has been brought into the home during winter. As one of the few plants that doesn't die or at least appear to, it represented the eternal Goddess and was thought to ward off disease and negative energy. It was decorated with images representing hopes for the new year: fruits to ensure a prosperous harvest, nuts to attract fertility, coins for prosperity and other charms. Traditionally the Yule tree, is kept (stripped of its decorations, but not its lights) until Imbolg
The Yule log, traditionally made of oak (symbolic of the God), is a fertility symbol. Three holes are bored into it and filled with three candles (traditionally white, black and red representing the Triple Goddess). This represents the reunion of the Goddess and God who have been seperated since Samhain.
Later the celebrtion of Yule incorporated the honoring of the Celtic hero Finn MacCool by telling stories of his adventures.
The tradition of giving gifts, incidentally is also pagan (although not Celtic). It originated as a part of Satunalia (a Roman new year's festival) which included giving gifts in honor of loved ones who had died during the past year.
Dieties & Mythical Beings
- Brigid
- Dagda
- Hu the Mighty
- Jesus
- St. Uriel the Archangel
- Lugh
- Taranis
Prayers
While Lighting the Yule Log
Dorothy Morrison
Goodbye Old King--hello, New
With this log we honor You
The old reign's gone--the new has begun
We welcome now the newborn Sun.
From Whispered Prayers newsletter - author unidentified
Yule tide blow wind into our sails,
the despair end and goodness prevail,
that each should move forward,
tward thine own divine true will,
by the power of stone,cauldron,sphere and sword,
may each holy dream by found and fulfilled!
Blessed be!
by Patricia Monaghan
From the beginning, the end comes.
From rest, movement comes.
From life, death comes.
From light, darkness comes.
From darkness comes light.
From death comes life.
From movement comes rest.
From the end comes the beginning.
Sunrise Prayer - A Sunrise Prayer for Yule
By Patti Wigington
The sun returns! The light returns!
The earth begins to warm once more!
The time of darkness has passed,
and a path of light begins the new day.
Welcome, welcome, the heat of the sun,
blessing us all with its rays.
Sunset Prayer for Yule
By Patti Wigington
The longest night has come once more,
the sun has set, and darkness fallen.
The trees are bare, the earth asleep,
and the skies are cold and black.
Yet tonight we rejoice, in this longest night,
embracing the darkness that enfolds us.
We welcome the night and all that it holds,
as the light of the stars shines down
An Elementals Blessing
By Patti Wigington
As the earth grows colder,
the winds blow faster,
the fire dwindles smaller,
and the rains fall harder,
let the light of the sun
find its way home.
Rituals & Traditions
Personal Focus
Consider in what ways you need rebirth, and reflect on the what choices are necesary for that to happen.
Give thanks for your roots; your family, your ancestors, your past, etc
Set new goals
Colors
- Gold
- Green
- Red
- Silver
- White
Decorations
- Candles
- Eight-spoked Wheel
- Evergreen Trees
- Holly
- Lights
- Mistletoe
- Pine Cones
- String of dried flowers
- Wreaths (which symbolize the wheel of the year)
- Yule Log
Food & Drink
- Apples
- Beans
- Caraway rolls
- Dried Fruit
- Egg Nog
- Mulled wine
- Nuts
- Oranges
- Pork
- Poultry
Oils
- Cedar/Pine
- Ginger
- Myrrh
- Nutmeg
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Wintergreen
Incense
- Bayberry
- Cedar
- Juniper
- Pine
- Rosemary
Herbs & Teas
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Gemstones
- Bloodstone
- Cat's Eye
- Garnet
- Ruby