The history of the Yule log cake stretches all the way back to Europe’s Iron Age, before the medieval era. It was also the Druids who began the tradition of the yule log. The longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice, is a day that scientists, astronomers, and meteorologists all observe with interest. The custom of burning the Yule Log began with the ancient Scandinavians who burned a huge log, felled from and Ash tree, to honor their god Thor. Donning one of those disguises was Odin, who, during the winter solstice, became what we would recognize as “Old Man Winter” — often riding his great eight-legged white steed Sleipnir, whose speed was so great that he could travel the earth in one night. We bring a live tree into the home and make our own decorations. A Celtic Yule Blessing The Celtic people knew the importance of the solstice. By Sarah Franklin. When the days grew colder and the nights grew longer, people of ancient times would light candles and gather round fires to lure back the sun. But the traditions surrounding yule logs are wonderful, and deserve to be resurrected. Because of this, I had to try and focus on those that crossed many borders and which were known to many cultures. Traditions: As with all Celtic cross-quarter festivals, Lughnasadh was celebrated with the burning of large bonfires upon hills. Samhain (Pronounced SOW-in) The Sun (in the Northern Hemisphere), at it's low time, the shortest day, longest night. Communities would come together to feast on the wheat and barley that’d been harvested and dance the night away. Some of the current traditions surrounding "Father Christmas" or Santa Claus can also be traced back to Celtic roots. The Winter Solstice represents the rebirth of the sun, which is a particularly important turning point. Note its position on the horizon at this time of year and observe its change in position on the horizon as the days start lengthening again. Yule/Winter Solstice is celebrated December 19 - 23 for Northern Hemisphere and June 19 -23 for Southern Hemisphere. Beyond that for those curious I guess one Celtic pagan tradition is to open the front door before midnight and close it after. Burn a Yule Log in a hearth, in a bonfire, or by burning candles on, in, or near a log of Oak on an altar. As Grimassi notes, “an evergreen tree was selected because it symbolized the power of life to survive the seasons of the year” (32). Yule, or Winter Solstice traditions are many and generous, and are shared not only with Christianity with the birthday of the Christ Child, but with many pre-Christian Pagan traditions and indeed more recent ones. A celebration known as Yule, Winter Solstice and even called Christmas. I like the idea of a wreath because whenever you enter the house you are reminded of the fact that it is yule. Jan 9, 2020 - What are yule traditions? Hi everyone, I figured I haven't been still trying to practice. Find out more about the yule log, yule decorations, yule recipes, yule altars, yule rituals, and more! The Yule season historically began at midnight on December 22, the longest day of the year, and continued for 12 days. The word "Yule," according to Bede and various other authorities of the olden time is derived from an archaic Norse word "Jol," meaning "a wheel." See more ideas about yule, yule traditions, pagan yule. Burning the Yule log in the fire is a pre Christian rite of honor to the Mother Goddess. The cold and dark are celebrated as the Sun slowly begins to return. Yule or Yuletide ("Yule time" or "Yule season") is a festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples.Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht.. Later departing from its pagan roots, Yule underwent Christianised reformulation, resulting in the term Christmastide. At Yule, a tree was decorated outdoors in honor of the birth of the sun god and gifts were offered. While the yule log cake is the most delicious thing going in December, the reason why people serve the cake is because they have ceased using actual yule logs in midwinter. In pre-Christian Scandinavia, the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasted for 12 days celebrating the rebirth of the sun and giving rise to the custom of burning a Yule log. Meditate on the rising and/or setting of the Solstice Sun. Celtic Yule Cakes 2-3 Tablespoons Boiling Water 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract 3/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder 2 Cups Powdered Sugar 2/3 Cup White Sugar Grated Orange Zest 1 1/3 Cup Sultanas 1 Tablespoon Milk 1 1/4 Cup Flour 1/2 Cup Butter 2 Eggs (Beaten) Beat eggs, butter, vanilla, orange zest and sugar together. It was important to put aside staple foods for the coming months, because it would be many months before anything fresh grew again. The Celtic Sacred Year: Ways to celebrate Winter Solstice and Celtic Christmas with customs, recipes, rituals, from Ireland and Scotland, including the Yule Log, Christmas candle and more. I hope everyone's doing well uh tonight. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. Yule is a traditional holiday holding roots in various northern European traditions, particularly that of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples. Here I will pin yule art, crafts, celebration ideas, correspondences, food, activities, quotes, blessings, gifts, symbols and more! In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the Feast of Saturnalia, to honor Saturn, the god of agricultural bounty. In Viking Age Scandinavia they celebrated Yule, a 12 day festival of all things winter. In the Celtic tradition, a continual hearth fire was kept to prevent spirits from entering the home. Dec 9, 2020 - Explore GypsyKrafts's board "Yule traditions", followed by 630 people on Pinterest. Brightly coloured decorations would be hung on a pine tree to symbolise the various stellar objects, which were of tremendous significance to the Celtic people – the sun, moon, and stars – and also to represent the souls of those who had died in the previous year. Consider, as you think… Evergreens remind us that the green world cannot be conquered by winter, while ... Celtic Magical Traditions Jun 6, 2019 - Explore Susie Clark's board "Yule", followed by 155 people on Pinterest. The tradition continues today. How do witches and pagans celebrate the winter solstice? In the northern hemisphere the Winter solstice usually occurs annually between December 20 and December 23. Much of our current festive tradition actually originates with pagan solstice customs, such as decorating the Yule tree. The Yule Log. Add flour and baking powder. The solstice is the twice yearly event when the sun appears to be at its highest or lowest point above the horizon. While specific traditions and rituals varied ... in Celtic mythology. Some out of clay. Celtic influences on Christmas traditions and roots. No, it’s not! See more ideas about yule, winter solstice, yuletide. Yule for us as a family usually starts on the 21st of December, and lasts for 12 to 14 days. Litha: The Celtic Pagan Traditions of My Ancestors Celebrating the longest day of the year with a long-ago family tradition . It is Irish and Celtic! Yule … The new year is coming and this is the perfect way to help usher that in. I'm in my wonderful basement and I wanna discuss different traditions where a little less than a week away from you and there's so many different traditions and ways that you can celebrate you all just like you can celebrate any other holiday and any other religion or. Aug 15, 2017 - Explore Sacred Stones and Witches Bone's board "Celtic Festival (2) - Winter Solstice 20-22 December" on Pinterest. Learn about Yule Log traditions and create your own. See more ideas about winter solstice, solstice, yule. Dec 10, 2019 - The Thirteen Days of Yule book. Yule food traditions go back millennia, with pagans from Germanic, Nordic and Celtic regions, among others, all bringing their own traditions to the winter solstice. In Celtic tradition, trees were considered sacred because they were the homes of deities and spirits. Norse tradition had it that their gods frequently came down from Asgard and interacted with people, mostly in disguise. There were many traditions to take into consideration when drawing in from sources from all across western Europe. Eclecticwitchcraft.com. The roots of the Christmas traditions that we recognize today can be traced back to pre-Christian celebrations of the Winter solstice. Although the Yule season marks the middle of winter, colder times were still to come. Celtic Witchin' Tuesday, 22 December 2015. The modern practice of gift giving evolved from the Pagan tradition of hanging gifts on the Yule tree as offerings to the various Pagan Gods and Goddesses. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. The tradition of the Yule log began in Celtic times when it was believed that the sun stood still for 12 days during winter. 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