Yule is the second sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, marking the longest night of the year, or Winter Solstice, from sunset December 21 to sunrise December 22. Heathens, or Norse Pagans, celebrate Yule on the full moon after December 21. This sabbat celebrates the “birth” of the sun, as from this night forth the days become longer. The landscape can be bleak and barren-looking, dark. When you get up in the morning it’s dark and when you get home in the afternoon it’s dark. The weather is getting progressively colder, perhaps a blanket of snow covers the sleeping earth, or maybe just a heavy frost. Yule is a sabbat of hope, of new beginnings, of rebirth and renewal. Pagans give thanks for what we have, let go of what we don’t need, and look forward to the sunnier days ahead. We connect with nature, and connect and gather with family and friends. We have big meals, decorate with evergreens and lights (whether they be twinkle lights or candles) and exchange simple gifts.

History
Yule originated in the Germanic tribes (including Norse Pagans and Anglo-Saxons) of what is now Germany and Scandinavia thousands of years ago. It marked the Solstice and the days getting longer afterward. In Northern Europe prior to the 16th century winter was a time of scarcity and famine and many cultures slaughtered most of their livestock at this time so as not to have to feed them throughout the winter. This provided fresh meat, much needed nutrition, and a reason to celebrate. These feasts often lasted for days to weeks, which later would become a period of 12 days. In Celtic-based traditions it is believed that this is when a battle took place between the Oak King and the Holly King, and the Oak King won bringing with his victory the sun, warmth, and the fertility of spring to come. Yule’s origins are ancient and complex as it has incorporated stories and traditions from multiple cultures over the centuries.

Modern Traditions Explained

• The Yule Log – Initially the Yule Log was an entire tree trunk that was slowly fed into the hearth and burned for 12 days as a way of celebrating the coming of the sun. Over the centuries this has morphed into various forms. Some burn a large log in their hearth on the night of the Solstice and some burn candles that are set within a decorated log. There is also a cake version of the log, a roulade cake decorated to look like log called a Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log.
• The Yule Goat – Modern Yule Goats are made of straw and red ribbon and are popular as Christmas tree ornaments. Much larger versions are also made of bales of straw and are on display during the holiday season in towns across Sweden, also known as Gävle goat. One theory as to why goats are linked with Yule is the belief that it’s connected to the worship of the Norse God, Thor, who rode across the sky in a chariot pulled by goats. Other traditions mention how this time marks the zodiac sign Capricorn, or the goat. Later on, in the 19th century, the goat would transition into the role of “gift giver” in Scandinavia, then the creature who carried the older man who was gift giver, and this morphed into modern day Santa Claus.
• Evergreens/Lights – Pagans have been decorating their homes with evergreen boughs during the Winter Solstice for thousands of years. Early Romans celebrated Saturnalia at this time of year, a feast honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. To celebrate the coming of warmer weather and later a fruitful harvest, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs. Ancient Egyptians celebrated the strengthening of their sun god, Ra, at this time of year by decorating their homes with green palm rushes. Northern European Pagans decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs, holly, ivy, and mistletoe to remind them of everlasting life and the fertility of the earth, that warmer days with a wealth of new animals being born and crops to harvest were coming. Candles and fires were also lit to remind them of the sun. Could all of this have evolved over the centuries into the Christmas tree? It’s possible that Pagan evergreen boughs were the seed of inspiration that grew into the modern-day Christmas tree, which didn’t make its first appearance until the 16th century, but the truth is that we will never know for certain.
• Gift Exchange – The early Roman holiday of Saturnalia included gift giving as part of its festivities. People exchanged small gifts like candles that reminded them of the sun and its increasing strength or treats like fruits and nuts that reminded them of the bounty that was to come. As we all know, giving and getting gifts can be a lot of fun, so many other cultures have embraced this tradition over time. Modern Pagans exchange gifts during this time as well.

Correspondences

Yule correspondences, or things we associate with this sabbat, are seasonal things that we associate with that time of year. Food correspondences are roasted meats, root vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, citrus, gingerbread, fruitcake, buttered rum, hot chocolate, mulled wine, hot tea, and eggnog. Spices and herbs associated with Yule are cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and saffron. Colors are red and green of course, as well as blue, silver, white, purple, gold, and green. Crystals for Yule include moss agate, turquoise, amethyst, goldstone, onyx, tanzanite, and zircon. Corresponding trees and flowers are evergreens like cedar, fir, and pine, holly, amaryllis, poinsettia, lilies, and Christmas rose. There are many more correspondences depending on your focus such as animals, spell work, incense, teas, decorations, symbols, tools, etc.