Y is for Yule
The Yuletide season is filled with magic and mystery until well after midnight on December 24th. This night is called Matrum Noctem, which translates as the Night of the Great Mother. This spirit of Yule, the presence of mystery, inspires visions of a better world in the hearts and minds of all.
The Druids
The custom of lighting the Yule log represents the birth of a god from the fire of the Mother. The Druids would say a prayer of thanks to the spirit of the tree before they would cut it down.
The tradition of burning a Yule log was to honor the Great Mother Goddess. They would light the log on the eve of the solstice, using the remains of the log from the previous year. For good luck, they would burn it for twelve hours.
Decorating the Tree
The Yule tree could be a Fir or Evergreen, but the Pine was the most popular since it represented Odin. They would not chop down the tree, but use a live tree outdoors. This tradition symbolized Yggdrasil (The Tree of Life). Decorating it with brightly colored ornaments symbolized the sun, moon and stars, while other ornaments would represent the souls of the departed from the previous years.
They would also hang gifts on the Yule tree for the many different Pagan Gods and Goddesses. The Druids would decorate the trees with images that represented their wants and desires for the upcoming year.
Wreaths were made from holly, ivy and evergreens as a reminder that life still prospered despite the harsh winters they endured.
As you can see, yuletide shadows closely with the Christian celebration of Christmas: decorating a tree, hanging wreaths, and celebrating with family and friends.
Fun Facts
Yule logs were once large enough to last all twelve days of Christmas.
In both ancient and modern celebrations, candles are a big part of the Yule time celebration. The candle flame represents the sun, which has faded in the winter.
In Old Nordic stories, Yule was the main feast of the year and lasted for three nights.
My Holiday Short Stories
In my story, Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer, my hero celebrates Yule, and my heroine celebrates Christmas, but that is the least of their problems.
2012 Christmas Collection
My story is: Mistletoe, Stakes and Yuletide Cheer
What’s a hunter to do when she’s fallen for the vampire she’s been sent to stake?
Cassandra Hayes has been dating Tremayne Graystone, the vampire she’s been sent to eliminate. To stake or not to stake is the least of their problems when masked men kidnap them and hold them hostage. They realize all they want for Christmas is a chance to make their relationship work. Kisses under the mistletoe may not make this holiday merry, but they’re willing to give it a shot. Amazon Kindle
In my western adventure, WANTED, the story takes place during the Christmas season. JoBeth, an outlaw, finds the true meaning of love and family while in the custody of Sheriff Jace Kelly.
BLURB: Sheriff Jace Kelly’s wife died giving birth to his remarkable daughter, Emma. She inherited the families’ seer abilities, but being only six-years old, she has the tendency not to know the difference between a vision and just an ordinary dream. So Jace doesn’t put too much faith in Emma’s recent premonition: marriage for him and a new mother for her, all because she wished upon a Christmas star.
When JoBeth Riley arrives in town, Emma is convinced this is the woman she dreamed about: dark hair, green eyes and shamrocks in her pocket. Only there’s one problem, she’s the notorious outlaw, Baby Face Jo.
JoBeth’s stay in the lumber town is meant to keep Shane Maverick, the leader of the outlaw gang from finding her and breaking her out of jail before the authorities have time to devise a plan to capture him.
JoBeth finds the Kellys a strange lot. A little girl, who believes her dreams are tales of the future and the rugged sheriff whose kindness proves a distraction. She’s an outlaw for heaven’s sake, but Jace is bound and determined to steal her heart.
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
The Spirit of Love
A tragic accident leaves Brynna and Travis devastated. Instead of turning to each other for comfort, they drift apart. However, they must complete one more assignment—set on an old ship, The Queen Mary, during Yule, one of the most haunted times in the Celtic calendar. It is believed souls of the dead prevail and anam cara—soul friends can visit.
Will Travis and Brynna confront the spirit of love, allowing them a chance to heal and find their way back to each other? Ebook Available for: Kindle Nook
How do you celebrate this magical season?
Here's the list to the other A to Z Challenge participants. Have fun hopping!!
I had to laugh when I clicked on my reader and saw the word yule. Every Christmas I have my girl friends over for a dinner party. One year my husband purchased this CD on a fluke and it has become the hit of my parties (that and wine). Since i don’t have a fireplace (I have a woodstove) we play this CD of a yule log and of course there’s Christmas music too! I know it sounds corny but it really is very festive. Even some of the people on the blog have ordered it after I mentioned it on the blog.
Jen,
I don’t think it’s corny at all. Getting together with friends–no matter the reason– is always wonderful in my opinion. 🙂 Your get together sounds like fun.
As a solar festival, Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of the Yule log. Seasonal colors associated with Yule are, not surprisingly, red and green. Red represents the menstrual blood of the female, while green represents the fertility of the growing season. Colors and yule logs are not the only things adopted by Christians as tradition, however. Delectable pastries, fancy breads, and wreaths made of holly are all customarily Pagan.