what to do on the 12 days of yulewhat to do on the 12 days of yule

Midsummer Day 2023: Why (and How) is Midsummer Celebrated? One of these is the Yule log, still popular today although usually in altered form. Its also a good time to whip up warding for the coming winter. The ninth day of yule is typically celebrated by going shopping for christmas gifts. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holidayDies natalis solis invicti, the birthday of the invincible Sun. The rest ishistory. I especially like good luck spells for the winter ahead. We pray that you will bless us during the coming year and bring us happiness and prosperity. If they were to celebrate in December, they would be doing it on what is the longest day in the Southern Hemisphere. As you see your reflection in the mirror, visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life. It was not a festival per se but a marking of the passage of time. The idea that Christians chose to celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December because this was the date of an already existing festival of the Sol Invictus was expressed in an annotation to a manuscript of a work by 12th-century Syrian bishop Jacob Bar-Salibi. Runes and crystals can be made it into ornaments. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. Its a day to pull out preferred divination sets and use them for the coming year. In other words, place your representation of earth a bowl of sand, stones, whatever to the north, your symbol of fire to the south, and so forth. WebTo me, 12 nights of Yule is largely feasting, drinking, singing songs and giving offerings to land wights, the Disir (specifically mother's night) and gods to thank them for the past 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. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. In many countries, the 12 days of Christmas are a time when families and friends get together to celebrate. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. Bells are commonly used as decoration to ward off negative energy. You can wish for just about anything and use you energy (and your spells ingredients) to set your wish in motion. The winter solstice is one of the oldest pagan holidays celebrated by people all around the world. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. This blog post will provide an overview of Yule in general, including its history as well as some popular rituals and traditions you can use to celebrate the holiday! Your offering will be appreciated even if youre off key. Use a broom to sweep out any little bits of dirt and grime it's also a symbolic way of sweeping negative energy out of your home. Although the word itself was first noted around 1475, the holiday was, by all accounts, present before that. Now that weve cleared that up, lets get back to the festivities. Many stories exist throughout history to reinforce this tradition: Its not an option for everyone but some practitioners decide to conduct no business matters during the time of Yule. [49] Alternatively, you can add them to a spell youll keep on your altar. Yule is a time to celebrate the winter solstice and the return of the sun. During the Winter Solstice, you can celebrate light (as the days will get lighter from here on out), friendship, health, winter, darkness, and just about anything else youd like. It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. green is the color of the Irish flag, and its also the color of the Scottish thistle. However, rather than having a cycle of courting, impregnation, and birth, the beliefs surrounding the two kings usually center on their battle for dominance. This was a time when the two holidays began The time before the Yule Festival was known as rra ola and the time after was called ftera ola. The candles and lights associated with Christmas, meant to symbolize guiding beacons for the Christ child, may have evolved from the Yule log, which was lit to entice the Sun to return as part of thejl(Yule) festival inScandinavia. Schools and businesses were closed so that everyone could celebrate the holiday. Green is significant because of its presence in evergreen trees which are connected to the Holly King. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Next, the individual holding the Fire symbol - a candle, etc. If you have a Book of Shadows, you can write your goals in it. However, this long night is also an opportunity for a cleansing of the soul, just like the New Moon. The Roman feast of Sol Invictus. The first thing you'll need is aYule Log. Green is also considered to be a lucky color in many cultures. Try casting a quick spell over your tea before drinking it. The HPs concludes the rite by saying: We make these offerings tonight,to show our love to you, O Goddess.Please accept our gifts, and know thatwe are entering this new season with joy in our hearts. The Twelve Days of Yule in Modern Practice While we do not have clear historical evidence pointing to how each day of Yule was celebrated, that hasnt stopped modern practitioners of the Northern Tradition from creating their own customs and practices. Perhaps your deity has blessed you in some special way, and to honor him or her, you want to share your good fortune with others. Some people like to add a small incantation to the process, like this one: Yule is here, and I smudge this place,Fresh and clean, in time and space.Sage and sweetgrass, burning free,as the sun returns, so it shall be. Yule is expected to last for twelve days which represents the twelve months of the year. The men and women would separate for a time so that the men could light bonfires and feast by them, while the women ate cakes and drank. You could gather together with friends and family to sing carols around the christmas tree, or go caroling in your local neighbourhood. You can do whatever feels natural and fits into your practice best. And yes, its the origin of the Christian 12 Days of Christmas. Yule is one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years ago. But if those options arent available to you, you could attach a few candles to the log and burn it symbolically. All rights reserved. In towns and cities throughout Sweden during the Christmas season, large goats are constructed out of straw. Some believe that the Wild Hunt is made up of fairies and their steeds, while others claim that Elves are the true drivers of the hunt. Then get into the habit of only keeping the last two issues of each. Learn more about Christmas traditions from the Christmas Tree to the Holiday Wreath. Ill also leave food in the woods for animals who wont venture to my home, and Ill give energy to any trees who are suffering during the winter months. Amen.". A holiday celebration that began in Norway, on the night of the winter solstice it was common to hoist a giant log onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. This day is best for a gathering and feast of lamb stew and leaf bread! This can be a great way to honor your deities and your Pagan community, as well as help others recognize what an important occasion it is. Once you have gathered your supplies, its time to start celebrating! You could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. Why not take a moment to offer upa prayer on Yule? Its the day to the divination spread of The New Year. Theres no definitive answer, but one possible explanation is that green is often associated with the natural world. Although many families use fake holiday trees, a cut one from a tree farm is actually more environmentally friendly, so if you've never considered a live tree, maybe this is a good year to start a new tradition in your house. Practitioners celebrate both the longest night of the year and the return of the sun and the lengthening of the days to come. [48] The tractate De solstitia et aequinoctia conceptionis et nativitatis Domini nostri Iesu Christi et Iohannis Baptistae falsely attributed to John Chrysostom also argued that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same day of the year and calculated this as 25 March. Pagan holidays are often associated with druids, so it makes sense that some of the earliest Winter Solstice rituals come from the Celtic priests of ancient Britain. White and gold represent the light associated with Yule festivities in equal parts. Yule is also a great time to cast a protection spell. There are literally endless types of money spells that you can cast. Place the Yule log on the altar, along with the candles, herbs, and salt. The celebration of Yuleis one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970 (accessed April 18, 2023). Clean baseboards and other woodwork. If you're not organized yet, now's your chance to get there. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. It is a time for giving thanks and for gathering with family and friends. The High Priestess then says: O Crone, the Wheel has turned once more.It is time for the Maiden to claim what is now hers.As you lie down for the winter, she is born once again. Like red and green, the color gold also summons wealth and prosperity. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. For pagans, Yule is a time to celebrate the god of the sun, while for Christians, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Now that you know all about the basic Yule symbols, you should have some idea of what you can put on your altar. Its simple! December 21 is for self reflection and rebirth. Any of the items in the section above would be great: food, decorations, ornaments, wreaths, etc. Even Christmas trees were originally a part of the pagan Yule holiday! The fourth day of yule is typically celebrated by spending time with loved ones. You can also make christmas ornaments or other decorations to add to your tree. The period has been celebrated since before the middle ages but was updated over time to include prominent figures in Christian history. On this day offerings are made to the wild birds, animals, and spirits of the woods. Many Pagans, especially those While you're cleaning the windows, do your mirrors too, using the same mixture as above. Commonly used as decoration to ward off evil spirits and bad energy families and friends of... Habit of only keeping the last two issues of each the mirror, cleaning! Time when families and friends get together to celebrate the holiday Wreath energy. Of Shadows, you could also have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a to... Day offerings are made to the Holly King pull out preferred divination sets and you. Chance to get a little longer to the Holly King could also have a potluck and! The lengthening of the New year along with the candles, herbs, spirits. Which represents the twelve months of the sun, when the days finally begin get! Should have some idea of what you can add them to a spell youll keep on your what to do on the 12 days of yule... In altered form 2023 ) like the New Moon is expected to last for days. Food, decorations, ornaments, wreaths, etc that you know all about the basic Yule symbols you... The ancient Norse thousands of years ago off negative energy usually in altered form day Yule... Also make Christmas ornaments or other decorations to add to your tree family and friends whip warding! If you have a potluck dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish to share the fourth day Yule... 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