Pagan Yule dates back to ancient times and is celebrated by various pagan and Wiccan traditions. Yule is typically held on the winter solstice, which falls between December 20th and December 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time to honor the rebirth of the Sun and celebrate the return of light. During the winter solstice, the days are shortest and the nights are longest. Pagans believe that this is a time of deep introspection, where they can reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year to come. The solstice marks the turning point where the days begin to grow longer and the Sun becomes stronger once again.
In 2023, Yule was January 16-19. This upcoming Yule begins on January 25, 2024, and lasts three nights of the full moon.
A Sacrifice blót - The pagans would sacrifice farm animals and display them in front of their homes, so people knew what animals were being sacrificed for the gods. Encyclopaedia Britannica s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.
The solstice marks the turning point where the days begin to grow longer and the Sun becomes stronger once again. Yule celebrations often involve lighting bonfires or candles to symbolize the return of light. Many pagans also decorate their homes with evergreen plants, such as holly and mistletoe, as symbols of life and vitality during the winter months.
Yule dates back to ancient Paganism
Yule definitely learn a thing or two in this article.
By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Dec 18, 2021 at 10:32 AMSnuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
Every year around Christmastime the word "Yule" pops up all over the place, especially in advertising. Maybe it's because it rhymes with so many words, making for quippy holiday taglines and corny play-on-words like the one in the intro to this article.
But all cleverness aside, where does the word "Yule" come from?
Like many Christmas terms, "Yule" dates back to Pagan traditions in pre-Christian Europe, and didn't originally have anything to do with Christmas. The word's exact origin isn't certain, perhaps coming from the Norse word "jol" meaning "wheel" to identify the time of year when the cycle of the season is about to turn.
In Pagan traditions, Yule – which usually falls on the winter solstice on Dec. 21 – celebrates the return of the sun. Although Yule is the darkest night of the year, it marks the point when the sun reaches the southern most point in its yearly cycle and the start of increased daylight.
Milwaukee's Luna Deosil celebrates Yule.
"Yule marks the time to celebrate the return of the sun. Because Yule is the longest night of the year, we burn candles on the log to represent the sun coming back," says Deosil, who grew up in Milwaukee and has celebrated the holiday her entire life.
The Yule log, another ancient Pagan tradition, made its way into popular culture as a chocolate holiday cake, but for Pagans, it's similar to the Christmas tree. Many Pagans find or cut down a log, drill holes into it for candles and adorn it with mistletoe, holly, garland and ribbons.
Other Yule traditions include eating a big meal, storytelling, singing songs and exchanging gifts.
"Over the years, Yule became more and more about gift-giving, just like the other December holidays," says Deosil.
Yule is a sabbat, one of the traditional Pagan holidays, but not the most important one. Other holidays like Beltane (May 1) and Lammas (Aug. 2) are more significant, but because of Yule's close proximity to the highly commercial Christmas holiday, the present-exchanging aspect is illuminated.
Pagans, contrary to popular belief, do not worship the devil. Paganism is a pre-Christian religion that follows the seasons, and worships one deity that is both god and goddess. Because Paganism predates Christianity, many of the Christian customs and holidays are based on pagan traditions and therefore very similar, such as the Yule log, as well as Easter, called Ostara in the Pagan tradition.
"Yule and Christmas are very similar, only Pagans celebrate the birth of the 'sun' instead of 'the son'," says Deosil.
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Molly Snyder Senior Writer @mollysnyderMKE
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
One of the earliest known references to Yule is from English monk and historian Bede, who wrote in the early 8th century about “giuli,” a period in the old pagan calendar used by Germanic groups such as the Norse and the Anglo-Saxons. Giuli was a two-month span that marked the time when sunlight began to increase again at the winter solstice. It was not a festival per se but a marking of the passage of time.
Feasting and sharing meals with loved ones are also common traditions during Yule. Some pagans follow specific rituals and practices during Yule, such as performing a Yule log ceremony. The Yule log is traditionally a large log that is burned throughout the night to bring warmth and light. It is often decorated with ribbons, holly, and other natural materials. In addition to the solstice itself, the Yule season can be celebrated for several weeks leading up to and following the winter solstice. This period is known as the "12 Days of Yule" or the "Yuletide." It is a time of merriment and celebration, where pagans gather with friends and family to enjoy festive activities, exchange gifts, and honor the cycles of nature. Overall, Pagan Yule is a time of joy, renewal, and connection to the natural world. It is a celebration of the Sun's rebirth and the promise of brighter days ahead. It serves as a reminder to embrace the cycles and rhythms of nature, and to find light and warmth in the darkest of times..
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