Yule or Winter Solstice is a sacred festival celebrated by ancient Germanic peoples, including Scandinavian cultures and the Anglo-Saxons. Literally the word means wheel, showing the year turning as the seasons change. Although not part of the most ancient Celtic traditions, Yule festivities did eventually filter into Celtic culture from proximity to their Germanic neighbors. The Celts celebrated the defeat of the Holly King by his brother the Oak King, symbolizing the growing power of the sun. Yule is the time of year of the longest night and ushers in a six month period of lengthening sunlight. Many of the traditions carry over into our modern Christmas festivities. In ancient times, feast and song prevailed as family and friends huddled together at their hearths or around an open bonfire for protection from the darkness and to celebrate the return of the light.
Yule Tree– an evergreen held sacred by ancient peoples to provide magical protection against the evils of the long winter nights. Not only was the time between Hallowmas and the Winter Solstice one in which evil spirits abounded, it was also a time when a poor harvest meant sickness and starvation. Trees that did not perish but remained green all year long bespoke of magic needed by the people. The Yule Tree was generally a live tree that remained outside and was decorated with glowing candles.
Yule Log– a huge evergreen log lugged into the house and burned in the hearth on Twelfth Night. The long burning fire depicted the growing power of the sun and return of the light and served a similar purpose as an open bonfire. These days, Yule logs are more likely to be made of chocolate and cream and baked in the oven, and are delicious reminders of long ago times.
Wreaths or Boughs– evergreen branches brought into homes for protection and the steadfast promise of joy and abundance to come.
Holly– an evergreen plant symbolizing vitality and fertility. Not only are its red berries beautiful against the green leaves, they provide winter food for certain birds. In my mind there is a parallel between holly and the red lights and ornaments we love to use in decorating our Christmas trees. I feel the same thing with red apples.
Mistletoe– brought into the house to ward off evil spirits and to ensure good luck. I’ve always loved the custom of kissing beneath the mistletoe.
Bells– instruments of angelic sounds that repelled evil and attracted good luck. Bells are still important in today’s Yuletide celebrations.
Candles– symbols of the growing power of the sun, resulting in longer days—more time to work and till the soil for a good harvest the following year and less darkness and evil to worry about.
Apples– picture perfect symbol of vitality and abundance. Apples had many uses, including fermentation into cider. Cider soaked cakes were a popular tradition among our ancestors and were placed as offerings in the orchards to invoke a fruitful harvest the next year. Cider cakes were eaten as part of the Yule festivities and were served with seeds and nuts. Eventually, fruitcakes became staples of winter celebrations.
Wassail– a spiced communal drink. I leave you this recipe and a blessing for a loving family and faithful friends with whom to toast the coming year.
WASSAIL
Ingredients: 4 apples, 1 cup sugar, 1 orange, 13 whole cloves, 2 quarts hard apple cider, a half cup of brandy or to your taste, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg, 6 allspice berries, 2 cinnamon sticks, toast for soaking in the Wassail.
Directions: Core the apples and fill each with a tablespoon of sugar. Insert 13 cloves in an orange. Place the apples and orange on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, pour cider and brandy into a heavy pot and warm over low heat. Stir in ginger and nutmeg. Make a bundled sachet of the allspice and cinnamon sticks and float it in the liquid as it warms. Serve from the pot or transfer to a punch bowl. Add the cooked fruit. Serve in mugs with a triangle of toast on top if you wish to preserve the tradition.
Cheers, Good Reading, Merry Yule, & Wassail!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romances
How lovely all these traditions are, no matter they come from pagan times or not. There will always be some people to find spots in the sun. I see there are even some that want us to no longer say Happy Christmas, but Happy Holidays! It saddens me a lot. Too much politically correctness tends to spoil everything. Thanks for the recipe! Sounds easy to prepare. I must give it a try! A Merry Christmas to you and your family, Marigold included!
True, Carmen, many work places promote the Happy Holidays, and we’re always wondering if we’re offending someone if we say it a certain way. Heaven forbid! Thank for the the good wishes, and Marigold and I send the same:)
What a wonderful collection of holiday traditions and symbols. I especially like your take on red holly berries and the red lights and ornaments we use at Christmas time. I lift a cyber cup of Wassail to you! Cheers!
Yay on the Wassail, Mae! That image of a group of family and friends saying Wassail gives me a warm feeling.