Yule Lore
Yule Recipes
Yule Activities
Ravenna's Yule Log (HeeHee!)
Yule is loosely
translated to mean "wheel" (though I've read some essays on the
subject which say that this is not true). Yule
is also known as the Winter Solstice. It is the time of the shortest daylight hours in the
year, and of course, the longest night. The Goddess gives birth to the God at
this time, representing a rebirth of light. It is the time of year when
the Earth (wood) spirits are encouraged to rest, in preparation for all the hard
work ahead of them to replenish the Earth with the fresh blooms of new life, the
forthcoming of spring. Celebrations were held in honor of the wood
spirits. Trees were brought into the homes, and decorated with bells, candles
and brightly colored threads to attract the spirits. Bread, fruit and nuts were
hung from the branches to provide food for the spirits. Group singing (caroling)
was also a way of guiding the spirits towards the shelter of the homes and Yule
logs were lit to provide warmth. This festival has been adapted since its
earlier Pagan origin to be known as the more popular festival Christmas.
Yule
coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. This Sabbath
represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of the year, the
Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and hope for new light is reborn.
Some covens hold a Festival of Light to commemorate the Goddess as Mother giving
birth to the Sun God. Others celebrate the victory of the Lord of Light over the
Lord of Darkness as the turning point from which the days will lengthen.
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule
celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood
spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells
were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present. Food and
treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star,
the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree. The colors
of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the custom of
exchanging gifts. As a solar festival, Yule is celebrated by fire
and the use of a Yule log. A piece of the log is saved and kept throughout the
year to protect the home. That piece is used to light the next year's log.
Focus
of Yule:
The
sun is at its lowest point, making this, the year's longest night. We
internalize and synthesize the outward-directed activities of the previous
summer months. Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and leaving old regrets
behind.
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