Yule is the celebration and observance of the Winter
Solstice on December 21. It was originated by Celtic druids (priests) and is
still celebrated by Germanic and Norse cultures today. Monuments were erected
to honor this day.
The Winter Solstice is the day that has the least amount of
light in the year. In Celtic cultures, it is considered to be the halfway point
of the dark months and is the day the summer is born. From this day on, the
daylight increases in length. This day celebrate the hope of the return of
light, meaning the coming of warmth, food, and light.
The Yule Log is the most known aspect of this celebration.
The Druids lit a log to combat the winter’s darkness and keep evil spirits
away. In the early days, the log was lit when the Druids believed the sun stood
still and was reborn after 12 days on Yule, which is the “shortest” day of the
year. After this, Yule Fires were lit for a similar purpose and marked the
middle of winter.
Some sources say that the Celts believed that on December
21, the sun stood still for three days and on December 25, it would begin
moving again. The day was seen as a symbol of death and December 25 marked the
beginning of the return of sun.
Like any celebration, food is crucial. The Vikings had a
boar’s head with rosemary and laurel at the center of their feast. The Celts
would slaughter cattle for their feast. By this day, the wine and ale that was
created earlier in the year were completely fermented and ready to be consumed.
Holly was brought into the house and was seen as a protection
from evil. Mistletoe was also brought in for blessings and represented
fertility. Fires were burned and family and friends gathered. The day is a day
of rest as well as a celebration of the coming of summer and warmth.
In mythology, An Cailleach was associated with the Winter
and Winter Solstice. She is known as the Queen of Little Sun. It is said that
she once ruled the world and everything green was frozen under her power.
However, something caused her sadness and her tears caused a flood, which
thawed everything out. She grows old in the autumn and as winter passes, she
grows younger.