The Sabbatts: Yule
So we come around to another of the Sabbatts. This one happens to be one of the two whose names are easily recognized by most of the population, even if the details aren't known. (The other being Eostre.)
Yule is one of the lesser Sabbatts. This doesn't mean it isn't important in the Pagan calendar, it just means that it isn't one of the most important ones on our calendar. The subject of the difference between the lesser and greater Sabbatts is a whole other lengthy topic, which I won't delve into now. Maybe later. For the mean time, here is a general overview if you are interested. (Just remember that the link is there solely because the article gives a decent overview of the difference between greater and lesser Sabbatts. I am not at all familiar with this site, and as such it doesn't necessarily reflect my opinions. I merely link this particular page to save myself from getting off track.)
Yule is celebrated somewhere between December 20th and December 23rd. It coincides with the Winter Solstice which falls between those dates every year. This year it is on December 21st.
The primary focus of the Sabbatt tends to be on the God, as is the case with all of the lesser Sabbatts as they follow the cycle of the sun. It is a time of celebration, for it symbolizes that winter is half gone. Now the people are no longer walking into the tunnel, but walking out. Spring is coming and the optimism grows as it appears that survival of the winter is likely.
On this day it is not uncommon for people to wait through the long night for the coming sun, to watch it rise on a day that will be longer than the one just past. Beginning a cycle that will continue through to the Summer Solstice.
There are many traditions that have been associated with this Sabbatt. In some Goddess traditions it is said that the new Sun King is born, and will soon reign, warming the world and preparing it for the return of the Goddess.
Others hold to the tradition of the Oak King and the Holly King. On Yule the Oak King rises and battles the Holly King, ultimately defeating him. Some even re-enact this battle, though this is more common on the summer solstice when weather is more conducive for outdoor athleticism. The Oak King then takes the throne and presides over the growing season, until defeated on the summer solstice so the Holly King can preside over the harvest and the season of death.
Many Goddess traditions involve a vigil. Celebrating through the night, frequently with many candles lit in anticipation of the greater flame of the sun. They will wait for the sun to rise and hail the God on his return to power, welcoming him, and anticipating the inevitable following of the return of the Goddess, who will bring fertility with her.
Traditions of this season will be familiar. It is common for a tree to be cut down, and brought home to be decorated. Some decorate the trees where they grow. Frequently enough this has depended less on tradition and more on convenience. If a tree was close to the home that was suitable, cutting it down was hard work. If not, then it had to be brought back.
Wreaths and other greenery are used to decorate for this Sabbatt as well. These are used to symbolize the coming growth of spring that is now to be anticipated. Frequently evergreens are used. While it can be said that they can be symbolic of life year round, one also must consider that they would traditionally be the only greenery to be found during this season.
The Yule log is another tradition. A large log that can burn through the night, keeping warmth and light while the celebration continues late into the night as the reveling continues. (When I said vigil you weren't thinking of silent prayers were you? That's a very long night of contemplation. I suppose some might do it that way, but it is a night for a party after all, and the God and Goddess never told us to be bored while we awaited them.)
Gift giving in this season was also a traditional practice. Those with more would provide for those with less. Not altogether altruistically of course. It was a matter of survival, and it is considered good form for as many of the people in your area to survive the winter as possible.
The colors of this season are Green, Red, White, Gold and Silver. The plants are Evergreens. Pines, mistletoe, holly and ivy. Candles are common particularly in more modern times for symbolism during the vigil. (Be sure to keep a close eye on them, though. Burning your house down is not a tradition we want to keep alive.)
This is a time for feasting and celebration. This is a time to think of your fellow man. This is a time to help someone less fortunate to survive the winter. This is a time to try to be courteous. Wish someone a Happy Holiday (just in case, for some odd reason, they don't celebrate Yule), and remember that whatever your holiday, whatever your religion or lack thereof, it doesn't hurt to keep this a season of kindness and generosity. Enjoy the season, and enjoy your life, or something close to it.
Yule is one of the lesser Sabbatts. This doesn't mean it isn't important in the Pagan calendar, it just means that it isn't one of the most important ones on our calendar. The subject of the difference between the lesser and greater Sabbatts is a whole other lengthy topic, which I won't delve into now. Maybe later. For the mean time, here is a general overview if you are interested. (Just remember that the link is there solely because the article gives a decent overview of the difference between greater and lesser Sabbatts. I am not at all familiar with this site, and as such it doesn't necessarily reflect my opinions. I merely link this particular page to save myself from getting off track.)
Yule is celebrated somewhere between December 20th and December 23rd. It coincides with the Winter Solstice which falls between those dates every year. This year it is on December 21st.
The primary focus of the Sabbatt tends to be on the God, as is the case with all of the lesser Sabbatts as they follow the cycle of the sun. It is a time of celebration, for it symbolizes that winter is half gone. Now the people are no longer walking into the tunnel, but walking out. Spring is coming and the optimism grows as it appears that survival of the winter is likely.
On this day it is not uncommon for people to wait through the long night for the coming sun, to watch it rise on a day that will be longer than the one just past. Beginning a cycle that will continue through to the Summer Solstice.
There are many traditions that have been associated with this Sabbatt. In some Goddess traditions it is said that the new Sun King is born, and will soon reign, warming the world and preparing it for the return of the Goddess.
Others hold to the tradition of the Oak King and the Holly King. On Yule the Oak King rises and battles the Holly King, ultimately defeating him. Some even re-enact this battle, though this is more common on the summer solstice when weather is more conducive for outdoor athleticism. The Oak King then takes the throne and presides over the growing season, until defeated on the summer solstice so the Holly King can preside over the harvest and the season of death.
Many Goddess traditions involve a vigil. Celebrating through the night, frequently with many candles lit in anticipation of the greater flame of the sun. They will wait for the sun to rise and hail the God on his return to power, welcoming him, and anticipating the inevitable following of the return of the Goddess, who will bring fertility with her.
Traditions of this season will be familiar. It is common for a tree to be cut down, and brought home to be decorated. Some decorate the trees where they grow. Frequently enough this has depended less on tradition and more on convenience. If a tree was close to the home that was suitable, cutting it down was hard work. If not, then it had to be brought back.
Wreaths and other greenery are used to decorate for this Sabbatt as well. These are used to symbolize the coming growth of spring that is now to be anticipated. Frequently evergreens are used. While it can be said that they can be symbolic of life year round, one also must consider that they would traditionally be the only greenery to be found during this season.
The Yule log is another tradition. A large log that can burn through the night, keeping warmth and light while the celebration continues late into the night as the reveling continues. (When I said vigil you weren't thinking of silent prayers were you? That's a very long night of contemplation. I suppose some might do it that way, but it is a night for a party after all, and the God and Goddess never told us to be bored while we awaited them.)
Gift giving in this season was also a traditional practice. Those with more would provide for those with less. Not altogether altruistically of course. It was a matter of survival, and it is considered good form for as many of the people in your area to survive the winter as possible.
The colors of this season are Green, Red, White, Gold and Silver. The plants are Evergreens. Pines, mistletoe, holly and ivy. Candles are common particularly in more modern times for symbolism during the vigil. (Be sure to keep a close eye on them, though. Burning your house down is not a tradition we want to keep alive.)
This is a time for feasting and celebration. This is a time to think of your fellow man. This is a time to help someone less fortunate to survive the winter. This is a time to try to be courteous. Wish someone a Happy Holiday (just in case, for some odd reason, they don't celebrate Yule), and remember that whatever your holiday, whatever your religion or lack thereof, it doesn't hurt to keep this a season of kindness and generosity. Enjoy the season, and enjoy your life, or something close to it.
posted by Wanderer at 7:43 PM
4 Comments:
Not sure I like this new timestamping style either. It was written at 7:43pm yesterday and saved then, but it wasn't posted until midnight. Not that it matters much, I am just mildly annoyed by the fact that I have to keep paying closer attention because somebody keeps changing the rules.
The rules changed? How so?
Nice article. I like getting the history lessons over here. BTW, I heard something interesting about Stonehenge a while back - I'll try and find the link.
Did you get the picture link you wanted to working?
Specifically you used to be able to set the time yourself. I presumed when that went away that it would default to when you posted, since previously you were able to set the time to adjust from when you started writing to the time it was when you finished.
Also as mentioned earlier the font options and several other options seem to have relocated. As for the link, yeah, I got it working, thanks. You can see evidence by the little Elsie and Pooka link now on the sideboard. I have been too lazy to put the rest in yet.
Glad it's working. I found the link: http://survivingwithincivilization.blogspot.com/2005/11/imprisoning-sun-god.html - hope you find it interesting.
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