Historic Yule Yule is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Holly King is Lord of the Waning Year, from midsummer to midwinter. The reign of the Holly King culminates in the festivities of Yuletide, before he is slain by his brother the Oak King. (See Historic Midsummer). The evergreen holly and its bright red berries, when seen against the barren oaks of winter, came to symbolize the life that continues and sustains itself during the bitterest time of the year. It was the Dies Natalis Solis Invictus -- Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The Gods Attis, Dionysus, Osiris, Baal and Mithras were all said to have been born on the winter solstice. Each of these gods was known to his people as "Light of the World", "Sun of Righteousness" and "Savior". In the far North, the god Frey and the god Thor were said to have been born on this day, the nadir of the sun, or Yule Much of what Christians do to celebrate Christmas today has pagan origins. Greenery would be brought indoors as a sign of life even in the darkest of days, Holly and Mistletoe would be hung to honor the Holly king and to ensure another prosperous year. Placing a holly wreath on your door symbolises the circle of life itself. The tree would be decorated with amulets and talismans, made to ensure good fortune and a happy time ahead. Candles and the Yule log would be lit to encourage the Sun's return. Eager celebrants would gather throughout the longest night, keeping watch as the Mother labored and brought forth the new-born Sun king. (It was not difficult for the early Christians to convince their pagan converts that Christ was the same new-born that they had always celebrated at this time of year). The Christmas colours of gold and red are the colours of the Sun, and green the colour of the Earth. Though Santa and his reindeer are a fairly recent addition to the festivities, they, too, have their roots in Pagan tradition. It is very possible that before the American advertising agencies got hold of Santa and gave him the appearance with which we are familiar today, he was based on the popular view of the God Thor. Yule Activities Just as you do for the other seasonal celebrations, try to spend part of the Yule celebration at your favorite wooded area or park. Dress the family warmly, take a thermos of cocoa or chili and send time walking through the trees and observing winter life. If you live near a Christmas tree farm, or other location where you can cut your own tree, take advantage of the opportunity to find the "perfect" tree. Remember to ask permission of the tree spirit before cutting it and thank it for sharing it's life with your family. Use extra branches to form wreaths. Decorate your tree with Sun signs, hearts, apples, holly berries, dried orange slices, goats, deer and other natural ornaments. See the Gingerbread Fun pages for ideas on making real and pretend gingerbread ornaments. On our tree we use all these symbols as well as discarded bird's nests with tiny clay eggs. (Put the empty nest in a pie tin and bake for 1 hr at 250 degrees to kill any lice or other vermin that may be inhabiting the nest before allowing your children to touch it.) If you can't find abandoned nests, your child can make small nests by forming golf-ball sized balls of raffia, wood wool or Spanish moss. Make an indentation on one side of the ball for the nest opening. Set the "nest" in a muffin tin and drizzle white glue over the top and sides. Allow the glue to dry for a couple of days and use a spoon to carefully remove the nest from the muffin tin. Add tiny play clay eggs. You may wish to glue the finished nest to a wooden spring clothespin to make decorating with it easier. Decorate a tree for the birds or other wild animals who live near your home. (Be sure that while you are feeding the birds, you are not inviting the local dog or cat to feast on the birds. The decorations should be high up and in a fenced area if possible.) String plain popcorn (this is easier if the popcorn is a little stale) or plain oat cereal to form garlands. Cut slices of bread with a cookie cutter and spread with peanut butter and sprinkle with birdseed. Add apple slices, cranberries and suet balls (mix birdseed into bacon drippings and form into a balls which you tie up in pieces of the mesh bags that onions or oranges come in.) All these are lovely, messy activities, with which your smallest children will be able to help.

To Yule Fun To Grandma's Cauldron