Yule - The Winter Solstice

It's that time of year again! Underneath all the hectic Christmas shopping (and if you're in my family, six birthdays' worth of gifts) and holiday planning is the age-old pagan holiday called Yule. This year, Yuletide falls on the 21rst of December. Yule is traditionally celebrated on the longest night of the year- the winter solstice.
The ancients were connected with Nature much more than we are today. So when the winter solstice came around, instead of being able to flick a switch and have light, our ancestors had to have faith that the natural light - the sun- would return. Their very survival depended on that glowing ball in the sky that we take for granted. And that's how Yule came to be: the ancient peoples praised and celebrated the return of the Sun, in deep gratitude.
If you are familiar with the cycle of the year and its connection to the gods, then you know that the God (the Lord, the AllFather, the Greenman, He has many names) follows a cycle of rebirth every year. Yule is the time of year when the God who was sacrificed at Lammas is reborn. And just as the Goddess is associated with the Moon, the God is associated with the sun. So just as it is the rebirth of the God, it is also the rebirth of the Sun.

Once Yule passes, if you pay close attention, you can tell that the sun grows in strength each day. The darkest parts of the year have passed- now is a time to prepare for new beginnings and positive change. You are probably very familiar with the Yule customs and traditions- putting up the Pine tree and decorating it, enjoying a hearty feast, and, of course, the gift-giving! All of these things have been done for centuries, first to celebrate Yule, and later for Christmas. Each part of this holiday season is steeped in symbolism, even to the most minute detail! It will certainly put a different twist on this, the most stressful of holidays.

Yule Symbols

 

The Evergreen Tree- the pine tree has long symbolized that even in the darkest, coldest times of winter, life continues. The pine tree is sacred to the God, in many traditions.

The Tree Ornaments - although some of the ornaments are just plain decoration, a few of them have connections to Paganism. The lights are reminiscent of candles, which were used to encourage the Light back to the land. The stars we use as toppers have a deep connection to Magic, and are a symbol of wishes and hope. And the simple, colorful balls we hang? Their spherical shape hearken to the Goddess- they are Moon-shaped. They also represent infinity, the Cosmic Egg from which all began, and the swollen tummy of the Goddess pregnant with the Sun God.

 

Colors - If you're like me, after December is over, you are so ready to be rid of everything red and green! However, these colors play an important part of Yule. Red is the color of blood- but don't be alarmed! Blood is life, as the Goddess must bleed to bring forth the Sun God. It is a warm color, reminding us of the warm fires waiting in the hearth. White, which is always paired with red on Candy Canes, is the sacred color of the Moon and the Maiden Goddess. It represents purity, like the lovely snow outside. The color green also represents life. We use green during Yule to remind ourselves that life continues even in the barren months. Green is sacred to the God, who is associated with the wild forest. And lastly, gold represents the Sun. It also brings to mind abundance and prosperity - which is undeniably important, both in ancient and modern times.

Gifts - Although nowadays, most of this season centers around the presents, the tradition has a much more organic beginning. The custom of giving presents to those you love during Yule began as another symbol. We give, to show our faith in the abundance of the upcoming season.

Santa Claus - Since we're on the subject of presents, we might as well talk about Santa! I'll skip the long, scholarly trace of where he came from, and get to the point. Santa Claus is an archetypical Father God, who distributes blessings and gifts of abundace and prosperity throughout the land. He is similar to Zeus or Odin- the great Father, the Wise One. He bears the red and white suit to show his connection to the Triple Goddess.

 

Reindeer - Yes, even reindeer have pagan roots! The God is often depicted as a stag, which itself is a symbol of Nature, fertility, and strength.

Pinecones- Another symbol associated with the God, pinecones also represent the continuance of life, abundance, and fertility.

Yule Log or Yule Candle - This log was specially chosen, and usually taken from a sacred tree. It was placed in the hearth fire, and made to burn all through the Yule season. The Yule log was thought to bring protection and numerous blessings to all in the household. After Yuletide, a piece of the log was kept to burn with next year's Yule log.

 

So Why Bother With All This Symbolism?

Symbolism plays a huge part in human consciousness. It speaks to what some call our "inner selves," who are deeply connected to the deities. I'll cover this topic more in a different post. But the basis of symbolism is to help in what is called "sympathetic magic." Sympathetic magic involves the act of doing or seeing something that you want to happen. For example, if you wanted a new car, you could visualize or act out driving that new car. The symbolism of Yule is used to bring the things you want into your life. And Yule is a perfect time for this, since it was once considered the New Year for many cultures. So, let's say you want the next year to be full of abundance and prosperity. You could decorate your house with pinecones and plenty of Yuletide colors. After all- like attracts like! And as far as the symbols of the God and Goddess, this time of year is a time of thanks and appreciation. So next time you glance at your tree, surrounded with presents for your family, take a moment to thank the God and Goddess for all your blessings. May you have a happy, blessed Yule!