Later, each town would host a public banquet and sacrifice animals in the name of the feast, which lasted formany days and was one of the biggest festivals of the year. However, this has been disputed in recent years, at least one historian positing that jol was a new year festival intended to set the tone for the months ahead. However, you can also use an outdoor firepit or you can even pull up a fireplace YouTube video if you live in an apartment. Yule was most commonly celebrated in Germanic countries throughout history, such as in Norway and Sweden. All rights reserved. Apple Music Classical app - HOW TO PRE-ORDER. Since you shouldnt disturb living plants, try to only gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you find on the ground. However, that date tends to move around from year to year. While you do that, you can think of anything youd like to accomplish in the New Year. Most Wiccans celebrate Yule on the day of the Winter Solstice though there are exceptions to that rule. 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. Its often used to decorate homes and trees during the holiday season. Its known as a kissing plant, but its great for protection as well! green is the color of the Irish flag, and its also the color of the Scottish thistle. I was told that birch is endangered. Scrub toilets, wipe down countertops, and spray out your bathtub. I do believe that there is some truth to the hunt. This is a great way to cleanse yourself and look ahead to the future. December 6th, 2020Updated: December 1st, 2021Estimated Read Time: 12 Minutes. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. Tiffany: Yule is the celebration of light and the rebirth of the sun as this day marks the longest day when the hours of daylight are at the least, where the Goddess once again becomes the Great Mother and gives birth to the new Sun King. Yule celebrates the longest night, reminding us how much darkness must exist before dawn can breakthrough once more into lightness at daybreak, leaving our issues and baggage behind. Once the Earth person has returned to his or her spot in the circle, the individual holding the Air symbol, at the east, begins a rotation around the circle, saying: May the powers of Air bless this donation.Air is the soul, the breath of life in a community.Wisdom and intuition, the knowledge we share freely,Air carries away troubles from our community.With these powers of Air, we bless this donation.. [48] The tractate De solstitia et aequinoctia conceptionis et nativitatis Domini nostri Iesu Christi et Iohannis Baptistae falsely attributed to John Chrysostom also argued that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same day of the year and calculated this as 25 March. If you have curtains, take them down and launder them. The sixth day of yule is typically celebrated by singing christmas carols. You can also eat any other foods that you like. Lastly, ginger tea and spiced cider complete the spread. Use an environmentally-friendly cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. Once you've completed the smudging, sit back and enjoy the positive energy that comes with having a clean physical space. Let them dry completely before hanging them back in. Youd be surprised how realistic they feel; I swear these videos give off real fire energy. The eighth day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your christmas tree. You can do a meditation, scry, or actually cast a spell that will show you the past year and how you can improve going forward. THE 12 DAYS OF YULE IN MODERN PRACTICE While we do not have clear historical evidence pointing to how each day of Yule was celebrated, that hasnt stopped This could be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Whatever your reason may be, if youre gathering up some sort of donations, good for you! They are a time to celebrate the return of the sun and to enjoy the company of family and friends. The 12 days of yule are a festive time leading up to Christmas. The Christmas holiday is still referred to as Yule in the Scots language. 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. The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. Or perhaps you like to troll the ancient yuletide carols? Yule is a pagan holiday that goes back thousands of years and was celebrated by the Germanic peoples of Germany and Scandinavia. This color roots the festival in nature and also symbolizes abundance since it is the color of money. Ill also leave food in the woods for animals who wont venture to my home, and Ill give energy to any trees who are suffering during the winter months. Another important part of the celebration is the gift giving. Most of these spells are about positivity and looking ahead. Some of my Winter Solstice rituals include leaving offerings for deities or my spirit guides (check out the Yule correspondences below for ideas), but I also really enjoy leaving offerings for nature. The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, December 25, and last right through until January 6 - also known as Three Kings' Day or Epiphany. On this day offerings are made to the wild birds, animals, and spirits of the woods. Or maybe its time for a local harvest celebration, and youd like to contribute something to celebrate the season of abundance. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). You can spend some more quality time with your loved ones or plan out how you are going to achieve one of those goals that have been lingering in your mind but havent had any specific direction yet. Feel free to write your own. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. Like red and green, the color gold also summons wealth and prosperity. Wipe them off with old newspapers. Corrections? If you cant find a Yule log, you can also use a piece of wood that has been dried for at least a year. However, today many people celebrate both Yule and Christmas in conjunction. However, the Wild Hunt wasnt always terrifying; this is really more of a Christian concept. The Winter Solstice was celebrated as early as the Stone Age, when Newgrange in Ireland and Maeshowe in Scotland were constructed. Like at every solstice, we acknowledge that darkness will always be defeated by this brighter side, with each day continuing to get longer as we head towards our beloved summertime! Yule is a time to celebrate the winter solstice and the return of the sun. You could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. On this 4th day is the time when social rules were turned upside down, gifts were exchanged, and disguises were worn. This ritual can be performed by a group of four or moreclearly, it's designed for at least four women, but if you don't have that many, don't sweat itimprovise, or allow one woman to speak all the roles. Many of the traditions that are celebrated during the 12 days of Christmas have been around for centuries. Among those who have put forward this view are Louis Duchesne,[50] Thomas J. Talley,[51] David J. Rothenberg,[52] J. Neil Alexander, [53] and Hugh Wybrew.[54]. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the beginning of a new year. Like many Christian holidays that have their roots in pagan celebrations, Christmas is basically Yule in disguise. State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments. Likewise, If you have an all-male group, you could revise this rite so that it focuses on the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King, rather than the Crone and the Maiden. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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. You can place them on your altar if you like, and place that in the center. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970. Make an edible Yule log! Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the garden! These holidays represent birth, death, and rebirth. When you celebrate these holidays/Sabbats, there is not one set way to do it. Although many families use fake holiday trees, a cut one from a tree farm is actually more environmentally friendly, so if you've never considered a live tree, maybe this is a good year to start a new tradition in your house. Try casting a quick spell over your tea before drinking it. Throw all their stuff in their basket the next time they go to their room, they can take all their stuff with them to put it away. The leader of the ritual begins with the following: We gather today to celebrate community.To honor those who contribute selflessly,Those who contribute what they have to those who have nothing,Those who speak out for those who have no voice,Those who give to others without taking for themselves.Each of you has contributed something to this community today.Whether it is a monetary donation, a packaged good, or simply your time,We thank you.We honor you for what you have given, and we celebrate these donationsBy blessing them before they move on.We call upon the elements to honor the many aspects of community today.. In the harsh climate of northern Europe, most cattle were slaughtered because they could not be fed during the winter. Perhaps someone in this group will benefit from what others have contributed. After all, this dark night is an opportunity to reflect. Some mark the holiday with reenactments of the battle between the Holly King (representing darkness) and the Oak King (representing light) of Celtic legend. The ancients knew that the winter solstice was the longest night of the yearand that meant that the sun was beginning its long journey back towards earth. For pagans, Yule is a time to celebrate the god of the sun, while for Christians, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. They represent the light of the sun and are used to help guide the sun back to us. Many people spend time cooking traditional holiday foods and enjoying time together. Each holds one of the three white candles. Yule songs and carols are an entertaining way to celebrate the season. Day 3: The Feast of Reflection. In some cases, it may represent new beginnings, growth, and fertility. The year is coming to an end quickly, on this day one should take time to finish up any tasks left to do. 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