Yule A time to Celebrate

Yule is a time to look on the past year's achievements and to
celebrate with family and friends.

The Yule log and tree, mistletoe, holly, pine, cedar, juniper,
spinning wheels, the colors red and green, and gift giving are all
part of the Yule celebrations.  Red candles are used to symbolize the
fire and heat of the returning sun as the days begin to lengthen.
The tree also dates from old European or pagan rituals. It was the
time to celebrate the renewal of the earth, and greens were used as
the symbol.

The yule log is the counterpart of the midsummer bond fires, which are
held outdoors on Litha (Summer Solstice) to celebrate the shortest
night of the year. It is also customary to place mistletoe around the
fire, which is the plant that grew on the oak tree, sacred to the
Druids, the priests of the old Celts.

In Europe the yule log is brought in and placed on the hearth where
it glows for the twelve nights of the holiday season. After that, it
is kept in the house all year to protect the home and its inhabitants
from illness and any adverse condition.

Goddesses associated with the winter solstice are: All Goddesses
whose worship continued in Christian times under the name Mary,
Tonantzin (Native Mexican corn mother), Holda (Teutonic earth goddess
of good fortune), Bona Dea (Roman women's goddess of abundance and
prophecy), Ops (Roman goddess of plenty), Au Set/Isis (Egyptian),
Lucina/St. Lucy (Roman/Swedish goddess/saint of light), and Befana
(Italian Witch who gives gifts to children at this season).

Gods associated with the winter solstice are: Saturn (Roman
agricultural god), Janus (Roman), Cronos (Greek god, also known as
Father Time), the Holly King (Celtic god of the dying year), Father
Ice/Grandfather Frost (Russian winter god), Thor (Norse sky god who
rides the sky in a chariot drawn by goats), Odin/Wotan
(Scandinavian/Teutonic All-Father who rides the sky on an eight-
legged horse), Frey (Norse fertility god), and the Tomte (a Norse
Land Spirit known for giving gifts to children at this time of year).
Santa's reindeer can be viewed as forms of Herne, the Celtic Horned
God.

Yule (Winter Solstice) is one of the 4 Quarter Pagan Sun Celebrations
in the Pagan Wheel of the Year.  It is halfway between 2 Cross
Quarter Sun Celebrations, Samhain (November 1st) and Imbolc (February
1st).  Exactly opposite Litha (Summer Solstice) on the wheel of the
year.  This year Yule is December 21, 2001, when the Sun enters zero
degrees Capricorn.  This day marks the division of the year and the
lowest power of the Sun.  Just as the dark or waning half of the year
began at Litha (Summer Solstice) with the longest day, the light or
waxing half begins now at Yule (Winter Solstice) with the longest
night.  It is also considered by some to be the start of the new
Pagan Wheel of the Year.  This day is also the official first day of
winter.

The full moon in the month of Yule is called the Long Nights Moon.
This year the Long Nights Moon is December 30, 2001.

The eight Pagan Sun Celebrations in the Wheel of the Year are:
Samhain  November 1        (Cross Quarter)
Yule     December 20-22    (Winter Solstice)
Imbolc   Feburary 2        (Cross Quarter)
Ostara   March 20-22       (Spring Equinox)
Beltaine May 2             (Cross Quarter)
Litha    June 20-22        (Summer Solstice)
Lammas   August 1          (Cross Quarter)
Mabon    September 20-22   (Autumn Equinox)

                           Samhain
                     Mabon         Yule
              Lammas                    Imbolc
                     Litha         Ostara
                           Beltaine

Yule Origins, Lore, Legends, and Customs

Yule falls approximately on the Winter Solstice, the
shortest day and longest night of the year. After Yule
the period of daylight begins to wax, until it reaches
the longest day on June 21, the Summer Solstice. For
folks in Northern climes, the Winter Solstice was a
most welcome day to anticipate at the dark end of the
year, and although months of darkness lay ahead, folk
could rest assured Sunna's might was on the increase
and darkness was waning. Yule is actually a span of
thirteen days, usually counted from the night before
the solstice (19 or 20 December, as it varies from
year to year ), to the thirteenth night, (usually
January 6 called "Twelfth Night" later by Christians).
Bede called Yule eve "Mother Night", and it is thought
this night was devoted to honouring the Idises (or
Disir, female ancestral spirits) the family
protectors. The Solstice itself, either 20, 21 or 22
December, is the most important of the days, when the
dead and other beings of the dark fare most freely,
Winter arrives, and humans are closest to the spirit
worlds.

Jölföðr (Yule-father) and Jölnir (Yule) are names of
Odin. Some think Odin was the original "Alf" or
gift-giving "Elf" ( Julesvenn in Norway, Jultomten in
Sweden, and Jule-nissen in Denmark). Before Santa
Claus was popularised in the Victorian era as a fat
jolly Elf, he was seen as tall and lean, wearing a
dark cloak, not a red and white tunic. Earlier legends
describe "Santa" as riding a white horse, not driving
a sleigh pulled by reindeer. This reminds us of Odin's
steed Sleipner. The elder "Yule Elf" was a bit stern
also, and could be quite a terrifying figure,
especially to rude or ill-willed folk. This forbidding
Yule Father probably arose from ancient legends of the
Odensjakt or Wild Host who during Yule tide ride the
stormy Winter skies, led by Odin as Oskoreidi.
Sometimes people would be taken to join the Wild Host
in tumultuous flight. In the Christian era folklore
advised people to stay inside at night to avoid the
furious Host, which was much feared. There are many
accounts, especially from Germany, of wayfaring folks
being picked up and transported from one place to the
other by the throng of the dead, only to be left there
lifeless. Other legends tell of those who could lie as
dead (presumably in a trance state) while their souls
fared aloft with the Wild Host. However, it is quite
possible that fearful reputation of the Wild Host was
especially encouraged by Christians, who claimed the
Wild Huntsman was their devil. From a Heathen
perspective it is likely that originally the Wild Host
was made up of ecstatic human devotees of the God
Wodan. He is the God of ecstasy, but also of death, so
the dead probably always made up part of the Wild
Host, which rode with great clamor upon skeletal
horses and accompanied by ghostly hounds.

In contrast to the solely horrific nature of the Hunt
as seen by Christians, there is a great deal of
evidence that Heathens believed fertility and
blessings were brought by the Wild Host . Oski,
"Fulfiller of Desire," or "Granter of Wishes," is an
aspect of Odin that could well be associated with the
Yule Elf, for Oskoreidi, Leader of the Wild Host, was
known to give gold or other boons to those who were
courteous or clever. The greatest boon believed
wrought by the Furious Host was that as they rode
above the fields they ensured fertility and fruitful
harvests. An interesting related custom survived in
Germany of leaving the last sheaf of grain cut in the
field for the Huntsman's horse, eight-legged Sleipner,
Odin's magical steed. This fertility aspect of the
Wild Hunt could be connected in some way with the
return of the dead to their earthly homes at Yule, for
it was thought they brought blessings with them and
bestowed them upon their kin. These 'evolved' dead
were considered to be Alfar (male Elves) or Disir
(powerful female ancestral spirits), a higher soul
state some benevolent humans were believed to achieve
upon death. These holy Ancestors became guardian
spirits of their kin's land, much involved with the
continued fertility of the land and its inhabitants.
Folk would honour the ancestors by bringing gifts of
food and drink to the family howe (burial mound).
There also survives the custom of sitting out on a
mound in order to get the highly valued advice of the
Ancestor within. Indeed the kindred Dead were
considered to still be an integral part of the family
by Heathens, and were treated as such. The ghostly
Wild Hunt is another manifestation of the pervasive
Heathen beliefs of the eternal connection of the
living with the dead, and the fertility bestowing
powers of the Ancestors.

In Scandinavia it is the God Thor who is thought to be
the origin of the Yule Elf.
The Julbock or Julbukk, the Yule Goat, who to this day
plays a big part in Norse Yule festivities, is thought
to derive from Thor's magical goats Tannginost and
Tanngrisnir who draw His chariot through the sky.
There are many legends that tell of Thor's benevolent
protectiveness of human kind, and of his jolly,
fun-loving nature (at least when He is not in a
Troll-slaying mood). This seems more in line with
modern conceptions of jolly Saint Nick than grim Oden
the Wild Huntsman. The Yule goats carry the Yule Elf
as he visits the folk, bestows gifts, and gets his
traditional offering of porridge. Modern Yule
decorations of straw formed into goats, straw-goat
ornamented wreaths, and a (mock) Yule goat head bourne
about on a stick are all memories of Thor's animals.
When the Yule log burns on the hearth, some scholars
say, it is an offering on Thor's altar. Thus we have
the legend of Santa "coming down the chimney".

In Germany Frau Holda, Perchta, or Oskoreidi, and in
Scandinavia and England The Wild Huntsman, come at
Yule, leading hosts of the dead. The Perchtenlauf and
other ritual perambulations are folk memories of
earlier pagan processions at Yuletide. Either
beautiful or monstrous, the masked Perchten, like the
season itself, can be boonful or terrifying, and have
their origins in very ancient Heathen beliefs. Winter
Solstice is the time when the veils between the worlds
are thin, and the dead may most easily manifest to the
living. But it is not usually the human dead who were
considered the most fearsome wights. At Yuletide
spirits of all kinds are abroad; similar beliefs are
held by Celtic Pagans of Samhain (Halloween). In Norse
lands Trolls of many types are roaming; draugr (rare
and evil human ghosts of enormous strength) accost
mortals, and the Alfar (Elves) -- both malicious and
benevolent -- may drop by the homes of men. Many Yule
customs that survive to this day have their origins in
practices either meant to ward the home from evil
wandering spirits at Yule, or conversely, to welcome
good spirits into the home and show them thanks for
the blessings they bestow. House wights (tutelary
spirits of the home) and the respected dead of the
family were welcomed gladly to the Yule feast. Food
would be left out on the table for them after all had
gone to bed. At Yuletide hosts of dead could be seen
(by those so gifted) feasting with great revelry in
their mounds, and paying each other friendly visits in
each other's howes. Clearly Yule has a dual nature: it
is the time of Death and darkness, when trolls, ghosts
and alfs fare about, but it is also the time of return
of the waxing Sun and celebration of Her promise of
Life and light renewed.

The central celebration and rite of Yule is the holy
feast. It is thought very important to spare nothing
in providing for the guests--both living and dead,
human and wight. All good wights shared in the Yule
feast; dogs and cats ate the same food as humans, and
were brought into the house. Offerings of cream, beer,
and bread were left out for the house-wights. If the
feast were being held by a chieftain (or a wealthy
community leader), many people would be invited and it
would last many days, with presents being given to the
guests upon their departure. For less wealthy folk,
there would be as good a feast as could be provided,
and of course the Yule ale would be shared in frith
between family members and friends. Sumble (ritual
toasts) would be drunk to the Ancestors at this time
as well, for Yule was the season for the recognition
of the continuance of human life. The Ancestors would
naturally be most welcome at the family celebration.
Savoury foods such as mutton or leg of lamb, goose,
pork, and beef, special Yule breads, porridge, apples,
sweets and nuts are traditional. But most important is
the Yule ale, brewed stronger than other ales, and
considered holy. Oaths were sworn on the bragarfull
(holy cup). Sumbles held during the days of Yule, and
especially on Mother's Night, the Solstice, and
Thirteenth Night are considered to be especially
potent, being spoken in the presence of the Gods and
wights at the most holy time of year. In Heathen times
the sonargöltr (hallowed Yule boar) was led in and the
holiest of oaths were sworn upon it, as is recorded in
Helgakviða Hjorvarþssonar (The First Lay of Helgi
Hjorvarthsson):
   "In the evening (Yule-eve) vows were made: the
sacrificial boar was led in,      men laid their hands
on him and swore dear oaths as they drank from the  
 hallowed cup."
Then it was taken and slaughtered (not in a state of
fear, but quickly) for the Yule feast. It was believed
the soul of the animal went straight to the Gods,
while its flesh provided the holy feast. In later
times or among those too poor to own pigs, a special
boar-shaped bread would take the place of the Yule
boar.

Drinking Wassail at Yule is an English custom from
Heathen times. 'Wassail' comes from the Anglo-Saxon
Wes Hal, meaning "to your health". The beverage is
made from ale, wine, and/or cider with fruits and
spices added. Traditionally it was used in part as an
offering to apple trees in thanks and for their
continued fruitfulness. Bits of toast were floated in
the wassail bowl, then placed in the branches of the
tree, and libations poured over the roots. This is the
origin of our term "to toast" someone.

   As well as fruit trees, evergreens have long been
part of Winter Solstice celebrations. The evergreen
tree, which keeps its leaves throughout the year, is
an obvious symbol of the endurance of life through the
cold and dark Winter months. Beer, bread, and table
scraps were offered to trees in Scandinavia. In South
Germany arose the custom of a branch or small tree
brought inside and decorated with offerings to the
spirit of the tree. This Yule tree was considered to
represent the luck of the family (as the old
Bairnstock did) as well as being honoured as a
powerful wight in its own right, capable of bestowing
fertility in the coming year. The cosmic tree,
Yggdrasil is an evergreen yew in some traditions, and
an ash (rowan = European mountain ash ) in others.
Both trees have bright red berries; possibly this is
one origin of decorating the modern Yule tree with
berries. The cosmic tree (the Axis mundi) bears all
nine worlds of the Norse cosmos in its branches and
among its roots, so perhaps tree ornaments in part
represent the nine worlds. Trees are sacred to
Germanic and Celtic peoples, and there are many
ancient traditions of offerings tied onto trees as
gifts to them, this practice is the most probable
origin for the custom of decorating Yule trees with
gifts. In Heathen times offerings were made to the
Alfar (wights who govern growth and fertility in
nature) in gratitude for harvest yields. The evergreen
boughs brought inside to "deck the halls" represent
the ever-renewed life force and serve to welcome good
Alfar into the house. Not surprisingly, these holy
boughs also served to protect the home from evil
wights. Yew, rowan, and holly boughs are traditional
Heathen choices for hall-decking.

   Another Yule tradition that survives from Heathen
times is the burning of a Yule Log. This was a
specially chosen tree that was to burn for at least
twelve hours, but possibly it originally burned for
all twelve days of Yule. In some legends the log was
offered to Thor. Oak would be the most appropriate
choice, but any hardwood considered holy from the
locality is suitable. English lore holds that Yule
logs should not be bought, they should be gotten from
one's own property, or a neighbour's. The log of
course must be massive, and must be handled with care
and clean hands, out of respect. In some places a
whole tree trunk was brought in, and one end was
placed in hearth. Then it was gradually fed in as it
burned, to be finally consumed on the final night. The
tradition is that the presence of the remnants or
ashes of the Yule log in the house would protect it
all year from lightning and would bring good luck. The
new Yule log should be started with some splinters of
the previous year's. Holly and other winter greenery
is often used to decorate the Yule log. Today Heathens
at need substitute a large candle (or series of
candles) for it, and burn them starting on Mother's
Night, all through the thirteen nights of the holy
tide. This is done to honour and aid Sunna through the
darkest time of the year, to ward off ill wights of
darkness that might be about at Yule, and to symbolise
the lengthening of daylight after Solstice.

   Although it falls during the darkest time of year,
Yuletide is holy and a time of peace. Frith is held
between everyone, and all are focused on celebration,
family, feasting,honouring the Ancestors, making holy
oaths, and peace.

Blessed Yule to you!