Here are some customary ways to celebrate the solstice—you might notice that some resemble beloved Christmas traditions.
- Build a Yule Altar. …
- Make an Evergreen Yule Wreath. …
- Burn a Yule Log. …
- Decorate a Yule Tree. …
- Exchange Nature-Based Gifts. …
- Give Back to Nature. …
- Celebrate in Candlelight. …
- Set up a Meditation Space.
Likewise, how long do you celebrate Yule?
Moreover, what are the 12 days of Yule?
The ancient festival was a 12 daylong celebration beginning on the eve of the Winter Solstice (known to most Pagans as Yule) and ending at the new calendar year. This celebration was so important in ancient times that it was converted by the Christians to the 12 Days of Christmas.
What do Pagans call Halloween?
What do Pagans do for Yule?
Most pagans celebrate Yule — the winter solstice Dec. 21, which is also the longest night of the year. Pagans keep a fire burning and light shining until the sun rises. “Christmas is the rebirth of the Christian king as the incarnation of God.
What does the Yule tree represent?
The Christmas tree actually has its origins in pagan worship. According to Chron, “The Yule tree has been in traditions thousands of years before it became known as the Christmas tree in the 1840s.” Evergreen trees were seen as a symbol of continual life, especially at the time of the solstice.
What is the difference between Yule and Christmas?
Christmas can refer to December 25 itself, but it can also refer to the whole Christmas season. … Yule can work the same way: yule can refer to both Christmas and the broader Christmas season, which can also be called yuletide.
What is the Pagan festival of Yule?
The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives.
What is the point of Yule?
Christians celebrate the birth of Christ at this time of year, and Yule is connected to the joy at the birth of the Sun God, child of the Goddess. It is a celebration of rebirth. This is the turning point of the year, when the days gradually become longer and the darkness of winter is overcome.
What is the purpose of Yule?
After the solstice—the shortest day of the year—the days once again begin to grow longer, so it’s thought that Yule was a celebration of the re-appearance of the Sun and the fertile land’s rebirth. The celebration of Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world.
Why does Yule last so long?
The midwinter feast usually lasted 12 days. Vikings decorated evergreen trees with gifts such as food, carvings, and food for the tree spirits to encourage them to return in the spring. … They thought by keeping the Yule log burning for these 12 days encouraged the sun to move, making the days longer.