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"May the Yule log burn, may the Year wheel turn.
May darkness spurn, may the sun return..."

In the northern latitudes, midwinter's day has been an important time for celebration throughout the ages. On this shortest day of the year, the sun is at its lowest and weakest, a pivot point from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. This is the turning point of the year. in Celtic beliefs it is know as Alban Arthuan

The winter solstice, observed on December 21, was the shortest day of the year. The name 'Arthuan' is interesting in relation to Arthurian legend, as King Arthur was believed to have been born on the Winter Solstice in Castle Tintagel in Cornwall.

Alban Arthuan ("The Light of Arthur"), also was referred to as Yule, Saturnalia, or Christmas. This feast took place on December 21 and marked the longest, darkest night of the year. Alban Arthuan was a festival of peace and a celebration of waxing solar light. Many honored the forthcoming Sun child by burning a Birch or oaken Yule log, and honored the Goddess in her many Mother aspects. The Father God was also honored in various forms: as the Old Sky God, Father Time, and the Holly King.

The Yule log comes from ancient beliefs as well. Yule is derived from rol, a wheel that indicated the changing of the seasons. Celtic ceremonies would include large bonfires to welcome the return of the sun. Scandinavian cultures were the first to latch on to this idea, followed by England, and to a lesser degree Germany and France. Today the Yule log is typically provided by the household and not brought by visitors. Each member of the family makes a wish and the log is set on fire with a piece of last years Yule log. The log burns for twelve hours.

Holly

Used on doors and windows in ancient times to prevent demons from entering abodes, holly also had a connotation of hospitality to pagans, who put its leaves and branches around their homes in winter to invite the fairies to come in out of the cold. Ancient Romans honored the sun god Saturn with holly during the festival of Saturnalia.

The story of the Oak King and the Holly King can be traced back to the ancient Celts. Two yearly battles take place between the Oak King and the Holly King. These occur at Midsummer and Midwinter.

At Midwinter, the Oak King goes to battle with his twin, the Holly King, for the favor of the Goddess. He slays the Holly King, who goes to rest in Caer Arianrhod until they do battle again at Midsummer. When Midsummer arrives, the Holly King goes to battle with the Oak King, for the favor of the Goddess. He slays the Oak King, who goes to rest in Caer Arianrhod until they do battle again at Midsummer. This is an perpetual cycle. The Oak King and Holly King are mortal enemies at Midsummer and Midwinter, but they are two sides of a whole. Neither could exist without the other.

Let the Yule Log FLAMES burn high & bright !

* Forest Blessings Incense*

Items:

1 part flat cedar (dried)
1 part Juniper berries (dried)
1 part pine needles (dreid)
Parchment stars
"star" hole puncher
1 piece of Parchment paper.
"Yule" oil or other blessing or protection oil.
Toothpicks
Big wooden mixing bowl

Procedure;

Using a mortar and pestle, pound and release aromas of each herb, separately.
( this means do not over grind, just till you can smell the herb, your done)

Add all three pounded herbs to your bowl.
Next with a "Star" hole punch (these come in flowers, crosses, angels. use what YOU like)
Punch out "Parchment stars" out of your Parchment paper.
Next, Dip toothpick into "Yule" oil (or other oil thats special to you. It should be a protection or cleansing oil and preferably made by you.)
Dab a small drop of oil onto each "Parchment" star.
When done with all "Stars" add to bowl with other herbs.
Visualizing protection and cleansing in your home;
Chant;

"Cedar, Juniper and Pine,
Bring protection to me and mine.
Stars of paper, herbs and oil
Cleansing now as I toil.
By the Law of three,
So mote it be.."

Recipes by Barbara Morris 2002
from Witches Formulary Yule Edition 2002

* Altar Decorations *

Altar should be decorated with evergreen trees, Birch or Oak Yule log, holly, eight-spoked wheel, wreaths, Gold candles. Yellow flowers, Yarrow, Pin cones, Mistletoe, acorns, poinsettia, Pine boughs, Gold or Yellow candles.

* Herbs of Yule n Herbal Mini Spells *

Pine cones, Juniper berries, Bay leaves, Oranges, Cinnamon, Holly, Mistletoe, Birch branches, evergreens, Cranberries, Winter berries, Walnuts.

Angel Wings

Angel wings are winged shaped pods that are thin and light,
translucent petals of natural wonder.
Perfect for Angel magic, Faery magic and magic involving children.
Add 3 angel wings under a child’s pillow to end nightmares.
Add angel wings to a child Yule stocking,
and tell them to make a wish on each one for next year.
Use as an offering to St. Michael for thanks as your house guardian.
Use in an amulet for safe travel in the air.

Bay Leaves

Protection, money, purification, healing.
Write a wish on a "bay leaf" with "dragons blood ink"
for a powerful out come, burn in Yule fire.
Burn and scatter Bay leaves on the floor to purify area.
Wear nine Bay leaves in an amulet mixed with 3 Rosemary branches to ward off negativity.

Birch Cones

The Birch Tree AKA (Beth) belongs to the Celtic Tree month December 24th ~ January 20th
Birch is sacred to the Great Mother Goddess, representing new beginning, and the ridding ourselves of bad thoughts and influences.
Birch brings sensitivity, compassion, awareness, communication, and self- discipline to all that seek it honestly.
Toss Birch cones into a Yule fire and listen for the lesson of the first Moon of Beth.
Add a bowl of Birch cones on the Yule altar.

Mini Spells for Yule

Place nine Bay leaves & 5 Juniper berries underneath welcome mat along with 3 drops Solstice oil and all who cross will be blessed with luck for the entire Winter Solstice season.

Add 3 Bay leaves to your wallet and/or checkbook and rub in 3 drops Bay Berry oil it bring good finances.

Tie 3 Cinnamon Sticks & 9 Cedar tips with Green ribbon, keep next to register in business to attract customers.

Place three ''Angel Wings'', 3 Red Hawthorn berries, 9 Juniper berries & 3 drops Winter Magic oil, place in a green cloth. Bury under a Oak tree, spot in the garden (or a potted plant) to ensure an abundant crop next season; chanting;

''Great Oak king I ask of thee,
On wings of angels bring to me.
Fertility in my garden of love,
Lord & lady, stars above.''

When you return inside, place a pile of juniper berries into a fireproof vessel, add 3 Birch cones & 3 angels wings place 3 drops ''Solstice oil''onto a green candle rub into it & light it. Stare at the flame as you see your garden in full bloom, lush and green. Let the candle burn out by it's self (NEVER leave a candle burning unattended)

By Barbara Morris 2002
from Witches Formulary Yule Edition 2002

Cranberry Bread

2 cups flour (sifted)
1 cup sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Cut in 1/4 cup butter until mixture is crumbly.
Add 1 beaten egg, 1 tsp grated orange peel and 3/4 cup organge juice and mix until mixture is evenly moist.
Fold in 1 and 1/2 cups dried cranberries per loaf.
Spoon into a greased 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan bake at 350' for 1 hour and 10 mins or until toothpick in center comes out clean.
Cool out of pan on a wire rack. keep stored in aluminum foil, unless you eat it all before it cools.

Yule Traditions

Burn a Yule log or build a small fire in your cauldron.
Decorate altar with natural winter gatherings like pinecones, Winter berries, Holly, Mistletoe Oak leaves, acorns, Cedar tips and boughs, Pine branches etc. Red & green candles as well.
Keep a Gold candle lit to rejoice in the rebirth of the Sun God.
Burn winter incense, such as: Pine, Juniper berries, Cedar, Balsam Fir.
Feast with coven, family, and friends and remember to leave an offering for the Gods. Place a bowl of Balsam Fir needles on altar sprinkle with Juniper berries & Angel wings to honor.