Yule, also known as the winter solstice, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the rebirth of the sun and the beginning of the winter season. It is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world and holds deep significance in pagan traditions. **Traditional pagan Yule observances involve various rituals and customs that aim to honor nature and bring light into the dark winter season**. These observances differ among different pagan traditions, but certain common practices can be found across many cultures. One of the central themes of Yule is the lighting of fires and candles to chase away the darkness and welcome the return of the sun. **Bonfires are lit to symbolize the rebirth of the sun and to provide warmth during the cold winter nights**.
High Priestess Syleena anoints a guest before the Yule ritual. Anointment is a part of many different religious rituals, including Wicca and Christianity. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
These are practices that are also often associated with Christmas, but both traditions can be traced back to the winter holidays of Saturnalia and Kalends. Pagan Scandinavian and Germanic people would call the celebration the Feast of Juul and it was their way of having faith that the next season would be fruitful.
**Bonfires are lit to symbolize the rebirth of the sun and to provide warmth during the cold winter nights**. The Yule log, a large log traditionally made from oak, is often burned in the fireplace to honor the waning Sun God and to bring luck and prosperity for the coming year. This ancient practice dates back to ancient Norse and European tribes.
Celebrate Yule Like a Viking
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While my newsletters and blog entries aren't put out on any set schedule, I find it fortuitous that I'm finally finding the time to put this one out at the beginning of winter solstice, AKA, Yule. While I don't celebrate Yule, per se, I'm very interested in how early European cultures celebrated this time of the year. For peoples in Northern European climates, with the long dark and cold winters, this time of year was a time of celebration. In part because they had little better to do while huddling over fires in their homes or in communal mead halls, but also because they knew that the sun was heading back their way. Light would once again overtake Dark. Many cold months were ahead, but the days would slowly start getting longer.
This was in no way a celebration limited to a single culture though. Many other cultures celebrated this time of year, as it symbolized the beginning of a new year, with all of the rituals and hopes for better tidings that went with that. For a brief summary on what Yule meant to early pagan cultures, see this video . Visit The Asatru Community's page for a more in-depth exploration. These celebrations are by no means dead, as many people still celebrate Yule today. Christmas is essentially a Christianized version of Yule, although not all Christians celebrate it due to its pagan origins. In the Dark Ages, the Roman church wanted to convert more "heathens" (literally, "from the heath," i.e., country folk who preferred the Old Ways) to Christianity. To do so, they changed the Biblical birth of Jesus to the dead of winter rather than the spring. Over time, Yule traditions were integrated into Christmas and Yule fell by the wayside.
For those who prefer the pagan aspects over the Christian, Yule can still be celebrated today, right alongside Christmas (or any other culture's winter holiday for that matter). After all, the goal is to bring people together and wish joy and good tidings on all . On midnight, December 21st, Yule officially begins, and Yule eve is celebrated as the "Mother Night." Preparations must be made to cheer on and strengthen Thor as he prepares to once again battle the frost giants of Jotunheim to keep them from turning Midgard (the land of humans) into a land of frost and bitter cold. With our help, Thor will once gain prevent Fimbulwinter, the precursor to Ragnarok (which is not so much the end of the world as it is the beginning of a new one).
For 12 days, celebrations will be held with friends and family, with much cheer, drink, food, burning of bonfires, and quiet reflection. December 25th falls right in the middle, and New Year's will be its culmination.
During Yule, Jólnir (Odin) will lead the Wild Hunt through the sky, along with the spirits of humans, horses and dogs. This grand procession takes place during all twelve days of Yule, with the intent of reminding our deceased ancestors (the draugar) that they need to stay on their side of the veil, as it as at it thinnest during this period.
So, how can you celebrate Yule in modern times and still feel like a Viking while you're at it?
1. One thing you may already do that is a part of the Yule tradition is to bring an evergreen tree into your house and decorate it. This is a pagan tradition at its core, but some choose to do it with their Christian beliefs in mind, or simply as a secular tradition. Many cultures integrate the mythos of trees that symbolize life into their beliefs, from the Tree of Life of Judaism and Christianity to the great World Tree of Norse and Germanic mythology, Yggdrasil. This one is up to you.
2. A yule log is another option. In honor of Thor, take the largest oak log you can find (or can handle) and kindle it, either in an indoor fireplace or an outdoor fire. Be sure to save some of its charred remains to use for lighting next year's log.
3. Sacrifice a goat Okay, maybe don't sacrifice it, but goats are associated with Odin and were often slaughtered at this time of the year. After Odin was given his share, any other goats that weren't being saved through the winter were slaughtered. Their meat was either preserved or eaten right away--boiled, pit-roasted, or spit-roasted. Visit here and here for tips on humanely slaughtering and butchering your own goat.
4. Sacrifice a boar. Or just roast up some pork. Either way, continue the tradition of the Oath Boar, during which oaths were solemnly made to Frey over a large boar. Unlike New Year's resolutions, these oaths are meant to be kept.
5. Make some mead. Sorry it took me so long to get to this one but you know this is where I was headed. Of course, you can use some recipes from my book, but here is a handy link on how to make a spiced holiday mead, along with some tips for cooking goat. In addition to the spices mentioned in this recipe, you can incorporate many other spices, from vanilla, to cardamom, to a bit of spruce from the Yule Tree. Make a small mead in time for New Year's or start a tradition of making mead over the holidays that you will age and drink during future holidays.
6. Play some Viking games. The tabletop strategy game Hnefatafl is an obvious choice, but why not pick up a copy of Don't Fall in the Mead Hall for future gatherings? Or, make up your own drinking games. Remember, when the Vikings celebrated Yule in the mead hall, it was all about boasting, oath-making, poetry, dance, and song. Can you hold your own or are you a weak-livered milk drinker?
Octavia McAloon is a forest witch and pagan living in western Washington who also celebrates Yule. She likes to bake, cook, watch the burning Yule log on TV and listen to playlists of the Wheel of The Year (a term for the calendar year that is most associated with Wiccans but is often used by witches and pagans).
Another important aspect of Yule is the decoration of homes and altars with evergreens such as holly, ivy, and mistletoe. **These evergreen plants are symbolic of everlasting life and the promise of spring to come**. They are often hung around doorways and windows or used to create wreaths and garlands. Mistletoe is especially significant as it was believed to have magical and protective properties. Pagan rituals involving mistletoe often included kissing or other forms of physical contact as a way to ensure love and fertility. Feasting is also an important part of Yule celebrations. **Traditional pagan Yule feasts are filled with hearty and rich foods** to represent abundance and sustenance during the winter months. Roast meats, root vegetables, nuts, and fruits are common dishes served during this time. The feasts often include a ceremonial toast to the gods and ancestors as a way of giving thanks and seeking their blessings for the new year. In addition to these practices, various ceremonies, songs, and dances are performed during Yule celebrations to honor the gods and the earth. **Gift-giving is also a popular tradition during Yule, symbolizing the exchange of blessings among loved ones**. These festivities are meant to bring joy and warmth to the cold winter days and to connect people with the cycles of nature. While Yule observances have evolved over time and have been influenced by other winter holidays, they continue to hold significance for many modern-day pagans. **The ancient customs of lighting fires, decorating with evergreens, feasting, and gift-giving all serve as reminders of the importance of nature, community, and the continual cycle of life**. Yule is a time to celebrate the return of light and to find hope and joy in the darkest days of the year..
Reviews for "Crafting with Intent: Traditional Pagan Yule Crafts and Decorations"
1. John - 2 stars - I attended a traditional pagan yule observance out of curiosity, but it was not what I expected. The ceremony felt disorganized and lacked structure, making it difficult to understand the purpose and meaning behind the rituals. Additionally, I found the constant chanting and repetitive music to be monotonous and unengaging. Overall, it was a disappointing experience that did not resonate with me spiritually.
2. Emily - 1 star - I had high hopes for the traditional pagan yule observances, but unfortunately, it fell far short of my expectations. The event was overcrowded, and it felt chaotic with people pushing and shoving to get closer to the center of the action. The rituals seemed to lack depth and authenticity, almost feeling like a performance rather than a genuine spiritual practice. I left feeling disconnected and unsatisfied, and I don't think I'll be attending another yule observance in the future.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I've always been fascinated by pagan traditions, so I decided to give the traditional pagan yule observances a try. However, I was disappointed by the lack of explanation or context provided for the rituals. As a newcomer, it was challenging to understand the significance of what was happening, and I felt like an outsider. Additionally, the event seemed more focused on aesthetics and spectacle rather than fostering genuine spiritual connection. Overall, it was a confusing and superficial experience that left me feeling unfulfilled.