If you're not organized yet, now's your chance to get there. Because the veil is so thin between our world and the Otherworld (the world where Fae reside), we might be able to hear pieces of the hunt. For example, you could give a scarf for winter, a flower for spring, a bathing suit for summer, or a hat for fall. When it comes to savory foods, meals with pork or boar meat are customary. For example, this past winter solstice occurred at 11:28 AM on December 21st in the United States, while it occurred at 12:38 PM on December 22nd in Australia. If you find yourself celebrating Yuletide by your lonesome, there are several solitary rituals you can perform. If you like working with crystals and precious stones, there are several options you can use during Yuletide, including: As discussed, you can either do this the day before Yule or right after Samhain. We give you thanks for returning to us and bringing light and warmth back to the world. The salt is used to represent the ocean and the sky. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. This rite is one the whole family can do together. I love doing money spells during the Winter Solstice. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Let them dry completely before hanging them back in. Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. In modern times Yule as a solstice celebration is observed by many Neo-Pagans, both as individuals and as groups. However, this long night is also an opportunity for a cleansing of the soul, just like the New Moon. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. Traditionally a pig or boar would be sacrificed, then a ham would be made for the feast. This is one of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions because its simply so cozy! These are just some of the ways that you can celebrate the 12 days of yule. Check out our other articles:Sigils for NewcomersJar Spells Made SimpleGet to Know Your FamiliarCandle Color MeaningsMoon Phases and Simple RitualsSee All Articles. The 12 days of yule are a festive time leading up to Christmas. As you see your reflection in the mirror, visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life. The Winter Solstice was celebrated as early as the Stone Age, when Newgrange in Ireland and Maeshowe in Scotland were constructed. The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. Modern practices include the nightly lighting of candles honoring the Nine Noble Virtues which come from Odinism or Asatruism. A Yule wreath is an excellent substitute. Many of these ingredients are thought to have protective properties. Love this article? 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. Privacy Policy | The stump could be harvested from the surrounding estate or received as a gift, but never bought. I love learning about the old traditions and ways. It's also easily adaptable to a small group of people. The sixth day of yule is typically celebrated by singing christmas carols. You may wish to use this information in your spell work, or maybe you just want to decorate your home and celebrate in the theme of Yule. A holiday celebration that began in Norway, on the night of the winter solstice it was common to hoist a giant log onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. Firefox doesnt know how to open this address, because one of the following protocols (applewebdata) isnt associated with any program or is not allowed in this context. Eastern Orthodox churches use a different religious calendar, so their 12 days of Christmas start on Jan. 7 and run through the Epiphany on Jan. 19. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the garden! Yule songs and carols are an entertaining way to celebrate the season. 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. Holiday Tree Blessing Ritual. St. Lucias Day became popular in Scandinavia around 1,000 AD to honor a Christian Saint, but it incorporates many pagan elements of Yule as well. Some contend that the original festival was a sort of Norse Day of the Dead, with the god Odin as a major player; among Odins many names was Jolnir, and among his many duties was acting as a god of the dead. This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. Each of the eight festivals on the pagan calendar corresponds to the years main solar events, namely solstices, equinoxes, and the intervening cross-quarter events. Wipe them off with old newspapers. Basically, its the shortest day of the year when we get the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. Since Yule is the festival of birth the birth of light and the Horned God thats what the red symbolizes. Yule was most commonly celebrated in Germanic countries throughout history, such as in Norway and Sweden. What new things will you bring to fruition for yourself when the planting season returns? The festival was at one point connected to the Norse god Odin, who is also called the Yule father. It is thought that the original Yule log was a large log that burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as 12 days. If your windows have mini-blinds, dust them and wipe them down. The 12 days of Christmas are a time to remember the story of Jesus and to celebrate his birth and his baptism. If youre just looking for easy ways to celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice, scroll down a few sections. Everyone was required to have ale from a measure of grain and keep the holiday while the ale lasted or else be subject to a fine. Our towns Boy Scout troop drilled holes in birch logs to create special candle holders for Scoutceremonies. You could even leave behind an offering of bird seeds or nuts as a token of gratitude. 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. [37][38] There are many traditions that are associated with Yule. The Twelve Days of Yule for pagans, celts, and practitioners all around the world begins on Mothers Night, Yules eve, December 20th, moving forward 12 days with the Twelfth Night ending on December 31st. There is no shame to be found in accepting help, and there is no superiority in providing it. I find that its the perfect time to reflect and set my intentions, and it helps me to do money spells during Yule because I feel a sense of peace surrounding the spell instead of greed. And while we do, try to figure out how these pagan festivities have influenced the creation of Christmas. Traditional 12 Days of Christmas Variation. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. The meaning of the color green can vary depending on the culture. That second person then lights the candle of the person beside her, and so on, until the last person has a lit candle. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Of course, selecting March 25 for the conception was also rather arbitrary, it being calculated [?] Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of each. But you dont have to incorporate that custom if you dont want to. Try casting a quick spell over your tea before drinking it. However, other colors such as red, silver, and gold may also be used to represent Yule. Record Store Day, which happens Saturday in Maine and all around the world, is the equivalent of Christmas and your birthday to those who love, collect and listen to vinyl At this time, the High Priestess should invite anyone who wishes to make an offering to the Goddess to come do so offerings can be placed on the altar, or if you're outdoors, in a fire. We sincerely wish you a joyful Yuletide and a prosperous year ahead! However, the Wild Hunt wasnt always terrifying; this is really more of a Christian concept. For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. Use an environmentally-friendly cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. [44] The Jewish calendar date of 14 Nisan was believed to be that of the beginning of creation, as well as of the Exodus and so of Passover, and Christians held that the new creation, both the death of Jesus and the beginning of his human life, occurred on the same date, which some put at 25 March in the Julian calendar. Happy Yule!!! Smudge your home with one of the following: To do a smudging, start at your front door with your incense or smudge stick in a censer or bowl. Or if you want to keep it low-key, just prepare a festive dinner for your loved ones! The Crone says: The days will now get longer, now the Sun has returned.My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins.Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you,and yet be wise enough to make your own way. It is said that the Wild Hunt begins on the Winter Solstice and progresses throughout the Yule feasts. Once you've got the physical stuff done, now it's time to focus on the fun part. Remember, if you want to use mistletoe, youll have to harvest it from the branch, not the ground. For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. Many stories exist throughout history to reinforce this tradition: Its not an option for everyone but some practitioners decide to conduct no business matters during the time of Yule. Bring in a Yule tree and decorate it with dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, strings of popcorn, and other low-cost options. In fact, many consider holly berries to represent the blood involved in childbirth. It is a time of celebration with close friends and family contact that lasts twelve days and nights. It was a time of celebration, and for rejoicing in the knowledge that soon, the warm days of spring would return, and the dormant earth would come back to life. Here are some great Yule rituals that you can do to celebrate this winter Sabbat, either as part of a group or as a solitary. You're not obligated to keep things you don't like, don't need, or don't use, and the less physical clutter you have laying around, the easier it is to function on an emotional and spiritual level. If your mistletoe touches the ground, it will lose its symbolic properties. and "Happy Holidays!". Haakon became Christian after a visit to England, and after his return to Norway he put into law that Yule should be celebrated at the same time as Christmas. It is customary that no work is done during the yuletide. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the worldcelebratedon the winter solstice. Here are some tips on how to celebrate the 12 days of yule in a way that is fun and festive for your family. Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. With that in mind, lets talk about Yule symbols. Dogma is antithetical to spiritual living so follow your highest aspiration to recognize divinity! If youre gathering up some sort of donations, good for you! Theres laughter, caroling, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right. In reply to Whoever whatever whenever by Justin (not verified). The Sabbats are pagan holidays that honor the turning of the seasons based on the sun. A Yule Log is a fun Scandanavian tradition that you can try as well. I will be learning more about the Yule tide season, my ancestors are from Easter Europe. Since most homes dont have hearths anymore, the tradition has since evolved. If they were to celebrate in December, they would be doing it on what is the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere. Yule is a good time to get rid of things you no longer use. This can include a christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and other festive decorations. 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