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| THE STORY OF YULE Copyright 2001 Rachel Walker December 21st The dark nights ruled the land, and the warm summer months seemed an age away. There was little work for the people to do, and whilst they still hunted, there was no more harvest to gather. The god had been gone for a few months now, and he was still missed among the people. Because of his gifts they had plenty of food for the coming winter months, yet they were also afraid that this time he might not return, and then nothing would ever grow in the land again. As the evening drew on, the people noticed something strange - the darkness was spreading like a blanket, but not quite as quickly as in previous days. Suddenly, one of their number leapt to her feet and cried out "It's the god! The god has returned!". The people ran up the hill to the goddess, and sure enough they found her, tired but happy and cradling the newborn god. She lifted him up to show the people, and they cried and hugged each other - they would not die, the god had returned for another year. Joyously, the women of the land decorated the new mother with garlands of cedar and bay, laying gifts for her and her infant son. The people celebrated long into the night, and shared a feast of pork and apple as they honoured the returning Lord to the land. |
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| PLANT - Bay, cedar, juniper ALTAR - Holly, mistletoe, traditional Yule Log (and a chocolate one doesn't count!), red and green candles. FOOD - Pork, apples, nuts |
| YULE Copyright © 2001 VirtualCoven. All Rights Reserved The world celebrates as the God is reborn. The days will now grow longer, and although the world is still wrapped in winter it holds the promise of warmer days. We celebrate with the Goddess that her grief is over. Here is our suggested ritual: "Though the world lies still and cold Promise and hope is ours to behold Though the earth is dead and grey The Lord is returned to claim His day The freezing days will soon be gone Hail to the God, the returning Sun Hail Goddess from whom life springs Welcome Old Ones and the gifts you bring" Turn to the green candle and light it: "Gracious Goddess of eternal life Creator from death, I offer this light The Sun is returned to earth from You I honour your grace and all that you do" Turn to the red candle and light it: "I welcome you back, Lord of the Sun Gracing the land till your work is done In your name Father God I offer this light As you return on this Yule night." |
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| One of the oldest traditions that I have heard of is to choose any outdoor living tree. Make decorations that will help the wildlife through the winter, and will not hurt the tree or the environment. If it is a tree on your property you can also add decorations such as those mini lights that do not get hot, and non edible decorations that can be left outside that you can remove after Yule. You will have a whole host of beautiful birds and little creatures adorning your tree for the season! Decoration Ideas: use biodegradable (100% cotton or other) string or thread Strings of cranberries Strings of dried fruit strings of pretzels marshmallow or other candy pieces (not too many) small soft or hard tortillas or pieces, painted with food colouring coloured tortilla chips pieces of bread cut out with cookie cutters (can add dots of food colouring) cookies cut in any shape Strings of popcorn red apples, clementine or regular oranges, lemons etc. little mesh bags or suet with raisons etc. peanut butter and nut balls strings of sunflower seeds apples coated with peanut butter and rolled in sunflower seeds carrots strings of pieces of vegetable, broccoli stem slices or pieces, beet slices, cauliflower stem slices or pieces pinecones and wooden decorations - can paint with biodegradable non toxic paint idea for hanging the large pieces of fruit etc. - take a screwdriver or similar and poke a hole through - thread a string through and tie a piece of wood to hold it at the bottom - tie a loop at the top to hang it with Our experiences, good or bad, made us who we are. eNd From: Elaine Neely <gecan@l...> Date: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:27 pm Subject: Old Yule Tree Tradition |