Crafty Kitchen Witch

  Traditionally Yule lasts 12 days starting on the Winter Solstice where they would begin to burn the Yule tree during the darkest day of the year. December 21 marks the beginning of winter and the longest night. It is also the turning point where the days slowly start to get longer, so we embrace and celebrate the return of the Sun. The cold winter nights are a perfect time to rest and appreciate what we have. Let go of the past years energy to make room for next years blessings and new beginnings. December 20th is Mother’s Night, the official beginning of the celebration of Yule. Yule is a twelve-day festival that was celebrated in ancient times. Many people, like my family, still celebrate it today. In case you aren’t familiar with it, I’d like to share some information about it, in hopes that you might add it to your holiday celebrations. This is the day known as Mōdraniht in Old English, and “Mother’s Night” in modern. It is one of my favorite days of the year. Today we honor ...

  Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen. A mantle of snow shone brightly that night As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight. The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees, Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze. The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows, Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows. When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake, Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break. The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet Then raced to the river where they usually meet. “What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed, As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed. “What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?” They all spoke at once as they stood by the river. Then what to their wondering eyes should appear But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere. It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye, Then it f...

  Let me take a moment to say that today People don't seem to make time for traditions. With all the rushing of the holidays especially people get to caught up in things to be able to slow down and enjoy the holidays, take time for traditions and remember the family time, time for rest and relaxation more than any other time of year. We all need to take time to breath, think back, investigate their heritage and family life  more. "The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close... like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds. Our modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, comfort food and consumer...

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. ~*...

Yule Goddess Doll Items needed: newspaper unbleached muslin (1 yard) sisal rope white glue florist wire small egg-shaped Styrofoam ball trim Directions: 1.Fold one section of newspaper in half and roll it lengthwise. 2.Fold the roll in half, and twist a twist tie at the upper third of the folded roll to form the body and legs. It may be helpful to stuff the legs into a large bottle while you work. 3.Cut off a 20 inch section of florist wire and twist the ends together. Twist the ends into a loop approximately 1 inch long, and bend the wires close together. This will be the arms and hands 4.Stick two pieces of florist wire approximately 6 inches long into the wide end of the Styrofoam ball and fold them around the ball, twisting them together to hold it securely. With the remaining wire, secure the ball to the loop of the newspaper - this will be the head. 5.Thread the arms through the paper of the loop, not the loop itself, to help it ...

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...