This year is my first year in my own place and I don't have a lot of time or money (full time worker and grad student here if you are just now joining me). But I refuse to let my first Yule in my own home go at least uncelebrated.
So for all those new to the craft (Bad pun I know but you laughed/smiled) I'm going to start off with some basic information about Yule.
Yule literally means' Wheel' and is also known as the Winter Solstice or Midwinter.
This year Yule is going to be on the 21st, thought it is often celebrate for three days starting at December 20-22.
Yule is the longest night of the year. Which if you ask me is one of the nicest nights of the year as well. I like to go star gazing when I can and it's not easy when you can only see them for a short time. By the way fun thing to do in cold or warm weather if you have a truck with a bed. I've got suggestions for you . Take a kiddie pool one of the long ones or a blow up bed (I've done both depending on who I go with)and put in the bed of the truck feel it with lots blankets and pillows. Nice comfy way to look up at the stars or spend time with family or your partner. I like to do it with friends.
The tree! (Didn't know that was Pagan did ya? Scared the living day lights out of one my friends mother's when I explained how the Christmas tree was originally pagan. Woman has some weird ideas but she loves her tree and showing off far too much to get rid of it. She hates me simply because I don't put up with her bullshit but loves when I create things, like the crystal bead flowers I made last Samhain for her daughter and the rest of our friends). Now onto the info I promised, the tree is a symbol of life and the cosmos. The World Tree is most likely what comes to your mind. The lights on the tree were symbols of light over darkness. Fruit decorations are for bringing in what we want/wishes of fertility(I never really understood those, they really aren't that pretty to me but I'm not one to argue with my great grandmother or grandmother. They always had something like that one their trees or hanging around). Also the tree was turned into a sanctuary to the 'little people'.
Food..yeah we all know that was going to be brought up. Food is pretty much the center of all celebrations if you ask some people but the most common foods for Yule are sweets. (I know I'll put on weight baking like every year but hey who can resist some of those lovely treats). Also boar..I've never eaten boar..I've eaten some strange things but not that though I've heard it's good. One year I'm going to track down some, not this year but some day.
Next is colors I'm sure it goes without saying Red, Green and Gold. Which those colors will be the theme of most crafts..but not all. I'll explain when I get started on the actual crafts I'll be doing for Yule.
Now here's another fact. The Yule log which is to burn for 12 days and nights. Though not as easy to get your hands on one (or make one..yes I'll be attempting this). The modern version though is cake that is called a Yule log (again I'll be attempting this).
Yule is also the celebration of The Goddess, as the Crone, gives birth and transforms back into the Maiden. Along with the God returning from the otherworld by being reborn as the Sun Child. Most people however just see this as a time to celebrate any Solar based/God deity. (Or Goddess if your patron Goddess is a Solar one). Every path is different so each person celebrates differently and I'd love to hear from anyone about what they do.
And that is all for my facts about Yule. I'm hoping in the next few days to start posting pictures of what I'm doing. So you should hear from me again soon So later and blessed be!
P.S the pictures isn't mine but I can not find the original artist. Anyone who can tell me would be a big help. I want to credit them.
So for all those new to the craft (Bad pun I know but you laughed/smiled) I'm going to start off with some basic information about Yule.
Yule literally means' Wheel' and is also known as the Winter Solstice or Midwinter.
This year Yule is going to be on the 21st, thought it is often celebrate for three days starting at December 20-22.
Yule is the longest night of the year. Which if you ask me is one of the nicest nights of the year as well. I like to go star gazing when I can and it's not easy when you can only see them for a short time. By the way fun thing to do in cold or warm weather if you have a truck with a bed. I've got suggestions for you . Take a kiddie pool one of the long ones or a blow up bed (I've done both depending on who I go with)and put in the bed of the truck feel it with lots blankets and pillows. Nice comfy way to look up at the stars or spend time with family or your partner. I like to do it with friends.
The tree! (Didn't know that was Pagan did ya? Scared the living day lights out of one my friends mother's when I explained how the Christmas tree was originally pagan. Woman has some weird ideas but she loves her tree and showing off far too much to get rid of it. She hates me simply because I don't put up with her bullshit but loves when I create things, like the crystal bead flowers I made last Samhain for her daughter and the rest of our friends). Now onto the info I promised, the tree is a symbol of life and the cosmos. The World Tree is most likely what comes to your mind. The lights on the tree were symbols of light over darkness. Fruit decorations are for bringing in what we want/wishes of fertility(I never really understood those, they really aren't that pretty to me but I'm not one to argue with my great grandmother or grandmother. They always had something like that one their trees or hanging around). Also the tree was turned into a sanctuary to the 'little people'.
Food..yeah we all know that was going to be brought up. Food is pretty much the center of all celebrations if you ask some people but the most common foods for Yule are sweets. (I know I'll put on weight baking like every year but hey who can resist some of those lovely treats). Also boar..I've never eaten boar..I've eaten some strange things but not that though I've heard it's good. One year I'm going to track down some, not this year but some day.
Next is colors I'm sure it goes without saying Red, Green and Gold. Which those colors will be the theme of most crafts..but not all. I'll explain when I get started on the actual crafts I'll be doing for Yule.
Now here's another fact. The Yule log which is to burn for 12 days and nights. Though not as easy to get your hands on one (or make one..yes I'll be attempting this). The modern version though is cake that is called a Yule log (again I'll be attempting this).
Yule is also the celebration of The Goddess, as the Crone, gives birth and transforms back into the Maiden. Along with the God returning from the otherworld by being reborn as the Sun Child. Most people however just see this as a time to celebrate any Solar based/God deity. (Or Goddess if your patron Goddess is a Solar one). Every path is different so each person celebrates differently and I'd love to hear from anyone about what they do.
And that is all for my facts about Yule. I'm hoping in the next few days to start posting pictures of what I'm doing. So you should hear from me again soon So later and blessed be!
P.S the pictures isn't mine but I can not find the original artist. Anyone who can tell me would be a big help. I want to credit them.
