One of my fave times of years is Yule and Christmas. I need no excuses for shopping, but this time of year its extra special buying for my loved ones.
We know Christmas is said to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to me I prefer to celebrate as a time to switch off and spend time with my family and give gifts out to those i care about. Now the Children are older, the stocking fillers are a little more difficult to find and there is no real need to leave out a mince pie! But I still do! A typical Taurus, I like traditions. Yule is celebrated between 2021 21 December and Saturday, 1st. The darker nights draw in, and the stops its decline, for a few days it rises in about the same place. At this time darkness rules over for 3 days between 21st and 25th December, before coming to light again.AS the longest nights come to an end, mid winter, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun God and returns the light and with it hope and promise. As time moves on the the sun begins to wax , and slowly the days start to grow longer. This time of year, yule is the Suns birthday – Celebrations
The Holly king rules the dark part of the year from Midsummer to Yule, he is God of the Waning Year. At Yule he surrenders his life to the young light Oak King, God of the Waxing Year and his twin, who rules over the light part of the year from Yule to Midsummer. Both rule for half of the year, both fight for the favour and love of the Goddess and both surrender their life force for the well-being of the land.
Traditional symbols
According to the Goddess and Green man site “Evergreen represents everlasting life, mistle toe is used for healing and protection, carefully cut so it does not touch the earth and hung up around door frames, usually. It’s magical properties are believed to be connected to the fact that it loves between the worlds, between sky /heaven and earth. The white berries of mistletoe represent the fertile white semen of the life-giving male. Which is where kissing under the mistletoe comes from!
Holly – Another evergreen of protection holly’s spiky bristles are believed to repel unwanted spirits. Newborn babies used to be sprinkled with ‘holly water’, water in which holly had been soaked, especially potent if left under a full moon overnight. Holly is sacred to Holle, the Germanic underworld goddess, and symbolises everlasting life, goodwill and potent life energy. Its red berries represent feminine blood. Together, mistletoe and holly represent the Sacred Marriage at this time of year with the re-birth of the Sun/Son.
Ivy – Evergreen sybil of immortality and resurrection, growing in a spiral reminding us of reincarnation and rebirth. Sacred to Osiris, where His death and resurrection was a central theme in Egyptian religion. Sacred also to Dionysys, god of vegetation, blossoming and the Return of Spring.
Yew – Tree of regeneration and rebirth as no other – it sends up new trees from its roots and grows to a very great age. It is deeply connected with the spirit realms and the ancestors. Often used as the central ‘world tree’ in ritual spaces and was often planted in graveyards. Very poisonous.
Pine- Its branches bring healing and joy to the home burning it will purify.
At Yuletide it has often been customary to make a decoration using two hoops, one thrust through the other, and bound with evergreens, holly and ivy, and rosy cheeked apples specially reserved for the occasion. Inside, dolls are hung, male and female, with other brightly coloured baubles. At the bottom of the decoration a bunch of mistletoe is carefully tied, and the whole tableau is suspended in the middle of the room, the centre of attention. Every berry on the mistletoe bears the promise of a kiss, and for every kiss given or taken a berry is removed. When all the berries are gone, the kissing has to stop!
Christmas/Yule Tarot Spread
Gift to yourself
Gift you can treat others too
How can you bring joy to your life
Suprise to be unwrapped
What brings you abundance
