Traditions and Symbols of Yule

 

Yule is a conventional occasion holding establishes in different northern European customs, especially that of the pre-Christian Germanic people groups. At the point when the days developed colder and the evenings developed longer, individuals of antiquated times would light candles and assemble round flames to draw back the sun. They would draw out their stores of food and appreciate devouring and merriments. Moves were moved and tunes were sung and all would savor the experience of adorning their homes. Such were the Yule customs of those times — customs like what we call Christmas (Yule ultimately went through Christianized reformulation).

Evergreens were sliced and brought inside to represent life, resurrection and recharging. They were remembered to have control over death on the grounds that their green never blurred, and they were utilized to overcome winter devils and keep down death and annihilation. Due to their solidarity and determination, they were additionally accepted to energize the Sun's return.

Holly, which addresses the manly component, was frequently used to embellish entryways, windows and chimneys. In view of its thorniness it was remembered to catch or avert detestable spirits before they could enter a home and hurt. The holly leaves, emblematic of the Holly Lord, address trust, while the red berries address power.

Mistletoe, which addresses the female component, additionally holds a lot of significance as it was utilized by Druid clerics in unique functions throughout the Colder time of year Solstice. They accepted that its green leaves addressed the fruitfulness of the Mother Goddess, and its white berries, the seed of the Woods God or Oak Ruler. Druids would collect the mistletoe from sacrosanct oak trees with brilliant grass cutters and ladies would assemble under the trees to get the falling branches, keeping them from tumbling to the ground; for assuming this occurred, it was accepted that all holy energy in the plant would empty once more into the earth. The branches and twigs were then separated and conveyed to be loomed over entryways as insurance against thunder, lightning and different disasters. Mistletoe was likewise worn as a special necklace for ripeness, or hung over the headboard.

The Yule Tree was additionally one more significant image in agnostic custom. Initially, it addressed the Tree of Life or the World Tree among early agnostics. In antiquated times it was adorned with presents individuals needed to get from the divine beings. It was enhanced with regular adornments like pinecones, berries and other organic product, as well as images hallowed to the divine beings and goddess. In some occasion customs, wreaths of popcorn and berries were hung around the tree so that meeting birds could take care of off the tree also.

The custom of consuming the Yule Log started with the old Scandinavians who consumed a gigantic log, felled from and Debris tree, to respect their god Thor. In the Celtic practice, a ceaseless hearth fire was kept to keep spirits from entering the home. For the fire to continue to consume, an enormous Oak tree was felled and brought into the home where the tree was set trunk first into the hearth, with the last remainders put away to ignite with the following year's fire. It was likewise accepted that the more extended the Yule log consumed, the quicker the sun would come to warm the earth.

Candles were another way to have an eternal flame within the home. They symbolized the light and warmth of the sun and were used to chase away evils and lure back the returning sun/son.

Wreaths were also traditional in ancient times for they symbolized the wheel of the year and the completion of another cycle. They were made of evergreens and adorned with cones and berries and hung as decoration throughout the home. They were also given as gifts to symbolize the infinity of goodwill, friendship and joyfulness.

Bells were often rung during the Winter Solstice to drive away demons that surfaced during the dark time of the year. They were rung in the morning as everyone began to wake to chase away the dark days and herald in the warmer, brighter days following the solstice.

Elves first became associated with Yule because the ancients knew that the Spirits that created the Sun inhabited the land of Elves. By including elves in the Yule celebrations, the ancients believed they were assuring the elves assistance in the coercion of the Sun to return.

Gingerbread was considered to be a specialty bread during this time since ginger had not been available until the Crusaders brought it back in the 11th century. There were strict laws regarding specialty breads in that time, so gingerbread was only allowed to be produced during the holidays and thus, it became associated with winter and Yule.

Wassail derives from the Old English words waes hael, which means “be well”, “be hale” or “good health”. It is a strong drink, usually a mixture of ale, honey and spices or mulled apple cider. When pagans went into the forest to fell the great oak for the Yule log, they would anoint the tree with wassail and bedeck them with wassail-soaked cakes, thus the ritual of wassailing was born. At home, the wassail would be poured into a large bowl during feast time and the host, when greeting his or her guests, would lift a drink and wish them “waes hael”, to which they would reply “drinc hael”, which meant “drink and be well”.

Caroling was also a popular Yule tradition when young children honoured the Winter Solstice with song. They would go through the villages, singing door to door. The villagers, in return, would reward them with tokens and sweets and small gifts which symbolized the food and prosperity given by the Mother Goddess to all her Earthly children.

Nature Symbols of Yule: Holly, Oak, Mistletoe, Ivy, Evergreens, Laurel, Bayberry, Blessed Thistle, Frankincense, Pine, Sage, Yellow Cedar.

Food and Drink of Yule: Yule Log Cake, Gingerbread, Fruits, Berries, Nuts, Pork dishes, Turkey, Eggnog, Ginger Tea, Spiced Cider, Wassail

Colours of Yule: Red, Green, White, Silver, GoldRed represents the waning Holly King. Green represents the waxing Oak King. White represents the purity and hope of new Light. Silver represents the Moon. Gold represents the Sun/Son.

Stones of Yule: Rubies, Bloodstones, Garnets, Emeralds, Diamonds

Activities of Yule: Caroling ~ Wassailing the Trees ~ Burning the Yule Log ~ Decorating the Yule Tree ~ Exchanging Gifts ~ Kissing under the Mistletoe

Goddesses: The Great Mother and Earth Goddess, Freyja, Gaia, Diana, Bona-Dea, Isis, Demeter

Gods: Mabon, The Sun God, The Star (Divine) Child, The Oak King, The Holly King, The Green Man, The Red Man, The Horned One, Odin, Lugh, Apollo, Ra

What Yule traditions and symbols still appear in your Holiday celebrations? Did you know the origin of some of these Yule traditions or did they surprise you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!