Yule is the Winter Solstice which falls on the 21st of December, it is also the shortest day and the
longest night of the year.
     The Yule Sabbat is the festival of the rebirth of the Sun. Since the Summer Solstice on June 21st the
strength  of the Sun has declined, at Yule it begins to increase in strength and we are reminded that life
will begin again. As a reminder of the new and growing season we decorate the house with evergreen decorations
and this is where the Christmas Tree originated from. Another good decoration is Holly which symbolizes the
dark green of the Holly King, who rules at this time of year and the red berries which symbolize the resting
Mother.
    
     The Yule Log

     Today when people think of a Yule Log a yummy chocolate cake comes to mind! But the traditional Yule Log
is a real wooden log on which a number of candles is placed. Each person in the family, Coven or group will
light one candle representing the return of the days of the increasing light and then will express a wish for
the forthcoming season. The Yule Log would then be kept untill the following year, when it would then be
placed in the hearth to burn. If you are going to use a wooden log, please make sure that it sits firmly and
dosn't roll about causing hot wax to fly and a fire to start! Today not many of us have an open fireplace due
to central heating, so the Yule Log can still be kept and reused the following year. Some groups do use a
Chocolate Cake Log, using a small candle for each member and after the candles have been lit and the members
have made their wishes, the log is eaten instead of being burnt.

     A Yule Candle

     A Yule Candle should be Gold or Orange in colour, symbolizing the colour of the Sun. First the candle
must be prepared by dedicating it to the rising Sun, this is done by stroking the candle from the centre to
the ends while visualizing the rise of the Sun. The candle should then be lit before Sunrise on the first day
of increasing light and then should be allowed to burn out. As this can be dangerous, as a candle should never
be left unattended incase it causes a fire, the candle can be lit for just a few minutes and then put out. The
candle is then relit every day after the Solstice, each time you relight it remember the reasons of doing so,
untill the candle is completly burned down.

     Yule Legends
 
 
     In legend the Oak and Holly Kings are brothers who share the rule of the year. The Oak King reigns from
midwinter to midsummer, a period of increasing light. The Holly King reigns from midsummer to midwinter, a
period of increasing darkness. So at Yule the the Oak King, the Lord of Summer is reborn. This represents the
light and dark times of the year and shows the balance between the two and not light representing good and the
dark bad, but how both are needed to complete the year.
     At Samhain The Wild Hunt began and at Yule it is at its height. It is said that anyone who is unwary
enough to be out at midnight on the Winter Solstice will be carried away by the Hunter!

     At Yule look up the legends of other Gods and Goddesses associated with the time of year, such as Solar
deities who rise and are reborn such as Dionysus and Mithras. Or even animals such as the Robin.