The Yule log is a central part of Yule festivities. The log is
kindled from the remains of the previous year's Yule fire(This piece
was kept in the home throughout the year for protection . . The Yule
log symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness. According
to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the
householder'<WBR>s land, or given as a gift... it must never have been
bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it
was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and
dusted with flour before set ablaze . The log would burn throughout
the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially
put out.

A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for
modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold
three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one
side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold
red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God),
or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate
with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with
flour.
Once, the Yule log had been the center of the celebration.
There are many traditional ways to collect your log; Some collect a
log at Beltane and dry out till Yule. Others use the thickest part of
the Yule tree trunk to save till it becomes next years Yule log.
Still others will make a ritual of trekking into the woods at
yuletide and dragging their Yule log home.

Yule Log Magick

The yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European pagans
would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires
symbolized the return of the Sun.

An oak log, plus a fireplace or bonfire area is needed for this form
of celebration. The oak log should be very dry so that it will blaze
well. On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the
coming year into the log. Burn the log to release it's power. It can
be decorated with burnable red ribbons of natural fiber and dried
holly leaves. In the fireplace or bonfire area, dried kindling should
be set to facilitate the burning of the log.The Yule log can be made
of any wood (Oak is traditional)<WBR>. Each releases its own kind of
magick.

Ash -- brings protection, prosperity, and health

Aspen -- invokes understanding of the grand design

Birch -- signifies new beginnings

Holly -- inspires visions and reveals past lives

Oak -- brings healing, strength, and wisdom

Pine -- signifies prosperity and growth

Willow -- invokes the Goddess to achieve desires

The burning of the Yule Log can easily become a family tradition.
Begin by having parent(s) or some other family member describe the
tradition of the Yule Log. The tale of the Oak King and Holly King
from Celtic mythology can be shared as a story, or can be summarized
with a statement that the Oak represents the waxing solar year,
Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice, and the Holly represents the
waning solar year, Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice.

Lights are extinguished as much as possible. The family is quiet
together in the darkness. Family members quietly contemplate the
change in the solar year. Each in her/his own way contemplates the
past calendar year, the challenges as well as the good times.

Then the Yule Log fire is lit. As it begins to burn, each family
member throws in one or more dried holly sprigs and says farewell to
the old calendar year. Farewells can take the form of thanksgiving
and appreciation and/or a banishment of old habits or personal pains.

Once the Yule Log itself starts blazing, then the facilitator invites
family members to contemplate the year ahead and the power of
possibilities. Each member then throws in an oak twig or acorn into
the fire to represent the year ahead, and calls out a resolution
and/or a hope.

Families using a Yule Log with candles each family member can write a
bad habit and/or a wish for the upcoming year on a slip of paper and
burn it in the candle flame.

When this process is done, the family sings a song together. The
traditional carol, "Deck the Halls," is good because it mentions the
Solstice, the change in the solar year, and the Yule Log.

Let the Yule Log burn down to a few chunks of charred wood and ashes
(or candles burn down). Following an ancient tradition, save remnants
of the fire and use them to start the Yule Log fire the following
year.