Yule, a pagan festival celebrated during the winter solstice, has deep roots in ancient traditions and mythology. Poems about Yule in pagan traditions often capture the spiritual and mystical aspects of this sacred time of year. These poems's main focus is on celebrating the return of light and the rejuvenation of nature. They evoke the enchantment and magic of the season and invite readers to embrace the beauty and wonder of Yule. ***In these poems, Yule is depicted as a time of transformation and rebirth, where the old year fades away to make room for the new. They emphasize the importance of community and connection, as families and friends gather together to exchange warmth and goodwill.
Jon Cleland Host of the Naturalistic Paganism Yahoo group celebrates the solstice with his family, including Yule log and sunrise viewing:
My name is Gaia, the old crone proclaimed in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed, I ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget, that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet. We usually have a more muted chorus in the half-hour or so before the sun rises, but as the sun lifts its head above the horizon, a hush falls over the landscape.
They emphasize the importance of community and connection, as families and friends gather together to exchange warmth and goodwill.*** The imagery in these poems often symbolizes the cycle of life and death, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence. Nature itself becomes a central theme, with references to the evergreen trees, holly, mistletoe, and the returning sun.
Winter Solstice
For Neo-Pagans in the Northern Hemisphere, the solstice is celebrated as Yule. The date falls on or near December 21st. The precise date and time for the cross-quarter can be found at archaeoastronomy.com.
At the Winter Solstice, NaturalPantheist of the Nature is Sacred blog performs a ritual which begins with this prelude:
“As I stand here on this celebration of Yule, the sacred wheel of the year has turned once again and it is now midwinter. As my forebears did, I do now, and so may my descendants do in time to come. It is the Solstice, the longest night and shortest day. Today I celebrate the return of the Sun. Since the summer, it has gradually become colder and darker, but from this time forwards, the days shall get longer and lighter and warmer again. The Solar year has run its course and completed its cycle and a new year begins, bringing light, life and hope to the earth.”
He concludes with this poem:
When the earth is barren, the light is reborn.
When the animals sleep, the light is reborn.
When the leaves have all fallen, the light is reborn.
When the rivers are frozen, the light is reborn.
When the shadows grow long, the light is reborn.
When warmth has fled, the light is reborn.
In the darkest night, the light is reborn.
Glenys Livingstone of PaGaian Cosmology transposes the solstice onto the birth of the universe itself. Her ritual script sees all lights extinguished and, after a time in the darkness, a fire is kindled with the following words:
“We recall our Beginnings – the Great Flaring Forth, and our Grandmother Supernova Tiamat – Goddess Mother of our Solar system, of our star the Sun. This is our Cosmic lineage. We are Gift of Tiamat – Goddess Mother supernova. Out of her stardust we are born. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus and trace elements. We are Gift of Tiamat – out of her stardust we are born.”
PaGaian Cosmology Winter Solstice video
Jon Cleland Host of the Naturalistic Paganism Yahoo group celebrates the solstice with his family, including Yule log and sunrise viewing:
“A Yule log can be made and burned. This is done by selecting and cutting the log, then taking it inside for decoration. Kids can contribute by helping with the decorations. Some Pagans use the log as a stand for candles, and light the candles (especially for apartment dwellers, or those without a fireplace) on Solstice eve. Others actually burn the log on Solstice eve, lighting it with a small piece of the log from the previous year. More can be found on the web about the tradition of the Yule Log.
“A tradition practiced in my family, but not apparently very widespread, is to get up to welcome the sunrise on the morning of the Winter Solstice. This is often done from a location where the horizon can be seen, such as the shore of Lake Huron or Michigan. The weather is often cloudy, so knowing the exact minute of the sunrise is important. A short ritual can be done to greet the rising sun, and poems or readings can be read. Long rituals are not recommended due to the cold temperatures usually seen on the morning of Solstice (not to mention that long rituals aren’t fun for kids). After returning from that, the stockings are found to be filled, and presents appear. In the past they appeared under the Yule/Solstice tree, this year they appeared in the center of our stone circle outside.”
For Áine Órga of HeartStory.org, the Winter Solstice celebration begins on the night before the solstice itself. She performs a ritual in celebration of the dark, still moment of the solstice, and looks towards the returning light of the dawn the following morning. On the morning of the solstice itself, she sit with the sunrise, feeling the moment of the shortest day:
“The dawn chorus can be cacophonous during the summer, but in winter all is still at dawn. We usually have a more muted chorus in the half-hour or so before the sun rises, but as the sun lifts its head above the horizon, a hush falls over the landscape.”
This liminal period continues for Áine to the January 1st or 6th January (traditionally the end of Christmas in Ireland) and includes Christmas.
Áine Órga’s Winter Solstice
Mark Green of Atheopaganism celebrates the solstice by singing Atheopagan carols, like the one below:
Oh Darkest Night (tune: O Holy Night)
Oh darkest night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dawning new year.
Here in the dark, for sun and warmth we’re pining
But we are cheered by our friends and family here.
The cold bright stars: a trillion worlds above us
As here on Earth we gather loved ones near.
Raise up your eyes, and see the Cosmos’ wonder
Oh Night sublime
Oh night, oh darkest night
Oh Night sublime
Oh night, oh night sublime.
HP’s Managing Editor, John Halstead, celebrates the solstice with his wife and children. They sing Paganized carols, act out the story of “The Rebirth of the Sun” by Starhawk, and launch sky lanterns with New Year’s wishes written on them. John shares these thoughts with his family:
“The winter solstice happens in nature around us. But it also happens inside of us, in our souls. It can happen inside of us is summer or winter, spring or fall. In the dark place of our soul, we carry secret wishes, pains, frustrations, loneliness, fears, regrets, worries. Darkness is not something to be afraid of. Sometimes we go to the dark place of our soul, where we can find safety and comfort. In the the dark place in our soul we can find rest and rejuvenation. In the dark place of our soul we can find balance. And when we have rested, and been comforted, and restored, we can return from the dark place in our soul to the world of light and new possibilities.”
Share your own naturalistic traditions in the comments below.
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
These symbols reflect the eternal nature of the Yule season and serve as reminders of the interconnectedness of all living beings. ***Additionally, the poems reflect on the ancient origins of Yule, calling upon the gods and goddesses of various pagan pantheons. They honor these divine beings as the source of life and celebrate their presence during this sacred time.*** Finally, poems about Yule in pagan traditions emphasize the importance of introspection and self-reflection. They encourage individuals to embrace the darkness within themselves and find light and renewal amid it. These poems remind readers to look inward and seek personal growth and transformation during the Yule season. Overall, poems about Yule in pagan traditions inspire a sense of awe, reverence, and connection to the natural world. They invite readers to enter into a deeper relationship with the cycles of nature and the mysteries of the divine. These poems encapsulate the spirit of Yule and the pagan beliefs associated with this ancient festival..
Reviews for "Pagan Poetry: Awakening the Spirits of Yule"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really excited to read this collection of poems about Yule in pagan traditions, as I am very interested in learning more about different cultural practices. However, I was disappointed with this book. The poems felt superficial and lacked depth. They seemed more like generic verses about winter and holiday cheer, rather than exploring the rich history and spiritual meanings of Yule in pagan traditions. I was hoping for a more insightful and informative collection, but unfortunately, this did not meet my expectations.
2. Mark - 1 star
I found "Poems about yule in pagan traditions" to be extremely disappointing. The poems were poorly written, lacking any real poetic skill or depth. They felt like amateur attempts at capturing the essence of Yule in pagan traditions, but fell flat. The language used was cliché and repetitive, making it difficult to engage with the poems. Additionally, the collection seemed to lack a cohesive theme or structure, making it feel disjointed and unorganized. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for meaningful and well-crafted poems about Yule in pagan traditions.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was hoping to find a collection of poems that would truly capture the essence and beauty of Yule in pagan traditions, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver. The poems felt disconnected and lacked a sense of cohesiveness. There was no flow or rhythm to the collection, making it difficult to engage with as a reader. Additionally, the language used in the poems felt forced and unnatural, which made it hard to connect with the emotions they were trying to convey. Overall, I was disappointed with this collection and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2 stars
I was intrigued by the idea of poems about Yule in pagan traditions, but this book fell short of my expectations. The poems lacked depth and originality, often resorting to clichés and tired imagery. I was hoping for a fresh and insightful exploration of Yule in pagan traditions, but instead, I found myself reading generic verses that felt uninspired. The collection also lacked a sense of cohesiveness, with each poem feeling disconnected from the others. Overall, I was left unsatisfied with this book and would not recommend it to others interested in the topic.