❄️🎄Let’s Talk About Yule & the Winter Solstice!❄️🎄 (Patreon)

Let's talk about Yule and the Winter Solstice! If you are celebrating Litha in the Southern Hemisphere, all you have to do is search for the tag "Litha" on the Magickal Witch Coven to find all of the witchy information for that sabbat! Here is an article by Goddess and Green Man Co that gives us an introduction to Yule and celebration of the Winter Solstice. Are you celebrating Yule in the Northern Hemisphere or Litha in the Southern Hemisphere? Here are some great articles below with the sources at the bottom!

Yule was a traditional Germanic Winter festival that celebrated on the Winter Solstice and Yuletide (also known as the Yule Time or the Yule Season) ran for a period of about 2-months. It simultaneously celebrates the shortest day of the year, midwinter, the return of the Sun, and a festival of rebirth. This year, it occurs from December 21, 2021, to January 1, 2022. In more modern times, Yule was rebranded and reformulated by Christians and renamed Christmastide. Most of the traditions of this holiday were then absorbed into Christmas traditions. These traditions include lighting trees, giving gifts, and hanging up holly and/or mistletoe. Although there was a point in time when Yule seemed to have been totally absorbed by Christmas, modern neopagans and Wiccans have resurrected the holiday. It’s now a holiday that seems to be growing in popularity every single year.

The History of Yule

Yule is a pagan holiday that goes back thousands of years and was celebrated by the Germanic peoples of Germany and Scandinavia. No one really knows how old this holiday is because it was written about until about the 4th century. The word Yule is the modern version of the Old English words of ġēol or ġēohol. The time before the Yule Festival was known as ǣrra ġēola and the time after was called æftera ġēola. It’s believed that Yuletide was celebrated for a period of about 12-days.

Customs, Traditions & Observances Of Yule

The main component of any Yule celebration was the Yule log. This tree would be cut down on the Winter solstice and fed into the fireplace-and this was done without chopping it into pieces! No, the top of the tree would be fed into the fireplace and over the course of the next 2 months, more and more would be pushed in as the winter progressed. This would become the basis of the Yule log or Christmas block as it is known today. Another tradition of Yule was bringing in various plants to “guard” their life essence. This was a form of sympathetic magic in which practitioners believed they could harness this life force for themselves. Some of the plants that were brought into the home included evergreen boughs, holly, ivy, birch boughs, and mistletoe. Sonargöltr was another aspect of ancient Yule customs. It featured a wild boar that was sacrificed and eaten. It is the basis of many of the Christmas feasts practiced today, except instead of a wild boar, a ham is served today. Modern neopagan feasts often incorporate foods such as pork, turkey, eggnog, fruits, nuts, and cider-soaked cakes into their feasts.

The Traditions That Christmas Borrowed From Yule

As we said in the introduction to this holiday, Christmas borrowed a lot of traditions from Yuletide celebrations. Although to be fair, Christmas also borrowed from other traditions including Saturnalia-a holiday that was celebrated by the ancient Romans but that’s a discussion for another day. In this section, we’re going to talk about some of the traditions that come from Yuletide and that we’re still using to this day.

Yuletide Relied Heavily On Evergreen Plants

One of the main things that Christmas borrowed from Yuletide is the placement and decoration of evergreen trees. Ancient Vikings used to decorate evergreen trees with carvings, food, and ornaments just like we decorate our Christmas trees. Another use for trees in Yuletide celebrations was the Yule Log. The Yule Log was a giant log that was meant to burn in the hearth for 12-days-the length of the festival.

The 12-Days Of Yuletide

As you probably have already guessed, Yuletide also inspired the 12-days of Christmas. The Yule Festival was observed for 12-days and so is Christmas.

Leaving Out Treats

Another custom that comes from Yule is children leaving out sweets for some mythical creature. The only difference is who it was left out for. For Viking children, sugar and hay would be left out for Odin’s 8-legged horse Sleipnir, and for Christian children, cookies would be left out for Santa Claus.

The Use Of Mistletoe

Mistletoe was used by Germanic peoples during Yuletide, just like it is used by Christians for Christmas. For the Germanic peoples of northern Europe, mistletoe was believed to have possessed supernatural qualities and could be used to heal people. The Celtic people also believed that mistletoe had mystical qualities. They believed that it could ward off evil spirits. Nowadays, mistletoe is something that people kiss under.

Old Man Winter

The last thing that we want to talk about is how the figure of old man winter actually came from Yule traditions. In Norse tradition, the god Odin would wander the earth during Yuletide and visit people’s homes. He was described in some of these myths as being an old man with a long white beard. This would be the same depiction that Father Christmas would acquire during the 15th century. Father Christmas would then become known by a variety of other names including Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus, and Kris Kringle.

Physically, Yule marks the point at which the Sun begins to return to us—aka when the days begin to lengthen again. But the winter solstice is the darkest day of the year, so Yule is both a time of reflection and celebration.

This festival has been on the calendar for centuries. In pagan times, the druids would give mistletoe, which commonly grows on oak trees, as a blessing to symbolize life. The Yule log also dates back to this time. The Celts thought the Sun stood still for 12 days during the darkest time of the year, and they would light logs to keep away evil and welcome in good fortune. If you think all this sounds kind of familiar, that’s because when Christianity spread throughout Europe, many pagan winter solstice traditions were incorporated into Christmas celebrations.

As the outside world is at its darkest and the nights at their longest, Yule gives space for our inner realms to expand and come forth. It is a time to bring in new visions and ideas, make resolutions for the year ahead, and dream bold dreams.

The Festival of Rebirth and The Return of the Sun

With the end of the longest night the dark is defeated with the Return of the Sun, the return of light, hope and promise. The Goddess gives birth to the Sun/Sun God. The Sun begins to wax and the days grow longer. All that is hidden will begin to emerge. This is the Sun's birthday! And it really is time to celebrate!

The Oak King and The Holly King

The Holly King rules over the dark part of the year from Midsummer to Yule, he is God of the Waning Year. At Yule he surrenders his life to the young light Oak King, God of the Waxing Year and his twin, who rules over the light part of the year from Yule to Midsummer. Both rule for half of the year, both fight for the favour and love of the Goddess and both surrender their life force for the well-being of the land. In truth, they are one.(Merayllah Allwood)

The Evergreen

Evergreens represent everlasting life and were traditionally hung around doorways and windows. Each has a symbolism of its own.

Mistletoe

Greatly revered by the Druids, this is the healer and protector. It is carefully cut to ensure it never touches the earth. It's magical properties are believed to be connected to the fact that it lives between the worlds, between sky/heaven and earth. The white berries of mistletoe represents how the life-giving male is fertile. Which is where kissing under the mistletoe comes from!

Holly

Another evergreen of protection, holly's spiky bristles are believed to repel unwanted spirits. Newborn babies used to be sprinkled with 'holly water', water in which holly had been soaked, especially potent if left under a full moon overnight. Holly is sacred to Holle, the Germanic underworld goddess, and symbolizes everlasting life, goodwill and potent life energy. Its red berries represent feminine blood. Together, mistletoe and holly represent the Sacred Marriage at this time of year with the re-birth of the Sun/Son.

Ivy

Evergreen symbol of immortality and resurrection, growing in a spiral reminding us of reincarnation and rebirth. Sacred to Osiris, where His death and resurrection was a central theme in Egyptian religion. Sacred also to Dionysys, god of vegetation, blossoming and the Return of Spring.

Yew

Tree of regeneration and rebirth as no other - it sends up new trees from its roots and grows to a very great age. It is deeply connected with the spirit realms and the ancestors. Often used as the central 'world tree' in ritual spaces and was often planted in graveyards. Very poisonous.

Pine

Its branches bring healing and joy to the home, burning it will purify.

The Kissing Bough

At Yuletide it has often been customary to make a decoration using two hoops, one thrust through the other, and bound with evergreens, holly and ivy, and rosy cheeked apples specially reserved for the occasion. Inside, dolls are hung, male and female, with other brightly coloured baubles. At the bottom of the decoration a bunch of mistletoe is carefully tied, and the whole tableau is suspended in the middle of the room, the centre of attention. Every berry on the mistletoe bears the promise of a kiss, and for every kiss given or taken a berry is removed. When all the berries are gone, the kissing has to stop! (Hedingham Fair)

The Wreath

It was traditional to make wreaths from evergreen - the Wheel of Life as evergreen. These were hung on doors or laid horizontally and decorated with candles - later becoming the Christian Advent Wreath

The Yule Tree

Introduced into modern times apparently by the German Prince Albert in Victorian times and we love it. In ancient Rome, pine trees were an essential part of Goddess groves. On the eve of the Midwinter Solstice, Roman priests would cut down a pine tree, decorate it and carry it ceremonially to the temple celebrations. People decked their homes with boughs of evergreen trees and bushes in pots. Pines and firs were cherished as a symbol of rebirth and life in the depth of winter. It was the festival of Saturnalia. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm in the cold winter months - food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat.

Candles

This is the festival of light out of darkness and the tradition of lighting candles is ever popular. Red, green and the gold of the Returning Sun are the colours of Yule. Deck your home and altar with evergreens and candles.

Gift Giving

This is THE Birthday of the Sun/Son! From ancient times the giving and exchanging of gifts has been a vibrant tradition of this festival.

Buttermilk Bread Charm for Yule

You will need:

3 mugs of strong white flour 500 ml of Buttermilk (available from the supermarket) I teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda Yule ribbon in red & green or gold 4 dessert spoons of honey 3 dessert spoons of golden syrup 4 dessert spoons of mixed peel 3/4 cup of mixed dried fruit 3 pieces of ginger, roughly chopped (the type you get in syrup) chopped walnuts and rich brown sugar for sprinkling

Place the flours in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. Sieve in the blended salt and soda and pour in the buttermilk. Mix well all the remaining ingredients with a wooden spoon until the dough feels springy. You can add some of the preserved ginger syrup for extra stickiness and zing) If it feels too sloppy just add a little more flour. Turn it onto a board and cover with a fine dusting of flour. Pat it with your hands until you have a round shape. Take a sharp knife and score lightly into eight sections, one for each festival. Brush with milk and sprinkle with nuts and sugar.

Place onto a greased baking tray and pop your buttermilk bread into a moderate oven for about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on it. When the bread is ready it will change colour and it will sound hollow when you tap the bottom. Cool completely on a wire rack. When it is cool, tie it with Yule ribbon.

Take time to concentrate on the bread you have created and turn the loaf three times saying "From the fields and through the stones, into fire, Yule Bread, as the Wheel turns may all be fed. Goddess Bless."

Now take your bread and share it with your family and friends and pass on the generous blessings of this festival of Rebirth! Eat it fresh, as soon as it is made if you can.

Recipe donated by the Counter Enchantress. Adapted by the Boss Lady with permission.

The Counter Enchantress is discovering that you can add almost anything appropriate to this simple bread recipe and it STILL WORKS beautifully. You can decide for yourself what the appropriate additions are for a particular festival, and just do it. There is much kitchen magic in working with one recipe through the Wheel of the Year just changing it a little as the wheel turns.....

Yuletide Charm

You need: One wooden spoon Thin red and green, or gold ribbon

Take the spoon in your right hand and say 'Brightest blessings on this Yuletide Fare, give Love and Peace in equal share'. Tie the ribbon in a bow around the neck of the spoon and say 'with Yuletide Warmth my Hearth be blessed, That lifts the Heart of Kin and Guest'.

Take your charm and place it in a suitable place in your kitchen. This charm can be extended in many ways, for example by tying a pouch of cinnamon together with the ribbon. Brilliant small gift - and you can do it yourself!

The Spirit of Yule

Above all, Yuletide is a Celebration of the Return of the Light, the promise fulfilled of Light birthing out of Darkness. It is a time to share Love and Celebrate with our community of Family and Friends. And the Wheel Turns...

How to Celebrate Yule

Make an Evergreen Wreath

Make a wreath of evergreens (like yew, holly, pine, mistletoe, and ivy) to represent everlasting life, protection, and prosperity. Or go bigger and make a solstice bush by pushing the stalks of these plants into a pot of damp soil. Why these plants? Besides being seasonal, the yew tree is associated with eternity and reincarnation, holly and ivy ward off negative energy, pine has healing magic, and mistletoe brings fertility and abundance.

Light a Yule Log

Decorate an oak log with pine cones, dried berries, cinnamon sticks, holly, and mistletoe, and place it in your fireplace, if you have one—or make a bonfire in a fire pit outside. Yule log burning is a symbolic ritual to release the past and banish old or negative energy that you don’t wish to follow you into the new year. It’s also the way to welcome back the Sun and celebrate the fact that the days are going to get lighter and longer from now on. Don’t have a fireplace or fire pit? Put on a video like Netflix’s Fireplace for Your Home instead!

Have a Yule Feast

Feasting has always been a winter solstice tradition, with people gathering together to celebrate life in the darkness, connect with others, and feel safe. Serve up a traditional feast, or just make your favorite foods, with bonus points if they incorporate local winter produce. Bonus: Bring along possessions you no longer want, wrap them up, and leave a pile of surprises on the floor for everyone to choose something from.

Do a Wishing Ritual

Think about your resolutions and intentions for the coming year. Light a candle and speak your resolutions out loud, then sit with the candle and let it burn down as you visualize your ambitions coming true. Imagine the positive rewards, daydream about living this new lifestyle, and then write down your next steps for making this a reality.

Declutter Your Space

Yule is a release of the old to get ready for the new, so it’s the perfect time to have a clear-out at home. When you’ve completed the physical process, spiritually cleanse your home—I like smoke cleansing with plants like pine needles and mistletoe.

Treat Yourself to a Nature-Based Treat

I mean, any excuse, right? It could be a naturally scented candle, a door wreath, a new crystal, a plant or some seeds, or a delicious pie or cake. Think about shopping sustainably this season, and consciously try to switch to recycled or sustainably sourced goods and products. Show some gratitude to Mother Nature! 

Sources:

https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/yule/

https://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/yule/

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a38039639/how-to-celebrate-yule/