Yule - Midwinter Solstice

     21 - 23 December - From the Norse Iul meaning wheel. Longest night, shortest day. Time of hibernation, withdrawal, introspection - retreating into the darkness as safe place in which to prepare for the New Year.   Celebrates the return of the light, honoring the Sun god/Holly King/Horned God. Festivals centered around theme of rebirth - assisting the newborn Sun God to return safely to the world and grow in strength - lots of candles/ lights seen - on Yule trees, in windows to help him gain power. Mock battles were enacted between the Holly King and the Oak King - the Sun God of the waxing year now coming forth. Holly comes from Celtic word   tinne meaning sacred tree; related to German tannebaum meaning sacred evergreen. Holly protects against negativity - originally named for the crone goddess Holle or Hel from whose womb the sun arose. Red berries symbolize Goddess' holy blood, evergreen leaves symbolize ongoing life, retaining vitality  through winter. Mistletoe was called the Golden Bough by the Druids - very magickal/healing properties, found at top of sacred oak tree. Thought to give mortals access to the Underworld. In old Norse, word for Mistletoe is Mistel-tein - tein links it to German, Irish and Cornish words meaning sacred tree. Pine/fir tree was sacred to Moon Goddess. Decorating trees is symbolic of fertility magick. Pine cones particularly are a symbolic of fertility; also the acorn. Originally  trees would be hung with berries, nuts, cones to encourage life to return to earth. In Rome, lights on trees were  the symbols of sun, moon and stars. The God returns as the virile Young King; Goddess remains in the womb of the Mother.

Ceremonies revolve around rebirth, honoring Sun's return, moving from darkness into light, making ornaments, engraving candles, caroling, gift giving, enactment of battle between the kings, Mumming Plays,  making/burning a Yule Log. Candles are red/green/white to rep all aspects of Goddess, also yellow for Sun God; incense is frankincense, myrrh, copal, pine; altar cloth is green/silver/red.

Traditional foods are savory dishes, mince pies, fruit cakes, candied almonds, ham dishes.  

OB135         Yule Oil        $9.95

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