Merry Yule

[luna.m...@gmail.com]

Dear group,   I wanted to apologize for not having been here and involved and participateing. My home life has been a bit buzy with court and health issues.   I wanted to take a moment to say happy holidays.   We are having a rather unusual christmas this year, with some things happening in the background, our plans have been kind of up in the air, unable to make plans for specific dates, or even know at this point  if and when the DD is going to the bio-dads.   This is leading to alot of non traditional (for us) vibes in the house.  Usually we would have our tree up, and decorated and all the usual things going on, but this year with so many things on hold,  it is giving us time to talk about the meaning of christmas.   We are also spending alot of time going through our closets looking for items that have become not so usefull to us,  that need new homes, where they will be loved and appreciated. Looking for ways that we can hopefully improve the lives of others, by shareing that which we have. Also exploreing the act of giving, without buying.   Where does christmas come from, why do we do things like have a tree, why do we give presents and what does it all mean.   I would love for you all to chime in and share your thoughts about the holidays and your traditions and thoughts about the meaning of christmas, or any other holiday you may celebrate this time of year.   For us, celebrateing the cycles of life is a large part of our thought proscess during this time of year.   For the pagans, yule begins on the solstice and ends twelve days later. at this time, the holly king, is overcome by the young Oak King. This is in part a representation of the cycle of life and death and rebirth. It celebrates  the long nights of winter reaching thier peak, and the promise of the return of the light, and longer days of spring.   Love, family togetherness and accomplishments of the past year are celebrated. This is also a good time to reflect on your achievements of the last year and what you desire to achieve in the coming year.   Yule is a solar festival, celebrated by fire and the use of the Yule log. The seasons colors are red and green, originating from Pagan celebrations of this time of year. Red represents the females menstrual blood, while the color green represents the fertility of the coming growing season.   Fancy breads, cookies and holly wreathes are also a part of the original Pagan (Witch) tradition. Food is prepared for the after dinner Yule celebration when the tree is lighted and the Yule log is burned. A portion of the Yule log is saved to be used in next years lighting of the Yule log. This piece of the yule log is kept throughout the year to protect the home.       Symbols of Yule: The Yule Tree: The Yule tree lights and ornaments originally symbolized the sun, moon and stars as they looked on the Tree of Life. The Yule tree decorations also represented the souls of the departed who we remember at the end of the year. And then there is the modern day gift giving which originated from hanging sacred presents on the Yule tree as offerings to deities such as Attis and Dionysus. All of this sprung from the pine groves equated with the Great Mother Goddess. Hanging mistletoe and holly: Druids considered Mistletoe to be very magickal and referred to it as the Golden Bough. Druids believed Mistletoe to possess great healing powers and gave mortal men access to the Underworld. Once in our history Mistletoe was once thought to resemble the genitalia of the God, with the white berries representing his sacred semen. This is in contrast to the red berries of Holly, which symbolized the sacred menstrual blood of the Goddess. Mistletoe's symbolic life giving essence is representative of divine substance and immortality for those who handle it at Yule. The Yule Log: Originally the Yule bonfire was meant to give renewed life and power to the sun, thus the sun was reborn with the shortest day marking the time of year when the days started becoming longer. Traditionally Yule logs are oak, with the oak tree symbolizing the Cosmic Tree of Life, per Druid lore. Pine is also used to represent the dying Gods Attis, Dionysus and Woden (Odin). Cakes and Cider: Placing cakes in the boughs of the oldest apple trees in the orchard and pouring on cider as a libation was an old Pagan Yuletide custom practiced in England, and known as Wassailing the Orchard Trees. It was said the cider was a substitute for the human or animal blood offered in primitive times as part of the Winter Solstice fertility rite. After offering a toast to the health of the apple trees and giving thanks to them for producing fruit, the farmers would then enjoin the trees to continue producing abundantly. Traditional Pagan foods of Yule/Winter Solstice Sabbat are roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcakes, caraway rolls, eggnog and mulled wine.       Things to do to celebrate Yule:   Place a piece of holly bush on your altar for the Yule celebration, in keeping with Pagan tradition. After the celebration, before dismissing the Quarters and taking down the Circle, write down a wish or wishes on pieces of parchament paper and tie them to the holly bush branches on your altar. You can write down as few or many wishes as you desire. However try to keep it simple. Bury the holly bush limb with your wishes attached to it during the next full moon, giving thanks to the Lord and Lady, to assure that your wishes will be realized during the coming year. At sunset place a bayberry candle or two on your dining table and light them. Allow the bayberry candles to burn themselves out to ensure wealth and happiness throughout the following year. Plus you can set another pair upon the mantle and lighted at the beginning of the Yule ceremony. Not only do they smell pleasant, but are also another part of the Pagan Yule tradition. Mull Cider with spices, bake fruit and nut cakes or cookies, and share them with friends by inviting them in, or making the rounds carolling. Take along a sprig of holly and a small candle decorated with a pretty ribbon.   Have a bonfire on the beach, roast mallows, sing songs, drink cider and reflect on the vastness of our universe and all its marvels. Celebrate the darkest night, as we turn once more toward the light of spring. Put out your fire, and walk back to your car by starlight. Appreciate the deepness of the night, and the year that has passed and those we have loved.   Take a moment on a dark night, to sit in the darkness, reflecting on your personal growth of the last year. Then light a candle, say a blessing for the year to come and the person you have yet to become.     Mery Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Blessed Be.