The
Winter Solstice or Yule is one of the Lesser Wiccan Sabbats, and
it is also the shortest day of the year, and hence - the longest
night. This usually takes place on December 20th or 21st,
although it does sometimes occur on the 22nd or 23rd (check your
calendar as it changes from year to year). Other than the most
common name of Yule, various other names for the Winter Solstice
include Midwinter, Yuletide (the Teutonic version), Alban Arthan
(Caledonii Tradition, or the Druids), Feill Fionnain (Pecti-Wita
Tradition, which falls on December 22nd). Yuletide lasts from
December 20th through December 31st. It begins on "Mother
Night" and ends twelve days later, on "Yule
Night", hence the "Twelve Days of Christmas"
tradition. Alban Arthan, unlike all the others, is not considered
a fire festival. (Images to the left and below are by Anthony
Meadows and from 1998 and 1999 Witches' Calendars. Click on
either image to go directly to Llewellyn's Web Site.)
Some other names for this Sabbat that are used less commonly are: Sun Return, Pagan New Year, Saturnalia (Roman), Great Day of the Cauldron, and Festival of Sol.
Yule is a time of the Goddess of the Cold Darkness and the birth of the Divine Child, the reborn Sun God. It is a time of renewal and rebirth during Winter, and the turning of the Earth force tides. A time when the waxing Sun overcomes the waning Sun. In some traditions, this is symbolized by the struggle between the Oak King and the Holly King.
The
Holly King, represents the Death aspect of the God at this time
of year; and the Oak King, represents the opposite aspect of
Rebirth (these roles are reversed at Midsummer). This can be
likened to the Divine Child's birth. The myth of the Holly
King/Oak King probably originated from the Druids to whom these
two trees were highly sacred. The Oak King (God of the Waxing
Year) kills the Holly King (God of the Waning Year) at Yule (the
Winter Solstice). The Oak King then reigns supreme until Litha
(the Summer Solstice) when the two battle again, this time with
the Holly King victorious. Examples of the Holly King's image can
be seen in our modern Santa Claus. He dons a sprig of holly in
his hat, wears red clothing, and drives a team of eight (total
number of Solar Sabbats) reindeer, an animal sacred to the Celtic
Gods (deer). Mistletoe and holly came into modern Christmas
celebrations through the memorializing of this battle. The holly
with berries are hung in honor of the Holly King and mistletoe in
honor of the Oak King. Although the Holly King and Oak King are
mortal enemies at the two Solstices - Yule and Litha - it should
be remembered that they are actually two sides of one whole, and
neither would exist without the other.
Since this is a Solar Festival, it is celebrated by fire and the use of many candles orthe Yule Log. The colors of the season - red and green - are of original Pagan descent. Symbols representing Yule include an eight-spoked wheel symbol, evergreens, wreaths, holly, mistletoe, Yule Trees (very similar to the familiar "Christmas Trees"), or a small potted tree, and Yule Logs. There are a couple of different versions of Yule Logs:
1) Many enjoy the practice of lighting the Yule Log. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log of oak or pine. Carve (with your Bolline) or chalk upon it a figure of the Sun (a rayed disc) or the Horned God (a horned circle). Set it alight in the fireplace at dusk, on Yule. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the Mother Goddess. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days. Traditionally, a portion of the Yule Log is saved to be used in lighting next year's log. This piece is kept throughout the year to protect the home.
2) The second type of Yule Log is not burned up, but rather holds three candles for burning. Find a suitable log of oak or pine and flatten one side of it so that it will lay flat. Drill three holes in the side that is up, the correct size for holding three taper candles. The candles should be red, green and white (to represent the season), or green, gold and black (to represent the Sun God), or white, red and black (to represent the Great Goddess). You can further decorate your Yule Log however you choose to - using holly, mistletoe, red ribbons and bows, or whatever you prefer.
The act of decorating the Yule Tree, wreaths of holly, and the exchange of gifts are also Pagan derivatives. The Yule Tree can be a living, potted tree which can later be planted in the ground, a cut one, or even an artificial one. The choice is yours. Appropriate Wiccan decorations range from strings of dried rosebuds, cinnamon sticks, popcorn or cranberries for garlands to bags of fragrant spices hung from boughs. Quartz crystals can be wrapped with shiny wire and suspended from sturdy branches to resemble icicles. Apples, oranges, lemons, nuts of all kinds and cookies hanging from boughs and branches are strikingly beautiful; and can be real or artificial, depending on your taste. These natural decorations were customary in ancient times. The reindeer stag is also a reminder of the Horned God. You will find that many traditional Christmas decorations have some type of Pagan ancestry or significance that can be added to your Yule holiday.
Deities to honor at this time of year include all Newborn Gods and Sun Gods, and all Mother Goddesses and Triple Goddesses. Appropriate Yule Gods include Apollo (Greek), Ra, Osiris, Horus, (all three are Egyptian), Lugh (Irish-Celtic), Odin (Norse), Father Sun (Native American), and Jesus (Christian-Gnostic), to name a few. Goddesses might include the Morrigan, Brigit (both Celtic), Isis (Egyptian), Demeter, Gaea, Pandora, Selene, and Artemis (all five are Greek), Juno and Diana (both Roman), Astarte (Middle Eastern), Spinning Woman (Native American) and the Virgin Mary (Christian-Gnostic).
Ritually, you may want to light fires within the Circle (in the cauldron, for instance), light candles and carry them around the Circle or bring the Yule log into the Circle and include it in your ceremony. Bayberry candles can be burned to ensure prosperity, growth and happiness throughout the following year. These can be inscribed with runes for health and money, or whatever is desired before lighting. They shall be lit at sunset and allowed to burn until they go out by themselves. An old Germanic poem says "A bayberry candle burned to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket."
Spellwork for balance, beauty, peace, and harmony are great to perform at this time of the Pagan year. Love spells and spells to increase happiness are also appropriate. Key actions to remember for Yule are introspection and meditation.
The most common colors used at this Sabbat are red and green, but gold and white are also quite appropriate. Stones to be used at this celebration include bloodstones, rubies, and garnets. Animals associated with the Yule Sabbat are stags, squirrels, wrens and robins. Mythical creatures associated with Yule are the Phoenix, and trolls. Herbs and plants that can be used include holly, mistletoe, evergreens, poinsettias, bay, pine, ginger, valerian, and myrrh.
The foods of Yule include nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cookies and cakes of caraway soaked in cider, and (for non-vegetarians) pork are all traditional fare. Fine drinks for the Yule celebration or meals include Wassail (a hot drink made from wine, beer or cider, spices, sugar, and usually baked apples---served in a large bowl), lamb's wool (ale mixed with sugar, nutmeg and the pulp of roasted apples), hibiscus or ginger tea, and apple cider.
And now here is a nice little excerpt for Yule by Silver RavenWolf...
The Yule Wish Tree
Often, the items we truly need cannot ride home with us in a bag from the mall during the holiday season countdown. The day before Thanksgiving, take a trip to the tree nursery and find a small, potted evergreen. On your way home, purchase a few yards of red, green, and white ribbon. During the Thanksgiving supper, introduce the tree to the family and the tribe to the tree. Each member of your clan should tie a ribbon on the tree to represent an intangible blessing they would like for the upcoming Yule season. Wishes could be for peace, enough rest, health, etc. Bless the tree and set it where it will have enough light.
When family and friends visit, explain the purpose of the wish tree to them and give them a ribbon to tie on the tree, too. The tree is for everyone. If you plan to use the tree in ritual, have everyone participating make a small ornament, empowered for strengths like self-esteem, goal planning, security, etc. and hang it on the tree while connecting with the divinity of their choice.
On the first day of February, remove all the ornaments and ribbons. Burn the ribbons and cast the ashes to the winds. Pack the ornaments away. Next year, when you open the box, you can de-magick the ornaments and return them to their owners, or hang them on your big tree in memory of last year's prosperity. Continue to take good care of the tree over the remaining winter months. Don't forget to give it water and plenty of love. In the spring, you can plant the tree outside on your property or on the property of a friend.
(The above "The Yule Wish Tree" by Silver RavenWolf is quoted directly from Llewellyn's 1995 Magical Almanac, page 264, Llewellyn Worldwide Publications, 1994.)
And now I will list several recipes that I have gathered from various places, noted on each...
Yule Salad
1/2 bag fresh cranberries
3 lg stalks celery
3-4 large carrots
1 large orange
1 can crushed pineapples
1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts, your preference)
1 large (or 2 small) box raspberry, or raspberry-cranberry Jello
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Open can of pineapples and drain, saving the juice.
Put aside. Mix the saved juice from the pineapples and 1 cup of
cold water together.
Prepare Jello according to directions, but where the directions
call for 2 cups cold water, use the 1 cup cold water/pineapple
juice mixture. Before you add the cold mixture to the hot, add
the sugar to the hot Jello mixture, and dissolve, then add cold
water/pineapple juice mixture, combine well and refrigerate. Be
sure to put into a large salad or mixing bowl.
Shred the carrots finely - put aside.
Finely chop celery with a knife or food processor. (I only like
the flavor of celery, not the texture, so I use the blender to
chop it up very fine)
Chop or crush walnuts
Grate orange peel with fine grater (a cheese grater will do).
Peel orange and clean as much of the pith (the white stuff) away
as possible, and section by hand.
In a blender put the cranberries, one handful at a time into the
water and chop finely. Add the orange sections and chop more
coarsely (using the pulse button on your blender). Add to the
Jello mixture. Add all other ingredients to the Jello mixture and
mix well. Refrigerate over night.
You may top with whipped cream or Cool Whip, but I love this
topping the best, it is a nice accent to the sweetness of the
salad.
1 cup sour cream
1 cup real mayonnaise
Blend well and place by the tablespoonful on top of the gelled
salad. Enjoy!! Happy Yule!
Joanna L. Davis (aka Althaea)
Wassail
1 gallon apple cider
1 fifth Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
2 sticks cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 large cardamom pod, cracked (optional, hard to find sometimes)
1 medium peice of ginger root
A piece of cheese cloth or a coffee filter
Tie all dry ingredients up in the cheese cloth or coffee filter. Put the rum and apple cider in a large pot and bring to a slow boil. Add the dry pouch and simmer for an hour. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Joanna L. Davis (aka Althaea)
Pagan Wassail
1 dozen cooking apples
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon
butter or margarine
3/4 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons sugar
Core apples and place in an 8 X 8 inch baking pan. Mix sugar and cinnamon, fill apples with mixture, dot tops with butter. Add boiling water and sugar to pan and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 60 minutes.
1 cup water
4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon nutmeg, grated (for luck)
1/2 teaspoon mace
2 teaspoons ginger (to prevent arguments)
6 whole cloves (to influence people in high places, and for luck)
1 stick cinnamon (same as cloves)
6 whole allspice
1 dozen eggs, separated
4 bottles sherry
2 cups brandy
Combine first eight ingredients in a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes. Beat egg whites until stiff. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks. Fold whites into yolks. Strain spice mixture into egg mixture and stir. Combine sherry and brandy and bring almost to a boil. Gradually add liquor to spice and egg mixture, stirring rapidly as you do so. Before serving, add baked apples to foaming liquid. Serve in a large cauldron.
(The above recipe for "Pagan Wassail" in directly quoted from Laurie Cabot's book: "Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition", pages 71-72, a Delta book, published by Dell Publishing, 1994.)
Gingerbread Men (and Women!)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup dark molasses
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 cups flour
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon powdered cloves
1/8 teaspoon allspice
4 teaspoons ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients except the flour. Add the flour slowly, mixing each addition thoroughly. The dough should be slightly stiff. If the mixture seems too dry, add a teaspoon or two of water; if too wet, add more flour. Roll out the dough on a floured cutting board to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters shaped like little dough people to make the shapes. Place these on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes (time is only approximate). Transfer the cookies to wax paper to cool. Give your gingerbread people features by using colored frosting from a pastry tube.
(The above recipe for "Gingerbread Men (and Women!)" is directly quoted from Edain McCoy's book: "The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways", page 68, Llewellyn Publications, 1994.)
Yule Incense
2 parts Frankincense
2 parts Pine needles or resin
1 part Cedar
1 part Juniper berries
Mix and smolder at Wiccan rites on Yule (on or around December 21st), or during the winter months to cleanse the home and to attune with the forces of nature amid the cold days and nights.
(The above recipe for "Yule Incense" is directly quoted from Scott Cunningham's book: "The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews", page 100, Llewellyn Publications, 1992.)
Winter Solstice Ritual Potpourri
20 drops musk oil
25 drops pine oil
1 cup oak moss
2 cups dried mistletoe
1 cup dried poinsettia flowers
1 cup dried bayberries
1/2 cup dried rosemary
1/2 cup dried holly leaves and berries
3 crushed pinecones
Mix the musk and pine oils with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.
(The above recipe for "Winter Solstice Ritual Potpourri" is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich's book "The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes", page 164, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)
And finally, here are several nice devotional
incantations/poems with proper credit given to each author...
Enjoy and May Ye Blessed Be!
Renewal
winter pounces
sinking its fangs into the gentle flesh of the earth,
paralyzing it.
frozen.
the world grinds to a halt
the north wind flies unleashed,
howling fury.
the God is dead.
given up his life in the last harvest.
the Goddess stands alone
mourning his passing with every moon
awaiting the return of the Sun Lord
with the gentle coming of spring.
Yule
The Dark of Midwinter
Grows and spreads
Holding earth in its lifeless embrace
Beyond the barrenness
Is a time of rejoicing
A time of rest and rejuvenationbr> Of the stillness of rivers
running below ice.
The days shorten and grow colder
Night deepens
Yet still stars dance against the furry expanse of sky
Diamond pinpoints against velvet black.
There comes the midpoint
The shortest day
The longest dark
And we rejoice
For winter's death
Soon gives way to spring
As the Balance swings again.
The Lady ceases to mourn Her beloved
Feeling the stir of new life within
Instead She rejoices
In the birth of the one
Who wil restore Her
And us.
Invoking the Holly King
Today we do bid Hail to our beloved Holly King
With these ancient carols, we do again sing
He who is called Father Christmas is returning yet again
As the Solstice's longest night has finally begun
We await you, Santa Claus, Lord of Winter
To honor you on this day that you always were
Saint Nicholas, patron of children on Gaia's sphere
This invocation, we pray you do hear
Come bless us, upon this season of the Yuletide
Great Holly King as you fly upon your sleigh ride
Whether your gifts to us be physical or spiritual
We know that they will always be most magical
Grateful, because we know your blessings' great worth
We offer a blessing of our own --- Peace on Earth!
Old Ones, Dear Ones
Old Ones, Dear Ones, Standing Stones
Ancient time piece, ancient thrones.
From Solstice to Solstice and all in between
Beloved King joins beloved Queen.
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the North
Hear us now, please do come forth
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the East
Join us now, please share our feast.
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the South
Share our kiss, mouth to mouth.
Old Ones, Dear Ones, to the West
Be one with us, oh sacred guest
Standing Stones from times of Old
Ancient witness to secrets untold.
Throughout time, we've come, we've passed
But your circle endures and lasts.
Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,
2000
These pages have been created and are maintained by StormWing
Please feel free to use the information
contained on my Wiccan Web Pages
for your own personal use or for the teaching of others...
remembering the Wiccan Rede... and harming none...
Blessed Be, StormWing...
Portions of the Poetry section are reprinted from various issues of "Circle Network News"
