The Winter Solstice The modern word Yule descends from the Germanic 'Yula', meaning 'wheel' of the year or sun. Yule occurs in the dead of winter, on the Winter Solstice (generally around December 21) when the world has reached its darkest time. And in the midst of this darkness springs hope, light, and flame. It is said that the darkest hour is just before dawn and the holiday of Yule acknowledges and counts on this as the world awaits the rebirth of the sun. Dates vary Yuletide, but it is generally thought to last about twelve days after the actual solstice. Yule is the holiday dedicated to the birth of the Sun God, who is the son of the good who died the year before. The Christian holiday of Christmas is not much different. Both holidays celebrate the birth of God's son and both holidays have many of the same customs. Of course, as with anything there are differences. For example, as written by the Anglo-Saxon chronicler Bede, the first night of the fest was entitled "Mothernights" and dedicated to Frigga and the disir (fore-mothers). This implies that the celebration of the goddess was every bit as important as the celebration of the return of the god. However, the similarities are so strong that Martin Luther and John Calvin both hated the celebration and spoke out strongly against it. The Purtians would not even acknowledge that the holiday existed and the celebration of Christmas was actually illegal in Boston at one time. Amongst the those who follow the old Germanic ways, Yule is the most important holiday of the year. It is believed that this is the time when the deities are closest to Midgard (the middle world where humans live). The Germanic gods are referred to as the "Yule Beings," and Odin himself is titled, "Jolnir," or "Yule-One." To the Germanic people, Yule is similar to the Celtic Samhain in that this was the time when their dead are free to pay visits and when magic beings such as Elves and trolls are thought to run free. These spirits and beings have to either be welcomed into the home or warded against as the householders see fit. If they are welcomed, they will be ritually driven from the house at the end of Yuletide to enforce the return of normalcy in the world. Yule is the time of year when the Wild Hunt of Wodan rides most fiercely and it is the border between years when the fates of men are set. In Ancient Rome, the holiday of Saturnalia was celebrated in mid-winter. The day was dedicated to the god Saturn and featured street celebrations and feasting. Homes were decorated with greenery and strands of lights abound. Also popular was the exchange of small gifts thought to bring luck on the recipient. The remnants of these customs are still strong in the modern celebration of Christmas despite the lengths that the Church went to in attempting to make Christmas a solemn day. To the Celtic peoples, Yule was the time when the Oak King defeated the Holly King. In the Celtic custom, the Holly King represents death and darkness while the Oak King stands for rebirth and life. Hence, with the Oak King returned to power light shall become prevalent and life return to the earth. It is a time of joy and hope. Yule is a holiday meant to uplift spirits weary from winter and a time to appreciate the wonders that will come with the spring. There are many customs of Yuletide practiced by the Germans, the Celts, the Romans, and later much of the world under the guise of a Christian holiday. One of the oldest customs is that of the Yule Log. A log of wood, usually Ash or Oak, is brought into the house. Carvings are placed on it to bring protection and luck to the house and every family member is allowed to make a wish upon it. The log is then placed on the hearth where it is to burn for no less than twelve hours and preferably until dawn. It's ashes and rekindling pieces are saved to place about the house or to be made into pendants for protection though out the year. This custom seems to date back to through the Roman Saturnalia and possibly even to ancient Egypt. This was well before the spread of Christianity although Christians have claimed that Martin Luther or Saint Benefice started the custom. The most obvious custom of Yule to remain as a Christmas tradition is the Yule or Christmas tree. It was a Germanic custom that spread into most of Europe well before Christianity. A pine or fir tree would be decorated with candles and tokens. Presents where sometimes left under the trees to be anonymously received buy those indicated. Originally, these trees where left outside, but after the spread of Christianity began many moved their trees indoors to avoid notice. A candle lit and ribboned wreath was sometimes used as a smaller reminder of the season. Plants of the Yule season are traditionally the evergreen, holy, ivy, and mistletoe. The mistletoe was seen by the Celtic Druids to be magical aphrodisiac (I stress the magic since mistletoe is lethal to ingest) and a symbol of fertility. It should thus be obvious that any maiden standing beneath a sprig of mistletoe would be expecting more than to be kissed. However, such albeitly pleasant activities as these fertility rituals where not the focus of the ancient Yule celebrations. It was a time of magic and ritual, but also of games and riddles. Divinations were cast for the coming Spring both through ritual means and through good-natured taunting and wagering. Caroling was popular and the carolers expected rewards, usually in the form of alcohol, from the houses they visited. Alcohol was important as there was much drinking at these celebrations the amount of which was rivaled only by how much people tried to eat. The most traditional solid forming was wild boar (the hunting of which was often a ritual in itself) and the most popular of liquids mulled wines and the wassail cup, whose name comes from an Anglo-Saxon term meaning "Be whole or hale." ] Another Germanic tradition was that of the Yule-oath. A hallowed bear, which was considered the emblem of Freya and Frey, was brought forth into the hall and oaths where sworn upon it. This custom is still alive in Sweden although it has begun to loose popularity in this century. The oaths sworn on the bear were considered even stronger in binding than those sworn at other times of the year due to the proximity of the deities. Particularly binding oaths would also be sworn on a horn or cup while drinking at the Yule feast. It is thought that this custom is very likely to be the forefather of the New Year's Resolution practiced in the modern world. Yule is a time for hope, joy, and celebration. And like Christmas it has become a time of caring and gift. It is a time to forget differences and come together in peace. May the deity/concept of your choice bless you this Yule.
