christmas

Yule Correspondences

Administrator November, 2010

Lesser Sabbat – Winter Solstice, circa Dec 21

Other Names:
Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia(Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Alban huan, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year

Animals/Mythical beings:
yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin

Gemstones:

cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone

Incense/Oils:
bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron

Colors:
gold, silver, red, green, white

Tools,Symbols, & Decorations:
bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells, mother & child images

Goddesses:
Great Mother, Befana (strega), Holda (teutonic), Isis(egyptian), Triple Goddess, Mary(christian), Tonazin(mexican), Lucina(roman), St. Lucy (swedish),Bona Dea (roman), Mother Earth, Eve(Hebrew), Ops(roman Holy Mother), the Snow Queen, Hertha (German), Frey (Norse)

Gods:
Sun Child, Saturn(rome), Cronos (Greek), Horus/Ra(egyptian), Jesus(christian-gnostic), Mithras(persian), Balder(Norse), Santa Claus/Odin(teutonic), Holly King, Sol Invicta, Janus(God of Beginnings), Marduk (Babylonian)Old Man Winter

Essence:
honor, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration, the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection

Dynamics/Meaning:
death of the Holly (winter) King; reign of the Oak (summer) King), begin the ordeal of the Green Man, death & rebirth of the Sun God; night of greatest lunar imbalance; sun’s rebirth; shortest day of year

Purpose:
honor the Triple Goddess, welcome the Sun Child

Rituals/Magicks:
personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation

Customs:
lights, gift-exchanging, singing, feasting, resolutions, new fires kindled, strengthening family & friend bonds, generosity, yule log, hanging mistletoe, apple wassailing, burning candles, Yule tree decorating; kissing under mistletoe; needfire at dawn vigil; bell ringing/sleigh-bells; father yule

Foods:
nuts, apple, pear, caraway cakes soaked with cider, pork, orange, hibiscus or ginger tea, roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcake, dried fruit, cookies, eggnog, mulled wine

Herbs:
blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valarion, yarrow

Element:
earth

Threshold:
dawn

Tags: , , , ,

Faeries, Elves, and Other Kin

Kathryn Cranston January, 2010

Twelfth Night and the Fae

by

Kathryn Cranston

It has long been acknowledged that the Christian church, not knowing the date of the birth of Jesus, chose December 25th in order to combat “infernal” pagan celebrations by subsuming those celebrations into their own.  Thus, “Yuletide” and “Saturnalia” turned into “Christmas” wherever Christianity held dominion.  Although the converted people retained many of their ancient customs, these customs often survived only by being renamed or disguised.

Along with Christmas came a whole plethora of activities, including the Twelve Days of Christmas.  During the Middle Ages, people were free to make merry and feast throughout these twelve days, with the Twelfth Night marking the end of the Christmas season and the coming of the Epiphany (which concluded on the 2nd of February with Candlemas, known to some as Imbolc). It was customary to choose a “Lord of Misrule” from amongst the peasantry to preside over the “Feast of Fools” and lead the revels.  Some sources believe the practice of ritual sacrifice was part of the very ancient “Lord of Misrule” tradition, with the “Lord” giving up his life in exchange for the preceding days of glory “in the character of the good god [Saturn] who gave his life for the world.”

While no one practices the more dramatic aspects of the Lord of Misrule today, many other Twelve Day traditions survive.  Modern day performances mock authority and a woman plays the principal male lead while a man plays the leading older female character, or “Dame,” thus setting things “topsy-turvy” in the tradition of the Lord of Misrule.  Most of us are familiar with “Twelfth Night” through William Shakespeare’s play of the same name, which often makes an appearance during the Yuletide season.  In some places, special pastries, such as the tortell and king cake, are made on Twelfth Night and eaten the next day for the Feast of the Epiphany celebrations.  In England and France, it is customary to bake a Twelfth Night cake containing a bean and a pea.  The people whose slices contain the veggies are then designated king and queen of the night’s festivities.

Between sunset on Twelfth Night and Epiphany morning on Twelfth Day was and remains the traditional time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations.  It was unlucky to leave Christmas decorations hanging after Twelfth Night, a belief originally attached to the festival of Candlemas.  But why?  And how are the fae involved?

First, let’s back up to pre-Christian times, when pagan homes were dressed with mistletoe, ivy, holly, bay, rosemary, and various types of fir trees during Yuletide.  As I shared in last month’s column, The Faeries of Winter, fae elementals came into the home along with the holiday evergreen trees and greenery in order to share in the warmth and the season’s festivities.  These adornments (and their inhabitants) remained in the home until Candlemas.  Queen Victoria (1837-1901) gets the credit for changing this custom to Twelfth Night.

Ever on their toes, Candlemas had been created by the Christian church as an alternative to Roman paganism because “the Gentiles dedicated the month of February to the infernal gods, and as at the beginning of it Pluto stole Proserpine, and her mother Ceres sought her in the night with lighted candles, so they, at the beginning of the month, walked about the city with lighted candles. Because the holy fathers could not extirpate the custom, they ordained that Christians should carry about candles in honor of the Blessed Virgin; and thus what was done before in the honor of Ceres is now done in honor of the Blessed Virgin.”  So said Pope Innocent XII.

Thus, Candlemas coincides with the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin (when Mary emerges from 40 days of ritual confinement and is purified of uncleanliness after giving birth to a man-child), attempts to eradicate memories of the Goddess Persephone/Proserpina, and replaces the Roman feast of Lupercalia, three rituals centered on feminine reproductive capability.  As a sabbat of fire and purification, it makes sense that this was an ideal time to remove the Yuletide foliage from the home.  Exactly why Queen Victoria moved this custom to Twelfth Night I do not know, but it may have something to do with the following.

Removing the Yuletide foliage from the home not only cleaned the house, it also released the fae elementals wintering in the foliage back into the wilderness.  If this was not done, the forest, and by extension the crops, could not begin to grow again and Spring would fail to return.  This, of course, would be an agricultural disaster of monumental proportions.  In addition, if trapped in the house by Yuletide greenery after Twelfth Night, the fae spirits would wreak havoc until returned to their rightful place.  It seems the sooner the fae were set free, the better Queen Victoria felt!

So, when is Twelfth Night?

If you wish to honor Twelfth Night in the pagan tradition in 2010 (in subsequent years, you must determine the date of the Winter Solstice which varies), you must calculate from Yule on the 21st of December, where the first of the twelve days of Yule begins on the 22nd and the twelfth day is on the 2nd of January.  That makes sunset on the 1st of January the beginning of Twelfth Night in 2010.

Yule12thNight Faeries, Elves, and Other Kin

Your browser may not support display of this image.

If you wish to honor Twelfth Night in the Christian tradition in 2010 (or any other year), you must calculate from Christmas on the 25th of December, where the first of the twelve days of Christmas begins on the 26th and the twelfth days is on the 6th of January.  That makes nightfall (or midnight, if you want to be thoroughly modern) on the 5th of January the beginning of Twelfth Night.

Christmas12thNight Faeries, Elves, and Other Kin

Your browser may not support display of this image.

Whether you decorate your home with fresh boughs or fake, Twelfth Night affords us one more opportunity to reflect on the Mother Goddess’ gifts of abundance in nature and renewed life, and the mysterious and wonderful roles played by ancient fae forces, elementals and spirits seen and unseen in the turning of the wheel.  Hinder ye not but aid them in their work and play.

    Bibliography and Works Cited/Recommended Reading:
  • Frazer, James, “The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion: A New Abridgement from the Second and Third Editions,” Oxford University (1998)
  • Smith, William, “A School Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities,” BiblioBazaar (2009)
  • Presentation of Jesus at the Temple on Wikipedia, Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlemas

Tags: , ,

Yule Correspondences

Administrator November, 2009

yule log Yule Correspondences

Lesser Sabbat – Winter Solstice, circa Dec 21

Other Names:
Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia(Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Alban huan, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year

Animals/Mythical beings:
yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin

Gemstones:

cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone

Incense/Oils:
bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron

Colors:
gold, silver, red, green, white

Tools,Symbols, & Decorations:
bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells, mother & child images

Goddesses:
Great Mother, Befana (strega), Holda (teutonic), Isis(egyptian), Triple Goddess, Mary(christian), Tonazin(mexican), Lucina(roman), St. Lucy (swedish),Bona Dea (roman), Mother Earth, Eve(Hebrew), Ops(roman Holy Mother), the Snow Queen, Hertha (German), Frey (Norse)

Gods:
Sun Child, Saturn(rome), Cronos (Greek), Horus/Ra(egyptian), Jesus(christian-gnostic), Mithras(persian), Balder(Norse), Santa Claus/Odin(teutonic), Holly King, Sol Invicta, Janus(God of Beginnings), Marduk (Babylonian)Old Man Winter

Essence:
honor, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration, the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection

Dynamics/Meaning:
death of the Holly (winter) King; reign of the Oak (summer) King), begin the ordeal of the Green Man, death & rebirth of the Sun God; night of greatest lunar imbalance; sun’s rebirth; shortest day of year

Purpose:
honor the Triple Goddess, welcome the Sun Child

Rituals/Magicks:
personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation

Customs:
lights, gift-exchanging, singing, feasting, resolutions, new fires kindled, strengthening family & friend bonds, generosity, yule log, hanging mistletoe, apple wassailing, burning candles, Yule tree decorating; kissing under mistletoe; needfire at dawn vigil; bell ringing/sleigh-bells; father yule

Foods:
nuts, apple, pear, caraway cakes soaked with cider, pork, orange, hibiscus or ginger tea, roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcake, dried fruit, cookies, eggnog, mulled wine

Herbs:
blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valarion, yarrow

Element:
earth

Threshold:
dawn

Tags: ,

Rants from the Sanctuary

Medicyne_Eagle December, 2008

As I sit here in the land of sand that sees no festivity yet boasts to be the origin of both Pagan and Christian histories of which the latter it is the birth place of Christ. I look around at the faces of the Soldiers here with me sitting in the same predicament so far from home and in a war zone. I plan my Yule festivities as I would whether I was home or here as you can never let depression set in or it would ruin you. But really, how can one be depressed if they look inward and see the same sun, the shortest day of the year as it is anywhere you are in the Northern Hemisphere whether your in Europe, America, or half of the Middle East. I had the foresight to pack lights, oils and incense and other decorations for my Grove here to keep the spirits up and remind us of what season it is, we will keep the lights on and candles lit and drink hot cocoa and spiced cider and maybe some egg nog if the supply trucks made it through. We will discuss past Yule’s and rituals done and maybe even share letters and packages from home. Some will break out the Yule cd’s for music and Christmas cartoons and movies on DVD to watch. Our dining facility will throw on a somewhat elaborate meal to make it feel like home but you still have that nervous feeling as your sitting there eating of a sitting duck for a perilous rocket attack, mortar round or suicide bomber who wants to get you when you least suspect it. If your lucky you won’t be one of those selected for tower guard or some other joyous detail so I will probably make it a point to take candy canes or a thermos of hot cocoa to our soldiers on guard that day. Then the day after Christmas is just another day in Iraq and then is New Years, which is no different. Days drag and the only excitement is mail time, which is the highlight of everyone’s day. It doesn’t really snow in Iraq but maybe a drizzle so it never quite has that atmosphere but we will make do. It really brings to mind the “Night Before Christmas Military version which actually does bring a tear to my eye so I will close with that and let you know it describes how everyone of us feels when we do our duty here whether we agree with this war or not. I wish you all the best this Christmas and May you have a joyous New Year from Desert Moon Grove to you. BB.

Twas the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one-bedroom home made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give
and to see just whom in this house did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see.
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land,
with medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came to mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier, once I could see.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in disorder,
not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn’t wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
“Santa don’t cry, this is the life of my choice,
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my corps.”

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it, and continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
and we both shivered from the cold winter’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over, whispered with a voice soft and pure,
“Carry on Santa, It’s Christmas day and all is secure.”

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

“Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!”

Tags: , ,

Pagan Parenting for the Under 5’s

Kaylana Anaya December, 2008

Greetings. Hope everyone’s November is going well. This month I’d like to focus on the upcoming Yule season, which I’m sure you are all excited about. This month’s article will be a bit short since this season is so busy, I’m sure you don’t have time to read a long article.

What are your plans for Yule? Do you have set traditions that you do every year? Do you do a ritual? Have you just not gotten around to celebrating yet? If you’re anything like me, the Yule season is so busy you don’t do nearly as much as you’d like to, to celebrate. Don’t feel that you have to do any or all of the ideas here. Do what works best for your family. I’m just going to provide some ideas.

Pre-Yule

Read Yule . I will never stop suggesting that people read. I think it’s important and what better way to explain Yule to your kids than to read them books. There aren’t many books available that were written for a Pagan child but there are books on the Winter Solstice that are appropriate. Here are a few:

The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson

The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer

 

The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World by Carolyn McVickar Edwards

Use an Advent Calendar. Okay so it won’t exactly be an advent calendar as Advent means the coming of Christ but it will be a countdown calendar. It doesn’t have to be like a calendar either. What we like to do is cut strips of paper the width of a ruler out of green and red paper. We write down on each one, one thing we’d like to do in December such as read a holiday book, go for a winter walk, bake cookies, listen to holiday music etc…. Then we make a chain out of them, and hang it up. Each day we take apart one chain and do what it says. It’s a fun way to countdown.

Decorate. This is an easy one. Most Christmas decorations will work for Yule and if you don’t like the selection, you can always make something. Decorate a wreath with fake berries, holly and red and green balls and ribbon.

Yule

Ritual. Ritual is not for everyone but if it’s for you, do a simple Yule ritual. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. Put up a circle, have light a yule log (if you don’t have a fireplace, you can drill holes in a small log and insert candles to burn) and do a meditiation. If you are including your child(ren) omit the meditation and sing some Yule carols. (http://willow.creative-interweb.com/library/songbook/carols/)

Dinner. You can either make it a small dinner for immediate family or hold a dinner party, whatever is within your ability. It doesn’t have to be a turkey dinner. (http://www.unc.edu/~reddeer/recipe/rec_yule.html)


Post-Yule

Meditation. I think post-holiday is the best time to do meditation. You’ve already experienced the holiday and can properly reflect on it. Just envision yourself walking into a snowy wooded area. Make it a long walk, deeper and deeper into the woods. When you finally get to the center you are in a clearing. A deer approaches you and give you a message. Leave a (mental) gift and walk back. Obviously the meditation would take a lot longer than it did for me to write those basic ideas down. Stretch it out.

Yule Log. Make sure you keep the last little bit of your yule log (or last bit of candles from fake yule log) for next year.

All right that’s it for this month, I hope you’ve found something helpful. As always, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please email me at callista83@cogeco.ca. I always welcome comments here to of course; it’s great to know my article is being read. Happy Yule!

Tags: , , , ,

« Prev