We always imagine these people perhaps as rather primitive, but their knowledge and skill in erecting and aligning such structures as Stonehenge, I think, proves otherwise. It is hard to imagine, total darkness, these days, as we have lights in our home, and cars and streets, which we can substitute for daylight. For our ancestors, dependant on light for their very existance, in giving them a good harvest, and no real method, apart from fire torches, of lighting their way, this time was of course of great importance. The time of long dark nights is nearly over, there are a few days of stillness, then something shifts and the days slowly start to get longer again! A time to feast, dream of Spring, and plan for the future. The Holly King's reign over the Greenwood is over, as the Oak King defeats him once again and he can woo the Goddess. The tradition of gift-giving is thought to stem from the Roman festival of Saturnalia, and the word Yule, meaning Wheel in Norse was a time for feasting, story-telling and burning the Yule log! As light starts to return on the 25th, and Pagans feasted, it was easy to see why the Christian Church claimed and chose this day for their Christmas celebrations!
However, it may be a little lighter outside, but it is often the time when we get the worst weather, so do not expect to see any signs of spring, until Imbolc! But we can use this time of stillness to ponder over the last 6 months, and vow to cast off all bad habits, ways of thinking or doing that no longer serve us, as we plan for better and step into the light with our new hopes and dreams. Instead of dreading this time, why not look forward to it as a time to rest, dream, and re-charge our batteries ready for when the wheel turns once more?
Try bringing in some greenery, evergreens, such as holly, ivy, fir and juniper - to protect your home and remind us that life goes on, and also to protect the spirits of the trees, from the cold. Mistletoe, is important too - it was and is, sacred to the Druids, and a symbol of fertility - crush a berry, and you will see why!! Above all, celebrate this special time, eat, drink and be merry! Have a very blessed Yule.