Wiccan Yuletide practices are traditions followed by Wiccans during the winter solstice, known as Yule. Yule is a holiday that celebrates the rebirth of the sun and the lengthening of daylight after the longest night of the year. During this time, Wiccans gather to honor and connect with the divine energy of the sun and the natural cycles of the Earth. One of the main practices during Yule is the lighting of the Yule log. The Yule log represents the sun's return and is burned as a symbolic way to bring light and warmth back into the world. Another important practice is the decorating of an evergreen tree.
· Einmanudur – March to April – The name literally means lone month, which may be because it is the last month of the year or the loneliest month at the end of a long winter.
Gormanudur October to November The first month of winter, the name means slaughter month and probably indicates that this was the time of year when animals were slaughtered ahead of winter. First, some brief background The Ynglinga Saga chapter 8 , from the year 1225, lists the three great blots of the year Odin established the same law in his land that had been in force in Asaland On winter day first day of winter there should be blot for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good crop; and the third blot should be on summer day, a Victory-blot.
Another important practice is the decorating of an evergreen tree. Wiccans believe that evergreen trees represent the enduring nature of life and the continuation of the life force, even in the darkest of times. The tree is adorned with ornaments, ribbons, and lights, symbolizing the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
2023 Heathen Calendar for Old Ways Heathens
Historical Germanic Heathenry had three major blots, which lasted for three days. Historical Heathens in Sweden also had a minor celebration which was not a public blot: Disting. The Old Saxons in Saxony most likely held their Althing at Marklo at the same time as the Swedes did Disting. At the bottom of this article, I will give the 2023 dates for these historical Heathen holidays for modern practice for Old Ways Heathens. First, some brief background: The Ynglinga Saga (chapter 8), from the year 1225, lists the three great blots of the year: “Odin established the same law in his land that had been in force in Asaland… On winter day (first day of winter) there should be blot for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good crop; and the third blot should be on summer day, a Victory-blot.” In Old Norse, “Sigurblot” means “Victory-Blot.” Therefore, we have three major Norse blots a year, that appear in the context of Ynglinga Saga (and other references) that were done publicly at Uppsala. In Heimskringla, the saga of Hakon the Good, section 15 (circa 1230 AD) it says the following: “The first night of Yule was hǫkunótt, that is midwinter night, and Yule was held for three nights.” Heimskringla Saga, Magnus the Blind, Chapter 6: “Yule was kept holy for only three days, when no work was done.” The Poettic Edda states Yule was three nights. HELGAKVITHA HJORVARTHSSONAR The Lay of Helgi the Son of Hjorvarth, Chapter 4. This passage is too long for this blog, but I encourage you all to look it up. Hethin came home alone on the evening of Yule, and after a stay of three days, a battle commenced. Like the Heimskringla Saga above written by Snorri, the Poettic Edda agrees that battles were not fought during the three days of Yule. Therefore, Yule was too holy to desecrate with bloodshed.
Bede states in De Temporum Ratione, Ch 15 (725 AD): "Thus, the moon by which they began their winter season was called “Winterfylleth”, a name compounded of the terms for winter and full moon, because from the full moon of that moon winter was thought to begin." Andreas Nordberg, the world’s foremost scholar on Norse Holidays, makes clear in his book on the dating of Yule that “The pre-Christian Yule feast occurs at the first full moon after the first new moon following the winter solstice, while the disting took place at the third full moon according to the same method of calculation.” (Jul, disting och förkyrklig tideräkning Kalendrar och kalendariska riter i det förkristna Norden Uppsala 2006, P.4) At Yule it was determined if a thirteenth moon would be added to the year. To keep the following year’s Yule as the first full moon after the first new moon after the solstice, it would be determined if a 13th moon would be needed or not. You can see Nordberg's book, in PDF form, with a one page English Abstract (Introduction) and twenty page summary in English (the rest is in Swedish) here: https://www.academia.edu/1366945/Jul_disting_och_f%C3%B6rkyrklig_tider%C3%A4knin *** Please note for Saxon Heathens, the Indiculus superstitionum et paganiarum (written circa 743 CE/AD), a Latin writing by St. Boniface and his henchmen, is in the same historical codex as the Old Saxon Baptismal Vow, also written in the 8th century. The Baptismal Vow forces the Saxons to renounce Thunar (Thor), Uuoden (Odin) and Sahsnoth (Saxnote). However, the Indiculus superstitionum et paganiarum prohibits the Old Saxon celebration of Victory Moon. This is a clear reference to Sigrblot, meaning "Victory Blot." Therefore, we are changing the name from "Summer Moon" to "Victory Moon" based on a renewed understanding of this text. Dr. Scott T Shell also believes that this is a reference to the Old Saxons celebrating Sigrblot. Dr. Shell is a Saxon Heathen, and please, check out his YouTube channel. Dr. Shell holds his PhD in linguistics as well as bachelor and master degrees in Old Saxon and Germanic languages. **Since the Germanic Rule for Yule is that Yule is always the first full moon after the first new moon after the winter solstice, 2023 is a Leap Year, having thirteen moons.
Wiccans also engage in rituals and spellwork during Yule to harness the energy of the season. They may perform rituals to honor the sun and the returning light, as well as to express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Spellwork during this time often focuses on bringing in abundance, healing, and personal transformation. Feasting and sharing meals together is another important aspect of Wiccan Yuletide practices. Communities come together to enjoy a festive feast, typically featuring traditional winter foods such as roasted meats, root vegetables, mulled wine, and spiced cider. This communal gathering helps foster a sense of community and honors the abundance of the season. In conclusion, Wiccan Yuletide practices are centered around celebrating and connecting with the rebirth of the sun and the return of light during the winter solstice. The lighting of the Yule log, decorating of the evergreen tree, performing rituals and spells, and feasting are all important ways in which Wiccans honor this sacred time of year. These practices symbolize the enduring nature of life, the power of the natural world, and the importance of community..
Reviews for "The Role of the Yule Log in Wiccan Yuletide Rituals"
1. John - 1/5 stars
I was completely disappointed by "Wiccan yuletide practices". As someone who was genuinely interested in learning about Wiccan traditions and practices, I found this book to be nothing more than a shallow and poorly researched piece of work. The author barely scratched the surface of Wiccan beliefs and instead focused on the most trivial aspects of yuletide celebrations. Furthermore, the lack of depth in the explanations and instructions made it impossible for a beginner like me to truly grasp and appreciate the rituals. I was left feeling not only unsatisfied but also misled by the title of this book.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Wiccan yuletide practices", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While it did provide some basic information on Wiccan beliefs and concepts, the book failed to offer any fresh perspectives or new insights into yuletide rituals. The author relied heavily on outdated and cliché practices, making it difficult for me to connect with the material on a personal level. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it a struggle to get through the book. Overall, I was left feeling uninspired and it did not live up to the promise of offering a unique and meaningful exploration of Wiccan yuletide practices.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars
"Wiccan yuletide practices" was not what I was expecting at all. The book lacked depth and substance, providing only superficial explanations of the rituals without truly exploring their significance or historical context. The instructions for the practices were also confusing and poorly explained, leaving me unsure of how to properly perform them. I was really hoping for a more comprehensive and educational resource on Wiccan yuletide practices, but I was left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed by this book.