Yule? Winter Solstice? Yuletide? Which One!
Updated: Jan 21, 2021
What is Yule?
The air becomes frigid, the ground starts to stiffen and the skies become gray. The cold finally rolls in and you can smell the clean openness of winter. It is finally time for Yule and the snow is about to fall. Transition from leafy lawns to frost kissed grass helps us and our ancestors know that harvest is over and the cold, darker days are here.
Yule originated from the German Lunar Calendar, which was the winter festival that occurred in December and January. Being seen as the representation holiday for the Winter Solstice, this has become a popular term in the modern day pagan holidays. Being used by Wiccans, the term is used to represent the darkest time of the year when Wiccans embrace welcoming back the Sun. In correspondence to modern day music, Yuletide has been developed as a sign of the Christmas season when traditionally is seen as the pagan celebration.
You may say where did Christmas come from then? Well the festival Christmas was brought about by the Catholic Church around the 4th Century and had lasted for 12 days. These 12 days were known as the Epiphany or Feast of the Nativity. Being planned around the festival Sol Invictus which was the celebration of the Winter Solstice and the daylight lengthening.
In ancient times, civilizations used to gather and light candles or set up a bonfire while trying to bring back the Sun. Since the days grew darker and colder, the ancients would want to bring back the sun so their crop becomes healthy and plentiful. Decorating, singing, and dancing would occur to bring light in these times of isolated cold.
Deities Associated with Yule:
Here are some of the gods and goddesses associated with Yule across all religions, cultures, and mythologies!
Goddess
The Great Mother
Earth Goddess
Freyja
Gaia
Diana
Isis
Demeter
Gods
Mabon
Sun God
The Star Child (Divine Child)
Odin
The Horned One
Apollo
Ra
Things to Do For Yule?
Welcoming Back the Sun Ritual
Cleansing Rituals
Yule Log Ceremony
Holiday Blessing Tree
Goddess Rituals
Blessing Rituals : Donating, Soup Kitchens, Giving Gifts, Etc.
Crystals & Stones for Yule:
Ruby
Bloodstone
Garnet
Emeralds
Diamonds
Colors Associated with Yule:
Red
Green
White
Silver
Gold
Natural Symbols Associated with Yule:
Holly
Oak
Ivy
Evergreens
Laurel
Bayberry
Blessed Thistle
Frankincense
Pine
Sage
Yellow Cedar
Food for Yule:
Gingerbread
Yule Log Cake
Fruits
Berries
Nuts
Pork
Turkey
Drinks for Yule:
Eggnog
Ginger Tea
Spiced Cider
Wassail
Purpose of the Yule Log:
Deriving from Norway, the Yule Log was the largest log they could find and was brought into the house and burned in a fireplace. By doing this, the Norsemen were welcoming back the Sun and the Fiery Energy into their household. The Norseman believed that the Sun was a large wheel of fire that circled the Earth and began rolling back around the Winter Solstice. Burning it could be seen as symbolic of bringing in the Sun’s happy, warming, abundant energy into the home. Even protection as well against any darkness. Bringing it to Europe, many had accepted this practice into their Christian traditions around the holidays. Each culture had developed it into their own traditions such as France and Cornwall which have slight variations but still have the originating meaning from Norway.
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