YULE MEANING

Yule is a time of the greatest darkness and is the shortest day of the year. Earlier people noticed such phenomena and supplicated the forces of nature to lengthen the days and shorten the nights.

Witches sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun rise as a fitting finale to their efforts. After the Norse brought Yule into prominence it nearly replaced Celtic Covens still honor Yule this way.

They celebrate Yule with many of the trappings we associate with modern Christmas observances: decorated evergreen trees, wreaths, holly mistletoe, feastings, and dancing.

YULE LORE

One Traditional Yuletide practice is the creation of a Yule tree. This can be a living, potted tree which can later be a planter in the ground or a cut one. The choice is yours.

Appropriate Pagan decorations are fun to make, from strings of Dried rosebuds and cinnamon sticks (or popcorn and cranberries) for Garlands, to bags of fragrant spices which are hung from bougs. Quartz crystals can be wrapped with shiney wire and suspended from Sturdy brances to resemble icicles. Apples, oranges and lemons hanging from boughs are strikingly beautiful, natural decorations, and were customary in ancient times.

Many enjoy the custom of lighitng the Yule log. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred Fire of the Mother Goddess. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log (traditionally of oak or pine). Carve or chalk a figure of The Sun (such as a rayed disc) or the God ( a horned circle of a figure of a man) upon it, with teh Boline, and set it alight in th e fireplace at dusk on Yule. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days.

As food, nuts, fruits such as apples and pears, cakes of Caraway soaked in cider, and ( for non-vegetarians) pork is traditional fare. Wassail, lambs wool, hibiscus or giner tea and fine drinks for the Simple Feast or Yule Meals.

YULE CHANTS

Thus passes away from thee. away from thee and things the spirit of the last cycle's learning Free to move forward into the turning of this year's cycle of learning.

We rejoice the time of repsoe has come, let us remember the lessons each  has learned commit the lessons to heart, preparing to move beyond.

Queen of the moon, Queen of the sun,

Queen of the heavens, Queen of the stars,

Queen of the waters, Queen of the earth,

Bring to us the Child of Promise!

Ti is the Great Mother

Who giveth birth to Him;

It is the Lord of Life

Who is born again;

Darkness and tears are set aside

When the sun shall

Come up early!

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