Yule
Imbolg
Ostara
Beltaine
Litha
Lammas
Mabon
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Yule (December 21) |
Yule, also known as Yuletide, Alban or Arthan, falls on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Winter solstice for 2001 will occur at 11:21 am PST on December 21.
The winter solstice is a day to celebrate birth. In a very practical way, Yule marks the fact that the worst of the winter is over. Yule is a time for thanks and reflection. We give thanks to the Gods for seeing us through the longest night and we celebrate the past year's achievements with those important to us. In ancient times, the observance of this holiday was very significant as it represented the point when days would become warmer. Soon, new animals would be born into their flocks and the ground would once again become fertile.
The mythology surrounding Yule is very colourful. At Yule, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child. It is a time of great joy. Birth is celebrated and a period of growth and increasing power begins. With the Sun God comes hope for new light.
Customs
- From early times, witches have used candles in Yule celebrations. This indicates the importance of light and of honouring the deities of light in our celebrations.
- Honouring the birth of the Sun God. The child is often said to be born among animals and simple working people such as shepherds. Three wise mages come to offer gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold brings wealth and power. Frankincense is for love and creativity. Myrrh is for endurance in suffering.
- The giving of gifts is a long-lived Yule tradition. It strengthens our bonds of community survival and holds a contract for mutual help in the coming year.
- An important custom at Yule is a meditation on the darkness. Just before midnight, all power is turned off in the house. Some even turn off their power at the meters. Then, meditate on the gifts the darkness brings - to help us regenerate in sleep, to gain strength, to help us dream, to hide our sadness and to unfold our sexuality - among others. At the end of the meditation, each person lights a candle to pay tribute to the growing power of the Sun which is at hand. We sing praise to the sun. A feast and good drink always follow.
- Many modern Witches still perform a ritual of the Oak King and Holly King. The Oak king rules the waning year (Litha-Yule) and the Oak King rules the waxing year (Yule-Litha). This ritual is performed on both the midwinter and midsummer holidays. Traditionally, a drama including a battle is actually played out by actors. This recognizes the aggression in each one of us and also some of the conflict in our family lives at this time of year.
- The tradition of the Yule log is perhaps one of the best known Yule traditions among the general public, although its origins aren't. It is the counterpart the bonfires of midsummer. A special log is brought into the home and burned on the hearth where it glows for the twelve nights of the holiday season. It is then kept in the home all year and its protective power is said to ward of illness and adverse conditions. It is also customary to place mistletoe around the fire. To the Druids, mistletoe was a sacred plant as it grows on the oak tree. Mistletoe is said to bring fertility to women.
Yule Correspondences
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