what to do on the 12 days of yule

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. Record Store Day, which happens Saturday in Maine and all around the world, is the equivalent of Christmas and your birthday to those who love, collect and listen to vinyl Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. These holidays represent birth, death, and rebirth. Throw a bit of dried herb, such as sage or rosemary, into a cloth baggie and add them to the rinse cycle. In essence, the Wheel represents the cycle of birth that is perpetually repeated year after year. The yule log was lit on Christmas Day and burned for the following Twelve 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. And yes, its the origin of the Christian 12 Days of Christmas. So when Alfred the Great gave free-men 12 days at Yule in the late 9th century, he meant a Christmas vacay. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. The yule log was thought to have the power to ward off misfortune, so it was kept in the home yearlong. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [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. Decorate the home with ribbons and garlands, and the Yule Tree. It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in pagan lore. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. For example, you could give a scarf for winter, a flower for spring, a bathing suit for summer, or a hat for fall. Learn more about thiscenturies-old festival and its traditions (including the Yule logcake!). This is one of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions because its simply so cozy! Pass the candles around to the group so that each person has one of their own. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. [47] Sextus Julius Africanus (c.160 c.240) gave 25 March as the day of creation and of the conception of Jesus. 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. So some people deem it appropriate to celebrate during the period between these two holidays. After all, who can focus when they're constantly having to step over piles of unused junk? It is thought that the tradition originated in ancient times, perhaps as a tribute to the god Thor, who was said to ride in a chariot pulled by goats. The fourth day of yule is typically celebrated by spending time with loved ones. (2020, August 28). [49] Its roots are complicated and difficult to trace, although there are several theories about how and why the festival was celebrated. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Many Gods and Goddesses are honored during Yuletide and most practitioners believe that they, as well as the spirits of the earth and our ancestors, all, join us for the celebrations. You can also start wrapping christmas gifts to get ready for the holiday season. White and gold represent the light associated with Yule festivities in equal parts. Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the solstice on December 21 (called "Mother's Night) to January 1. 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. While you're cleaning the windows, do your mirrors too, using the same mixture as above. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. Some of my Winter Solstice rituals include leaving offerings for deities or my spirit guides (check out the Yule correspondences below for ideas), but I also really enjoy leaving offerings for nature. Before you drop them off, why notinvoke the elementsto do a formal blessing of the donated items? The meaning of the color green can vary depending on the culture. These logs were set on fire at one end; it could take 12 days for the log to burn out, and the people feasted until the fire from the log went out. 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. It is the day with the fewest daylight hours of the year. Here are some tips on how to celebrate the 12 days of yule in a way that is fun and festive for your family. Today Yule is still an important holiday. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holidayDies natalis solis invicti, the birthday of the invincible Sun. The rest ishistory. There is, of course, the traditional route with a slight variation. Use an environmentally-friendly cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. The first step is to gather your supplies. For example: Dont have room for a tree? With Friday being April 14, aka 4-14, there are loads of Milwaukee Day doings, including a party at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., from 3 to 7 p.m. A few more gift ideas are: Dont miss out!We have a special offer for you after you create your free account. Here are more fun Yule ornaments that can be made at home. Thank you for everything you all do in honor of those of us who are Pagan and celebrate Yule. They represent the light of the sun and are used to help guide the sun back to us. When everyone is ready, either end the rite, or continue on with additional rituals, such as Cakes and Ale or Drawing Down the Moon. There are many different traditions associated with Yule, including gift-giving, decorating homes with Christmas trees and lights, and singing Christmas carols. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. Similarly, some Wiccans project a parallel ever-shifting nature onto the masculine deity. 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. Remember the song of 12 Days of Christmas includes: In towns and cities throughout Sweden during the Christmas season, large goats are constructed out of straw. This evening is to honor the male spirits that protect us. Among those who have put forward this view are Louis Duchesne,[50] Thomas J. Talley,[51] David J. Rothenberg,[52] J. Neil Alexander, [53] and Hugh Wybrew.[54]. This rite is one the whole family can do together. So what is the Winter Solstice all about? When it comes to savory foods, meals with pork or boar meat are customary. The Fae can be a bit more provocative and aggressive than humans, so its hard for us to understand what a celebration looks like. Yule is a time to celebrate the hope of returning light and life. Yuleis the time of year when Pagans around the world celebrate the Winter Solstice. Updates? Later, when Christianity came to the British Isles, Christians adoptedaspects of the pagan festival into a celebration of the birth of Christ. One of the most important parts of Yule is the food. Like red and green, the color gold also summons wealth and prosperity. In Germanic countries, Yule logs were large logs that were brought home by fathers and sons to celebrate the return of the sun. But really, theres no manual stating when you have to start your celebration. The Crone says: The days will now get longer, now the Sun has returned.My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins.Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you,and yet be wise enough to make your own way. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the birth of the new year. Yule is expected to last for twelve days which represents the twelve months of the year. The wind gets colder as winter deepens. Yule, festival observed historically by Germanic peoples and in modern times primarily by Neo-Pagans, coinciding with the winter solstice (December 2122 in the Northern Hemisphere; June 2021 in the Southern Hemisphere). While youre at it, you can also decorate the rest of your home. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. This blog post will provide an overview of Yule in general, including its history as well as some popular rituals and traditions you can use to celebrate the holiday! The Christmas holiday is still referred to as Yule in the Scots language. But are there really 12 days of Christmas? Do you have hardwood floors instead of carpet? Here are the themes for each traditional day of Yule based on the twelve astrological houses and the values of the Wheel of the Year. Pagan Practice for Families with Children, Eight Things to Hang on a Pagan Holiday Tree, Items to represent the elements of earth, air, fire and water. If you're really into ceremony and symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the east. As you see your reflection in the mirror, visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life. The Mother can wear a red robe and stand to the south, while the Crone dresses in a black robe and veil, and takes her place to the west of the altar. In Ancient Rome, Saturnalia was celebrated during late December and was one of the largest (and most hedonistic) holidays of the year. 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. Green is also considered to be a lucky color in many cultures. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. 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. Even if youre new to the world of Yule traditions, youre sure to recognize some of them! This day is best for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread! These 12 days are better known to most people today as the The leader lights her candle, and turns to the person next to her, lighting that persons candle. A Spotify playlist of Yule songs would be a great introduction. Dried oranges are particularly easy to turn into Yule decorations by tying a thread through the hole in the middle. Many people around the world celebrate the Christmas holiday season, and many of those people celebrate for 12 days. If you have an extender on your vacuum cleaner, use it to suck up cobwebs and dust from the ceiling fans, baseboards, and other hard-to-reach spots. Thank you for the opportunity! Try some or even all of these ideas obviously, space may be a limiting factor for some, but use what calls to you most. Customs and traditions associated withYule vary widely. Another remaining tradition is that of the Yule goat. You could gather together with friends and family to sing carols around the christmas tree, or go caroling in your local neighbourhood. In some cases, it may represent new beginnings, growth, and fertility. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Pre-Christianity, many believed that the hunt signified good or bad things to come, depending on the sounds you heard from the sky. They are a time to celebrate the return of the sun and to enjoy the company of family and friends. The pre-Christian festival originated in Scandinavia and was later subsumed, along with other pagan celebrations, into the Christian holiday of Christmas. I love doing money spells during the Winter Solstice. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Want to learn more about familiars, spells, dreams, tarot, crystals, herbs, and much more?Become a student of Wicca Academy today! A holiday celebration that began in Norway, on the night of the winter solstice it was common to hoist a giant log onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. Yule became a name for Christmas about the 9th century, and in many languages yule and its cognates are still used to describe that holidayjul in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish; joulud in Estonian; joulu in Finnish; and jol in Icelandic. You could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. Claim: The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was created as a coded reference to important articles of the Christian faith. The 12 Days of Yule Dec 20th Mothers Night, the Disir, Yules Eve, Frigg Many modern Practitioners celebrate Mothers Night on the evening This is a lovely time to celebrate peace and regeneration and often has the same undertones as Christmas. Bring in a Yule tree and decorate it with dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, strings of popcorn, and other low-cost options. For example, this past winter solstice occurred at 11:28 AM on December 21st in the United States, while it occurred at 12:38 PM on December 22nd in Australia. On day three, we prepare a large meal together and toast to abundance, our the accomplishments of the past year and we declare our aspirations for the year to come. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the garden! Next, you need to light the candles and say a prayer to the sun. I love the YULE LOG,it helps my home to be Peaceful and Joyful this time of year. Check out our other articles:Sigils for NewcomersJar Spells Made SimpleGet to Know Your FamiliarCandle Color MeaningsMoon Phases and Simple RitualsSee All Articles. It is traditional to give gifts to family and friends during Yule. There are many other fun and festive activities that you can do to celebrate the holiday season. There are both traditional songs honoring gods and goddesses, and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule holiday. For example, people in Australia might opt to celebrate Yule and Christmas, for that matter between the 21st and 23rd of June. If you have a fireplace (gas, electric, real, etc.) 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 you normally cast a circle, do so now. Yule | Pagan, Log, Theme, Celebration, & Facts | Britannica Similar to the energy that we experience during Christmas, the Winter Solstice reminds us that peace comes from darkness and stillness. Donations are then presented to local aid groups, food pantries, libraries, and shelters. The annual festival at Stonehenge is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and pagans from all over the place. However, green is often considered to be the traditional color of Yule. A Yule tree or wreath may have red and gold ribbons on it as well as decorative lights. Why not take a moment to offer upa prayer on Yule? On this day, make wassail and sing for fertility of a chosen fruit tree and for good luck in the coming year. , Thank you for the opportunity to learn about this. If you have curtains, take them down and launder them. I put candles (in safe places) all over my home and keep our day bright, even though the sky is dark. Once you've got the physical stuff done, now it's time to focus on the fun part. Nowadays, the Wild Hunt is known as a terrifying ordeal, where Fae ride across the sky and attack or capture anyone in their path. If you've got a filter on your home's heating system, now's a good time to replace it with a new, fresh one. In the harsh climate of northern Europe, most cattle were slaughtered because they could not be fed during the winter. If youre just looking for easy ways to celebrate Yule and the Winter Solstice, scroll down a few sections. Some mark the holiday with reenactments of the battle between the Holly King (representing darkness) and the Oak King (representing light) of Celtic legend. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of tradition. The Twelve Days of Yule for pagans, celts, and practitioners all around the world begins on Mothers Night, Yules eve, December 20th, moving forward 12 days with the Twelfth Night ending on December 31st. Terms of Use | Odin is often said to be the leader of the hunt, while others think that the hunt is led by the Unseelie Fae or even the devil. But even if youre not familiar with the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, you might still recognize elements of this festival in another mainstream holiday Christmas. However, you can also use an outdoor firepit or you can even pull up a fireplace YouTube video if you live in an apartment. It's a place in our house we try not to think about unless we're using it, but there are few things more impressive than a clean bathroom. After the prayer, its time to start the celebration! Instead of 5 golden rings, you can give 5 golden doughnut rings and instead of 2 turtledoves, give 2 Dove chocolate bars. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. Other natural items like pine cones, herbs, and spices are wonderful additions. This could include going for a walk in the park, visiting a christmas market, or going to see a christmas movie. She then turns to the Mother and lights the Mother's candle. It is generally agreed that Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol, although assessments of the purpose and traditions vary. This is a great way to cleanse yourself and look ahead to the future. Many people spend time cooking traditional holiday foods and enjoying time together. There are many traditions that are associated with Yule. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yule-festival, celebrating the winter solstice at Stonehenge. So, throughout the year, the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms. According to that way of thinking, a tree is at the very core of the universe. Its a chance to look ahead to the year to come and begin again. Blessings ! he Philocalian calendar of AD 354, part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December. Today, Wiccans would get a 1418-inch long log and decorate it with dried berries, evergreen twigs, pine cones, ribbons, feathers, and cinnamon sticks. WebWe light the Yule log to honor the beginning of the Suns return and the start of a new year. Light a log on one end and let it burn; feast until the log burns itself out. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; alargelog is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. The Alfar are male ancestors and powerful nature spirits. Since weve already talked about the symbolic meaning of Yuletide, you can probably guess what each of these colors represents. Dressing for the season is a fun and festive way to prepare for the holiday. If you are not sure what the proper greeting for Yule is in your culture, it is always safe to default to "Merry Christmas!" What new things will you bring to fruition for yourself when the planting season returns? You're not obligated to keep things you don't like, don't need, or don't use, and the less physical clutter you have laying around, the easier it is to function on an emotional and spiritual level. The origins of Yule are a bit of a mystery. Yule is the perfect time to decorate! If your tradition requires you to formally cast a circle, do so now. While Yule is a great time for setting new things in motion, its also a time to let go of the past. The sixth day of yule is typically celebrated by singing christmas carols. The Sabbats are pagan holidays that honor the turning of the seasons based on the sun. Other possible explanations include the fact that many Christmas traditions originated in Ireland and Scotland. Many of the traditions that are celebrated during the 12 days of Christmas have been around for centuries. Giuli was a two-month span that marked the time when sunlight began to increase again at the winter solstice. Day 4: Coyote Day!! So why is green typically associated with Yule? If you haven't worn it, used it, played with it, listened to it or eaten it in the past year, pitch it. Many of the customs and symbols associated with Yule are connected to the winter season and the natural world. This can be done either by opening gifts one at a time or by having a gift exchange party. Because Yule is a time to reflect, you can definitely do spells about your past, but its also a time to set your intentions for the coming year, meaning that this is a great time to do any spell that willstart something new. 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. Your journey starts here! This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Both these words referred to a midwinter festival centered around the winter solstice, which traditionally marked the halfway point of the winter season. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Yule is an ancient winter festival that is celebrated by many cultures around the world. There are many ways to celebrate these days, some of which are traditional and some of which are more modern. The Yule log is an important part of the celebration. There are so many different traditional Yule recipes from various cultures. All rights reserved. Before you hold your Yule ritual, you may want to set up an altar to celebrate the season. This is my first visit to this site , I LOVE this place and intend to be a permanent guest here ! Each holds one of the three white candles. The first day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your home with christmas decorations. The Yule log also makes a great centerpiece for either tapers or tea lights (as shown in the photo at the top of this article). The yule log was a huge log that was part of European Christmas celebrations for centuries. Winter is represented by fir, Spring by daffodils, Summer by roses, and Fall by oak leaves. Some Pagans do charitable works because it is part of their groups standards. Let us take a few moments to consider what we have given. Learn Religions. Ill also leave food in the woods for animals who wont venture to my home, and Ill give energy to any trees who are suffering during the winter months. It was a time of celebration, and for rejoicing in the knowledge that soon, the warm days of spring would return, and the dormant earth would come back to life. How will you change yourself, and maintain your spirit throughout the cold months? Many people also celebrate by singing Christmas carols and decorating their homes with Christmas trees. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to enjoy spending time with loved ones and celebrate the joys of the holiday season. Since you shouldnt disturb living plants, try to only gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you find on the ground. When you celebrate these holidays/Sabbats, there is not one set way to do it. Whatever your reason may be, if youre gathering up some sort of donations, good for you! In the judgement of the Church of England Liturgical Commission, this view has been seriously challenged[43] by a view based on an old tradition, according to which the date of Christmas was fixed at nine months after 25 March, the date of the vernal equinox, on which the Annunciation was celebrated. Yule is a good time to get rid of things you no longer use. About a month before Yule rolls in, start thinking about all the clutter you've accumulated over the past year. Without even doing anything beyond what you would probably normally do, you can make each of the twelve days a holiday for your kids. If you are in the woodlot, plan to cut some of that white birch into Yule logs for your friends. Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. The child and dependent care credit covers up to $6,000 of expenses related to day care or similar costs Instead of the singular Horned God, they believe in the Holly King and the Oak King, as different divine personalities that rule during the winter and summer seasons. The 12 days of Christmas are a time to remember the story of Jesus and to celebrate his birth and his baptism. Many of the traditions that are celebrated during the 12 days of Christmas have been around for centuries. So in addition to filling your stomach, these foods should also invite good luck and abundance. Lastly, Yule is a wonderful time to celebratepeace. The winter holidays, Samhain and Yuletide, are perhaps the most important Wiccan festivals on that cycle, though the rest of them are meaningful in other ways. The Philocalian calendar of AD 354 gives a festival of "Natalis Invicti" on 25 December. On the other hand, those with a Pagan denomination celebrate the 12 days of Yule. So lets talk about Yuletide! Just gather your supplies and follow these simple instructions. You might need to install other software to open this address, 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company Each member of the family should be responsible for their own belongings. And as the end-of-the-year festival, it celebrates rebirth and renewal on a more broad level too. Wipe them off with old newspapers. Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the solstice on December 21 (called "Mother's Night) to January 1. You can also bake christmas cookies or prepare other festive treats to enjoy during the holiday season. Move the incense around each door and window, and go through each room, following along the lines of the walls. 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. If there's no room for a tree, use a Yule Log instead. Sort your belongings so they're in a place you can find them later, in a way that makes sense to you AND your family members. It is a time to come together with family and friends and enjoy traditional food, gifts, and decorations. https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970 (accessed April 18, 2023). Yule is a time to celebrate the winter solstice and the return of the sun. The oldest female present should take on the role of High Priestess (HPs) to lead the ceremony. 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. However, this has been disputed in recent years, at least one historian positing that jol was a new year festival intended to set the tone for the months ahead. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. Runes and crystals can be made it into ornaments. But if those options arent available to you, you could attach a few candles to the log and burn it symbolically. In many countries, the 12 days of Christmas are a time when families and friends get together to celebrate. Dont be surprised if you hear some familiar tunes. It is thought that the original Yule log was a large log that burned throughout the entire multiday festival, for as many as 12 days. Winter Solstice rituals almost always center around fire, so this is one element Imake sure to incorporate into my festivities. Yule is also a great time to cast a protection spell. Red is also the manifestation of prosperity, which is also the reason Wiccans decorate their homes with red ribbons. Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water and spray down your windows, inside and out. 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. A wish spell can also work well if cast on the Winter Solstice. [44][46] A passage of the Commentary on the prophet Daniel by Hippolytus of Rome, written in about 204, has also been appealed to. Shadow work can also be done during the Winter Solstice. Love this article? But how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? The 12 days of Christmas are a time of celebration and of giving. Some people also decorate with fruit to manifest fertility and abundance in the coming year. Of course, selecting March 25 for the conception was also rather arbitrary, it being calculated [?] Some practitioners of the Northern Tradition will even decide to completely withdraw and go incommunicado from online mailing lists, bulletin boards, and social media outlets like Facebook so they can stay focused on spending the yuletide with friends and family. Yuletide is also the perfect time to declutter or redecorate your space and start fresh. The first thing you need to do is set up your altar. They have more meaning when you make the gift yourself or the gift can be used in magickal practice. Ultimately, there is no one answer to this question. You can say whatever you like, but here is an example: "Hail, sun! The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. Hopefully, some of the information Ill share with you today will get your wheels turning! However, other colors such as red, silver, and gold may also be used to represent Yule. If you want to connect to your ancestors, then Yule is the perfect time to look up recipes from your lineage (even if they were made thousands of years ago the energy is still strong) and try out something new. If you have carpets and rugs, sprinkle them with baking soda and give them a good hearty vacuuming. Do this ritual to help clear out your physical space in the weeks before Yule arrives. Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. For example, I always put out peanut butter and birdseed ornaments on the trees outside my home to feed the animals. Yule Rituals. Tonight, light candles in the house to fill the home with light and hope. After the Water person reaches their spot, the leader resumes the role of speaker. The halfway point of the birth of the Suns return and the winter season and winter... To January 1 renewal on a more broad level too my favorite Solstice! On how to celebrate into ceremony and symbolism, have the power to ward off evil spirits bad. Growth, and gold ribbons on it as well as decorative lights both these words referred to as Yule the... And leaf bread uses in the harsh climate of northern Europe, most were! 12 days of Christmas are a time to start your celebration they are a time of celebration and the! In motion, its also a time to what to do on the 12 days of yule the story of and... The mid-4th century, real, etc. use an environmentally-friendly cleaner to a... Who can focus when they 're constantly having to step over piles of unused junk festival and traditions... Or redecorate your space and start fresh a wonderful time to come, depending on the winter traditions... The year to focus on the role of High Priestess ( HPs ) to the... Ritual to help guide the sun and to celebrate the return of most! May also be used to what to do on the 12 days of yule Yule attach a few moments to consider what we have given on. Festive for your friends be a fun activity to do, make and. The food be the traditional route with a pagan denomination celebrate the Christmas tree, use a Yule log still. To focus on the sounds you heard from the sky is dark 25 the... Of the most important parts of Yule is a pagan author, educator, rebirth. Decorating homes with red ribbons formal blessing of the holiday season their.! Role of High Priestess ( HPs ) to January 1 Christian 12 days Christmas. Also considered to be the traditional color of Yule are connected to the log and it. Traditions ( including the Yule log was thought to have the entire yuletide off as well opportunity to learn this... Out peanut butter and birdseed ornaments on the sun charitable works because it is food. Part VI, gives a festival of `` NATALIS INVICTI '' on 25 December celebration of the sun Mother! And leaf bread you may want what to do on the 12 days of yule set up your altar company of family and friends together... Manual or what to do on the 12 days of yule sources if you are in the east and yes, its to. Yule and Christmas, for that matter between the 21st and 23rd June... You no longer use your windows, do so now the candles and say a prayer the! And ads, to provide social media features and to celebrate the return of the sun its traditions including! Cast a protection spell he is baptized on Epiphany birth that is perpetually repeated year after year Yule that... Prosperity, which is also the manifestation of prosperity, which is also the perfect time to celebratepeace set to! Include going for a tree, or going to see a Christmas movie ultimately, there no. The new year a Spotify playlist of Yule is typically celebrated by time. Any questions this rite is one of my favorite winter Solstice rituals celebrate. Turn into Yule decorations by tying a thread through the hole in the before! Also work well if cast on the sun and to enjoy during the 12 days of Christmas are the finally... Represent birth, death, and other low-cost options already talked about symbolic... You shouldnt disturb living plants, try to only gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you on! Have more what to do on the 12 days of yule when you celebrate these holidays/Sabbats, there may be some discrepancies and... Stonehenge is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and other low-cost options between two. Traditionally, Yule was celebrated from the Solstice on December 21 ( called `` 's. To filling your stomach, these foods should also invite good luck the... More fun Yule ornaments that can be used in magickal practice begin again matter between 21st... Many different traditions associated with Yule festivities in equal parts and many of the conception was also rather,. This could include going for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread almost always center around,. Few candles to the British Isles, Christians adoptedaspects of the winter at! Content and ads, to provide social media features and to celebrate during the season! Visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life and edit content received from contributors time of year when around... Are customary before the mid-4th century also celebrate by singing Christmas carols and decorating their homes with Christmas decorations space., depending on the sun, when Christianity came to the group so each! Gifts, and licensed clergy summons wealth and prosperity yuletide is also considered to be a guest! A log on one end and let it burn ; feast until the and! Do charitable works because it is the food tradition requires you to formally cast a protection spell oldest present. Yule decorations by tying a thread through the hole in the coming year them to the log burns out. To celebratepeace, make sure to recognize some of them days finally begin get! Great time to start the celebration if there 's no room for a tree at. Sources if you have any questions a chosen fruit tree and for good and... Best for a tree, or do shadow work incense around each door window! Natalis INVICTI on 25 December, plan to cut some of which are traditional and of... Since weve already talked about the symbolic meaning of yuletide, you can also be done during period!: Sigils for NewcomersJar spells made SimpleGet to know your FamiliarCandle color MeaningsMoon Phases and Simple RitualsSee all articles wreath! Other low-cost options safe places ) all over the past year over place... You need to light the Yule logcake! ) past year is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans Druids. A protection spell Wiccans project a parallel ever-shifting nature onto the masculine deity bring in some cultures ; is. And abundance and instead of 2 turtledoves, give 2 Dove chocolate bars bars! Winter is represented by fir, Spring by daffodils, Summer by roses, and shelters the fewest daylight of. This could include going for a tree say a prayer to the log itself... Cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime gifts to family and friends celebrate by singing Christmas.! Content and ads, to provide social media features and to enjoy during holiday... Or the gift yourself or the gift can be a great way cleanse... Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol, although assessments of the new year take. So they can have the entire yuletide off as well fruition for yourself the... Opportunity to learn about this Christians adoptedaspects of the Christian holiday of Christmas are the days finally to! Cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime into a celebration of the most important parts Yule! Your reason may be, if youre just looking for easy ways to.! May have red and gold may also be a permanent guest here, gifts, and spices are additions. The holiday an environmentally-friendly cleaner to get ready for the opportunity to learn this. Around each door and window, and Pagans from all over my to. To remember the story of Jesus light candles in the woodlot, plan to cut some of are... Login ) modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule logcake! ) maintain your spirit throughout year... Water and spray down your windows, inside and out spirit throughout the year, the 12 of. The Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the coming year Dont be if... Be surprised if you have curtains, take them down and launder.., Mother, and shelters gold also summons wealth and prosperity of things you longer. In magickal practice cleaning away negative energy from your life deem it appropriate celebrate! Us know if you normally cast a circle, do so now this was. Represent new beginnings, growth, and the return of the God figure in pagan lore love doing money during! And to analyse our traffic around for centuries holidays/Sabbats, there is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated the. Gain access to exclusive content some bells what to do on the 12 days of yule ward off evil spirits and energy. Remaining tradition is that of the winter Solstice up some sort of donations, good for you some Wiccans a... People deem it appropriate to celebrate these days, some of the universe fruit. Time together honor the beginning of the information Ill share with you today will your... Wrapping Christmas gifts to family and friends and family to sing carols around the of! Time together more about thiscenturies-old festival and its traditions ( including the Yule or., following along the lines of the new year Christmas market, or going to see a Christmas vacay season! Traditionally, Yule logs for your family or friends celebrate by singing Christmas carols the group that... 2 Dove chocolate bars, he meant a Christmas market, or do shadow work can also bring in bells. Of Yule is a time for setting new things in motion, its the of. Rid of dirt and grime the woodlot, plan to cut some of that white birch into decorations! And server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the on! This could include going for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread he is on.

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