Yule

Dec. 21

     Also known as Winter Solstice, Winter Rite, Midwinter, Alban Arthan, & the First Day of Winter. This is the time when darkness comes and the Holly King officially rules. It is when the goddess has given birth to a son, the god. It is a time that represents divine births and short days and long nights. Yule is the shortest day of the year, and is the time of the greatest  darkness. People usually light fires or candles to welcome the Sun's returning light, as he has also been reborn. They celebrate Yule just before dawn and watch the sunrise as a finale to their rites and an anticipation of the coming light in the spring.  This is also a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth, a comfortable thought in these days of unrest. Christmas, which takes place  just days after Yule and celebrates the spiritual birth of Jesus Christ, is actually the Christianized version of the ancient pagan Yuletide feast.

       In some traditions, is the creation of a Yule tree. This can be a living, potted tree which can later be planted in the ground, or a cut one.  Decorations are made, such as strings from dried rosebuds and cinnamon sticks (or popcorn and cranberries) for garlands. Also, bags of fragrant spices are hung from boughs.
    Quartz crystals can be wrapped with shiny wire and suspended from strong branches on the Yuletree to represent icicles. It also creates a glimmering effect if shone on by the sun.
       Many Wiccans enjoy the custom of lighting the Yule Log, a representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the mother goddess. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log (traditionally of oak or pine). You may carve a figure of the sun if you wish. Then place it in the fireplace at dusk on Yule and enjoy the wonderful fragrance.


Incense: bayberry, cedar, pine, rosemary

Stones/Gems: cats-eye, ruby

Dieties: Lucina (Roman goddess of lunar mysteries), frey (Scandinavian god of fertility and a diety associated with peace and prosperity), Attis (Phrygian fertility God), Dionysus (Greek God of Wine), Woden (the chief Teutonic), and of course, jolly old Kris Kringle (the pagan god of Yule and personification of the old Yuletide spirit)

Candles: gold, green, red, white, silver

Herbs: blessed thistle, moss, oak, chamomile, evergreen, sage, holly, mistletoe, ivy, cedar, bay, juniper, rosemary, pine,

Foods: roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcakes, caraway rolls, eggnog, mulled wine

Decorations: pine branches, Yule Log, colored lights,pinecones, holly, mistletoes, garlands, fruits (apples, oranges, lemons), nuts

Colors: Gold, Red, Green, Silver, White, sometimes Blue

Rituals

Winter Solstice Sabbat- "Wicca Craft" Gerina Dunwich

Yule Festival- "Wicca-A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner" Scott Cunningham

Winter Solstice Ceremony- "Crones Book of Charms & Spells"  Valerie Worth