Secrets of Norse Yule, or Winter Solstice Revealed!

Yule,or Winter Solstice, occurs about December 21. This is known  to the Norse as Jol (Wheel) or Mother Night. This is a time of the death and rebirth of the Sun God. 

Yule originally lasted from about December 20th to December 31. The old "Yule-tide", is also remembered as the "Twelve days of Christmas." Yule-tide began on Mother Night and ended on Yule itself, twelve nights from the Mother Night. 

The days are shortest and the Sun is at it's lowest point. The Triple Goddess rules with her aspect of the Crone ruling cold and darkness, and her aspect of the Mother giving birth to the Child of Promise. An oak Yule log (burned in honor of Thor) is still a tradition in Norse/Germanic countries. The ashes are scattered over the fields, or the charred remains kept to start next years Yule log.

Mistletoe is hung over the door to keep out malicious spirits. The same is done at Summer Solstice. The Full Moon after Yule is considered the most "Powerful" of the whole year. In this time the whole year is magically contained; out of it the year is regenerated from it's own depths.   The Yule ritual is always held indoors and is intensely personal, done only with family and coven members. 

Tradition says that if there is a knock at the door this day, it wasn't answered. I suspect this was true on all pagan holy days to keep from being persecuted by the Christians. 

This ritual is a "light" festival, with as many candles as possible on or near an altar to welcome the Sun Child. 

Here's Wishing you and yours a Joyous Yule-tide!

Lory, Ragnar and "Dixie"
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