What's 'Yule'? Seriously, an outline would be great?

Question

I'm always interested in perspectives of people of other faiths. Any details and/or thoughts would be great.

tawaen, thanks for the links - I can google too - I was more interested in your thoughts. ; ))

Answer 1

In Wiccan practice, Yule is a holy day celebrating the winter solstice and the coming of longer days. Since the sun is associated with the male Divinity, Yule is also a celebration of His rebirth after His death at Samhain (Halloween). Yule is one of the sabbats (holidays linked to the solar calendar) of Wicca.

Here's a link to a whole bunch of Pagan articles about Yule:

http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=holidays

EDITED TO ADD: Since you're asking for personal experience, this is what our group did at our Yule ritual this past weekend:

-- acknowledged the longest night of the year and celebrated the return of longer days, and of the Sun King who is reborn of the body of the Goddess

-- raised energy for growth and inspiration and used that energy to "charge" some mead, sweet cakes, and homemade jellies (the jellies to be taken home and eaten in the future, taking that energy into ourselves anew each time)

-- spoke about our hopes and dreams for the coming year, ending with the prayer: "May the Sun King bless me!"

Hope that helps. :-)

Answer 2

"Yule" was the pagan celebration of New Year, I think - associated with the tribes of northern Europe, now Germany, etc. The cutting of a selected tree, and its burning for a period of days (some moon cycle?) symbolized a sacrifice to the regeneration of life in the coming Spring. Hence the Yule Log. The festival, along with the Roman Saturnalia, became associated with the Christian Christmas through the colonizing principle by which the "new" religion was sold by absorbing existing myths (the so-called Celtic Cross, combining the crucifix and the older pagan circle sun symbol is another example of similar spin-doctoring, as are many of the Christian myths including virgin birth). Ho Ho Ho!

Answer 3

Yule is the Pagan holiday (called the Yule Sabbat in Wicca) that celebrates the Winter Solstice (the longest night of the year). In Wicca, it is the day we celebrate the rebirth of the Sun God. There are many different myths about this Sabbat. Some traditions are the burning of the Yule log, decorating a Yule tree, burning a Solstice candle all night, feasting, singing, and giving presents. For more info you might want to check out www.witchvox.com

Answer 4

Yule/Winter Solstice is a pagan holiday that celebrates the lengthening of days. The Goddess gives birth to the God (the sun) and then retreats to rest after the ordeal of birth.

Answer 5

'yule' simply means winter in the old norse languages.

the sabbat of yule is the rebirth of brother sun after his death at samhain [halloween], and represents the renewal of light and life, and the promise of a new spring and renewed abundance.

in some traditions, yule is the sabbat at which the holly king, representing maturity and wisdom, yields to the oak king, representing youth and vigor. in our fellowship, 2 men reenact a sword battle for the entertainment of all, but the outcome is always the same, then at midsummer, the holly king gets his chance to kick some @$$.

Answer 6

It is the Norse winter solstice festival just as Saturnalia was the Roman festival. Both predate Christianity but various traditions associated with both have been incorporated into our Christmas festivities.

Interestingly, for people who winter at the various Antarctic bases, the biggest party/celebration of the year is Midwinter which is held on the June solstice - again a solstice festival.

Answer 7

Yule is the time of year when we stop and catch our breaths, when we take time to appreciate demonstratively that which we have in our life, when we feel hope renew itself, and look at life a little less cynically.

Whatever one's beliefs, this time of year is important, because *we* are important....we just set aside certain times to recognize that fact.

Answer 8

http://www.ucc.ie/fecc/yule.html
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticeArticle.html
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/pholidays/SolsticePlanningGuide.html

Here's a few links.

Edit: Lol, I'm so used to people asking for things like that, I just google for them out of habit. :-P

Anyway, you got some other great answers here, and I don't really have anything more to add to what they've said.