Yule

One of the Eight Sabbats of the Witches and Pagans everywhere, this holiday celebrates the return of the Oak King, as he begins his ascent from the Underworld to be reborn through the Goddess at Ostara. The Sabbat is held on the longest night of the year, or "The Darkest Day," after which the Sun begins to grow stronger and brighter, and the days longer again, marking the eventual end to winter and the return of the fertile spring. Many of the ancient Pagan customs of this season have been adopted and are familiar sights in non-Pagan households.

The Yule Tree, made of pine, is associated with the God of the Ancients, and its evergreen nature makes it a symbol of eternal life. Each household celebrates the season by placing a tree (albeit, in these days, an artificial one, no doubt) in the home and decorating with the symbol of the Oak or Sun King: bright lights. Other decoration include flowers and fruits, cookies and candies, symbols of the bounty of nature and spring time.

Santa Claus, another familiar token of the season, is a direct descendant of the ancient Holly King, who is at the end of His reign for the year. His association with the reindeer is symbolic of the God's role as Self-Sacrificer. The Holly King makes his final round to all the houses each year on the longest night of winter, leaving gifts that betoken promises of new life, the coming spring, and the love of the Deity for us all. The modern day Magickal Santa Claus is still associated with the "elves" or spirits of winter, the red garments of the Holly King, and holds a curious place of prominence throughout modern culture, in many guises throughout the world, showing that the ancient Pagan Gods have never disappeared from view, or the hearts of children.

Gift Giving is practised among Pagans and Witches at this time, and careful thought is considered more important than the price of the gift. Gifts often are home-made, and betoken the love and caring of Witches and Pagans for their fellows. The traditional sugar cookie of this time arose from the ancient Pagan custom of slaughtering a pig, calf, lamb, or deer for the Yule Feast. During the Middle Ages, when livestock and deer belonged to the manor lords, the peasant class substituted cookies cut into animal shapes, as a tasty symbolic alternative.

The Yule Log is another tradition of Witch and Pagan households. This is a simple log of wood, blessed by a priest or priestess, with three holes for candles drilled into it, symbols for the Triple Goddess Who is always with us, even in the dark days of winter. Some keep this log year to year, others burn the log on the Solstice night, a symbol of the light and warmth to come.

Celebrate the Season, and remember that many modern and familiar customs, adopted by people of other religions, are truly Pagan in spirit!

Blessed Be and Merry Yuletide!