Also known as: Yuletide, Alban Arthuan, Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year. It is from this point that the days begin slowly to become longer and longer. The sun is at its most southeastern point over the Tropic of Capricorn in the northern hemisphere and has no apparent northward or southward motion. In the time of the ancient tribes this was a time of celebration, for it meant the turning point of winter and the eventual return of spring. Yule is the time when we honor the Goddess for giving birth to the sun once more. It is the time when the Oak King is victorious over the Holly King. The Holly King represents death and darkness that has ruled since Samhain, and the Oak King represents rebirth and life. The waning (diminishing) sun is overtaken by the waxing (increasing) sun, thus the days become longer after the victory of the Oak King.
Yule is a time when we do Rituals and celebrate the increasing daylight, to renew, and to see the world through the eyes of a child. Spells done at Yule tend to raise our spirits, and bring harmony, peace, and joy. During Yule we see the wisdom of past experience begin to glimmer. The experiences we yielded over the harvest season of the times gone past begin to be reborn as wisdom, new light, to guide us further down the Paths we have chosen.
It is customary for Witches to decorate the Yule tree, and adorn the house with holly, ivy and pine. It is time when Father Winter, a white bearded chap dress in red, fur trimmed robes, arrives bearing gifts and exchange gifts.
This is the eve when the Yule log from the previous year is burned in the fire. Symbolic of the newborn sun, each year's Yule log is of oak, charged in a Magic Circle and kept in sacred space the following Yule. This not only celebrates the oak and places it in a place of distinguished honor, but also ensures there will be fuel for the remainder of Winter.
Resources: © Copyright 1996, Christina Aubin; used by permission
The Song of the Holly Fairy
O, I am green in Winter~time,
When other trees are brown;
Of all the trees (So saith the rhyme)
The holly bears the crown.
December days are drawing near.
When I shall come to town,
And carol-boys go singing clear
Of all the trees (O hush and hear!)
The holly bears the crown!
For who so well-beloved and merry
As the scarlet Holly Berry?
Flower Fairies of the Winter, Cicely Mary Barker
Herbs of Yule
Bayberry, blessed thistle, laurel, pine, sage, yellow
cedar.
Evergreens
symbolizing: Continuity of Life, Protection, Prosperity
types: Pine, Fir, Cedar, Juniper, other evergreens
forms: boughs, wreaths, garlands, trees
divinities: Green Goddesses & Gods; Hertha; Cybele, Attis, Dionysius (Pine); Woodland Spirits
Holly
symbolizing: Protection; Good Luck
forms: boughs over portals, wreaths
divinities: Holly King; Bacchus; Wood Spirits
Mistletoe {Birdlime, Golden Bough, Holy Wood} - Viscum Album
Parts Used - Twig & Leaf
Herbal Uses - Infusion, Tea, Tincture
CAUTION - Berries should not be used for internal consumption - Large doses of this herb have been known to induce convulsions in children
Homeopathic Uses - Epileptic aura, petit mal seizures, heart conditions, asthma connected with gout or rheumatism, rheumatic deafness, chorea, metrorrhagia, left-sided ovarian pain, left-side body complaints
Magical Uses - Use to combat despair, herb of protection, child theft by fairies, healing, hunting, conception, to bring beautiful dreams, unlock the secrets of immortality through dreams - used for wands and ritual items or placed around a 'Hand of Glory' to ward off thieves - to protect the bearer from werewolves. {Herb of the Sun & Jupiter}
CAUTION> - You should take note that this herb is considered by many in the study of herbs, to be extremely toxic. It should not be used for medical complaint, without full and total knowledge of it's usage and dosages.
Oak {Duir} - Quercus Spp.
Parts Used - Bark, Leaf, Acorn
Herbal Uses - Infusion, Tea, Salves
Homeopathic Uses - Edema, splenetic dropsy, liver problems, gout, alcoholic cravings
Magical Uses - Abundance, fertility, longevity, protection, spiritual awareness while remaining fully rooted in the earth plane, it's wood is used for staves and wands, use any parts for protective charms which bring healing. Acorns bring fertility and abundance. Plant in the dark of the moon to bring financial prosperity. {Tree of Jupiter}
CAUTION - Parts of this tree contain the compound known as tannic acid. Tannic acid in this form is toxic to humans. Oak bark tea can be bought OTC, if you would prefer. Otherwise, if you intend to use this particular herb, make sure that you do a complete study on how to use it.
Yule Trees
Oak
symbolizing: Endurance, Strength, Triumph, Protection
forms: Yule log, acorns
divinities: Oak King; Oak Spirit
Yew: Last Day of Solar Year; Death.
Silver Fir: Winter Solstice Day;Birth.
Birch: Month following Winter Solstice; Beginnings.
Yule Incense and Oil Recipes
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon, frankincense
Frankincense
symbolizing: Sun, Purification, Consecration, Protection, Spiritual Illumination
forms: incense, oils
divinities: Sun Gods, Ra at Dawn, Bel
Myrrh
symbolizing: Healing, Death and Afterlife, Purification, Inner Peace
forms: incense, oils
divinities: Isis, Ra at Midday
Yule Incense
2 parts Frankincense
2 part Pine Needles
1 Part Cedar
1 Part Juniper Berries
Yule Oil
2 drops of each Cinnamon and Clove oil
1 drop of mandarin oil
1 drop of popine oil
2 drops each frankincense and Myrrh oil.
Colors of Yule
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange
Stones of Yule
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds
Yule Deities
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother.
Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.
Frey
God, brother-consort of Freyja; son of Njord. "The Lord", fertility and creativity God; "the Lover"; God of Yule. He is the god of wealth and peace and contentment. Blood was not allowed to be spilled through violence, nor where weapons or outlaws allowed on or in his holy places. Sensual love, fertility, growth, abundance, wealth, bravery, horses, boars, protector of ships and sailors, peace, joy happiness, rain, beauty, weather, guarantor of oaths, groves, sunshine, plant growth, sex.
Yule Spell Work
Spell craft performed for Yule should be for peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.
Pagan Yule Activities
Caroling, wassailing , burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, feeding of animals, birds with grains and seeds,become a part of nature
Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea,
spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).