Yule

**Yule,**also known as the Winter Solstice, is the date where the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half.  It is the longest day of the calendar year.  Yule is a fire festival, and it is considered taboo to put out a fire on this day, instead opting to let it burn out naturally.

## Lore

Yule marks the night where the Goddess gives birth to the God, who had passed over at Samhain, in the form of the Sun Child.  This rebirth of light in the form of the Sun God's reincarnation marks the turning of the Wheel to its next phase.  The Sun God's return promises warmer days and symbolizes the hope of summer and new light.  The Goddess will now sleep until Imbolc, when she will reawaken as a young maiden.

Yule comes next after Samhain, where we have recognized the lessons of the past year.  In contrast, Yule provides an opportunity to reflect and to be reborn with new light from the Sun God.

Evergreens are a traditional symbol  representing the Goddess, representing her eternal nature.  Mistletoe, conversely, represents the seed of the God and is considered sacred.  The evergreen also serves as a place for wood spirits to nest and keep warm in the winter months.  Bells on the tree were present to indicate when a spirit was present.

## History

In early Celtic tradition, Yule marks the time when the Oak King triumphs over the Holly King-- the King representative of death and darkness, who has ruled over all things since Samhain.  The Yule tree is traditionally decorated with candles, as is the home with holly and ivy as well.  These all represent the coming light with the changing seasons.  Father Winter visits each home to bring gifts, and the Yule log is burned in the fire to symbolize the newborn Sun.

Yule was not originally celebrated by the Celts, and was in fact brought to Britain by invading Saxons.  The word "Yule" in old Norse translates literally to "wheel"; the Saxons regarded Yule as the "turning time" when the Wheel of the year shifted to light and to spring.  The traditional wreath was a popular representation to the endless cycle of the Wheel.

## Celebrations and Rituals

Yule is a time for spellwork focused on peace, harmony, and increased happiness. Some suggested spellwork for the Yule season is listed below:

Some rituals and activities to celebrate Yule are listed below:

* Decoration of the Yule tree
* Gather greens after 12th night to burn at Imbolc and usher in spring
* Make and burn a Yule Log, or make a Yule Log cake
* Donate food and clothes to others
* String popcorn and cranberries for the birds
* Meditations on birth, rebirth, and the return of the sun

### Solitary Ritual for Yule

Decorate the sacred space with gold and silver spheres to represent the returning sun, and wreaths to symbolize the turning Wheel. Have oak shavings ready as a base for your incense. Add any other personally meaningful herbs to this mixture and start burning it before the invocation to help prepare the sacred space. Finally, put a sun candle in the year at the southern point of the circle.

Cover the altar with a pale green cloth - the color of early sprouts, which represents continuance. Add red berries for life's blood; holly; ivy; and pine branches as a symbol of longevity. The pine also welcomes sylvan spirits to your circle.  Have a Yule log at the center point, placing there your God and Goddess candles. Always keep a part of the candles or the log itself for future years; this brings good luck, life, health and providence.

Take up the Athamé and Cast the Circle starting in the West, the region where several cultures believe the afterlife resides, the direction of the Dying Sun.  Take a moment to center yourself and begin to cast the Circle. Visualize a white light coming from the tip of the athamé and with arms straight out, turn the blade point out, slowly turning clockwise the light following you.

When you return to the West bring the athamé back to you and say:

“As above, so below.”

As you say this, visualize the light going above you and below you forming a perfect sphere.

Light the Goddess candle in the Yule log, then move to the Northern point in your Circle. This is the quarter traditionally ascribed to the season of winter.

Call the quarters, facing each in turn.

**To the North:** *Ancient Mother, I look for your opulence, but tonight naught but barren trees decorate the land. In this restful moment, let my spirit find healing.*

**To the East:** *Ancient Brother, I listen for your winds, but tonight they are still. In this quiet darkness, help me find inspiration.*

**To the South:** *Ancient Father, I look for your fires, but tonight the embers only begin to glow more brightly. May this gentle warmth temper my spirit.*

**To the West:** *Ancient Sister, I seek your glistening tears, but tonight they are frozen. Beneath this cool blanket, let my emotions find stability.*

**To the Center:** *Ancient Ones, I seek Your face, but tonight darkness surrounds. Help me find Your spark within to guide my path.*

Winter Solstice is an excellent time to undergo a vision quest to find your magical name, a totem animal, a mantra, or other empowering insights. This meditation is meant to accent that quest by opening your awareness to the power within and without all things.

Begin in a standing position. Center yourself and breathe deeply. Slowly take off your mundane clothes, likewise removing the "world" with each. Wrap a blanket around yourself for warmth, but remain naked for the meditation. You need no trappings to discover personal power.

Sit and close your eyes. Let any remaining tension drain away, then begin listening to the sound of silence. Smell the aromas of oak and herb. Feel the latent energy of everything around you and the magic you've placed there. Know it as your own.

Listen to your breath and your heartbeat. Sense the pulse and ebb within as the same energy without. Listen closely; does it whisper a message to you? Does it whisper a name? Do you hear the cry of an animal? Do you hear words that fill you with energy? Linger in this place between Earth and stars until you receive a message. Then return to normal levels of awareness, and write of this experience in your journal.

Turn toward the northern part of your circle. Think of things that you want to banish, such as bad habits. Say:

*I call to the darkness. Come embrace my \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (fill in with your negative characteristics). Take them to yourself. I release them. As the sun climbs in the sky, take these things with you '**in'** retreat, never to return to me again.*

Turn to the south of the circle, light the sun candle, and repeat this chant. Let it naturally grow to fill the entire space with positive vibrations:

*Strong sun, returning '**sun'**; the light burns as the Wheel turns. Strong sun, returning '**sun'**; the shadows fade; my magic bade. Strong sun, returning '**sun'**; the shadows flee, the magic is free!*

Return to the altar now and light the God candle, using the Goddess candle as a fire source (symbolic of the womb).

*Sun Father, Your journey has left you weary. May this light give you strength to reach toward the heavens again with warmth and brilliance.*

After saying so, go through your home and light all its candles, lamps, flashlights, or decorative lights to represent the sun's return.

Close the circle, repeating the steps you took earlier and facing each quarter in turn.

**To the West:** *Spirit of the West, thank you for cleansing body, mind, and spirit.  As you go from this place, likewise purify Earth.*

**To the South:** *Spirit of the South, thank you for this warmth of body, mind and spirit. As you go from this place, likewise generate love on Earth.*

**To the East:** *Spirit of the East, thank you for this stillness of body, mind and spirit. As you go from this place, likewise bring peace to Earth.*

**To the North:** *Spirit of the North, thank you for healing me in body, mind, and spirit. As you go from this place, likewise heal Earth.*

**To the Center:** *Ancient Ones, thank you for turning the Wheel that enlightens body, mind, and spirit. As you go from this place, likewise edify Earth.*

Release the circle in whatever manner is most familiar to you.

## Associations/Correspondences

 Herbs
 Foods
 Incense
 Colors
 Stones
 Deities
 Ritual Workings

## Recipes

### Drinks

#### Wassail

* 3 red apples
* 3 oz brown sugar
* 2 pints brown ale or apple cider
* 1/2 pint dry sherry or dry white wine
* 1/4 tsp cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ginger strips or lemon peel

Core and heat apples with brown sugar and some of the cider in an oven for 30 minutes. Transfer to the stove and add the rest of the spices, simmering for 5 minutes. Add as much alcohol as you can at the last minute so it warms but does not evaporate. Serves eight.

### Main Dishes

#### Sausage Apple Quiche

* 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
* 1 1/2 cups finely chopped apple
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
* 4 eggs, beaten
* 1 cup half and half
* 1/2 cup biscuit mix

Cook sausage until browned, stirring to crumble.  Drain fat and set aside.

Combine chopped apple, spices, cheese, and sausage.  Spoon into a quiche dish or pie pan.

Combine eggs, half and half, and biscuit mix; pour over apple mixture and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until set.

#### Pork Roast with Rosemary and Garlic

* 4 lb pork roast
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* rosemary, dried
* olive oil

Place the roast in a pan and rub with olive oil, then chopped garlic and rosemary.  Pierce with a knife and insert more garlic and rosemary.  Roast at 325 degrees until cooked through.

### Desserts

#### Apple Dumplings

* 2 cups flour
* 4 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp salt
* 4 Tbsp shortening
* 1 cup milk
* 6 apples
* sugar
* 1 tsp cinnamon

Pare and core apples.  Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; cut in shortening, then add milk and mix to form a smooth dough.  Turn onto a floured surface and divide into six portion, rolling each large enough to cover one apple.  Place an apple on each piece of dough and fill with cinnamon sugar.  Wet edges of dough and fold over each apple.  Bake on a greased baking sheet for 350 degrees for 40 minutes, or until apples are tender.

#### Ginger Cakes

* 1/2 cup shortening
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 2 eggs, well beaten
* 1 cup molasses
* 4 cups flour
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 Tbsp boiling water
* 1 tsp ginger
* 1 pinch salt

Cream the butter, shortening, and sugar together.  Add eggs and beat thoroughly.  Add the molasses and baking soda, (dissolved in the boiling water).  Sift together flower and ginger and combine with other ingredients; mix well.  Pour into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

### More Recipe Links

* Yule Recipes at Hearth n Home Witchery
* Yule Recipes at Recipes for a Pagan Soul