Good Afternoon,
It's a snowy day here in Southern New England but it's starting to look a lot like Yule outside! Yule is also known as the Winter Solstice and usually falls around December 20 or 21st. There are a few things about this holiday that we have come to appreciate whether we celebrate Christmas or Yule.
Evergreens and wreaths as well as evergreen trees are common this time of year, as these greens are luscious and abundant and are really the only visible living plants to be found in the snow. The ancients used evergreens to decorate their homes in the attempt to bring 'life' into the home during the winter months when everything else was 'dead'.
The colors red and green are attributed to the ancient Celts. There is also an alcoholic drink the ancients would consume, Wassail. Years ago groups of people would travel from house to house where their drinking mugs would be filled with Wassail and socialization would happen with the people in the home, before traveling to the next home. Somewhere along the way, Christmas carols began to be sung as the group of people arrived at each house. The atmosphere was ripe for partying and revelry.
Candles being placed in the windows was started by the Celts, to welcome wandering travelers on Christmas Eve. At one time in Ireland, after dinner was cleared from the table on Christmas Eve, a loaf of bread, drink and a candle was left on the table for anyone who happened to visit that evening.
Today, modern witches celebrate Yule with a ritual called a Sabbat, and a feast. This year at Enchantments we will also follow our feast with a greenery workshop where everyone will be able to make a greenery centerpiece and take it home with them.
If you wish to attend Enchantments Yule ritual and feast, please come to Enchantments by 10 am on Saturday December 21st and bring a dish to share at the potluck feast. Don't be late as we will start the ritual at 10 am and late comers may not be allowed into the circle.
It would be lovely to have you there!
Happy Yule!
Peace and Happiness
© 2010-2013 Faith M. McCann. Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. Please note that the copying and/or further distribution of this work without express written permission is prohibited.
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