Stress Stay away from My Yule Holidays

My tree is up, decorations are placed, gifts are in processing, still have baking to do.

So I went out shopping today, it's already begun, shoppers, busy, sales galore, ads everywhere you look, facebook, television, newspapers, magazines, store windows People in a big hurry racing around to spend money, more credit cards than money really, all for the big show, the big deal, Christmas holidays or as we remember to refer to it as Yule, the old term for what people today call Christmas really. 

ONE BIG THING To Remember here and throughout the holidays is Do Not Let the Stress get YOU

Stop take a breath, drink some hot tea, or hot cocoa, do things to relieve stress, meditation, stretching, reading, listen to music that calms you, Please I cannot say this enough, life is too short, do it now before it's too late.

Take the time, it doesn't have to be a lot of Time but take some time each day, 10 minutes of your daily life to STOP and do something to destress.

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Effective Tools and Treatment for Alleviating

and Coping with Stress

Anti-Stress Synergy

4 parts Lavender essential oil

2 parts Bergamot essential oil

1 part Ylang ylang essential oil

Deep Relaxation Blend

6 parts Lavender essential oil

2 parts Marjoram essential oil

1 part Mandarin essential oil

Lavender Fields

6 parts Lavender essential oil

1 part Sandalwood essential oil

Use all of the above blends as a diffuser oil and inhale as needed from the

bottle.

Massage Oil for Stress

2 Tbsp sweet almond (or vegetable oil)

10 drops Lavender essential oil

2 drops Neroli or Rose essential oil

In a shallow dish or bottle, add the essential oils. Add two tablespoons of

warm vegetable oil or sweet almond oil. Mix well. Apply to the skin with

slow

rhythmic hand strokes, working towards the heart. Be sure to pay special

attention to the hands, feet, and neck.

Herbal Retreatment

Bath Salts (or other carrier)

7 drops Lavender essential oil

2 drops Lemongrass essential oil

1 drop Basil essential oil

Add the essential oils to the carrier and add to a full bath. Warm to hot

water temperature is suggested. Soak 20 to 30 minutes.

Quiet Moments

2 Tbsp Honey (or other carrier)

6 drops Sandalwood essential oil

2 drops Bergamot essential oil

2 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

In a small dish, add honey. Mix in the essential oils and combine well by

stirring. Add to full warm bath. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

Stress-Release Soak

1/4 - 1/2 cup heavy cream (or other carrier)

6 drops Lavender essential oil

2 drops Mandarin essential oil

1 drop Bergamot essential oil

1 drop Clary Sage essential oil

In a cup add the cream. Add the essential oils and mix well to combine. Dry

powdered milk can be used as an alternative to the cream. Simply make a

thick

paste with water and add essential oils to it. Add the aromatic cream to a

full warm bath and stir with your hands. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

No Worries Herb Tea

relaxing blend for stress

2 parts Chamomile flowers

2 parts Lemonbalm herb

1 part Catnip herb

1 part Lavender flowers

1 part Peppermint leaf

1 part Rose petals

1 part Lemongrass (optional)

a pinch of nutmeg to taste

Vanilla Honey (optional)

Combine the dried herbs, flowers, and spices in a glass jar. Label. To

prepare one cup of herbal tea, use 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of hot water.

Steep for 5 minutes.

Essential oils useful for stress reduction and promoting relaxation are

basil, bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, juniper, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, neroli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.

Recovery from Nervous Exhaustion

Re-charge Synergy Blend

for nervous tension

6 parts Lavender essential oil

3 parts Basil essential oil

2 parts Pine essential oil

1 part Nutmeg essential oil

Mix the essential oils in an amber glass bottle. use a few drops n an aroma

lamp or inhale for a tissue. Ideally, this blend is nice to use in a

diffuser

to disperse

the essential oils into the room air two or three times per day.

Re-Fuel

an aromatic bath to relieve nervous tension

Bath salts (or other carrier)

5 drops Patchouli essential oil

3 drops Clary sage essential oil

2 drops Eucalyptus essential oil

Choose a carrier to transport your essential oils into the bath water. Bath

salts contain Epsom and sea salt and make a good choice. Add the essential

oils to the carrier and mix well. Pour the bath preparation into a full

warm bath

and stir with your hand. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

Essential oils that are helpful in conditions of mental and nervous

exhaustion are those which affect the nervous system and aid in regulating

and relaxing. Those used most often are basil, clary sage, eucalyptus,

geranium,

ginger, grapefruit, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, neroli,

nutmeg, patchouli, petitgrain, rosemary, ylang ylang, and pine.

How to Use Aromatherapy to Relieve Anxiety

Aromatic Bath for Anxiety

Bath salts (or other carrier)

5 drops Lavender essential oil

3 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

2 drops Bergamot essential oil

Add the essential to the carrier. Add the bath preparation to a full warm

bath. Soak 20 to 30 minutes.

Anti-Anxiety Massage Oil

apply to the back area

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

12 drops Lavender essential oil

6 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

4 drops Frankincense essential oil

3 drops Cary sage essential oil

In an amber glass bottle, add the essential oils and vegetable oil. Shake

gently to mix well. Label. To use, warm the oil by placing in a hot water

bath. Apply to the back area in light and gentle strokes.

Potent Remedies for Tension Headaches

Headache Oil

massage oil for tension headaches

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

10 drops Lavender essential oil

5 drops Peppermint essential oil

200 IU’s Vitamin E (optional)

In an amber glass bottle, add the essential oils and vegetable oil. Add the

vitamin E. Shake well to mix completely. Label with directions for use. To

use, warm a few drops of the concentrated oil and apply to the temples of

the

head and just beyond the hairline. Typically this area is sore to the touch

if

the headache is severe. Gently massage this area with a light pressure.

Inhale

the essences from cupped hands following the massage. Breathe slowly and

concentrate on the breath.

Aromatic Footbath for Headache Relief

2 Tbsp Castile lotion (or other carrier)

4 drops Lavender essential oil

2 drops Peppermint essential oil

a basin or tub

cold water

a towel

Fill tub or basin (large enough to hold both feet comfortably) half full

with

cold water. To the castile lotion soap, or other carrier that you have

chosen, add the

essential oils and mix well. Add to the water and stir with your hands. Soak

both feet in the cold aromatic water for 15 to 20 minutes. Sit comfortably

while doing the foot bath. Concentrate on breathing slowly and deeply.

Relax.

Depression

Nature’s Answer

an inhalation blend for mild depression

4 parts Clary sage essential oil

4 parts Ylang ylang essential oil

3 parts Geranium essential oil

2 parts Basil essential oil

1 part Sandalwood essential oil

Mix the above essential oils in an amber glass bottle. Label. To use in a

diffuser, simply add to the bottle or reservoir of the apparatus. If using

this blend in an

aroma lamp or simmering pot, add 4 to 6 drops and allow to diffuse into the

room.

Aromatic Bath for the Blues

for mild bouts of depression

1/4 cup Honey (or other carrier)

3 drops Lavender essential oil

3 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

2 drops Basil essential oil

2 drops Geranium essential oil

1 drop Grapefruit essential oil

Mix the essential oils in the honey. Fill the bathtub with warm water and

then add the aromatic honey mixture. Stir well using hands. Soak for 20 to

30

minutes. Play your favorite music and light a candle or two. Sip on a cup of

Feel Good herb tea while in the tub.

Elation Formulation

a concentrated massage oil for mild depression

2 Tbsp Sweet Almond oil ( or vegetable oil)

1 tsp Wheat germ oil

8 drops Lavender essential oil

8 drops Ylang ylang essential oil

2 drops Basil essential oil

2 drops Geranium essential oil

2 drops Bergamot essential oil

In an amber glass bottle, add the essential oils. Add the sweet almond oil

and wheat germ oil. Shake gently to mix well. Label. To use apply a small

amount onto the back of the hands and chest area. Inhale the essences the

hands

after application to the skin. During the day, inhale form the back of the

hands. The oils will also be absorbed through the skin. Apply two to three

times

daily.

Feel Good Tea

to encourage a feeling of well-being

3 parts lemon balm herb

1 part Lavender flowers

1 part Rose petals

1 part Spearmint leaf

1 part St. John’s Wort

1 part marjoram

Vanilla Honey to taste

Mix the above herbs and flowers in a bowl. Store in a glass jar and label.

To

prepare use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb per cup. Pour hot water over herbs and

allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Flavor with honey or lemon if desired.

Drink

up to three cups per day.

Essential oils used for depression are basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary

sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, jasmine, myrrh,

neroli,

rose, sandalwood, spruce, orange, and ylang ylang. Essential oils that can

have a positive influence on feeling of anger, which are associated with

depression, can be useful as well and include rose, chamomile, ylang ylang,

and

rosemary. If the depression is associated with loss, then essential oils

helpful

for grief or bereavement, such as lavender, rose, frankincense, neroli,

hyssop,

and marjoram

should be used. Traditional herbs that may help depression are basil, thyme,

lemon balm, St. John's Wort, lavender, spearmint, peppermint, rose petals,

gingko, marjoram, lemon verbena, and ginseng.

Best Insomnia Blends

Aromatic Leg Spray

to promote sleep for the restless

1 cup cold water

12 to 16 drops of Lavender essential oil

spray bottle with a fine mister

To a plastic bottle, add water and the essential oil. Label. THis

preparation

does not contain a carrier to disperse the essential oils into the water, so

it is

necessary to shake this well before each use (application). Spray the lower

legs.

Peaceful Sleep

to encourage sleep

7 parts Lavender essential oil

2 parts Marjoram essential oil

1 part Clary Sage essential oil

Mix the essential oils in an amber glass bottle. Use a few drops to apply to

the bed linen, pillow, etc. Or prepare a large amount to run through a

diffuser.

Alternatively, add 20 drops (or double this recipe if using drops as a

measurement) and add to 4 ounces of water to make a room mister. Shake

before each

use.

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What is Christmas? 

Well a bit of information here

Just how Christian is Christmas? Not as much as you think. In fact, not much at all.

CHRISTMAS: A Christian festival, named after Christ's mass, celebrating the birth of Jesus. Any fool knows that. Slightly more savvy people are aware that Christ wasn't born in 1 AD and know Christmas is actually a cleaned up version of old rituals. But that's not the half of it. In fact, Christmas is utterly Pagan. 

For a start, there is no evidence that Christ was born at Christmas. Shepherds would not have had their flocks out in the fields in midwinter, even in Palestine. Nor would the Romans have ordered a census in the winter, the most difficult time of the year for travel. 

As for the 12 days of Christmas, that's traditionally the time it took for the three wise men to arrive at the stable in Bethlehem. The fact is that the Roman celebrations around the winter solstice (December 21st), starting with the feast of Saturnalia and ending with the Sol Invictus festival, also lasted 12 days. All over the world, the solstice is connected with rebirth, so it made sense for the early Christians to tag on their own ersatz birth-celebration to one that was already around. 

Or take Santa Claus. "Santa Claus" is "Saint Nicholas" mispronounced, and Saint Nick is the patron saint of children-as well as merchants and pawnbrokers, which seem rather apt. So how did Saint Nick, who lived in Turkey, end up at the North Pole, driving a sleigh full of reindeer? 

It's claimed that part of the story goes back to the Norse god Odin, who also gave cash to the poor, and who used to ride across the sky. And there's Cernunnos, the Horned God who led the Wild Hunt, chasing souls through the night sky. Or Freya, another Norse deity, who was supposed to spend the twelve days after the winter solstice driving a chariot pulled by stags, giving presents to the good and punishing the ...well, the naughty. Whichever of the ancient legends you choose, one thing's for sure: Father Christmas is as Pagan as they come! 

He first appeared as a fat bearded bloke in a fur coat in a poem written in 1822 by Clement Moore and a picture drawn by Thomas Nast in 1860- up to then he'd been anything from a skinny elf to a thinly disguised version of Cernunnos dressed in green. When in 1931 the Coca Cola company wanted a figure to represent their drink around the world, they commissioned artist Haddon Sunblum to paint a fat, jolly, human Santa in their corporate colours of red and white, and the rest is history (and marketing). 

But red and white is also the colour of the fly agaric mushroom, a powerful hallucinogen from northern Europe, where it's a favourite food of reindeer. It used to be a big part of pre-Christian shamanic rituals, and is said to have formed from the specks of blood and spittle that fell from the mouth of Odin's horse as he galloped on (ta daaaa!) the winter solstice! And Christmas poet Clement Moore was an expert on European folklore. That's no coincidence. 

Christmas was never a celebration of Christ's birth - there's nothing in the Bible to say that Christ's birth should be celebrated at all, and it wasn't until 375 AD that the Church fixed it's date. Instead, it was a way of twisting old beliefs to Christianity's advantage, making more converts for what was then the new faith on the block. Roman historians realised this: in 230 AD Tertullian wondered why the Christians were so willing to dilute their beliefs with Pagan "superstitions". 

Christmas Traditions: the shocking truth!

MISTLETOE: Has no Christian significance. It's an ancient Druid fertility symbol, and people used it to do a lot more than kiss under it. 

HOLLY: Supposedly something to do with Christ's crown of thorns, but in fact a lot more to do with the god Saturn and the old Pagan Holly King. 

CHRISTMAS TREES: Evergreen trees were a potent symbol of life in the dark winter days. Decorating them was a way of making offerings to the tree's spirit. 

PRESENTS: From the Roman feast of Saturnalia, integrated into Xmas in 375 AD when the church first set Christ's birthday as December 25th. 

YULE LOGS: A Scandanavian tradition, where an oak log was kept burning for 12 days, and a piece of it saved to light the next year's log. "Yule" is named after Ullr, the Norse god of winter. 

BOOZE: the old Greeks celebrated the death and rebirth of Dionysus, the god of wine and wild revelry, for 12 days at the winter solstice. Dionysus's parents were Zeus and Hera. When he was killed by the Titans, he was brought back to life and ascended to Mount Olympus. 

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What is Yule:

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!