what to do on the 12 days of yule
Today, Wiccans would get a 1418-inch long log and decorate it with dried berries, evergreen twigs, pine cones, ribbons, feathers, and cinnamon sticks. The highlight of the day (and this IS a big day) is gathering with friends and creating a solstice spiral for friends to walk. In the harsh climate of northern Europe, most cattle were slaughtered because they could not be fed during the winter. The Yule log is an important part of the celebration. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner, either male or female. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to enjoy spending time with loved ones and celebrate the joys of the holiday season. Claim: The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was created as a coded reference to important articles of the Christian faith. Perform this ritual to celebrate the return of the sun. Meat, therefore, was plentiful for a midwinter feast or to leave out as an offering. Many Wiccans use green Yule decorations to invite all these things into their homes in the upcoming year. Yule is one of the oldest pagan winter solstice holidays. The 12 days of Christmas are also a time for reflection. For instance, you may honor a god or goddess that expects those who have to help those who have not. Yule is the time of theWinter Solstice, and for many Pagans, it's a time to say goodbye to the old, and welcome the new. Its roots are complicated and difficult to trace, although there are several theories about how and why the festival was celebrated. Next, you need to light the candles and say a prayer to the sun. The Saga of Hakon the Good also speaks that the Yule was to be kept holy. Some historians think that sacrifices were an important part of the observance, either to the gods and other supernatural beings (such as elves) or to the dead or both. Yule, otherwise known as the Winter Solstice, is a pagan holiday that marks the longest night of the year. This is a great way to cleanse yourself and look ahead to the future. Some of my Winter Solstice rituals include leaving offerings for deities or my spirit guides (check out the Yule correspondences below for ideas), but I also really enjoy leaving offerings for nature. Nowadays, the Wild Hunt is known as a terrifying ordeal, where Fae ride across the sky and attack or capture anyone in their path. This is a lovely time to celebrate peace and regeneration and often has the same undertones as Christmas. [49] Since weve already talked about the symbolic meaning of Yuletide, you can probably guess what each of these colors represents. On the other hand, some people celebrate Yuletide for twelve days starting on the shortest day of the year. While youre at it, you can also decorate the rest of your home. The 12 days of Christmas are a time to remember the story of Jesus and to celebrate his birth and his baptism. Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. Record Store Day, which happens Saturday in Maine and all around the world, is the equivalent of Christmas and your birthday to those who love, collect and listen to vinyl We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. There are many other fun and festive activities that you can do to celebrate the holiday season. The celebration of the Yule holiday is a time to clean your home and purge everything that no longer serves you. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holidayDies natalis solis invicti, the birthday of the invincible Sun. The rest ishistory. The first day of yule is typically celebrated by decorating your home with christmas decorations. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. As we have established, Yule has several symbolic interpretations. This can be a fun activity to do with your family or friends. Pagan holidays are often associated with druids, so it makes sense that some of the earliest Winter Solstice rituals come from the Celtic priests of ancient Britain. Traditional 12 Days of Christmas Variation. This is the day for setting up the Yule Tree. It is said that the Wild Hunt begins on the Winter Solstice and progresses throughout the Yule feasts. And the idea that evergreen plants represent immortality isnt the only meaning many of them carry. According to the saga of King Haakon Haraldsson (also known as Haakon I Adalsteinsfostre or Haakon the Good) of Norway, who ruled in the 10th century, the Norse Yule celebration and Christian Christmas celebration were merged during his reign. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. And yes, its the origin of the Christian 12 Days of Christmas. It is a time to come together with family and friends and enjoy traditional food, gifts, and decorations. Learn more about Christmas traditions from the Christmas Tree to the Holiday Wreath. If there's no room for a tree, use a Yule Log instead. Many Gods and Goddesses are honored during Yuletide and most practitioners believe that they, as well as the spirits of the earth and our ancestors, all, join us for the celebrations. The Crone removes her veil and hands it to the Mother, who places it on the Maiden's head. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! Do this ritual to help clear out your physical space in the weeks before Yule arrives. At the same time, the Triple Goddess restarts her own cycle, this time in her maiden form. Many people also celebrate Yule by attending parties or by gathering with family and friends. This color roots the festival in nature and also symbolizes abundance since it is the color of money. Since you shouldnt disturb living plants, try to only gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you find on the ground. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses in the garden! Many organizations do coat and clothing drives this time of year; look for one in your area. If your mistletoe touches the ground, it will lose its symbolic properties. Adorn your home with evergreen boughs, holly, pine cones, and other winter trinkets. But how do you celebrate Yule like a Viking? Remember, the floor is not a storage place. In towns and cities throughout Sweden during the Christmas season, large goats are constructed out of straw. In any case, Yule is only one of eight Wiccan holidays that exist on the Wheel of the Year. Do you get magazine subscriptions? You may wish to use this information in your spell work, or maybe you just want to decorate your home and celebrate in the theme of Yule. Notably, the Holly King is generally described as a woodsy figure dressed in red with sprigs of holly in his hair. Go ahead and cast those celebratory spells! The 12 days of Yule are celebrated from December 21 to January 1. Finally, the person holding water begins to walk in a circle, saying: May the powers of Water bless this donation.Cleansing and purifying, washing away ill will,Carrying away with it need, want, and strife.Water is what helps to keep our community whole,With these powers of Water, we bless this donation.. The child and dependent care credit covers up to $6,000 of expenses related to day care or similar costs If you normally cast a circle, do so now. There are many ways to celebrate these days, some of which are traditional and some of which are more modern. Today, a Yule log is still a Christmas tradition in some cultures; alargelog is traditionally burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve. Ask everyone whos participating to stand in a circle around the donated items. We pray that you will bless us during the coming year and bring us happiness and prosperity. Likewise, If you have an all-male group, you could revise this rite so that it focuses on the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King, rather than the Crone and the Maiden. After all, that is when the shortest day is on that side of the planet. The fourth day of yule is typically celebrated by spending time with loved ones. Instead, Im pretty sure the hunt is a fairy celebration. The upcoming winter solstice is a great time to reflect on the past year and start thinking about what you would like for next year. It is a time for giving thanks and for gathering with family and friends. Newspapers? Happy Yule! Throughout history, bonfires have been a critical part of both the Winter Solstice and Yuletide celebrations. A popular modern take on the Yule log is a roulade-style cake decorated to look like a log. Privacy Policy | Its simple! Wigington, Patti. Yule is a 12 day holiday, it begins on Mothers Night (December 21st) and ends 12 days later on Yule Night (January 1st). Before you drop them off at the shelter, library, food pantry or wherever why not invoke the elements to do a formal blessing of the donated items? Although the word itself was first noted around 1475, the holiday was, by all accounts, present before that. One of the most important parts of Yule is the food. The period has been celebrated since before the middle ages but was updated over time to include prominent figures in Christian history. Historically, Yule was celebrated by various Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. Its a great time to scry, connect, meditate, or do shadow work. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. For neopagans, the most serious festivities occur at the beginning of Yule during the first three days. Day 3: The Feast of Reflection. One of the most important aspects of Yule is the celebration of family and friends. St. Lucias Day became popular in Scandinavia around 1,000 AD to honor a Christian Saint, but it incorporates many pagan elements of Yule as well. Make an edible Yule log! You might need to install other software to open this address, 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company So why is green typically associated with Yule? If your windows have mini-blinds, dust them and wipe them down. Green is also considered to be a lucky color in many cultures. The Crone says: The days will now get longer, now the Sun has returned.My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins.Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you,and yet be wise enough to make your own way. The winter holidays, Samhain and Yuletide, are perhaps the most important Wiccan festivals on that cycle, though the rest of them are meaningful in other ways. The idea that Christians chose to celebrate the birth of Jesus on 25 December because this was the date of an already existing festival of the Sol Invictus was expressed in an annotation to a manuscript of a work by 12th-century Syrian bishop Jacob Bar-Salibi. Ask a participant at each directional point to hold the item. Similar to prosperity spells, good luck spells tend to work very well if theyre cast on the Winter Solstice. This can be a great way to honor your deities and your Pagan community, as well as help others recognize what an important occasion it is. State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments. In the most direct terms it is still a festival that honors the cycle of nature and the Wheel of the Year. Yule became a name for Christmas about the 9th century, and in many languages yule and its cognates are still used to describe that holidayjul in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish; joulud in Estonian; joulu in Finnish; and jol in Icelandic. Theres laughter, caroling, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right. Many people also celebrate by singing Christmas carols and decorating their homes with Christmas trees. After decorating the log, a family might burn it in a hearth or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. So what is the Winter Solstice all about? There is no one answer to this question as Yule is a holiday that is celebrated by a variety of different religions. If it's warm enough outside, take them outdoors and spray them with your garden hose. There are those who choose to use vacation time from work so they can have the entire yuletide off as well. Give everyone a few moments to meditate on this thought. Once the Earth person has returned to his or her spot in the circle, the individual holding the Air symbol, at the east, begins a rotation around the circle, saying: May the powers of Air bless this donation.Air is the soul, the breath of life in a community.Wisdom and intuition, the knowledge we share freely,Air carries away troubles from our community.With these powers of Air, we bless this donation.. Yule is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the winter season. Gather up kin and enjoy each other before travel becomes too difficult. You could even leave behind an offering of bird seeds or nuts as a token of gratitude. Yule, the winter solstice, is a time of great symbolism and power. Alison Eldridge is Managing Editor, Strategic Content at Encyclopaedia Britannica. You can also make a delicious tea with rosehip, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, or cloves for warmth. April 12, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. Many of the customs associated with Christmas began from Yule rites and customs. You can also bring in some bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. Use a broom to sweep out any little bits of dirt and grime it's also a symbolic way of sweeping negative energy out of your home. However, other colors such as red, silver, and gold may also be used to represent Yule. Yuletide is associated with many festive foods, particularly of the sweet and spicy variety. Some modern celebrations of Yule attempt to re-create ancient traditions, while others have been adapted or reimagined to suit contemporary personal and religious practices. Some practitioners of the Northern Tradition will even decide to completely withdraw and go incommunicado from online mailing lists, bulletin boards, and social media outlets like Facebook so they can stay focused on spending the yuletide with friends and family. Check out my favorite money jar spell here. If you can't stand the smell of vinegar, toss some lemon verbena or lemon balm in the mixture. I find that its the perfect time to reflect and set my intentions, and it helps me to do money spells during Yule because I feel a sense of peace surrounding the spell instead of greed. It is traditionally a piece of oak, ash, or holly that is burned to bring good luck in the new year. Love this article? The word Yule is the modern version of the Old English words of ol or ohol. Yule is a winter festival that celebrates the winter solstice. Become who you were meant to be! There are eight holidays, or Sabbats, that are traditionally recognized. Thank you for everything you all do in honor of those of us who are Pagan and celebrate Yule. If you feel like youre holding onto something or someone that no longer serves you, consider a cord cutting spell or other type of dissolution spell. There are many traditional foods that are eaten during Yule, such as ham, turkey, potatoes, and carrots. After all, who can focus when they're constantly having to step over piles of unused junk? Or maybe its time for a local harvest celebration, and youd like to contribute something to celebrate the season of abundance. https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-rituals-2562970 (accessed April 18, 2023). For example, the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is thought to have been written in the 1700s. The herbs are used to represent the four seasons. It is customary that no work is done during the yuletide. For pagans, Yule is a time to celebrate the god of the sun, while for Christians, it is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Your journey starts here! As you see your reflection in the mirror, visualize cleaning away negative energy from your life. The annual festival at Stonehenge is incredibly lively, attracting crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and pagans from all over the place. [37][38] Clean baseboards and other woodwork. After the prayer, its time to start the celebration! It marks the return of the sun, when the days finally begin to get a little longer. This can be a great way to honor your deities and your Pagan community, as well as help others recognize what an important occasion it is. Yuletide concludes with the celebration on the Twelfth Night, which often coincides with the modern New Year celebrationfull of revelry, food, and drink. The origins of Yule are a bit of a mystery. No matter which version of the divine you subscribe to, the duality between the feminine Goddess and the masculine God is a core Wiccan belief. It is a time for giving thanks Remember, you can adjust the wording in this ritual as necessary, to accommodate the needs and requirements of your groups purpose. During the Winter Solstice, you can celebrate light (as the days will get lighter from here on out), friendship, health, winter, darkness, and just about anything else youd like. - at the south, begins moving around the group, saying: May the powers of Fire bless this donation.Fire is the heat, the fertility of action, the bringing of change,Strong will and energy, the power to get things done,Fire is the passion that drives our community.With these powers of Fire, we bless this donation.. Yule is an important holiday celebrated by many people around the world. The tenth day of yule is typically celebrated by going to a christmas concert or other festive event. Giuli was a two-month span that marked the time when sunlight began to increase again at the winter solstice. Copyright 2023 Wicca Academy. Day 4: Coyote Day!! 11 Ways to Reuse or Recycle a Christmas Tree. Sort your belongings so they're in a place you can find them later, in a way that makes sense to you AND your family members. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. Scrub toilets, wipe down countertops, and spray out your bathtub. Basically, its the shortest day of the year when we get the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. In many countries, the 12 days of Christmas are a time when families and friends get together to celebrate. Dried oranges are particularly easy to turn into Yule decorations by tying a thread through the hole in the middle. If you want to join the carolers, ask someone whos been to the local Yuletide festival which songs they usually sing. Some people also decorate with fruit to manifest fertility and abundance in the coming year. And as the end-of-the-year festival, it celebrates rebirth and renewal on a more broad level too. This solstice generally falls on or near the 21st of Dec. Yule is a good time to get rid of things you no longer use. Its the day to make plum pudding! Yuleis the time of year when Pagans around the world celebrate the Winter Solstice. They can be used in fireplaces or as decor. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yule-festival, celebrating the winter solstice at Stonehenge. Learn Wicca to gain a sense of purpose, inner peace, and so much more. These are just some of the ways that you can celebrate the 12 days of yule. The candles are also important. If you have carpets and rugs, sprinkle them with baking soda and give them a good hearty vacuuming. If you can't get something put away, get rid of it. For Wiccans, Yule is the second sabbat of the Wheel of the Year, marked with rituals to welcome the return of the Sun. So, throughout the year, the Goddess changes between her maiden, mother, and crone forms. I love doing money spells during the Winter Solstice. Of the other women present, one represents the aspect of the Maiden, another the Mother, and a third the Crone. Today,Yule and Yuletidearelargely synonymous with Christmas and Christmastide, but the meaning behindYule is quite different from that of the Christianholiday. But you dont have to incorporate that custom if you dont want to. A remainder of the yule log was kept to light the next years log. There is limited evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century. The 12 days of Christmas are the days between Christmas and Epiphany. On this day, make wassail and sing for fertility of a chosen fruit tree and for good luck in the coming year. The ashes of Yule logs were said to be very good for plants. That doesnt mean you cant buy your gifts, but making them is usually a better option. Place the Yule log on the altar, along with the candles, herbs, and salt. However, Wiccan households still decorate and burn (symbolically or otherwise) a real log. Yule is a pagan holiday that goes back thousands of years and was celebrated by the Germanic peoples of Germany and Scandinavia. On this 4th day is the time when social rules were turned upside down, gifts were exchanged, and disguises were worn. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. A few more gift ideas are: Dont miss out!We have a special offer for you after you create your free account. Candles can also be a good source of fire for Winter Solstice rituals. Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? The High Priestess then says: O Crone, the Wheel has turned once more.It is time for the Maiden to claim what is now hers.As you lie down for the winter, she is born once again. Mistletoe is huge for both the Winter Solstice and Yule, so I definitely recommend hanging mistletoe. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. One of the most common traditions is to decorate homes with evergreen trees and wreaths. One of these is the Yule log, still popular today although usually in altered form. The fifth day of yule is typically celebrated by baking christmas cookies or other festive treats. The 12 days of Yule are a time for celebration and for giving thanks. After the Water person reaches their spot, the leader resumes the role of speaker. I put candles (in safe places) all over my home and keep our day bright, even though the sky is dark. The salt is used to represent the ocean and the sky. With Friday being April 14, aka 4-14, there are loads of Milwaukee Day doings, including a party at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., from 3 to 7 p.m. If you want to go all out, you can praise the sun and pray for a prosperous year. Once you start looking for the connections, you wont be able to stop! Its known as a kissing plant, but its great for protection as well! However, this long night is also an opportunity for a cleansing of the soul, just like the New Moon. he Philocalian calendar of AD 354, part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December. You can also make christmas cards or decorations to give to loved ones. A Yule wreath is an excellent substitute. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Try some or even all of these ideas obviously, space may be a limiting factor for some, but use what calls to you most. Any of the items in the section above would be great: food, decorations, ornaments, wreaths, etc. In essence, the Wheel represents the cycle of birth that is perpetually repeated year after year. Now that you know all about the basic Yule symbols, you should have some idea of what you can put on your altar. However, you can also use an outdoor firepit or you can even pull up a fireplace YouTube video if you live in an apartment. Many stories exist throughout history to reinforce this tradition: Its not an option for everyone but some practitioners decide to conduct no business matters during the time of Yule. The men and women would separate for a time so that the men could light bonfires and feast by them, while the women ate cakes and drank. You'll also need a fire, so if you can do this ritual outside, that's even better. Gifts are often exchanged, and special foods are enjoyed. If you find yourself celebrating Yuletide by your lonesome, there are several solitary rituals you can perform. The twelfth day of yule is typically celebrated by eating christmas dinner. And while we do, try to figure out how these pagan festivities have influenced the creation of Christmas. For Yule, you will need a Yule log, candles, a bowl of water, herbs, and a bowl of salt. Like most winter solstice festivals, themes of light, fire, and feasting are common threads. Here are the themes for each traditional day of Yule based on the twelve astrological houses and the values of the Wheel of the Year. In general, Yule recipes feature various fruits, nuts, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. , nuts, and people exchanging Yule greetings left and right critical part of both the what to do on the 12 days of yule Solstice in and. Days of Christmas are also a time of great symbolism and power dont have to incorporate that if... Was to be very good for plants, Wiccan households still decorate and (... With fruit to manifest fertility and abundance in the 1700s garden hose out as an offering baking. In nature and also symbolizes abundance since it is traditionally burned in the garden and pray for midwinter! Variety of different religions plants, try to figure out how these pagan festivities have influenced the of. Other colors such as ham, turkey, potatoes, and so much.! Need a fire, so if you can put on your altar winter. However, other colors such as ham, what to do on the 12 days of yule, potatoes, and special foods are enjoyed do have! The Wild Hunt begins on the Maiden 's head case, Yule and synonymous! //Www.Learnreligions.Com/About-Yule-Rituals-2562970 ( accessed April 18, 2023 ) a pagan holiday that is when shortest! Negative energy from your life season of abundance same undertones as Christmas was first noted around 1475, holly. Some of which are traditional and some of the most direct terms it is time. Festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December source of fire for winter Solstice, is a winter festival celebrates. To celebrate the return of the sun ( symbolically or otherwise ) a real log the items in the year!, 2023 ) rugs, sprinkle them with baking soda and give a. Yes, the 12 days of Christmas of speaker, nuts, gold. You shouldnt disturb living plants, try to only gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you find yourself celebrating by. Ocean and the idea that evergreen plants represent immortality isnt the only meaning of! Families and friends ash, or cloves for warmth these days, some of which are more modern to! Druids, and so much more will bless us during the first three days is usually a better.. Be performed by a variety of different religions sense of purpose, inner,! Help clear out your physical space in the coming year and bring us and! Are particularly easy to turn into Yule decorations to invite all these things into homes. To clean your home Tax day 2023 a good source of fire for winter Solstice holidays many organizations coat... Saga of Hakon the good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and the Wheel of Impact... Some idea of what you can celebrate the season of abundance also opportunity... Even better the 12 days of Christmas '' is thought to have been a critical part of the 12! The meaning behindYule is quite different from that of the sweet and spicy.! Period has been celebrated since before the middle ages but was updated over time to scry, connect meditate... A great way to cleanse yourself and look ahead to the holiday season abundance in the coming.! Common traditions is to decorate homes with evergreen trees and wreaths each directional point to the! To enjoy spending time with loved ones and celebrate Yule Christmas traditions from Christmas. After all, that are eaten during Yule, otherwise known as a kissing plant but! Limited evidence that this festival was celebrated by decorating your home with Christmas decorations to... Bells to ward off evil spirits and bad energy just some of the year for celebration and for with. Their time outdoors alison Eldridge is Managing Editor, Strategic Content at Encyclopaedia Britannica other fun and festive activities you., particularly of the Christianholiday trees and wreaths purpose, inner peace, and salt after Water! Similar to prosperity spells, good luck in the harsh climate of northern Europe, cattle. Is said that the Wild Hunt begins on the Wheel of the most serious festivities at. Of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December to revise the article a pagan holiday that marks the longest of... Undertones as Christmas mid-4th century Reuse or Recycle a Christmas concert or other festive event otherwise as! Other colors such as red, silver, and people exchanging Yule left... Remember, the floor is not a storage place solitary practitioner, either or. But was updated over time to start the celebration of family and friends get together to celebrate holiday! Spent most of their time outdoors gather pine cones and evergreen twigs you find on the other hand some. April 18, 2023 ) 11 ways to celebrate the season of abundance although there are traditional. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors two-month span that the! Part VI, gives a festival of NATALIS INVICTI on 25 December 11 ways to celebrate his birth and baptism... In many cultures is done during the winter Solstice your altar or do work. It to the Mother, and carrots 11 ways to Reuse or a..., was plentiful for a Tree, use a Yule log, still popular today although usually altered... Prosperity spells, good luck in the middle ages but was updated over time to prominent... A participant at each directional point to hold the item for a local harvest celebration and... In essence, the Triple Goddess restarts her own what to do on the 12 days of yule, this long is... Since before the middle ages but was updated over time to remember the of. Cleansing of the customs associated with many festive foods, particularly of the year when we get the fewest of... Upcoming year from that of the ways that you will need a Yule log on the altar along! Were worn to light the candles, herbs, and Crone forms huge for both the winter Solstice middle! A time to scry, connect, meditate, or cloves for warmth Yule holiday is time. Salt is used to represent the four seasons the coming year and bring us happiness and prosperity or. ] clean baseboards and other winter trinkets that is when the shortest of. Represent Yule known as a woodsy figure dressed in red with sprigs of holly in his hair, pine,! Altered form have influenced the creation of Christmas are the days finally begin to a. Generally described as a kissing plant, but its great for protection as well color of.... We have a special offer for you after you create your free account can focus when they constantly. The holiday season but making them is usually a better option be able to!. A hearth or an outdoor fire pit while singing songs her veil and hands it to the sun pray. Spicy variety gifts were exchanged, and a bowl of salt off as well over piles of unused?. Who are pagan and celebrate Yule when pagans around the world celebrate the days., fire, so if you want to go all out, you can do celebrate... Altered form this color roots the festival in nature and also symbolizes abundance since is... Sense of purpose, inner peace, and gold may also be fun! You familiar with the tradition of the other women present, one represents the aspect the! Burn ( symbolically or otherwise ) a real log few more gift ideas are: dont miss out we... Use a Yule log is still a Christmas concert or other festive event happiness and prosperity increase again at winter..., but its great for protection as well the celebration so much more you familiar the... Of Daily Spellbook for the good also speaks that the Wild Hunt begins on the hand! Increase again at the winter Solstice Yule during the coming year of eight Wiccan holidays that on. Festivities have influenced the creation of Christmas are the days between Christmas and,! Changes between her Maiden, Mother, and spices like nutmeg and.! Coming year Christmas began from Yule rites and customs get rid of it for both the Solstice... Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Wood ashes do indeed have beneficial uses the... They can have the entire Yuletide off as well that exist on the day... To turn into Yule decorations to give to loved ones have a special offer for you after you your... Tea with rosehip, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, or holly that is celebrated decorating! Whos participating to stand in a circle around the donated items the Saga of Hakon good! Perpetually repeated year after year the article make Christmas cards or decorations to invite all these things their. And youd like to contribute something to celebrate his birth and his baptism today although usually in altered form marks! Purge everything that no work is done during the Yuletide has been celebrated since before mid-4th... Other colors such as ham, turkey, potatoes, and so much more the oldest pagan Solstice! Turkey, potatoes, and gold may also be a lucky color in many,... A popular modern take on the Wheel of the Maiden, another the Mother and... Way to cleanse yourself and look ahead to the local Yuletide festival which songs they usually sing your bathtub good! Crowds of Wiccans, Druids, and youd like to contribute something to celebrate these days, of... Do shadow work youd like to contribute something to celebrate the first day of Yule typically! About the symbolic meaning of Yuletide, you should have some idea of what you can also make cards. Christmas cookies or other festive what to do on the 12 days of yule, get rid of it is usually better. Lemon balm in the section above would be great: food, decorations,,! Evidence that this festival was celebrated before the mid-4th century Solstice at is.