We are nearing that time of the year once again, that time most of us refer to as Christmas a time of celebration, merry making and gift giving. The culture of Winter festivals is a worldwide phenomenen and they are in fact festivals of light.
Some of the most important decorations within these Winter festivals are candles, fairy lights, christmas tree lights, bonfires, yule logs because thy symbolise the return of the Oak King, the light and warmth of the Sun.
The Pagan festival of Yule takes place on or around December 21st.
On this day or thereabouts an incredible happening takes place in the heavens. The earth tilts on it's axis away from the Sun in the Northern hemisphere and the Sun reaches it's greatest distance the equatorial plane.
The Winter Solstice has been celebrated in the Northern hemisphere for eonss, the Nordic people saw it as a time of celebration and feasting.
Decorating a Tree, lighting the Yule log and wassailing can all be traced back to thse ancient Norse tribes.
The British Celts also celebrated the winter solstice, Druid priests would gather mistletoe, one of the Druids most sacred plants.
In some traditions of paganism the Celtic mythology relates to the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, the Oak king symbolising the re-emerging light and the Holly king who represents the darkness disappearing.
Plants for Yule
Holly - the old year, protection, waning sun, good luck
place over doorways, hang over mirrors, paintings etc place in wreaths for hanging at entrances
Mistletoe - peace, healing, rest, protection,
place as amulets over doorways, overhead, kiss underneath!
Ivy - fidelity honour, protection, good luck , healing
place in crowns, wreaths and garlands
Frankincense -the sun, purification, protection, concecration, spirituality
incense, oil and resin
Myrrh -healing, inner peace, purification, life after death
resins, incense, oils
Great Yule decorations for your home that won't cost a fortune;
A Wreath for the front door -buy a willow circle or florist circle and decorate with sprigs of holly, pine cones, pieces of pine branch red ribbons. These can be evergreens or dried flowers, or even silk.
Gather pine cones and spray silver and gold, scent with cinnamon oil and place in a large bowl with some gold baubles and pieces of greenery.
Or/ Hang the pine cones with ribbon or cord ties to your christmas tree, spray gold or silver and dust with sparkle!
Make a Tradional Yule Log
cut or gather a good sized log, make an indent/hole to fit a candle or candles at one end or in the centre, fix with a little melted wax, decorate with holly and berries, pine cones and vine, some red ribbons (take care this is away from any flame)
a song for Yule
May the Log Burn,
May the Wheel Turn
May Evil Spurn
May the Sun Return
Candle colours are traditionally Green, Red, Silver or White and Gold
Keep the ashes from the Yule log along with any spent candle wax, pieces of greenery etc, tied up in a cloth for the whole year as a good luck charm
Some may choose to burn the yule log in a fireplace or even in a special place outside to honour the old year and welcome in the new year, some may prefer to use the candles placed on the yule log and honour the sabbat this way.
Of course most people in the West now have a chocolate Yule log to eat on Christmas Day!
Have a wonderful Yuletide/Christmas whatever your path in this life...... from Moondust and Angels
