YULE
Yule, the winter solstice is celebrated on or around December 21st. This marks the shortest day and longest night. The Goddess gives birth to her son, the God. As the God represents the sun, it is a celebration of the return of the sun and longer days.
Many ancient Pagan celebrations have become part of the mainstream Christmas traditions. The Yule log, tree decorating and kissing under the mistletoe are some examples that all stem from Pagan practices.
The ancient tradition of the Yule log started in the UK and later spread across Europe. It was usually a branch of oak or ash that was decorated with pine cones and evergreens, then bought indoors. The log was burnt in the hearth to symbolize the returning of the sun. A piece of the log was kept to light the log next year, this would mean the household would keep the warmth.
Pagan families in Germany and Scandinavia started the tree decorating tradition by bringing a live tree into the house; this was so the wood spirits would be kept warm in the winter months. Bells were hung in the branches so you knew when a spirit was there. Edible treats were also hung for the spirits to eat, and a pentagram crowned the tree, to represent the five elements.
The ancient Druids considered mistletoe to have special powers, such as curing illness, ensuring fertility, an antidote to poisons and protection from Witchcraft. It was considered so powerful that enemies meeting beneath it lay down their weapons, exchanged greetings and observed a truce until the next day. This was said to be the start of the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.
A Norse myth tells of when the Norse Goddess Frigga gave birth to Baldur she made every animal, plant and inanimate object promise not to harm him. She left out mistletoe. When Loki (always the prankster) discovered this, he tricked another God into killing Baldur with a spear made from mistletoe. This bought winter to the world; however the Gods did eventually bring Baldur back to life. Frigga then pronounced mistletoe sacred, it was now to bring love rather than death. Complying with Frigga’s wishes, two people passing under mistletoe would kiss in celebration of Baldur’s resurrection.
Herbs and Flowers associated with Yule
Holly, mistletoe, ivy, poinsettia, oak, rosemary, bayberry, sage, spruce, pine cones, frankincense and laurel.
Food and Drink associated with Yule
Turkey, pork, goose, nuts, apples, oranges, eggnog, ginger tea, mulled cider, mulled wine.
Incense associated with Yule
Nutmeg, cinnamon, pine, cedar, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood.
Colours associated with Yule
Red, gold, green, silver, white, orange, yellow.
Stones associated with Yule
Peridot, turquoise, rubies, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.
Decorate your home with sacred colours, plants and herbs. An evergreen wreath on your front door represents the wheel of the year. Decorate the tree with Pagan symbols, and top the tree with the five pointed star, the pentagram. Remember that Santa Claus was a Pagan God form, with characteristics of several Gods, including, Saturn, Thor, the Holly King, Tomte, Odin, father Ice and Frey. Use Santa images that show his Pagan heritage to decorate your home.
Above all try and find the time to get together with family and friends to feast and celebrate!
CRYSTALS and STONES
This is a guide to the uses and properties of the crystals and stones.
AGATE - good luck, harmony, abundance, courage.
AMAZONITE - harmony, universal love, balancing energy.
AMETHYST - helps in channelling, heightens psychic abilities, excellent for meditation, a sedative, protection, heightens feelings of contentment, a stone of strength and peace.
AVENTURINE - motivation, imagination, creativity, leadership, prosperity and abundance.
CARNELIAN - emotional warmth, courage, happiness, past-life recall, creativity, self-esteem, memory, energy flow and vitality.
CITRINE - generosity, increases motivation, creativity, energizer, prosperity.
FLUORITE - unblocking energy, used as a psychic shield, balancing, protection.
GARNET - sensual energy, social popularity, expressions of desire, joy, self confidence, love and passion.
HEMATITE - grounding, excellent for the mind.
JASPER - protection, intensifies primal awareness.
LAPIS LAZULI - tranquility, increases psychic senses, sadness, grief, positive manifesting.
MALACHITE - sympathy and compassion for others, purification and releasing negative blockages, clean after use as it absorbs negativity.
OBSIDIAN - grounding, protective, healing, dispels negativity.
ONYX - self-control, centreing, intuitive guidance, assists in grieving process.
QUARTZ - meditation, healing, enhances the whole auric field, brings calm and clarity, strengthens the energies of other stones near to it.
ROSE QUARTZ - promotes love for all humanity - children, lovers and self, compassion, helps with healing emotional and childhood issues, and imbalances of the heart.
SMOKEY QUARTZ - protection, neutralizes harmful influences.
SODALITE - has a balancing effect on emotions and mental state, promotes self-expression and communication, increases confidence and creativity, eliminates confusion, helps with spiritual growth.
TIGERS EYE - courage, balance, protection.