The Yule Log

The Yule log is a central part of Yule festivities. The log is 

kindled from the remains of the previous year's Yule fire(This piece 

was kept in the home throughout the year for protection . . The Yule 

log symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness. According 

to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the 

householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been 

bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it 

was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and 

dusted with flour before set ablaze . The log would burn throughout 

the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially 

put out. 

A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for 

modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold 

three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one 

side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold 

red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), 

or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate 

with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with 

flour. 

Once, the Yule log had been the center of the celebration. 

There are many traditional ways to collect your log; Some collect a 

log at Beltane and dry out till Yule. Others use the thickest part of 

the Yule tree trunk to save till it becomes next years Yule log. 

Still others will make a ritual of trekking into the woods at 

yuletide and dragging their Yule log home. 

Yule Log Magick 

The yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European pagans 

would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires 

symbolized the return of the Sun. 

An oak log, plus a fireplace or bonfire area is needed for this form 

of celebration. The oak log should be very dry so that it will blaze 

well. On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the 

coming year into the log. Burn the log to release it's power. It can 

be decorated with burnable red ribbons of natural fiber and dried 

holly leaves. In the fireplace or bonfire area, dried kindling should 

be set to facilitate the burning of the log.The Yule log can be made 

of any wood (Oak is traditional). Each releases its own kind of 

magick. 

Ash -- brings protection, prosperity, and health 

Aspen -- invokes understanding of the grand design 

Birch -- signifies new beginnings 

Holly -- inspires visions and reveals past lives 

Oak -- brings healing, strength, and wisdom 

Pine -- signifies prosperity and growth 

Willow -- invokes the Goddess to achieve desires 

The burning of the Yule Log can easily become a family tradition. 

Begin by having parent(s) or some other family member describe the 

tradition of the Yule Log. The tale of the Oak King and Holly King 

from Celtic mythology can be shared as a story, or can be summarized 

with a statement that the Oak represents the waxing solar year, 

Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice, and the Holly represents the 

waning solar year, Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice. 

Lights are extinguished as much as possible. The family is quiet 

together in the darkness. Family members quietly contemplate the 

change in the solar year. Each in her/his own way contemplates the 

past calendar year, the challenges as well as the good times. 

Then the Yule Log fire is lit. As it begins to burn, each family 

member throws in one or more dried holly sprigs and says farewell to 

the old calendar year. Farewells can take the form of thanksgiving 

and appreciation and/or a banishment of old habits or personal pains. 

Once the Yule Log itself starts blazing, then the facilitator invites 

family members to contemplate the year ahead and the power of 

possibilities. Each member then throws in an oak twig or acorn into 

the fire to represent the year ahead, and calls out a resolution 

and/or a hope. 

Families using a Yule Log with candles each family member can write a 

bad habit and/or a wish for the upcoming year on a slip of paper and 

burn it in the candle flame. 

When this process is done, the family sings a song together. The 

traditional carol, "Deck the Halls," is good because it mentions the 

Solstice, the change in the solar year, and the Yule Log. 

Let the Yule Log burn down to a few chunks of charred wood and ashes 

(or candles burn down). Following an ancient tradition, save remnants 

of the fire and use them to start the Yule Log fire the following 

year. 

     

MAKE A YULE LOG

To make a Yule Log, simply choose a dried piece of oak and decorate 

with burnable ribbons, evergreens, holly, and mistletoe. To make a 

Yule Log with candles (suitable for indoor observances when a 

fireplace is not available), you will need a round log at least 

thirteen inches long and five inches thick. Flatten the bottom of the 

log with a saw (preferably a power saw) by trimming off an inch or 

two so the log will sit without wobbling. Next determine where the 

three candle holes should be drilled along the top of the log. They 

should be evenly spaced. The size of the holes will be determined by 

the size candles you are using. Drill the holes 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch 

to accommodate the candles. 

The log with candles may be painted or sprayed with varnish or 

shellac to keep it from drying out. When the varnish is dry, insert 

candles and decorate it with holly, evergreens, and mistletoe. 

Candles may be green, red, and silver or white to represent the Oak 

King, the Holly King, and the Goddess; or white, red, and black to 

represent the Triple Goddess.

The Yule Log, an ancient symbol of the season, came to us from the Celts. The log, a phallic symbol, is usually cut from an Oak tree, symbolic of the god. The entire log was decorated with holly, mistletoe, and evergreens to represent the intertwining of the god and goddess who are reunited on this sabbat. The log was burned in the hearth or fireplace. Modern pagans also have the option of using pieces of oak small enough to be burned in the cauldron.

In modern times, another tradition has emerged since not everyone has fireplaces. Three holes are bored in the top of the log for three candles, representing the goddess in her three aspects -- maiden, mother, and crone. Normally these candles are white, red, and black in honor of this triple aspect. This log may be reused year after year, with the candles changed each year.

An ancient rhyme of unknown origin reflects the importance of the Yule Log on this sabbat:

May the log burn,

May the wheel turn,

May evil spurn,

May the Sun return.

The ashes of the yule log or spent wax from candles are tied up in a cloth for the entire year as a charm for protection, fertility, strength, and health.

TOP

Yule Log Magick

The yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European pagans would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires symbolized the return of the Sun.

An oak log, plus a fireplace or bonfire area is needed for this form of celebration. The oak log should be very dry so that it will blaze well. On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the coming year into the log. Burn the log to release it's power. It can be decorated with burnable red ribbons of natural fiber and dried holly leaves. In the fireplace or bonfire area, dried kindling should be set to facilitate the burning of the log.The Yule log can be made of any wood (Oak is traditional). Each releases its own kind of magick.

***

It is best that every owner charge his or her own Yule Log. It is through your own energies that the results you desire will be achieved. Do you truly believe in the power of your log? If the answer is yes, then the answers and gifts you request from it will be honored. Here is a simple Charging Ritual to help you get the most from your log.

Gather your supplies:

Chalice (or glass) of water

A white candle in a holder

A small amount of salt

A table

A white cloth

Incense of any kind in a holder

A quiet place to perform the ritual

Ritual :

Lay white cloth over the table. Place candle, water and incense in the center of the cloth.

Light the candle and the incense. Darken the room. Close your eyes and meditate on the log and what you want it to achieve until you have fully cleared your mind of all other influences and are focused on the desired result. Take a pinch of salt between your thumb and forefinger and sprinkle it into the water while saying:

“Earth and Water bond this log to me,

May it protect me/us throughout the year

And channel my desires,

Blessed Be”

Sprinkle this "empowered" water onto your log. Pass the incense and candle over the log to purify it while again saying:

“Fire bond this log to me,

May it protect me/us throughout the year

And channel my desires,

Blessed Be”

Place your hand on the log. Close your eyes. Meditate to feel the powerful, protective internal energy of your body flowing down your arm and into your hand. Envision yourself burning the log and its strength protecting you as you go about your life. Invoke the god or goddess you feel most personally attuned with by saying:

“(God/Goddess Name) bond this log to me,

May it protect me/us from harm

And channel my desires,

Blessed Be”

Feel the log begin to surge with your power and envision a white or yellow light glowing about you.Sit like this until you feel the energy winding down, you will know when the charging it complete. Place the log in your fireplace or pit. If it was charged with certain people in mind, make sure they are there as you burn the log and meditate and enjoy their company!

***

Simple Yule Prayer

The night or day before yule say: 

“We have passed through the time of

darkness. The Goddess has carried us gently. I

now welcome the newborn Sun child.

May his birth bring good cheer to all the world!

May this yule log (or candles three) bring him

strength and comfort.

Blessed Be!”

Light three white or yellow candles or a yule log with three candles. Let the three candles burn 'til dawn or until they burn out. At dawn first light a black then red then white candle and say: 

“Blessed be the Great Mother who is at

once Maid, Mother, and Crone. Blessed is she,

Creatrix of allthings Great and small.

Now begins the cycle again.”

Let the candles burn out