Let's celebrate - Yule

[Jace]

The Germanic Winter festival which was celebrated on the winter solstice (which happens
to be today, T-12/21) and ran for approximately 2 months.

In modern times, it's been reformulated by Christians and renamed Christmastide.

Customs and celebrations
The main component of any Yule celebration is the Yule log.
Cut down on Winter solstice and put into the fireplace - and this as done without chopping it into pieces.
No, the top of the tree would "be fed" into the fireplace and over the course
of the next 2 monhs, more and more would be pushed in as the winter progressed.
This would become the basis of the Yule log or Christmas block, as it is known today.

History of Yule
Yule can be traced back thousands of years to Gemany and Scandinavia.
No one knows exactly how long it was celebrated, but early manuscripts tell about this holiday as early as the 4th century.

Does anyone burn a log or anything at this time of year?

 

[Wren]

 

[JustBonee]

 

[Ruthanne]

Yule doggie party!

 

[Geezer Garage]

For years in Steamboat Springs they had a find the Yule log contest. Every few days they would give a new clue as to it's location. Not sure if it's still going on or not. Mike

 

[Jace]

For years in Steamboat Springs they had a find the Yule log contest. Every few days they would give a new clue as to it's location. Not sure if it's still going on or not. Mike

Sounds like fun!

 

[Trila]

As a Pagan, celebrating Yule is a big tradition for us.

Every year, my husband and I have a huge bonfire. We spend the day sitting around and enjoying the fire. There will be adult beverages and roasted hot dogs. Marshmallows, too!

We can't always celebrate on the exact date, due to weather conditions, but we get as close as we can. Right now, there is a big pile of wood stacked up and ready! The pile is almost as tall as I am! I took this picture through the window.....


Thank you @Jace for starting this thread!

 

[Trila]

Yule: Winter Solstice (Dec 20–23)
Yule is held during the winter solstice when our days become shorter. It is the time in which last preparations are made for the coming cold months. It is also a time to remind oneself of the warmth and life-giving source of the sun or fire. Trees are decorated with foods that thrive in the cold months to represent continual growth and life through the dark, cold nights.

Some Christmas traditions come from Yule; for example, the use of mistletoe and the use of yule logs, which were believed to have the ability to banish evil spirits and bring good luck. One of the oldest winter traditions in the world, the winter solstice is held on the shortest day of the year.


Article here:
https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Wheel-of-the-Year-The-Eight-Pagan-Holidays

 

[Aunt Bea]

 

[Jace]

@Trila..T Y for contributing so well
(and ' bringing it back'')

 

[Trila]

A quote from the article that I posted above (#8)....
Some believe the new cycle starts on Samhain as it is the witches' new year. Others believe it falls on or after Yule since that more closely corresponds to our modern calendars.

This is my "New Year"....or rather, the end of the old year. The burning of the wood symbolizes "an end" and the ashes fertilize the ground for spring growth. Now is the time to prepare for the long dark of winter.

 

[Trila]

Yesterday, we had our annual Yule celebration! It was a day early, but it was beautiful weather for a bonfire!

 

[Medusa]

The Germanic Winter festival which was celebrated on the winter solstice (which happens
to be today, T-12/21) and ran for approximately 2 months.

In modern times, it's been reformulated by Christians and renamed Christmastide.

Customs and celebrations
The main component of any Yule celebration is the Yule log.
Cut down on Winter solstice and put into the fireplace - and this as done without chopping it into pieces.
No, the top of the tree would "be fed" into the fireplace and over the course
of the next 2 monhs, more and more would be pushed in as the winter progressed.
This would become the basis of the Yule log or Christmas block, as it is known today.

History of Yule
Yule can be traced back thousands of years to Gemany and Scandinavia.
No one knows exactly how long it was celebrated, but early manuscripts tell about this holiday as early as the 4th century.

Does anyone burn a log or anything at this time of year?

I love this.
We mark the Winter Solstice every year with a candle ceremony. Everyone gets a cupcake (because, cake) with a long thin candle. We light them and each close our eyes and meditate on the year past, the year to come and the beginning of the coming of the light.

It's short and simple, but one of my favorite ceremonies.

 

[Debrah N.]

As a Pagan, celebrating Yule is a big tradition for us.

Every year, my husband and I have a huge bonfire. We spend the day sitting around and enjoying the fire. There will be adult beverages and roasted hot dogs. Marshmallows, too!

We can't always celebrate on the exact date, due to weather conditions, but we get as close as we can. Right now, there is a big pile of wood stacked up and ready! The pile is almost as tall as I am! I took this picture through the window.....
View attachment 389375

Thank you @Jace for starting this thread!

Hi Trila, I've heard of paganism but don't really know anything about it. In a nutshell, what are the core tenets of your belief system, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Myquest55]

I introduced a Solstice celebration to my family some years back. I think they were suspicious but it went well. It gave me the opportunity to dig into our north Atlantic heritages (Dutch & Irish) to find some old recipes and make some traditional foods. It was great to read about your Yule celebrations. Thanks for sharing! It would be fun to incorporate more of that - since they got co-opted anyway.

DH and I have changed up our Christmas Day by making it "snack day" with movies and all the snack food that we never buy during the year. I do miss the magical Christmas morning with little ones. Our families are scattered and travel is tough this time of year so we've made it our own.

 

[Trila]

Hi Trila, I've heard of paganism but don't really know anything about it. In a nutshell, what are the core tenets of your belief system, if you don't mind my asking?

There is no simple answer, and I'm not very good at explaining, but (as you say) in a nutshell....

What I do
I celebrate Mother Earth, the changing of seasons, etc. I also look for strength though the elements (water-fire-earth-air), to channel my energy.

That being said, I am also a non conformist, meaning that I don't follow what you might read online or in books.
What I don't do
I don't cast spells or curse people. And I most certainly do not dance naked under the full moon!! (omg! What a scary thought!!!!)

What I believe
I believe in the Law of Attraction.There is a balance in the Universe. You can't take something unless you give something. Some people might call this "justice" (for someone who deserves it), others call it Ying and Yang, some just call it Karma. Regardless, positive energy given throughout life, attracts positivity back into your life.

Bottom Line....if you want good things to happen to you, you must be the kind of person who does good things.

Well, I didn't mean to drone on so much! I hope this helps to answer your question.

 

[Trila]

I love this.
We mark the Winter Solstice every year with a candle ceremony. Everyone gets a cupcake (because, cake) with a long thin candle. We light them and each close our eyes and meditate on the year past, the year to come and the beginning of the coming of the light.

It's short and simple, but one of my favorite ceremonies.

That sounds like a WONDERFUL tradition!!! I enjoyed hearing about it!

The big thing about Yule, is to incorporate "fire" somewhere in your celebration....I never thought about a cupcake with a candle!!!

 

[Paco Dennis]

Here is what ideoram.ai scrapped up for : "A happy Yule Celebration."

 

[Medusa]

That sounds like a WONDERFUL tradition!!! I enjoyed hearing about it!

The big thing about Yule, is to incorporate "fire" somewhere in your celebration....I never thought about a cupcake with a candle!!!

Awe, thanks. I've really enjoyed and benefited from reading about your traditions and observances as well. I didn't actually know about the yule logs (thinking of it only as a form of cake) so that was really informative and I enjoyed your other ways of observances also.

 

[Capt Lightning]

From Humanist UK ........
Long before Christianity, humans across Europe have gathered together at the darkest and coldest time of the year to feast and appreciate each other’s company.

For most people in Britain, Christmas isn’t about going to church or celebrating Jesus but about spending time with family, giving presents, and enjoying food and drink.

Sometimes the charge is levelled at humanists that to celebrate Christmas is hypocritical, but this time of year has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with celebrating the life we have with the people we love.

Humanists find meaning, beauty and joy in the one life we have, without the need to believe in an afterlife or find meaning through a holy book.

 

[Trila]

From Humanist UK ........
Long before Christianity, humans across Europe have gathered together at the darkest and coldest time of the year to feast and appreciate each other’s company.

For most people in Britain, Christmas isn’t about going to church or celebrating Jesus but about spending time with family, giving presents, and enjoying food and drink.

Sometimes the charge is levelled at humanists that to celebrate Christmas is hypocritical, but this time of year has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with celebrating the life we have with the people we love.

Humanists find meaning, beauty and joy in the one life we have, without the need to believe in an afterlife or find meaning through a holy book.

Beautifully said!

 

[Debrah N.]

There is no simple answer, and I'm not very good at explaining, but (as you say) in a nutshell....

What I do
I celebrate Mother Earth, the changing of seasons, etc. I also look for strength though the elements (water-fire-earth-air), to channel my energy.

That being said, I am also a non conformist, meaning that I don't follow what you might read online or in books.
What I don't do
I don't cast spells or curse people. And I most certainly do not dance naked under the full moon!! (omg! What a scary thought!!!!)

What I believe
I believe in the Law of Attraction.There is a balance in the Universe. You can't take something unless you give something. Some people might call this "justice" (for someone who deserves it), others call it Ying and Yang, some just call it Karma. Regardless, positive energy given throughout life, attracts positivity back into your life.

Bottom Line....if you want good things to happen to you, you must be the kind of person who does good things.

Well, I didn't mean to drone on so much! I hope this helps to answer your question.

Thanks for the interesting reply Trila. I think the 'average' person could agree with some of the things that you've outlined here. Especially like celebrating the seasons, you get back, the kind of 'energy' you put out into the world and the vast majority of us wouldn't be dancing naked under the moon or anywhere else that someone might spot us.

 

[Trila]

Thanks for the interesting reply Trila. I think the 'average' person could agree with some of the things that you've outlined here. Especially like celebrating the seasons, you get back, the kind of 'energy' you put out into the world and the vast majority of us wouldn't be dancing naked under the moon or anywhere else that someone might spot us.

Your "nut shell" says it perfectly! Happy Holidays!