The Sabbat of Yule

Yule

Lesser Sabbat

Winter Solstice, December 20-23

(varies according to when the Solstice will occur astronomically)

God and Goddess:
It is the time when the Goddess (Mother) gives birth to the Divine Sun child who shall be both child and eventually lover and father of the next child in the cycle. As a holiday, Yule represents the time of honoring the Triple Goddess and the rebirth of the God from his sacrifice during Lammas, or the new reign of the Oak King over the coming year. 

General:
Longest night of the year, the turning point when the days shall afterwards grow longer as winter begins its passage into the coming spring. 

In History: 
Yule is also known as Fionn's Day, the 12 days of Rebirth and the Midwinters festival. Yule is one of the Holiest and most widely celebrated festivals on the Celtic calendar. Even though it was not actually added until the Norse invasion. The Nordic invaders brought much symbolism to this holiday, which are more often associated with the Christian observance of Christmas. But make no mistake, Yule celebrates the rebirth of the God, symbolized as the sun on the pagan path.
The Celts believed this to be the time when the Old Holly King battled against the young Oak King. The Holly King representing the passing year (the waning year) would succumb to the youth and strength of the Oak King who represents the new year (the waxing year). Some covens in the past and still today, reenact the battle between the two kings as part of their ritual celebration.
Fionn's Day is celebrated on the Winter Solstice as a day for honoring the God/warrior Fionn MacCumhal. Fionn was a legendary giant of Ireland who foresaw the coming of the Milesians and banished an invading giant from Scotland. When he was a child, his teacher Finegas who had unknowingly given him the Salmon of Knowledge. Fionn burned his finger on the Salmon and sucked the burn, instantly acquiring vast knowledge and wisdom. Legends and mythology declare his life to be 200 years, ruling in fair wisdom and abundance. In honoring Fionn, the Celts celebrate his wisdom, overcoming enemies, protection, creation, knowledge and divination.
It is also the original Holiday that the Christian religions modified into their own Christmas, even up to the birth of the child (Most theologians who have spent time studying the birth of Jesus admit he was born in either March or April, not the celebrated Christmas date we all know from the standard calendar – it was moved to this date to help induce Pagans to give up their old ways yet allow them their holidays during the spread of Christianity through Europe and the British Isles).

Traditions:
Yule Tree
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebrations, but using evergreens as a decoration was commonly used in the Roman and Greek cultures during their winter celebrations. The idea to use in during Christmas originated in 8th Century Germany, where legend has it that St. Boniface was trying to convert a group of Druids. He tried everything that he could think of to convince the Druids that the Oak tree was not sacred or invincible. He finally tried one last desperate measure... he cut the oak tree down. As the tree fell, it took down everything in its path, save but one small evergreen sapling. St. Boniface declared it a miracle and that the evergreen was sacred to the Christ-child, and ever after, trees were brought into the home and decorated for the holidays.
Pagan and Christian families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present. Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree. The colors of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts.

Another reason that trees were first decorated with fruits, nuts and artificial flowers was to bring about the return of spring and fertility, warmth, and light, and to restore and maintain the balance between darkness and light, coldness and warmth, and death and rebirth.
In the earlier parts of the 20th Century (and I'm not sure how long it dates back...) many families would decorate their trees with candles. Then the family would come together for the lighting of their Christmas trees - it was a spectacular event, filled with the beauty of the candle glow from the evergreen branches... but it was also a one time of the year event. It wasn't exactly a safe thing to do, it was very easy for the lovely candles to cause the tree to catch on fire. Still, it sounds like it would have been a lovely sight to behold!

Yule trees are cut and decorated with images of what we wish to receive during the next year, such as love charms to draw love, nuts for fertility, fruits for a successful harvest, or coins to ensure wealth and prosperity.

The Legend of Santa Claus

Many believe that Santa Claus is really another form of the Norse God, Odin. Legend says that Odin was a nocturnal god, capable of flying around through the stormiest clouds on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.
Legend also says that the real St. Nick is an ancient Dutch bishop, Nicholas, who took pity on a poor family during the Christmas season and threw bags of gold into their home. One bag landed under the tree, and another bag landed in an old stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry overnight.
Today's version of Santa Claus was actually created by the Coca-Cola™ in the mid 1900's, and Santa's costume was designed after Nicholas' bishops’ robes.

Yule Log
Yule is a solar festival; Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. A piece of the log is saved and kept throughout the year to protect the home, and was thought to bring the home prosperity and good luck throughout the year. That piece is used to light the next year's log.
The Yule log, a phallic symbol, was usually cut from the God-related oak tree. Originally, the Yule log was brought into the home amid much dancing and ceremony before being lit in the fireplace.
Some Wiccans drill three holes in the Yule log and fill them with three white candles, or one white, one red, and one black candle to symbolize the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, and Crone). The Yule logs are then decorated with holly and evergreens to symbolize the intertwining of the God and the Goddess who have been reunited on this day. Bayberry candles are burned to ensure wealth and happiness in the coming year.

Gift Giving
The idea of gift giving is thought to have originated with the Babylonian celebration of Zagmuk, which is their Winter Solstice holiday. The practiced gained popularity during the Roman Saturnalia celebration, and finally was adopted by the Christians, who attribute the practice to the Magi who brought gifts to give to the Christ-child.

Celebration:
There are many ways to give honor during this Sabbat. Decorating your home with a Yule tree (a pine tree) with red decorations and white lights.
Decorate Altar with evergreens (pine, rosemary, bay, juniper, and cedar) and Dried leaves. Appropriate Foods include nuts, apples, pears, cakes of caraway’s soaks in cider, pork. Serve Wassail, hibiscus, or ginger tea to drink.

12 Days of Yule:
From sunset to sunset -
Dec. 20 to Dec. 23. During the 1st 3 days - 
The virgin Maiden is honored as your guide for moving forward into the New Year, to set you on the right and positive path. These first 3 days of the Goddess/Maiden - start by honoring the innocence in your life. This is a celebration of your personal rebirth and recognition of your own personal innocence and journey upon your spiritual path. Even if you have been a practicing pagan for 20 years, everyone has room for the new lessons, growth and ideas.

Dec. 23 to Dec. 26. The 2nd set of 3 days - 
The Mother is honored for fertility and all your coming endeavors.
The second third of the festival honors the Mother Goddess and her nurturing side. This is a time for personal introspection of ideas, plans and goals you wish to achieve in the coming year. The Mother is invoked during ritual to ask for her nurturing energies to help you propel those desires forward into reality. But as the Mother, this is also the time for nurturing of family and friends. Honoring your relationships and the contributions others have made to you, your life and your spiritual path. This is the perfect time for a family feast and the traditional exchange of gifts on the 24th of December. Sit around the Yule tree and share your dreams and goals for the year.

Dec. 26 to Dec 29. The 3rd set of 3 days - 
These 3 days are set aside for the rebirth of the God, and honoring his guidance through the physical world. These days of the Festival honor the Old Crone. This is the time for spiritual matters, raising your awareness and celebrating your connection to the Divine Universe around you. The Crone Goddess is honored as your teacher and your guide to the cosmic forces. This is the time to take a serious look at your actions in the past year, how you handled situations that crossed your path and how you can learn from them. Celebrate the good deeds and goals you achieved.

Dec. 29 to Jan. 1. - 
The last 3 days are set aside for the Old Crone who is honored for wisdom and as your teacher into the cosmic lessons of life and spirit. In modern times, under the solar calendar, she might also be honored as the waning year giving way to the New Year. These days honor the rebirth of the God. You might design a ritual to recreate the battle between the old Holly King and the young Oak King. This is a time to take action. To bring those plans of spirit and introspection into reality and make them happen in the physical world. Culminate the final 3 days of the 12 days with a family feast, and reverent formal ritual celebration.

All these aspects are designed to help you start off your new year (or rebirth) with the best possible attitude and intent. It's important to remember that not all traditions divide the 12 days of Rebirth into thirds, giving each Goddess an equal number of days for her honoring. Some traditions only focus on the rebirth of God and the battle between the two Kings. While others divide the 12 days into 3 sets of 4 day celebrations and only focus on the Goddess. There's no ONE way to celebrate the 12 Days of Yule. Some traditions honor the Goddess in all her aspects 1st, and save the last 3 days of Yule for the rebirth of the God. Some say this connects the holiday to the Solar Calendar, linking the God's rebirth to the rebirth of the calendar year. Others prefer to focus on the Lunar Calendar or just on the Goddess. Just chose what feels right to you and your family.

Ritual Ideas:

I found this at about.com a long time ago and use it every year. We have always cut down a Christmas tree, since I was a child. I did want to stop this tradition when I began my wiccan path.

If your family uses a holiday tree at Yule -- and many Pagan families do -- you might want to consider a blessing ritual for the tree, both at the time you cut it down and again before you've decorated it. Although many families use fake holiday trees, a cut one from a tree farm is actually more environmentally friendly, so if you've never considered a live tree, maybe this is a good year to start a new tradition in your house.
Things to Take With You
You'll want to have the following items on hand when you go to cut down a tree for Yule:
• A sharp saw
• Gloves
• Rope
• Some fertilizer sticks and birdseed
Selecting Your Tree
First of all, make sure you're in a place where you have permission to cut trees. Either find a local Christmas tree farm, or if you're on private property, get the approval of the landowner before you cut anything. Never cut a tree down in a park or forest without permission.
Don't just randomly start hacking away at trees. Take some time to wander around and find the tree that's right for you. Often, you'll know the right tree when you find it -- it will be just the right height and width, the exact fullness you want, and so forth. 
Cutting Down Your Tree
If you've found the right tree, take a moment to touch it. Feel its energy flowing from the earth and into you. Recognize that once you've cut it down, it will no longer be a living thing. In many traditions, people find it comforting to ask the tree for permission to make the first cut. In Dorothy Morrison's book Yule, she recommends asking the tree to move its spirit deep into the ground so that it will not feel injury or pain when you cut the trunk.
Use the following blessing before you make the cut:
O evergreen, mighty tree, you who are full of life.
I am about to make the cut, and ask your permission.
We will take you into our home and honor you,
adorning you with light in this season of the sun.
We ask you, o evergreen, to bless our home with your energy.
As an alternative, if you have children with you and you'd like to make the occasion more fun than somber, try something like this instead:
Evergreen, evergreen, big fat tree!
I ask you now please to come home with me!
We'll cover you with ornaments and lots of pretty lights,
and let you shine about our house at Yule, the longest night!
Thank you, tree, thank you tree, for the gift you give today,
we'll plant another in your name, when spring comes our way!
Make the cut about eight inches above the ground, and cut quickly. Make sure no one is standing on the opposite side when the tree begins to fall. Using the gloves to protect your hands if necessary, tie the rope around the trunk so you can pull it out of the area. Before leaving, push the fertilizer sticks into the soil near the cut trunk. This will promote new growth from the remaining stump. If you can, periodically stop by and add more fertilizer sticks to the newly sprouted branches.
You may wish to also leave some birdseed on the ground as an offering to the wildlife in the area. Some families even use the birdseed to cast a protective circle around the stump where they've cut their tree down. Finally, if you've promised to plant a new tree somewhere in the spring, be sure to keep your word.
Decorating Your Tree
Decorating a Yule tree is a lot of fun, and should be a celebration of family. Put on some holiday music, light some incense or scented candles, get a pot of herbal tea brewing, and turn it into a ritual of its own. Before you decorate, you may wish to bless the tree once more.
Have on hand some salt, incense, a candle and water. Bless the tree as follows:
By the powers of earth, I bless this tree, 
that it shall remain sacred, a symbol of life, 
stable and strong in our home throughout the Yule season. 
By the powers of air, I bless this tree,
as the cool winter winds blow away the baggage of the old year,
and we welcome the brightness of the new into our hearts and home.
By the powers of fire, I bless this tree,
as the days have gotten shorter, and the nights grown dark,
yet the warmth of the sun is returning, bringing with it life.
By the powers of water, I bless this tree,
a gift I give, that it may stay bright and green for us a bit longer,
so that we can enjoy the harmony and peace of Yule.
As you say the blessing, sprinkle the salt around the tree in a circle (not on the tree, just around it), smudging with the incense, passing the candle over it, and finally, adding water to the tray at the bottom.
Once you've finished the blessing, decorate your tree and celebrate!
This is great to do as a family when you are out searching for that perfect tree.

Yule Correspondences

Element:

Earth

Threshold:

Dawn

Herbs:

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

Gemstones:

Cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet, bloodstone.

Incense/Oil:

Bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron.

Colors/Candles:

Gold, silver, red, green, white

Animal/Mythical Beings:

Yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, sacred white buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos, monsters (greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, wren, robin.

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), The snow queen, Hertha (german), Frey (norse).

Gods:

Sun Child, Saturn (rome), Cronos (greek), Ra(Egyptian), 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 and rebirth of the Sun God, night of greatest lunar imbalance, sun’s rebirth, shortest day of the year.

Purpose:

Honoring the Triple Goddess, welcome the Sun Child

Rituals/Magick:

Personal renewal, world peace, honoring family and friends, festival of light, meditation.

Customs:

Lights, gift exchanging, singing, feasting, resolutions, new fires kindled, strengthening family and friend bonds, generosity, yule log, hanging mistletoe, apple wassailing, burning candles, yule tree decorating, kissing under mistletoe, bell ringing sleigh bells.

Foods:

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