Yule is the celebration of the Winter Solstice, the longest
night of the year. Occurring around December 21st, it is a time
to light candles and fires to help give fortitude to the returning sun.

Lucina
Lucina is the Sun goddess celebrated in Sweden. Young girls
represent Lucina by dressing up in white gowns wearing
evergreen wreaths with candles in them on their heads.
The lighted candles, eight in all, represent the equinoxes
and solstices and the high points in between. The young girls
give out cookies on the streets at dawn to celebrate Lucina's
gift of sharing food with those in need.
The symbols of Lucina include the yule tree, holly, and ivy.
The tree was her Tree of Life. The holly is a symbol
of rebirth and is used, along with ivy, for protection.

Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas of Myra was a third centry Anatolian Bishop.
In western Europe he became Santa Claus, reminiscent
of the god Odin, who was a wanderer and shaman. Odin
travelled the world, appearing mysteriously, working magic,
then vanishing.
Nicholas was also a miracle worker. He lifted his staff,
waved his hand, and harmony would be restored to its proper
balance. This archetype is the wanderer, the seeker of wisdom.
You can access the archetype by meditating on the image of
St. Nicholas. Focus on the energy of this archetype and allow
it to enter your being. Be a wonder worker and seeker of
magical wisdom.

Trees, Herbs, and Druids

The ancient Druids would pick mistletoe on the Solstice.
Ancient pagans would go into the forests during the full moon
of December or on the Solstice to give offerings to the evergreen,
symbol of immortality. This custom, they believed,
would ensure life through the harsh months of winter.

Holly
Powers: protection, luck, dream magic
Hung around the house for good luck at Yule

Mistletoe
Folk name: Golden Bough, Witches Broom
Powers: protection, love, health
Kiss your love beneath the mistletoe and you will stay in
love.

The Yule Log
According to custom, a huge limb is selected, brought inside, and
prepared for use. Carvings such as suns and other magical symbols
would be etched into it.
Light the Yule log on the evening before Yule. Ensure that it will
burn until morning. As you watch the fire, sip apple cider, a
traditional beverage on this night.

Norfolk Island Pine
The Norfolk Island pine grants protection against hunger and evil
if grown in the home.

Along with the pine tree, placing holly and mistletoe around
the house brings the essence of nature indoors during
the dark months. It refreshes the home's energies.

Incense
** Pine ** Juniper ** Cedar **
Burn during all winter rituals and also to purify the home.

A magical cleansing bath gets rid of the past six months' worries
and troubles. Mix pine, bay, and rosemary, tie them in cheesecloth.
Add them to the bath and soak.

December's gem: turquoise
December's moon: Cold Moon

Holiday Food

Apple
Apples are thought to be sacred food associated with many
ancient deities. Ancient peoples would hang apples on the
Yule tree to symbolize their hope for the continuing fertility
of the Earth.
Eating an apple on Yule night ensures good health for the
coming year. Any dishes containing apple are appropriate for this
season, including mulled apple cider.

Gingerbread
Gingerbread is the modern version of the ancient cakes
made from grain and honey, which were offered as
sacrifices to goddesses and gods at Yule. You can find several
gingerbread recipes on Annie's Christmas page.

Swedish Yule Bread
1/2 t. saffron
3 T. hot water
2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/4 C warm water
1/4 C sugar, plus 1/4 t.
1 C milk, scalded
1/3 C butter
1 t. salt
1 egg
4 C sifted flour
Combination of currants, candied fruits,
nuts, or raisins equaling 1 1/2 C
2 T. melted butter
***
Soak the saffron in the hot water for 1 1/2 hours. In a large bowl, dissolve the
yeast and 1/4 t. sugar in the warm water. Mix the milk, remaining sugar, butter, and salt;
cool. Add the egg, milk mixture, and saffron to the yeast; beat until smooth. Sprinkle
the dried fruit with two t. of the flour; mix until evenly coated. Mix the rest
of the flour with the yeast mixture. Fold in the dried fruits. Turn onto a well floured
surface; knead until smooth, about 12 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn once.
Let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Knead dough twice. Divide into 24 pieces;
form into small buns. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Cover; let rise
until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F;
bake for 10 minutes. Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter; bake an additional
5 minutes. Yield: 2 dozen.
Magical attributes: Generosity, goodwill, service, empathy.

Easy Yule Log Cake
1 package commercial cake mix, preferably chocolate
2 cans (24 oz.) pre-made frosting in dark brown color
Several tubes of cake decoration frosting in green, red, and white
Several toothpicks
***
Preheat over to 300 degrees F. Grease and line a jelly roll pan with
waxed paper. Mix the cake according to package instructions and
pan. Bake the cake until just underdone. If you can't tell by
looking, then use the knife test. When the knife emerges not quite
clean from the center of the cake, and when a light touch does
not bounce back easily, it needs to come out. Check the cake at
7 minutes, and then every 2 minutes after that. Do not overbake or
the dough will be dry and hard to work with. Remove the cake from
the oven and let it cool slightly. Remove the cake from the pan
by lifting out the waxed paper. With the dark frosting, coat the top
of the cake. Carefully lift one end of the cake and begin gently rolling
it up as if you were rolling up a map. When you are done, anchor
the cake with toothpicks and let it cook for about 5 more minutes.
Cool the cake for 30 minutes, then frost it with the dark brown
icing. Next, take the tubes of colored cake decorating frosting
and make holly and mistletoe over the top. You can also use
artificial greenery until it is time to eat the cake. To finish,
take a toothpick and etch lines into the frosting to resemble tree bark.

For more Yule lore, an excellent source is Edain McCoy's
The Sabbats: a New Approach to Living the Old Ways.

Sources
The Grandmother of Time
The Magic of Food
Magical Herbalism
The Magical Household
Llewellyn's 1998 Magical Almanac
Folkways
The Kitchen Witch's Cookbook
The Urban Pagan
A Victorian Grimoire

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