Yule is the Sabbat that begins the Wiccan Year. It is the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night we will experience in the Northern Hemisphere. Although it is usually celebrated on December 21, the exact timing of the solstice varies from year to year due to a slight discrepancy between the Gregorian calendar and the actual rate of rotation of the Earth around the Sun.
Yule among the Wiccans
Yule, a festival of fire, is a time of celebration of the return of light. From this point on, the days will gradually lengthen, until we reach the height of the Sun’s power at the summer solstice. Although we will still see relatively little sunlight for several weeks, this sabbat reminds us to have patience – the waning half of the year is over, and warmth, growth, and light will reign once again.
In the Wiccan belief system, the god is reborn at Yule, having died on the previous Sabbat (Samhain) in late October. The low quality of sunlight during these still short days is symbolized by the god in his infancy, just born and needing nourishment before he can return in his full power.
The Goddess, who has been in her Crone aspect for the past few months, is now in her Mother aspect again, having just given birth to the God. She represents the Earth, remaining still and silent for a time as she rests from her work.
It is a celebration of the renewal of life, but compared to other Sabbats, it is a relatively quiet, indoor celebration, as people gather in the warm shelters of their homes to rejoice and give thanks. As a Christmas ritual, many Wiccans decorate their altars with evergreen branches, such as cedar, pine, hemlock, and spruce, as well as bright sprigs of holly, pine cones, and other festive winter flora.
Candles are paramount to this Sabbath, of course, with Yule traditions emphasizing the colors red, green, white, and gold. Images of the Sun are also appropriate. Those lucky enough to have a fireplace can burn a sacred log. Many traditions that are commonly thought of as belonging to Christmas, including the Yule log, a decorated tree, wreaths, and even Christmas carols, are actually rooted in pre-Christian pagan traditions.
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Today Wiccans celebrate Yule. The God having died on Samhain, Yule marks his renewal and the lengthening of the days with the help of the Goddess, who has become a Mother. Based on ancient traditions, Wiccans revive pre-Christian traditions that Christmas appropriated. #mythology #myth #legend #yule #wicca #calendar #21December
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