21st December. Also known to the druids as Alban Arthuan. This is the time of the Goddess of the cold, darkness, and the rebirth of the Divine Child, the reborn Sun God. A time for rebirth and the turning of the earth force tides.
Yule is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun God, at this time the days are the shortest while the nights are long, the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year. The birth of the Sun God is the return of warmth and strength, as days from here-on increase with light. The young solar Lord is occasionally the Oak King, from this point through the waxing part of the solar year.
During the cold and dark winter, the birth of the Sun God from the Mother Goddess holds vast importance that is encouraged by lighting fires, singing and pure merriment. Yule comes from pagan traditions in northern Europe and several of the aspects of this holy day have been mainstreamed into the modern versions of celebration.
The Yule Log is sometimes lit, candles or other forms of flame, to stimulate the fire and warmth of the sun. Often the trunk of the evergreen tree is kept from the previous year to be used as the Yule Log. Evergreens are used as decoration and representation of the ever presence of life in the Earth Goddess and in the Solar Lord. Evergreen trees are decorated with berries, nuts, cinnamon sticks, pine/fir cones and in tradition of ancient rites to insure the cycles of life and spirituality. Other decoration, such as favorite home made or store bought ornaments may be used. In a home or ritual these could include sprigs of mistletoe, holly, pomanders and wreaths of evergreen all holding symbolic meanings.
Songs of the season are sung to spur on the warming and merriment. Many of the popular songs of this time of year are thought of as only 'Christmas songs' hold many references to old pagan traditions and words, such as 'Deck the Halls', 'The Wassailing Song', 'Joy to the World' and 'O Tannebaum'. Of course, today creative Wiccans might take tune and write lyrics fitting pagan celebrations. There are also many songs less known in the general population that are also sung.
The Goddess is present, but is quiet at this time. She has given birth to the Sun God, then continues to rest, in some parts under a blanket of snow. She rests and returns at a later time to bloom with renewed life herself.
