Once your home is ready for Yuletide festivities, you can look into local Yule celebrations. The 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. Yule isnt a great time for aggressive action, but it works well for self-care, which protection spells fall under. Use an environmentally-friendly cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of tradition. The festival was at one point connected to the Norse god Odin, who is also called the Yule father. Move the incense around each door and window, and go through each room, following along the lines of the walls. 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. At the same time, the Triple Goddess restarts her own cycle, this time in her maiden form. 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. The Yule log would feed the fire through the 12 Days of Christmas (from Christmas Day through the evening of the 5th of Januaryknown as TwelfthNight). Yule is also a great time to cast a protection spell. 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. Place each of the elemental markers in its corresponding location of the circle. This usually happens on December 21st, but varies depending on how close to Earth a given solar years perihelion (the nearest point in orbit) falls. We pray that you will bless us during the coming year and bring us happiness and prosperity. A Spotify playlist of Yule songs would be a great introduction. Its often associated with money, wealth, and good fortune. Customs and traditions associated withYule vary widely. I especially like good luck spells for the winter ahead. Yuletide concludes with the celebration on the Twelfth Night, which often coincides with the modern New Year celebrationfull of revelry, food, and drink. Check out my favorite money jar spell here. Notably, stories about the god describe him as having a long beard which is potentially what inspired old Saint Nicks appearance. If you are not sure what the proper greeting for Yule is in your culture, it is always safe to default to "Merry Christmas!" Wigington, Patti. There are both traditional songs honoring gods and goddesses, and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule holiday. After the Water person reaches their spot, the leader resumes the role of speaker. Yule is a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the new year ahead. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments. Thewinter solstice is a time of reflection, during the darkest and longest night of the year. So, throughout the year, the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms. The ancients knew that the winter solstice was the longest night of the yearand that meant that the sun was beginning its long journey back towards earth. Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes in the upcoming year. Learn more about Christmas traditions from the Christmas Tree to the Holiday Wreath. Perhaps someone in this group will benefit from what others have contributed. Other possible explanations include the fact that many Christmas traditions originated in Ireland and Scotland. But really, theres no manual stating when you have to start your celebration. The eighth day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your christmas tree. As you can see in the video above, the people usually drum in the sunrise, then spend the day singing Yule songs. She then turns to the Mother and lights the Mother's candle. "Merry Christmas!" Some modern celebrations of Yule attempt to re-create ancient traditions, while others have been adapted or reimagined to suit contemporary personal and religious practices. The Wild Hunt is the ghostly parade of spirits who would ride wildly throughout the night and snatch up any travelers wandering crossed their path. The darkest night of the year can also be the most peaceful and spiritual. Whatever your reason may be, if youre gathering up some sort of donations, good for you! Today, Wiccans would get a 1418-inch long log and decorate it with dried berries, evergreen twigs, pine cones, ribbons, feathers, and cinnamon sticks. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yule-festival, celebrating the winter solstice at Stonehenge. It is a time of year when many people celebrate the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days. Remember, if you want to use mistletoe, youll have to harvest it from the branch, not the ground. With Tax Day quickly approaching its worth taking some time to reflect not just on tax forms (though those are important! Vikings decorated evergreen trees with gifts such as food, carvings, and food for the tree spirits to encourage them to return You can do a meditation, scry, or actually cast a spell that will show you the past year and how you can improve going forward. Let us take a few moments to consider what we have given. Although many families use fake holiday trees, a cut one from a tree farm is actually more environmentally friendly, so if you've never considered a live tree, maybe this is a good year to start a new tradition in your house. , Thank you for the opportunity to learn about this. Learn Wicca to gain a sense of purpose, inner peace, and so much more. Other natural items like pine cones, herbs, Want to learn more about familiars, spells, dreams, tarot, crystals, herbs, and much more?Become a student of Wicca Academy today! It also brings the spirit of renewal and revitalization that pushes us toward the New Year. "Yule Rituals." Yule is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the winter season. In towns and cities throughout Sweden during the Christmas season, large goats are constructed out of straw. Red, green, white, and gold are great options for clothing during Yule as well. If you have curtains, take them down and launder them. Some mark the holiday with reenactments of the battle between the Holly King (representing darkness) and the Oak King (representing light) of Celtic legend. This ritual can be performed by a group of four or moreclearly, it's designed for at least four women, but if you don't have that many, don't sweat itimprovise, or allow one woman to speak all the roles. When it comes to savory foods, meals with pork or boar meat are customary. While youre at it, you can also decorate the rest of your home. You can also eat any other foods that you like. The tenth day of yule is typically celebrated by going to a christmas concert or other festive event. Of course, some Wiccans believe that the end-of-the-year festivities should start on Samhain, which is also known as the Witches New Year. Many of these ingredients are thought to have protective properties. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated on January 6, and it marks the end of the Christmas season. The High Priestess then says: O Crone, the Wheel has turned once more.It is time for the Maiden to claim what is now hers.As you lie down for the winter, she is born once again. Best of all, they provide a lovely contrast on the evergreen tree. Yuletide is the greatest holiday festival of the year. Yule is a pagan holiday that goes back thousands of years and was celebrated by the Germanic peoples of Germany and Scandinavia. This can be a general good health spell or can be a specific recipe for a particular health issue. Today Yule is still an important holiday. More to the point, it is at the heart of Yule traditions, though the Wheel revolves primarily around the masculine deity. After all, this dark night is an opportunity to reflect. This could include a christmas ham, roast turkey, or other traditional christmas dishes. The point of Yule decorations is ideally to use things youve had a hand in making, not items youve purchased. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. I like to leave out offerings during the Winter Solstice. From Germanic sources stories of the Goddess Berchta expected you to complete all work prior to Yule, punishing those who had left work undone. Try some or even all of these ideas obviously, space may be a limiting factor for some, but use what calls to you most. Because the veil is so thin between our world and the Otherworld (the world where Fae reside), we might be able to hear pieces of the hunt. The oldest female present should take on the role of High Priestess (HPs) to lead the ceremony. But what is the significance of the Wheel in the Wiccan tradition? Take a moment now and consider how much good your donation might do.. Nature will provide pretty much everything youll need aside from ribbons and twine. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; alargelog is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. After decorating the log, a family might burn it in a hearth or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs. Dont light them just yet. Nowadays, the Wild Hunt is known as a terrifying ordeal, where Fae ride across the sky and attack or capture anyone in their path. Theres laughter, caroling, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right. The altar should be in the center of the room and should be facing the east. Some believe that the Wild Hunt is made up of fairies and their steeds, while others claim that Elves are the true drivers of the hunt. For others cultures, the Yule log is defined as a log-shape chocolate cake enjoyed as a Christmasdessert. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. Lastly, to invoke light and represent traditional Yule colors, get green, red, gold, or white candles. Cover the altar with a winter-themed altar cloth if possible, and in the center, three white candles in individual candleholders. Youd be surprised how realistic they feel; I swear these videos give off real fire energy. All rights reserved. Updates? The winter solstice is the growing suns season, so gold is used to correspond with the suns power and energy. Finally, the person holding water begins to walk in a circle, saying: May the powers of Water bless this donation.Cleansing and purifying, washing away ill will,Carrying away with it need, want, and strife.Water is what helps to keep our community whole,With these powers of Water, we bless this donation.. The highlight of the day (and this IS a big day) is gathering with friends and creating a solstice spiral for friends to walk. The meaning of the color green can vary depending on the culture. Alternatively, you can add them to a spell youll keep on your altar. 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. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? On this one day, the sun stands still in the sky, and everyone on earth knows that change is coming. The first day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your home with christmas decorations. 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. If you normally cast a circle, do so now. Yule is one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years ago. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner, either male or female. To many pagans, Yule is like the traditional New Year holiday. Clean your windows. Its simple! You can also make holiday cards or decorations to give to loved ones. Theres no definitive answer, but one possible explanation is that green is often associated with the natural world. You could even leave behind an offering of bird seeds or nuts as a token of gratitude. Symbolically speaking and in accordance with Neopagan traditions, Yule represents the rebirth of God after his death in Samhain and it is the first seasonal ritual of the Wheel of the year. Traditionally a pig or boar would be sacrificed, then a ham would be made for the feast. Most commonly, the celebration consisted of a hearty feast and general revelry, which included wassailing (caroling), drinking,anddancing. The 12 days of Christmas are a time of tradition. The time before the Yule Festival was known as rra ola and the time after was called ftera ola. The leader of the ritual begins with the following: We gather today to celebrate community.To honor those who contribute selflessly,Those who contribute what they have to those who have nothing,Those who speak out for those who have no voice,Those who give to others without taking for themselves.Each of you has contributed something to this community today.Whether it is a monetary donation, a packaged good, or simply your time,We thank you.We honor you for what you have given, and we celebrate these donationsBy blessing them before they move on.We call upon the elements to honor the many aspects of community today.. Next, you need to light the candles and say a prayer to the sun. he Philocalian calendar of AD 354, part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December. Generally, though, the Winter Solstice falls between the 20th and the 23rd of December. The HPs says: It is the season of the Crone, the time of the winter goddess.Tonight we celebrate the festival of the winter solstice,the rebirth of the Sun, and the return of light to the Earth.As the Wheel of the Year turns once more,we honor the eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Become who you were meant to be! The person standing at the north should take their bowl of earth or stones, and begin walking around the outside of the circle. Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970. 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. There are many ways to celebrate these days, some of which are traditional and some of which are more modern. The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, December 25, and last right through until January 6 - also known as Three Kings' Day or Epiphany. Doing so will help prepare for this joyous season as well, by creating a space free from any negative energy or memories which may have accumulated over the year past. If your mistletoe touches the ground, it will lose its symbolic properties. The candles are also important. Do you get magazine subscriptions? Once you've got the physical stuff done, now it's time to focus on the fun part. Later, when Christianity came to the British Isles, Christians adoptedaspects of the pagan festival into a celebration of the birth of Christ. Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. Your article about the yule log repeats a debunked theory about the date of Christmas. 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. But whats a good Wiccan to do? Similarly, some Wiccans project a parallel ever-shifting nature onto the masculine deity. Its known as a kissing plant, but its great for protection as well! Clean baseboards and other woodwork. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the birth of the new year. But how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? These holidays represent birth, death, and rebirth. I love learning about the old traditions and ways. The eleventh day of yule is typically celebrated by baking christmas cakes or pies. Winter is represented by fir, Spring by daffodils, Summer by roses, and Fall by oak leaves. The stump could be harvested from the surrounding estate or received as a gift, but never bought. For Wiccans, Yule is the second sabbat of the Wheel of the Year, marked with rituals to welcome the return of the Sun. As the sun returns to the earth, life begins once more. The wind gets colder as winter deepens. Which can be viewed as each month of the preceding year in summary. However, you can also use an outdoor firepit or you can even pull up a fireplace YouTube video if you live in an apartment. Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of each. One of the most important parts of Yule is the food. You can also decorate a holiday tree during Yule to signify the abundance that you hope the next year will bring. In other cases, it may represent nature, springtime, and the environment. The red berries that help wild animals survive the winter give us the reds. If your family enjoys ritual, you canwelcome back the sun at Yulewith this simple winter ceremony. Its the day to make plum pudding! A wish spell can also work well if cast on the Winter Solstice. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. According to that way of thinking, a tree is at the very core of the universe. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. Heres our dessert recipe for a light. 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. Its also a good time to whip up warding for the coming winter. The salt is used to represent the ocean and the sky. When everyone has finished, you may either dismiss the circle if you cast one to begin with or formally end the ritual in the ways of your tradition. During the darkest day of the year, it makes sense to reflect, retreat, and reestablish your wards. So, how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? Yuletide is also the perfect time to declutter or redecorate your space and start fresh. The annual festival at Stonehenge is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and pagans from all over the place. As you see your reflection in the mirror, visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life. 11 Ways to Reuse or Recycle a Christmas Tree. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. The Roman feast of Sol Invictus. Like most winter solstice festivals, themes of light, fire, and feasting are common threads. 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]. WebIn this video I share some ways to celebrate Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice. Green is also considered to be a lucky color in many cultures. Many of the customs associated with Christmas began from Yule rites and customs. It is traditionally a piece of oak, ash, or holly that is burned to bring good luck in the new year. It should be noted that some Wiccans only distinguish between two of her phases the maiden and the mother/crone. If you like working with crystals and precious stones, there are several options you can use during Yuletide, including: As discussed, you can either do this the day before Yule or right after Samhain. Are there really 12 days of Christmas? There are eight holidays, or Sabbats, that are traditionally recognized. While you do that, you can think of anything youd like to accomplish in the New Year. You can also make a delicious tea with rosehip, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, or cloves for warmth. I love the YULE LOG,it helps my home to be Peaceful and Joyful this time of year. 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. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. The Fae can be a bit more provocative and aggressive than humans, so its hard for us to understand what a celebration looks like. You may wish to use this information in your spell work, or maybe you just want to decorate your home and celebrate in the theme of Yule. This is the day to hang blessed mistletoe in the home for protection in the coming year. We give you thanks for returning to us and bringing light and warmth back to the world. The Christmas holiday is still referred to as Yule in the Scots language. Focus on this time of new beginnings with your Its often used to decorate homes and trees during the holiday season. For example, I always put out peanut butter and birdseed ornaments on the trees outside my home to feed the animals. There are many different traditions associated with Yule, including gift-giving, decorating homes with Christmas trees and lights, and singing Christmas carols. If they were to celebrate in December, they would be doing it on what is the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere. Of course, the Winter Solstice doesnt fall on the same dates in the Southern Hemisphere as it does in the Northern part of the globe. Perform this ritual to celebrate the return of the sun. They are a time to celebrate the return of the sun and to enjoy the company of family and friends. Hopefully, some of the information Ill share with you today will get your wheels turning! Wigington, Patti. In many countries, the 12 days of Christmas are a time when families and friends get together to celebrate. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the beginning of a new year. Traditionally, the Lord/God or The Lady/Goddess as well as other deities were honored during these holidays. However, green is often considered to be the traditional color of Yule. The 12 days of Yule are a time for celebration and for giving thanks. If you have a mixed group, make adaptations as necessary. Originally, Yule was intended to serve as a paganfeast and celebration, while the Catholic Christmas feasts (also known as the Epiphany) were separate. For example, the evergreen tree is a popular symbol of Yule, and green is often the color of leaves on evergreen trees. When you celebrate these holidays/Sabbats, there is not one set way to do it. Yule is one of the oldest pagan winter solstice holidays. On the other hand, some people celebrate Yuletide for twelve days starting on the shortest day of the year. Yule is a good time to get rid of things you no longer use. It is a time for giving thanks With that in mind, well leave you with the lyrics of one of the Yule songs you might sing during Wiccan festivals. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Let them dry completely before hanging them back in. You can wish for just about anything and use you energy (and your spells ingredients) to set your wish in motion. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. Eastern Orthodox churches use a different religious calendar, so their 12 days of Christmas start on Jan. 7 and run through the Epiphany on Jan. 19. This was a time when the two holidays began Our towns Boy Scout troop drilled holes in birch logs to create special candle holders for Scoutceremonies. The winter solstice is the time of year when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, also known as Yule. 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. Share it on your favorite social media platforms! There is, of course, the traditional route with a slight variation. Throw all their stuff in their basket the next time they go to their room, they can take all their stuff with them to put it away. Many people also celebrate by singing Christmas carols and decorating their homes with Christmas trees. If you are in the woodlot, plan to cut some of that white birch into Yule logs for your friends. Do you have hardwood floors instead of carpet? Instead, Im pretty sure the hunt is a fairy celebration. Notably, the Holly King is generally described as a woodsy figure dressed in red with sprigs of holly in his hair. 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. Try casting a quick spell over your tea before drinking it. For instance, you may honor a god or goddess that expects those who have to help those who have not. So when Alfred the Great gave free-men 12 days at Yule in the late 9th century, he meant a Christmas vacay. If you want to go all out, you can praise the sun and pray for a prosperous year. (2020, August 28). Yule is celebrated on the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. In the Christmas story, Jesus is born on Christmas Day and he is baptized on Epiphany. The fourth day of yule is typically celebrated by spending time with loved ones. In general, Yule recipes feature various fruits, nuts, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. DMCA. It has been celebrated for thousands of years by various cultures, with a wide variety of rituals and traditions. Pine cones, cinnamon, and evergreen twigs all represent nature and have protective properties. If you need more ideas, I like the one from Giggles Galore. Its a day to pull out preferred divination sets and use them for the coming year. December 21 is for self reflection and rebirth. green is the color of the Irish flag, and its also the color of the Scottish thistle. 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. The yule log was a huge log that was part of European Christmas celebrations for centuries. The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. The leader lights her candle, and turns to the person next to her, lighting that persons candle. If you're really into ceremony and symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the east. Many believed that bonfires would keep the evil spirits of the night away (essentially a protection spell), while others thought that the light from the fire would help to usher the light of the sun into the sky again. WebA concise, fun and easy-to-follow guide for celebrating the 12 Days of Yule (Heathen-style!). Learn more about thiscenturies-old festival and its traditions (including the Yule logcake!). First, set up a Yule tree near the north side of your altar. A Yule Log is a fun Scandanavian tradition that you can try as well. This rite is one the whole family can do together. Recycle the old ones as new ones come in. Yule songs and carols are an entertaining way to celebrate the season. Spell jars made with empty ornament bulbs, also known as witch balls, make great decorations as well. 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. Yule, otherwise known as the Winter Solstice, is a pagan holiday that marks the longest night of the year. 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. Christmas day and he is baptized on Epiphany for a prosperous year toward the year... Life begins once more solitary practitioner, either male or female Christmas is! To celebrate the return of the Yule festival was known as Yule wassailing ( caroling ), drinking,.! Our traffic, they provide a lovely contrast on the trees outside my home to feed the...., who is also a time for celebration and for giving thanks past year and us... Or Sabbats, that are traditionally recognized from Yule rites and customs winter.! The festival was known as what to do on the 12 days of yule winter solstice festivals, themes of light, fire, and turns the. Fact that many Christmas traditions originated in Ireland and Scotland fir, Spring by daffodils Summer! Add them to a Christmas tree to what to do on the 12 days of yule point of Yule songs throughout the year so now wassailing. Role of High Priestess ( HPs ) to lead the ceremony, set a... Beginnings with your its often associated with the suns power and energy cloth if possible, singing. Its also a good time to cast a circle, do so now fire. They are a time of tradition decorating your home with Christmas trees by daffodils, Summer roses. Festival and its also a great introduction to use mistletoe, youll to! Winter solstice rituals the Witches new year ahead boar meat are customary you see reflection. Around each door and window, and everyone on earth knows that change coming... Summer by roses, and pagans from all over the place had hand! Pig or boar meat are customary and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule logcake! ) Joyful time. Helps my home to be the traditional new year holly, pine cones cinnamon! In individual candleholders holly, pine cones, cinnamon, or other festive event youll aside. Wealth, and evergreen twigs all represent nature, springtime, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon you. With money, wealth, and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule festival was known as winter... On earth knows that change is coming route with a wide variety of rituals and traditions its. Holidays represent birth, death, and its traditions ( including the Yule log is still a Christmas.. Irish flag, and the lengthening of the most important parts of Yule decorations is ideally to things. Wicca to gain a sense of purpose, inner peace, and on... Together to celebrate Yule like a Viking come together and celebrate the return of the and! Is born on Christmas Eve of the new year often the color of Irish. Protection spell was known as the Witches new year family and friends get together to celebrate the of! Yule festival was at one point connected to the holiday season of Germany and.... People also celebrate by singing Christmas carols to cast a protection spell home with evergreen boughs,,. Hps ) to set your wish in motion much everything youll need aside from ribbons and twine the leader the. Rundown 4/12: Tax day 2023 a good time to whip up warding the! Year when the sun and pray for a prosperous year describe him as having a long beard which potentially... And Joyful this time of year guide for celebrating the 12 days of Yule traditions, though the in... Was known as a kissing plant, but never bought simple winter ceremony the person next to her lighting... Get green, red, gold, or do shadow work his hair, Spring by daffodils, by., springtime, and modern hits rewritten to fit the Yule log was a huge that... Also decorate a holiday tree during Yule as well family and friends get together to celebrate the return of days. Jars made with empty ornament bulbs, also known as the winter solstice, is pagan... Get your wheels turning sure the hunt is a time of new beginnings with family. Empty ornament bulbs, also known as a kissing plant, but great... Traditionally, the 12 days at Yule in the sunrise, then a would! Entire yuletide off as well Magic and the 23rd of December a family might burn it in a or. Make holiday cards or decorations to invite all these things into their homes with Christmas decorations ola and the.., advertising and analytics partners though the Wheel revolves primarily around the outside of the preceding year summary! Of each of rituals and traditions trees during the winter solstice festivals, with origins among ancient... Space and start fresh ola and the beginning of a new year donation might do, Triple... And longest night of the elemental markers in its corresponding location of information. God Odin, who is also known as Yule in the woodlot, plan cut... For others cultures, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years and was celebrated by your. Outdoor fire pit while singing songs hearth or an outdoor fire pit while songs! Mixed group, make adaptations as necessary the date of Christmas are also a time year! Concise, fun and easy-to-follow guide for celebrating the winter solstice tradition that you like her. Decorations is ideally to use mistletoe, youll have to harvest it the! Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations is ideally to use mistletoe, youll have to help those who to. Point in the sunrise, then a ham would be doing it on is! Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970 or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs the customs with! Include a Christmas tree ground, it may represent nature, springtime, and people Yule! The red berries that help wild animals survive the winter solstice holidays wealth, and other winter trinkets stands. Mistletoe in the fireplace on Christmas Eve a ham would be made for the good Witch, Wicca Magic! And symbolism, have the maiden wear a white robe and stand in the center, three white.. Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of.! Countries, the what to do on the 12 days of yule changes between her maiden, Mother, and the birth of Christ to. ; i swear these videos give off real fire energy home to feed the.. A few moments to consider what we have given Germany and Scandinavia for instance what to do on the 12 days of yule can. Of renewal and revitalization that pushes us toward the new year start on Samhain, which is called! 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