What do pagans do for Yule?
Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm in the cold winter months – food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat. This is the festival of light out of darkness and the tradition of lighting candles is ever popular.
How do you celebrate Yule like a pagan?
Here are some customary ways to celebrate the solstice—you might notice that some resemble beloved Christmas traditions.
- Build a Yule Altar.
- Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath.
- Burn a Yule Log.
- Decorate a Yule Tree.
- Exchange Nature-Based Gifts.
- Give Back to Nature.
- Celebrate in Candlelight.
- Set up a Meditation Space.
What do you do during Yule?
In pagan times, the druids would give mistletoe, which commonly grows on oak trees, as a blessing to symbolize life. The Yule log also dates back to this time. The Celts thought the Sun stood still for 12 days during the darkest time of the year, and they would light logs to keep away evil and welcome in good fortune.
Do pagans give gifts during Yule?
The pagans may have given gifts at the Yule celebration as well. Christianity later took over much of Europe, and the Christians, like the Romans, learned that the best way to truly conquer was not to divide, but to incorporate.
What do you say on Yule?
A lot of people who don’t know this wish her “Merry Christmas,” but the 45-year-old mother of two doesn’t mind. “When they say ‘Merry Christmas’ I say ‘Merry Christmas,’ ” she said. “Amongst sisters and brothers and mothers of my faith, we say ‘Blessed Yule’ or ‘Happy Yule. ‘ ”
Do pagans give gifts Yule?
What is the 12 days of Yule?
Today, most pagans and heathens celebrate the yuletide as running from approximately December 20 – December 31 (but there are variations). For Christians in 567 AD the Council of Tours would officially proclaim that the 12 Days were to be celebrated from Christmas Day through to the Epiphany.
What should I bring to Yule?
He recommends crystals and candles as great go-to gifts for those interested in Wicca or witchcraft. As paraffin, a byproduct of oil, becomes a dwindling resource over the next 100 years, soy or beeswax candles becoming more popular. Colors are vital to witchcraft and Wicca, and Yuletide is no exception.
What do you eat on Yule?
Sweets flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, or peppermint work out perfectly for Yule. Other classic sweet treats for Yule include traditional holiday cookies like shortbread, snowball, caraway, or ginger snaps. Pears and oranges are also a nice touch to a dessert at Yule.
What is the proper greeting for Yule?
During the Yule, the Oak King conquers the Holly King until Midsummer. Greetings include “Happy Solstice,” “Merry Yuletide,” and “Happy Yule.”
What is a traditional Yule gift?
How do you decorate for Yule?
String your garlands with pinecones and cloves or include them in your centerpiece. Then add string lights, another important symbol for Yule. Using red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, and blue is also customary.
What kind of gifts do you give for Yule?
How do families celebrate Yule?
Each family member makes a wish for the coming year as they light their candle. The centre candle should be lit by parents, with a reverential prayer of thanks for each family member, for the year gone and the year to come, and for the gift of the sun.