Do you have hardwood floors instead of carpet? People would gather around these structures (which were built to align with the sunrise, an amazing feat of architecture) and try to capture the last rays of sun during the darkest day of the year. For example, you could make holly water by soaking holly leaves in spring water under a full moon. Some Pagans do charitable works because it is part of their groups standards. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). A popular modern take on the Yule log is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log. and "Happy Holidays!". So when Alfred the Great gave free-men 12 days at Yule in the late 9th century, he meant a Christmas vacay. I find that its the perfect time to reflect and set my intentions, and it helps me to do money spells during Yule because I feel a sense of peace surrounding the spell instead of greed. State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments. Remember, if you want to use mistletoe, youll have to harvest it from the branch, not the ground. I was told that birch is endangered. Yule was most commonly celebrated in Germanic countries throughout history, such as in Norway and Sweden. Some of them will even dress up! Perhaps your deity has blessed you in some special way, and to honor him or her, you want to share your good fortune with others. California Consumer Privacy Act | The 12 days of Christmas are a time to remember the story of Jesus and to celebrate his birth and his baptism. After decorating the log, a family might burn it in a hearth or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs. Cant find a song honoring your chosen deity? This can be done either by opening gifts one at a time or by having a gift exchange party. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Day 3: The Feast of Reflection. I recommend casting a defensive protection spell during the Winter Solstice rather than an offensive spell. Say: May the powers of Earth bless this donation.Earth is the land, the home and the foundation of community.Nurturing and solid, stable and firm, full of endurance and strength,This is the base upon which we build our community.With these powers of Earth, we bless this donation.. You can also make a delicious tea with rosehip, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, or cloves for warmth. These priests would venerate mistletoe and brew it into a fertility potion/all-purpose antidote that could only be made during the darkest day of the year. Later, when Christianity came to the British Isles, Christians adoptedaspects of the pagan festival into a celebration of the birth of Christ. Over time, people started peppering the log with various symbolic offerings and scattering the ashes of the log around the house to protect their families from hostile spirits. Now by reading your stories I think that's inaccurate. The herbs are used to represent the four seasons. The most important part about celebrating Christmas in our modern lives is cleaning up before it begins! If you haven't worn it, used it, played with it, listened to it or eaten it in the past year, pitch it. The third day of yule is typically celebrated by enjoying a festive meal with family and friends. After all, who can focus when they're constantly having to step over piles of unused junk? No one really knows how old this holiday is because it wasnt written about until about the 4th century. This color roots the festival in nature and also symbolizes abundance since it is the color of money. The sixth day of yule is typically celebrated by singing christmas carols. We pray that you will bless us during the coming year and bring us happiness and prosperity. Place the Yule log on the altar, along with the candles, herbs, and salt. Yuletide is associated with many festive foods, particularly of the sweet and spicy variety. Thank you for everything you all do in honor of those of us who are Pagan and celebrate Yule. Additionally, Samhain is technically the last stop on the Wheel of the Year before Yule ushers in a New Year. Yuletide concludes with the celebration on the Twelfth Night, which often coincides with the modern New Year celebrationfull of revelry, food, and drink. Some contend that the original festival was a sort of Norse Day of the Dead, with the god Odin as a major player; among Odins many names was Jolnir, and among his many duties was acting as a god of the dead. In reply to Whoever whatever whenever by Justin (not verified). This is my first visit to this site , I LOVE this place and intend to be a permanent guest here ! There are many other fun and festive activities that you can do to celebrate the holiday season. the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms, Holly has protective properties and is therefore useful for warding off bad luck or unwanted spirits, Mistletoe represents fertility and healing according to pagan beliefs, it loses its power if it touches the ground, which is why we hang it up, Pine also brings healing and joy into the home, Ivy represents resurrection, rebirth, and immortality, Rubies, which summon protection, prosperity, as well as love and sexual passion, Bloodstones, which boost energy, motivation, and help you make good decisions, Garnets, which are manifesting stones that can reveal your purpose, Apatite stones, which can make you more motivated to pursue your dreams, Emeralds, which summon prosperity and healing. Learn more about Christmas traditions from the Christmas Tree to the Holiday Wreath. Decorate the home with ribbons and garlands, and the Yule Tree. As the sun returns to the earth, life begins once moreit's a time to bid the Crone farewell, and invite the Maiden back into our lives. The Christmas tree is a symbol of the Yule log and is traditionally decorated with candles, ornaments, and garland. The idea that Christians chose to celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December because this was the date of an already existing festival of the Sol Invictus was expressed in an annotation to a manuscript of a work by 12th-century Syrian bishop Jacob Bar-Salibi. Its often used to decorate homes and trees during the holiday season. Like most winter solstice festivals, themes of light, fire, and feasting are common threads. Many of these ingredients are thought to have protective properties. The child and dependent care credit covers up to $6,000 of expenses related to day care or similar costs Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of each. If your home has a common area like a family room or kitchen that tends to attract clutter, get a basket for each person who lives there. Likewise, If you have an all-male group, you could revise this rite so that it focuses on the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King, rather than the Crone and the Maiden. Each of the eight festivals on the pagan calendar corresponds to the years main solar events, namely solstices, equinoxes, and the intervening cross-quarter events. Ask a participant at each directional point to hold the item. Terms of Use | They can be used in fireplaces or as decor. I hope this gives you a great overview of Yule and the Winter Solstice! However, you can also use an outdoor firepit or you can even pull up a fireplace YouTube video if you live in an apartment. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. Day 4: Coyote Day!! Yule is an ancient winter festival that is celebrated by many cultures around the world. The date varies because our calendars arent exactly aligned with the Sun. It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in lore. Yule traditions came later; Yule is technically a twelve-day feast, beginning on the Winter Solstice, which centers around the worship of each traditions major deities. While you do that, you can think of anything youd like to accomplish in the New Year. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the garden! The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. [37][38] This celebration centers around the caretaker (s) of the household, as they will invite the dead and living to join the festivities and bestow good wishes for family and friends. If you make it a week or two in advance, you can enjoy it as a centerpiece prior to burning it in the ceremony. Clean baseboards and other woodwork. In fact, for me, Yule is always a time for introspection to sit back and reflect and consider what I want the next year to look like. Basically, its the shortest day of the year when we get the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. So, throughout the year, the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms. Our towns Boy Scout troop drilled holes in birch logs to create special candle holders for Scoutceremonies. Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water and spray down your windows, inside and out. Make sure you move the furniture around and clean beneath each piece it's time to get all the yuck out of your house, and dustbunnies are notorious for getting in the corners under the couch. Generally, these people will wear seasonal colors or black, to represent the Sun God or the Goddess. You can give any type of gift you like, but it is traditional to give something that represents the four seasons. On this one day, the sun stands still in the sky, and everyone on earth knows that change is coming. If you're one of those people who feels bad about getting rid of stuff, donate it to a charity if it's still clean and in usable condition. If it's warm enough outside, take them outdoors and spray them with your garden hose. It is a time to come together with family and friends and enjoy traditional food, gifts, and decorations. The first step is to gather your supplies. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! Check out my favorite money jar spell here. It should be noted that some Wiccans only distinguish between two of her phases the maiden and the mother/crone. Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. I am so interested in non religious centered culture and traditions. Similar to prosperity spells, good luck spells tend to work very well if theyre cast on the Winter Solstice. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. 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