Eclectic Daydreams "O, what land is the Land of Dreams? What are its mountains, and what are its streams?" - William Blake    Album   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Go Chat  Go Watch A Movie Have a Blessed Yule          Eclectic Daydreams Forum Index -> The Cauldron Author Message Graehstone Site Admin Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 3629 Location: San Diego Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:14 am    Post subject: Have a Blessed Yule Yule Yule(pronounced EWE-elle) is celebrated on the winter solstice: in the northern hemisphere, circa December 21st. It is the longest night of the year. "Yule" and "Yuletide" are archaic terms for Christmas. Yule means 'wheel'. Solstice means 'the sun stands still.' Yule celebrations at the winter solstice predate Christianity. They have pagan roots. Some of these include the burning of the Yule Log, kissing under the mistletoe, tree decorating, and gift giving. Symbolism: Rebirth of the Sun (welcoming the Sun Child), death of the Holly King(winter); the rising of the Oak King(summer), introspection, renewal, and closure in relation to things that are meant to be released. Plants/Herbs: Bayberry, blessed thistle, poinsettia, evergreen, yarrow, frankincense, holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar. Foods: Cookies and caraway cakes, fruits, nuts, roasted apples, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, mulled wine, wassail. Incense/Oils: Pine, cedar, bayberry, pine, myrrh, rosemary, cinnamon. Colors: Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange. Stones: Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds. Ascended Masters/Deities: Mother Mary, Isis, Brigit, Apollo, Ra, Horus, The Oak King, The Holly King, and Jesus. Ritual Traditions: - caroling - decorating the Yule Log with ivy, ribbons, and evergreen. - burning the Yule log and leaving some unburned for next years' fire, then saving the ashes to mix in with the first spring planting. - empowering mistletoe for healing, peace among household memers/lovers, and prosperity. - empowering tree ornaments for prosperity - empowering all gifts with love and happiness. - building an altar that honors the wolf and stag - decorating the altar with images that represent the Sun - scattering rosemary on the floor for luck Ritual Examples: http://www.goddessmoon.org/sabbats&esbats/yule/yule1.html http://www.tryskelion.com/yule5.htm http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yulerit.htm http://www.pagans.org/wicca/why/yule_rit.html References: http://paganwiccan.about.com/cs/aboutyule/a/paganxmas.htm :wink: Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         Eclectic Daydreams Forum Index -> The Cauldron All times are GMT - 6 Hours Page 1 of 1 By reading this fine print your soul is now the exclusive property of Eclectic Daydreams and subsidiaries.