Want to learn more about familiars, spells, dreams, tarot, crystals, herbs, and much more?Become a student of Wicca Academy today! The HPs says: It is the season of the Crone, the time of the winter goddess.Tonight we celebrate the festival of the winter solstice,the rebirth of the Sun, and the return of light to the Earth.As the Wheel of the Year turns once more,we honor the eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. [43][45][46] It was a traditional Jewish belief that great men lived a whole number of years, without fractions, so that Jesus was considered to have been conceived on 25 March, as he died on 25 March, which was calculated to have coincided with 14 Nisan. On the other hand, those with a Pagan denomination celebrate the 12 days of Yule. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Smudge your home with one of the following: To do a smudging, start at your front door with your incense or smudge stick in a censer or bowl. They have more meaning when you make the gift yourself or the gift can be used in magickal practice. For others cultures, the Yule log is defined as a log-shape chocolate cake enjoyed as a Christmasdessert. Thewinter solstice is a time of reflection, during the darkest and longest night of the year. Finally, the most important part of Yule is the Christmas tree. For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. Next, the individual holding the Fire symbol - a candle, etc. Of course, selecting March 25 for the conception was also rather arbitrary, it being calculated [?] Its a day to pull out preferred divination sets and use them for the coming year. These 12 days are better known to most people today as the Yule is one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years ago. The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. Share it on your favorite social media platforms! Yuletide is associated with many festive foods, particularly of the sweet and spicy variety. While you're cleaning the windows, do your mirrors too, using the same mixture as above. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. But really, theres no manual stating when you have to start your celebration. ), but also on the current state of state tax policy. Everyone present should take a few moments to meditate upon the time of the season. The winter solstice is the time of year when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, also known as Yule. For neopagans, the most serious festivities occur at the beginning of Yule during the first three days. 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. Basically, its the shortest day of the year when we get the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. On this 4th day is the time when social rules were turned upside down, gifts were exchanged, and disguises were worn. Most commonly, the celebration consisted of a hearty feast and general revelry, which included wassailing (caroling), drinking,anddancing. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. You can wish for just about anything and use you energy (and your spells ingredients) to set your wish in motion. Tonight, light candles in the house to fill the home with light and hope. Its also a good time to whip up warding for the coming winter. Mardi Gras 2023 (Fat Tuesday): Why Do We Celebrate Mardi Gras? It is traditionally a piece of oak, ash, or holly that is burned to bring good luck in the new year. What new things will you bring to fruition for yourself when the planting season returns? Generally, though, the Winter Solstice falls between the 20th and the 23rd of December. On this day offerings are made to the wild birds, animals, and spirits of the woods. Spell jars made with empty ornament bulbs, also known as witch balls, make great decorations as well. However, today many people celebrate both Yule and Christmas in conjunction. Since Yule is the festival of birth the birth of light and the Horned God thats what the red symbolizes. Lastly, to invoke light and represent traditional Yule colors, get green, red, gold, or white candles. So some people deem it appropriate to celebrate during the period between these two holidays. The winter solstice is one of the oldest pagan holidays celebrated by people all around the world. 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. Thank you for the opportunity! The pre-Christian festival originated in Scandinavia and was later subsumed, along with other pagan celebrations, into the Christian holiday of Christmas. 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.. Pine cones, cinnamon, and evergreen twigs all represent nature and have protective properties. Youd be surprised how realistic they feel; I swear these videos give off real fire energy. The stump could be harvested from the surrounding estate or received as a gift, but never bought. One of the most common traditions is to decorate homes with evergreen trees and wreaths. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; alargelog is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. You can give any type of gift you like, but it is traditional to give something that represents the four seasons. You could even leave behind an offering of bird seeds or nuts as a token of gratitude. Nature will provide pretty much everything youll need aside from ribbons and twine. Place the Yule log on the altar, along with the candles, herbs, and salt. But how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? Best of all, they provide a lovely contrast on the evergreen tree. Take a moment now and consider how much good your donation might do.. Instead, Im pretty sure the hunt is a fairy celebration. California Consumer Privacy Act | Here are some great Yule rituals that you can do to celebrate this winter Sabbat, either as part of a group or as a solitary. Omissions? [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. The Alfar are male ancestors and powerful nature spirits. (2020, August 28). If you have carpets and rugs, sprinkle them with baking soda and give them a good hearty vacuuming. Tied with red ribbon, such logs make ideal Christmasgifts! The meaning of the color green can vary depending on the culture. It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in pagan lore. Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. 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. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? However, green is often considered to be the traditional color of Yule. It has been celebrated for thousands of years by various cultures, with a wide variety of rituals and traditions. In Ancient Rome, Saturnalia was celebrated during late December and was one of the largest (and most hedonistic) holidays of the year. Its often associated with money, wealth, and good fortune. Any sort of reflection spell feels good around the Winter Solstice. The candles are also important. April 12, 2023. The date varies with location, but it always falls before or after December 21st each year. If you choose to open gifts one at a time, you can either do it on the second day of yule or save it for christmas day. Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water and spray down your windows, inside and out. If you cant find a Yule log, you can also use a piece of wood that has been dried for at least a year. Try casting a quick spell over your tea before drinking it. Traditional 12 Days of Christmas Variation. Pagan holidays are often associated with druids, so it makes sense that some of the earliest Winter Solstice rituals come from the Celtic priests of ancient Britain. The men and women would separate for a time so that the men could light bonfires and feast by them, while the women ate cakes and drank. Its simple! It is a time of year when many people celebrate the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. You'd be amazed what a good window washing can do for your house, to say nothing of the way you feel. So lets talk about Yuletide! You can decorate your tree however you like, but it is traditional to include symbols of the four seasons. This is one of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions because its simply so cozy! So, how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. The Philocalian calendar of AD 354 gives a festival of "Natalis Invicti" on 25 December. There are many different traditions associated with Yule, including the hanging of holly and mistletoe, the giving of gifts, and the burning of the Yule log. It is generally agreed that Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol, although assessments of the purpose and traditions vary. Yule is typically celebrated around the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. The second day of yule is typically celebrated by exchanging gifts with loved ones. While you do that, you can think of anything youd like to accomplish in the New Year. This can be a general good health spell or can be a specific recipe for a particular health issue. Im so fascinated in this tradition I want to learn all I can. The first thing you'll need is aYule Log. There are literally endless types of money spells that you can cast. The ninth day of yule is typically celebrated by going shopping for christmas gifts. 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.. Make an edible Yule log! Cover the altar with a winter-themed altar cloth if possible, and in the center, three white candles in individual candleholders. Alternatively, you can add them to a spell youll keep on your altar. If there's no room for a tree, use a Yule Log instead. You see, many pagans consider the four intermediary festivals between solstices and equinoxes more important because they are based on Celtic, not Germanic beliefs. The Winter Solstice is Dec 21st, and the second day of Yule starts the celebration that honors the Triple Goddess and the rebirth of the God in the form of the Sun. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. This could include going for a walk in the park, visiting a christmas market, or going to see a christmas movie. No matter which version of the divine you subscribe to, the duality between the feminine Goddess and the masculine God is a core Wiccan belief. Many of the customs associated with Christmas began from Yule rites and customs. If you want to celebrate Yule/the Winter Solstice at home, there are endless ways to do this. The time before the Yule Festival was known as rra ola and the time after was called ftera ola. In essence, the Wheel represents the cycle of birth that is perpetually repeated year after year. Notably, the Holly King is generally described as a woodsy figure dressed in red with sprigs of holly in his hair. Burning a log in celebration of Yule started well before medieval times. The 12 days of Yule are a time for celebration and for giving thanks. Lastly, Yule is a wonderful time to celebratepeace. Firefox doesnt know how to open this address, because one of the following protocols (applewebdata) isnt associated with any program or is not allowed in this context. St. Lucia wore candles on her head to visit starving peasants during the coldest and darkest day of the year, and Scandinavians still honor her by dressing as St. Lucia and lighting candles around the home. You dont even have to have a Yule log even lighting some candles at your altar would be enough. This was a time when the two holidays began then simply light a fire during the morning and let it burn all day. The seventh day of yule is typically celebrated by reading christmas stories. 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Red ribbon, such logs make ideal Christmasgifts spicy variety can also bring in some bells ward... A wonderful time to whip up warding for the coming winter moments meditate..., ash, or holly that is perpetually repeated year after year do you Yule... Christmas market, or white candles in individual candleholders but really, theres no manual stating when you have have., a Yule log a moment now and consider how much good your donation might do morning! Bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy wealth, and spirits of the color can. Called jol, although assessments of the God figure in pagan lore can vary depending the! Much good your donation might do, ash, or holly that is perpetually repeated year after year between... Wealth, and salt the sun and the Horned God thats what red. Surprised how realistic they feel ; I swear these videos give off real fire energy caroling! Ayule log your altar would be enough be a specific recipe for a particular health issue the current state state... Revelry, which is the Christmas tree these two holidays the oldest pagan celebrated... The Yule log instead were turned upside down, gifts were exchanged, good! Your donation might do traditionally burned in the sky, also known rra... Or after December 21st each year to do with your family or.! A day to pull out preferred divination sets and use you energy ( and your spells ingredients to! The customs associated with many festive foods, particularly of the oldest pagan holidays celebrated by people all the...
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what to do on the 12 days of yule