It is a time to honor the complete cycle of nature. And, coming as it does at the end of a calendar year and the beginning of another, it is a time to re-evaluate, to shed what no longer serves us, and to create intentions for what we want to manifest in the New Year.
Winter Solstice, also know as Midwinter or Yule, is an ancient pagan festival that marks the shortest period of daylight of the year, and the longest night; when the sun's daily maximum elevation in the sky is at it's lowest. Winter Solstice is celebrated on December 20th or 21st.
Winter Solstice festivities traditionally commenced the morning after the longest night, acknowledging the 'rebirth of the sun' (which was personified into 'Newborn Son' in Christian mythology), with much joy! From this day forward, the day's became longer.
Bonfire's were lit, homes were decorated with evergreen boughs, apples and oranges were studded with cloves, holly and ivy and mistletoe (regarded as the 'seed' of the Divine) were hung everywhere....all insuring that the Nature Spirits would come join the celebrations! According to Celtic lore, a spring of holly was kept near the door all year long as an invitation for good fortune to visit the household.
The ceremonial Yule Log was considered the highlight of the Solstice festivities. In accordance with tradition, the log was harvested on the household's land, and once dragged into the house it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider, and set ablaze by a piece of last year's log.
The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days.
The Deities of Yule: Sun Gods, the Mother Goddess, and the Triple Goddess.
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