The goddess gives birth to a sun, the god, at yule. It is the time of greatest darkness when the nights are longest and days are shortest, for The crone is at her strongest point in the year. Yule is a reminder that after death always comes rebirth. It is a time of planning for better things, and dedication. as the start of a new year, we start with a new life and a fresh mind, and great hopes for the coming year.
Traditions
Decorating the yule tree
The evergreen is seen as a sacred tree because its continued greenery all year round represents the goddess in her eternal and the hope for the light of the god. Decorate the tree with symbols of yule, and with things, you hope for next coming year. Things like strings of cranberries, and acorns, pinecones, robins, wrens, snowflakes, sun, moon stars, bells, citrus fruit, gingerbread, and cinnamon sticks.
making a yule log
Make a yule log and either burning it itself at the hearth, or bore 3 holes at the top to place 3 candles of white red and black that represents the goddess in her 3 forms, or green red, silver or white to represent the oak king. Decorate the log with ribbon, holly, mistletoe, and evergreen, and the log itself is traditionally oak. Yule is the transfer from the holly king to the oak king, so we give thanks from our last year by also burning holly leaves.
making oranges with cloves and anise
A simple and fun activity. Dried fruits like apples or citrus fruits represent the bounty we hope for the new year. you can hang it on the tree, or use it as decoration throughout the home, or altar.
watching the sunrise and bonfires
Watching the sunrise the first day of yule is a wonderful way to celebrate as it represents the birth of the sun, and allows you to welcome in the new warmth it will bring. Doing things like bonfires and lighting candles are also ways to celebrate the sun god.
Decorations
Holly, juniper, moss, oak, mistletoe, blessed thistle, pine cones, cedar, evergreen, candles, dried oranges, cloves cinnamon acorns, images of the sun
