Yule - a God Festival

Yule, or Winter Solstice, is classed as a god festival, as it is the time when the god is reborn. As we know, Christ was not born in December, but rather around October but his birth date was moved forward to cover this pagan festival, a time in which Mithras returns to the world, bringing the light with him. Balder, the Norse God, is also associated with this time of year, and is classed as a Holly God.

This is not to say that the Goddess is ignored - far from it but she does go into recuperation here, to reappear rejuvinated as the maiden at Imbolc.

The festivals at this time celebrated the return of the light, not because, as many patronising scholars believe, that they feared it would not return, but because they celebrated the increasing length of the day, moving out of the long dark nights.

Our ancestors burned the yule log as a form of protection and as a symbol of that light. This log was large, to last as long as possible. Stories were told, food was elaborate and drinking and dancing was a must. Life was short in these times and so much more precious as a result. They did not have our antibiotics, central heating, supermarkets for food whenever they needed it. In this we are very lucky and I find myself shaking my head at people who wish to harken back to 'the old days' - when food was scarce, women were objects and if you were of a different land/colour you were treated poorly.

I am thankful to have been born in these times. while I think too many people still ignore nature, I am thankful that we have advanced medically (although some of those advances have high side effects), academically and liberally.

As you will know, Yule is also the Winter Solstice. This year it is on the 21st of December but that is not always the case, as the position of the sun changes each year. It is always between the 20th and 22nd though.

Wherever you are, whomever you are with I hope you have a wonderful, warm and merry yule.

BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Storytelling and Creativity

The Winter Solstice is a time for storytelling. Now many people may think that this doesn't apply, as they don't have children. Well you don't need to have children or work with children to do this - you can write stories down. This can be purely for yourself, or as potential books. Storytelling does not have to be children's stories. This is a creative activity that keeps your synapses firing through the winter months. It is an age-old tradition and one that brings creativity into other aspects of your life.

You don't have to limit your storytelling. You can paint a scene, work it into a tapestry/crochet/weaving/stained glass etc.

This is the time of year for doing indoor activities and for tapping into your psyche. This can be carried over into ritual, used to learn more about a god/dess myth/hero legend.

If you are not very good at beginning this kind of activity there are storytelling cards out there. Alternatively, look at your pack of tarot cards and see if one of these has enough on it to get your creative juices flowing - in fact, looking at any kind of painting/picture or listening to music can help in this kind of activity.

Best wishes and BB.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Yule Approaches

As we approach the dark of the moon, it is a good time, given the time of year, to think about what we have lost, given up, cast aside, or is not currenty working out in our lives. We want to pave the way for a happy and warming Yule, and so doing this now is both beneficial and timely.

Yule is the time of year when we think of family, of feasting and of giving. It is time for gathering round the fire (if you're lucky enough to have one) and of telling stories and eating well.

In these hard times it is a good idea to thnk about money as well. Rather than buying your child those expensive toys/gifts, why not make something for them>? That goes for friends and relatives alike. You don't have to be able to knit/crochet or make jewellery, although all of these are wonderful ideas. All you need is to be able to bake. If your kids don't appreciate home baking them make up a pack of games for them. Cards that have ideas written on them - 'pretend you're lost in a forest - how would you find your way out?' and so on. It stimulated the imagination and can keep them amused for days.

Remember gifts thwt were homemade that you got as a child and enjoyed them - make them for your own children.

Adding the personal touch at Yule can be far more rewarding than spending a fortune. We will be baking most of our gifts this year as finances are very tight.

I wish you, one and all, great blessings this yuletide!


On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin