What is Yuletide?

Not familiar with Yule? Well Yule or Yuletide is one of the oldest known winter festivals in the world! Celebrated by Germanic and Northern European pagans since approximately 336AD, the Christian Christmas subsumed it, while also taking heaps of inspiration from the merry festival. In fact, many practices you think of as Christmas traditions are actually cribbed directly from Yuletide itself.

via Creative Commons

Yuletide is experiencing something of a resurgence in recent years, as many people are finding renewed interest in the more ancient traditions European culture has to offer, ancient traditions which are more nature based. That’s another reason Yule is cool — it lasts for 12 whole days, starting at the winter solstice, which this year falls on the 21st of December. 

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Marking The Shortest Day

The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. It has been celebrated for millenia by cultures throughout the world. Although dark and grim, it has a deeply optimistic message — things can only get better from here. And it’s true, after the solstice the days do start to become longer and brighter, but it’s a slow process. That is why celebrating Yule is essential to keep those spirits up while we wait for the sun to return. Though we are not governed by the sun in the way ancient cultures were, it is still deeply important to our feelings of well being — as those who suffer from SAD can attest!

Winter Solstice via Flickr

How They Partied in Ancient Times

In ancient Yuletide festivities animals would be sacrificed, fires would be lit, and homes would be decorated with trees and branches to keep the forest spirits warm in cold months. It was a time for feasting and mirth, setting an example for the times of wintry scarcity ahead. A huge log would be dragged into the house, and if large enough, it would burn throughout the 12 days of Yule. You know those tasty chocolate Yule Log cakes? Yup, that’s based on a hunk, a hunk of burning Pagan wood. 

Photo by Nanna Moilanen on Unsplash

And, as this was a festival celebrated by the Nordic and Celtic peoples, many have surmised that psychedelic mushrooms may have had a place in the celebrations, it being the tail end of shroom season after all. Traditions of looking towards the light, positive hopes, and divining the coming year  would have been enhanced by the mystical powers of the psychedelic mushroom, taking revelers to a plane higher than could be managed on mead and meat alone. 

How You Can Celebrate Yule

So far so raucous. But how can you get cool for Yule? Whether you want to go small, middling, or all out we have some festive suggestions for you…

A Small Yule

Now, as we all know, size doesn’t matter. Maybe you’re not an extravagant decorator or host, but you want to bring the Yuletide warmth and light into your home, in ancient pagan style. There are a few simple ways you can do this:

Bring the outside in: mistletoe, holly, yew and ivy are all associated with Yuletide (and hence, of course, Christmas). Mistletoe represents love, fertility and good luck (which explains the kissing-beneath-it tradition.) Holly and Ivy protect against evil spirits (probably more likely called ‘negative vibes’ in this day and age), and yew is associated with life’s triumph over death and darkness. Gather some or all of these elements together and place them around your home. You can even fashion them into a Yuletide wreath (representing the wheel of the seasons) if you’re feeling extra creative. 

Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash

Keep that flame burning: light candles daily throughout the Yuletide season. Their flickering light will keep a feeling of warmth and hope throughout your home. 

A Middling Mid-Winter Yule

For a slightly higher octane Yule, as well as doing the above activities you can add these to your plans.

Make a Yule Log: a wooden one rather than an edible one! Though of course extra chocolate can’t hurt. Nowadays, modern pagans and Yuletide-observers bring a small log into their home, rather than one that takes up the whole room. And, instead of setting it on fire they place candles on it, as well as decorating it with leaves, berries, fake snow, or whatever they fancy. 

You can also put canles on a chocolate log! Photo by Kisoulou on Unsplash

Have a Log Side Gathering: Traditionally, communities would gather around the huge burning Yule Log, making sure it never went out. During this they would tell stories — legends, spooky tales, memories, and hopes for the future. Why not invite some friends round for a story-telling session around your decorated log? Put away those phones and give some time to reminiscing and dreaming together. 

Going All Out for a Super Cool Yule

If you are a go-big-or-go-home type, perhaps you want to host a full on Yuletide party. Follow the advice from above; symbolic plants, candles,Yule Logs, and storytelling. However, there’s more…

Yuletide Potluck: why not put on a traditional Yuletide style feast? Yule was a time for indulgence and enjoyment with the understanding there might be some tough months ahead. Make a spread of your favorite foods — the more seasonal the better — and ask guests to bring  a dish too. Raise a Yuletide toast to the meal before you dig in.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Sing Carols: yes, it’s a bit Christmassy, but many carols we see as traditionally associated with Christmas are actually based on ancient Yule tunes. In fact the word ‘carol’ means to ‘dance in a circle’. These songs were made for boogying! However, if Jingle Bells really isn’t your jam, just put on your favorite playlist and dance the night away. Singing and dancing helps bring the light into your home. 

Alternatively, How About A Psychedelic Yuletide? 

Wanna tap into alternative festive tradition? Well how about a Yuletide magic mushroom ritual?

via Pixnio
  • Make a cozy, Yule-themed space. (Yep we’re talking foliage again!)
  • Get some warm lights (fairy lights are probably best for when you are tripping, so you don’t have to worry about candles.) 
  • If you are alone, write down your wishes for the coming season. If you are with friends, share your hopes and dreams for the new year with them. 
  • Brew some magic mushroom or truffle tea. You’ll find the recipe here. 
  • As the effects start, let them wash over you.
  • Throughout your trip, if you need to center yourself, focus on the warmth and potential of the coming season — another year of wisdom. 
  • As you come down, think about what you saw, experienced, and felt. Perhaps you want to amend your list of intentions, or discuss it with your friends? 
  • Enjoy the afterglow of your trip — the sun’s return will be pretty slow, so make the best of inner warmth! 

However you celebrate — Have a cool Yule folks!