Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Yule Information


* December 21, the Winter Solstice
* Ginger cookies and milk are a favourite of the Faeries, especially the gnomes, on this eve.
* It marks the beginning of the Cycle of Life and offers a time for reflection on the past and present, and into the future.
* It marks the rebirth of the Sun God. (The boyhood and training of the once and future King.)
* Celebration of the rebirth of the Sun - the God’s solar aspect. This Sabbat is ruled by the Oak King.
* Fasting can be done as an offering to the deities.
* Adorn your altar with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper, and cedar. Dried leaves are also appropriate.
* The word Yule is from the Norse “Iul” and actually means “wheel”.
* It is often referred to as the longest night of the year.
* The tree, always an evergreen to represent the God who dies and is ever reborn, with all of its lights and ornaments, reflects the faith of the people in the gods to bring back abundance. The lights celebrate the return of the Sun. The red and white striped candy canes are the colours of the Maiden and of the Mother. The wreath reminds us of the constant turning of the Great Wheel, the seasons, and that death precedes birth - life - death. Mistletoe is a fertility symbol and the berries represent semen.
* The gift giving customs was started in ancient Rome during a festival called Saturnalia. It was the celebration of the blessings of Saturn and Ops.

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