Yule anyone?

Question

Im newly Pagan and i love to learn about pagan traditions and holidays. I was christian until i was mature enough to think for myself and i saw my life connected with nature and The Goddess. And since yule is near i was wondering why do Pagans celebrate it? How do they? Is christmas and Yule the same thing? Thanks to anyone who answers me!
Blessed be!

also the date? Ive read different dates, such as the 21st and the 23rd?

Answer 1

Yule happens on whatever day the Winter Solstice is. The tradition says that this is when the Goddess gave birth to the God, and the life started over. It is also a time for the Yule tree, (the original christmas tree) Ornaments that were (are)put on the tree are handmade, and represent things you would like to harvest for yourself over the winter. (financial stability, getting rid of nightmares, whatever you want for yourself) There are also things hung like candy and decorated pine cones. The Yule tree is very personal to a coven, depending on what tradition you follow. There are many variations of this idea too.

Answer 2

Yule (or Winter Solstice) (Dec. 20, 21, 22, or 23 depending on the year)

"Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year's beginning or the end. This is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It's a time of renewal and hope."

I would say that Christmas and Yule share the same sentiments: a sense of renewal and hope. Hence, why the Roman Catholic church celebrates the birth of Jesus in December when historically speaking he was probably born sometime in March (using a modern calendar).

Answer 3

Here's a link I thought was interesting...

http://home.earthlink.net/~wodensharrow/yule.html

The Legend of The Yule Tree

Some say the modern day Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the branches so they could tell when a spirit was present. Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, was placed atop the tree.

Answer 4

Yule is a winter festival celebrated in Northern Europe since ancient times. In pre-Christian times, Germanic pagans celebrated Yule from late December to early January on a date determined by a lunar calendar. During the process of Christianization and the adoption of the Julian calendar, Yule was placed on December 25, in order to correspond with the Christian celebrations later known in English as Christmas.Thus, the terms "Yule" and "Christmas" are often used interchangeably,especially in Christmas carols.

In Denmark, Norway and Sweden the term jul is the common way to refer to the celebration, including among Christians. In these countries the highlight of the yule celebrations is the Yule Eve or Christmas Eve on December 24, which is when children get their yule or christmas presents by a character resembling Father Christmas called julemanden (Denmark), julenissen (Norway), or jultomten (Sweden).


Yule is an important festival for Germanic neopagans, Wiccans and various secular groups who observe the holiday at the winter solstice (December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere).

Best Witches

Answer 5

The Celtic pagan holidays each celebrate an aspect of the life cycle according to the corresponding season.

Yule is the celebration of the birth of light in the dark. We celebrate light and life in the face of darkness; we celebrate hope, togetherness, loving, caring, giving, family, and community.

It's pretty much the same thing as Christmas.

The technical date is the actual date of the Solstice, which may vary a little. However, since old pagans didn't have precise astronomical measurements, I give some leeway on the time. Usually I use the 21st.

Answer 6

Yule is most commonly celebrated by Pagans who trace their religious roots to the cultures of northern and western Europe. It is a celebration around the time of the Winter Solstice and is deeply tied to the cycles of the year. Christmas is a holiday that many people say derives many of its practices from older Yule practices....

If you look at http://www.witchvox.com you will probably find information on the holiday

Answer 7

Yule is the Winter Solstice. The date can shift back and forth a little each year depending on when the solstice actually occurs.

There are tons of info out there about Yule. Here's one:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos022.htm

Answer 8

Most celebrate it on the Solstice which is, this year, on the 22nd. Depending on the branch of paganism or heathenism gives you an idea of how to celebrate.

A Celtic pagan will celebrate differently than a heathen. Witchvox is probably a good starting point. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule
http://englishheathenism.homestead.com/bedescalendar.html

Answer 9

I am curious if you will allow me to ask this question. Did you have an experience with Jesus, or did you just believe that He existed? I was wondering what made you change your mind? Thank you for your patience, you may e-mail me if you like and let me know.

Answer 10

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/a/About_Yule.htm