Ireland's OWN: Myths and Magic

The Yule Log
—by Míchealín Daugherty

The Winter Solstice, or Yule, is associated with the birth of the Sun King. It falls on the first day of winter, which is either 21 or 22 December, and is celebrated as the day that the Sun is reborn (later adapted by Christianity as the "son" is born) to warm the Earth again. Yule comes from the word Jule, which is Scandinavian and means "wheel." Yule Log

The winter solstice is a solar festival and is celebrated with fire. The Yule log symbolises the blazing forth of the new born sun. the Yule log should be kindled with an unburned portion of the Yule log from the previous year, and an unburned portion then saved from the current year. This symbolises continuity. The unburned portion can also be used to light important ritual fires.

To the Anglo Saxons, the Yule log was the outdoor bonfire of Midwinter Eve. There originated the custom of saving a piece of the Yule log, 'for luck' to kindle the next year's blaze. In later years, when the Yule log became representative of the Midwinter bonfire, carvings were placed on it to bring protection and luck to the house and every family member is allowed to make a wish upon it. The log was then placed on the hearth where it was left to burn for no less than 12 hours and preferably until dawn. It's ashes and rekindling pieces were saved to place about the house or to be made into pendants for protection though out the year.

Celtic people celebrate Yule as the battle between the aging Holly King, who represents the darkness of the old year, and the young Oak King, who symbolizes the light of the new year. Sometimes the battle is re-enacted during the burning of the Yule log � which is done to encourage the Sun�s easy birth, welcome it back to Earth.

Decorate the mantel or your altar with red, white and green candles. Ritual

Decorate the mantel or your altar with red, white and green candles to symbolise the bloodshed of birth, the innocence of new life and the growth process, respectively.

Trailing vines of ivy represent the Goddess; holly and its bright red berries represent the Holly King. And don't forget the mistletoe! According to the Bardic Tradition, the Winter Solstice was called 'Alban Arthan' by the Druids. It was then that the Chief Druid cut the sacred mistletoe from the Oak. The Celtic Druids would cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle on the sixth night of the moon.

To ensure good luck and prosperity, anoint a bayberry candle with oil and roll it in dried chamomile. Light the candle and allow it to burn down completely.

Burn Yule incense (a mixture of chamomile, ginger, pine and sage).

To Make a Yule Log in a Hearthless Home

To make a Yule log to use in a hearthless home, find a piece of apple, birch or oak. Drill holes in the log for the three candles of the Triple Goddess; trim enough from the bottom of the log to steady it. Decorate with greens, wild rose hips and winter berries. Sprinkle a libation of apple cider on it, and dust with corn meal before lighting the candles that will encourage the returning Sun. Return the wood chips and sawdust to the sleeping earth.

Sources:

Campanelli, P., Campanelli, Dan. Ancient Ways, Llewellyn Publications, 1999.
Campanelli, P., Campanelli, Dan. Wheel of the Year, Living the Magical Life, Llewellyn Publications, 2000.
Morrison, D. The Craft, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2002.
Pennick, Nigel. The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, 2001.
Personal knowledge/traditions.
Spitzer, KD. "Yule" in Llewellyn Witches' Datebook 2003. ed. KM Brielmaier, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2002.