Yule   Also known as: Yuletide, Alban Arthuan, Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year. It is from this point that the days begin slowly to become longer and longer. The sun is at its most southeastern point over the Tropic of Capricorn in the northern hemisphere and has no apparent northward or southward motion. In the time of the ancient tribes this was a time of celebration, for it meant the turning point of winter and the eventual return of spring. Yule is the time when we honor the Goddess for giving birth to the sun once more. It is the time when the Oak King is victorious over the Holly King. The Holly King represents death and darkness that has ruled since Samhain, and the Oak King represents rebirth and life. The waning (diminishing) sun is overtaken by the waxing (increasing) sun, thus the days become longer after the victory of the Oak King. Yule is a time when we do Rituals and celebrate the increasing daylight, to renew, and to see the world through the eyes of a child. Spells done at Yule tend to raise our spirits, and bring harmony, peace, and joy. During Yule we see the wisdom of past experience begin to glimmer. The experiences we yielded over the harvest season of the times gone past begin to be reborn as wisdom, new light, to guide us further down the Paths we have chosen. It is customary for Witches to decorate the Yule tree, and adorn the house with holly, ivy and pine. It is time when Father Winter, a white bearded chap dress in red, fur trimmed robes, arrives bearing gifts and exchange gifts. This is the eve when the Yule log from the previous year is burned in the fire. Symbolic of the newborn sun, each year's Yule log is of oak, charged in a Magic Circle and kept in sacred space the following Yule. This not only celebrates the oak and places it in a place of distinguished honor, but also ensures there will be fuel for the remainder of Winter. Pagan Yule Activities Caroling, wassailing, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, feeding of animals, birds with grains and seeds, become a part of nature Foods of Yule: Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples). Colors of Yule Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange Stones of Yule Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds Yule Deities Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon. Frey God, brother-consort of Freyja; son of Njord. "The Lord", fertility and creativity God; "the Lover"; God of Yule. He is the god of wealth and peace and contentment. Blood was not allowed to be spilled through violence, nor where weapons or outlaws allowed on or in his holy places. Sensual love, fertility, growth, abundance, wealth, bravery, horses, boars, protector of ships and sailors, peace, joy happiness, rain, beauty, weather, guarantor of oaths, groves, sunshine, plant growth, sex. Yule Spell Work Spell craft performed for Yule should be for peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness. Yule trees Oak symbolizing: Endurance, Strength, Triumph, Protection forms: Yule log, acorns Yew: Last Day of Solar Year; Death. Silver Fir: Winter Solstice Day;Birth. Birch: Month following Winter Solstice; Beginnings. Herbs of Yule Bayberry, blessed thistle, laurel, pine, sage, yellow cedar. Yule Incense and Oil Recipes Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon, frankincense Yule Incense 2 parts Frankincense 2 part Pine Needles 1 Part Cedar 1 Part Juniper Berries Yule Oil 2 drops of each Cinnamon and Clove oil 1 drop of mandarin oil 1 drop of popine oil 2 drops each frankincense and Myrrh oil. Evergreens symbolizing: Continuity of Life, Protection, Prosperity types: Pine, Fir, Cedar, Juniper, other evergreens forms: boughs, wreaths, garlands, trees Holly symbolizing: Protection; Good Luck forms: boughs over portals, wreaths Mistletoe Parts Used - Twig & Leaf Herbal Uses - Infusion, Tea, Tincture CAUTION - Berries should not be used for internal consumption - Large doses of this herb have been known to induce convulsions in children Homeopathic Uses - Epileptic aura, petit mal seizures, heart conditions, asthma connected with gout or rheumatism, rheumatic deafness, chorea, metrorrhagia, left-sided ovarian pain, left-side body complaints Magical Uses - Use to combat despair, herb of protection, child theft by fairies, healing, hunting, conception, to bring beautiful dreams, unlock the secrets of immortality through dreams - used for wands and ritual items or placed around a 'Hand of Glory' to ward off thieves - to protect the bearer from werewolves. CAUTION - You should take note that this herb is considered by many in the study of herbs, to be extremely toxic. It should not be used for medical complaint, without full and total knowledge of it's usage and dosages. Oak Parts Used - Bark, Leaf, Acorn Herbal Uses - Infusion, Tea, Salves Homeopathic Uses - Edema, splenetic dropsy, liver problems, gout, alcoholic cravings Magical Uses - Abundance, fertility, longevity, protection, spiritual awareness while remaining fully rooted in the earth plane, it's wood is used for staves and wands, use any parts for protective charms which bring healing. Acorns bring fertility and abundance. Plant in the dark of the moon to bring financial prosperity. CAUTION - Parts of this tree contain the compound known as tannic acid. Tannic acid in this form is toxic to humans. Oak bark tea can be bought OTC, if you would prefer. Otherwise, if you intend to use this particular herb, make sure that you do a complete study on how to use it. Yule Rituals