The word "yule" means "wheel" or "feast". Yule is a solar and light festival celebrated by fire. To those of the Pagan and Wiccan (known as Witches) it is one of eight solar sabbats (holidays). It is celebrated on the Winter Solstice, December 21 (or June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere). This is the time when the days become longer. An event which is usually represented by the Oak King (rebirth) overpowering the Holly King (death). Also represented by the Stag of Light and Stag of Darkness. (There are many other variations.)
This is a time to reflect on the past and look to the future.



Many of the traditions of the Christian Christmas are based off once which originated from Yule.

Yule Log
Burning of the Yule Log is the most beloved tradition. This is "a log decorated with fir needles, yew needles, birch brances, holly springs, and trailing vines of ivy", to be burned. Another version is a log with three holes drilled into it and red green or white candles placed into the holes. The log may be of most any wood, usually Oak or Pine, but never Elder. It is lit at dawn on Yule, while it burns it is time to reflect. The fire represents the Sun God being reborn from the Mother Goddess.
When the log has extinguished itself (or candles burned low) remenants are kept to provide protection throughout the coming year; also to be used to light the Yule log next year.

Yule Tree
It is usually made of an evergreen. These were brought into the home to provide a place for wood spirts to stay during the winter. Bells were placed in the tree to announce when spirits were present. Lights and other ornaments symbolize the Sun, Moon, and stars. A five-pointed star was placed atop the tree for the five elemets; Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and Spirit.
The modern tradition of giving gifts is sadi to come from places small gifts in the tree for the spirits.

Mistletoe and Holly
Mistletoe is also known as the Golden Bough and was regarded as being sacred by the Druids. It was seen as having magical qualities.
Kissing under the mistletoe- Frigga, goddess of love and beauty, had a son named Baldur. At his birth she went to all animals, plants and objects made of earth, air, water, and fire and made them promise to do her son no harm. Mistletoe was overlooked in hers rounds. Taking advantage of this fact a sly and evil spirit, Loki, made an arrow from mistletoe's wood. He then went to Baldur's blind brother, Hoder, and guiding his hand Loki hit Baldur in the heart. Balder's death brought Winter and Frigga's tears became mistletoe's white berries. It si said that later Baldur was brought back to life by the Gods. Frigga made mistletoe sacred and prclaimed it to bring love instead of death from then forward.

Holly is kept at the the front door as an encouragement of good fortune. Also it was to ward off or entrap evil spirits. Wreathes of Holly are places on front doors as a symbol of the cycle of life continuing



Wassailing is the tradition of placing cakes doused in cider in the limbs of the oldest apple trees. Then a toat to the health of the trees and thanks to them for producing their fruit.
Desserts and sweets are an important part of comsumption. Of them Danielle McKay says, "[sweets] are made and eaten to ensure that one will have 'sweetness' in the coming year."
Other foods include: Fruit, Nuts, Eggnog, Turkey, Mulled wine, and Caraway rolls








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