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).
