What is Yule?

What is yule?

Yule is the Pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice, and the celebration marking the day where the light will slowly start to return. The festival has very ancient roots and has been celebrated for centuries, traditionally in Germanic and Scandinavian cultures. However, in modern day paganism it is one of the eight holidays of the wheel of the year and is celebrated by all. 

Many aspects of Yule haven't changed through the centuries, such as exchanging gifts, having a large feast, decorating trees and burning a Yule log. 

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is observed by Pagans too - but there are a few cultures where this practice could have originated. The Celtic Druids were probably the first to decorate with mistletoe, and it is considered a sacred symbol of fertility and vitality in Celtic tradition. 

However, the Ancient Greeks and Romans associated mistletoe with love, kisses, and marriage ceremonies, and in Rome, mistletoe was used t decorate temples during Saturnalia, the Roman winter festival. 

How do you celebrate Yule?

So how do modern pagans celebrate Yule ?

Some will choose to have their full celebration on Yule itself, or some will extend or save the celebration until the 24th or 25th so it's easier to share the holiday with family.  After all, pagan holidays aren't as fixed, as their focus is the general season. 

Giving gifts 

Some pagans will observe a full 12 days of Yule, this is from the solstice itself and carries through to new year, and some will observe gift giving on every one of these 12 days (very small gifts in most households!) 

Gift giving however is an important tradition, as a way to symbolise goodwill and wish prosperity for loved ones. 

Burning the Yule Log

This tradition started in Scandinavian and Germanic paganism with burning a large log or tree trunk in the hearth for the 12 days of yule. This was to symbolise the sun's return, much smaller logs are used now, with less people having access to their own mead hall ! 

Lighting Candles 

Lighting a candle for each of the 12 days of Yule is a common tradition, again symbolising the return of the Sun

Decorating with Evergreen 

A tradition from where the Christmas Tree is thought to originate, evergreens such as Holly, Pine, Fir and Mistletoe are used to decorate homes to symbolise life's endurance through the harsh winter months. 

Feasting

An important symbol of abundance and sharing, feasting on Yule is about sharing what you have, which is an even bigger gesture in winter, when supplies are harder to come by. 

Whether through lighting a Yule log, decorating with evergreens, or sharing in the warmth of community, Yule is the time of year to celebrate abundance, and set intentions for the year to come.