🕯🍎The Twelve Nights of Yule🍊🕯 (Patreon)

Merry Yule! 🎄Here are two great articles that go into the details about the 12 Days of Yule! How are you celebrating?

Today marks the Winter Solstice. It is the first day of Yule and it begins the 12 day celebration that honors the Triple Goddess and the rebirth of the God in the form of the Sun.

In the days of old, calendars were based on a variety of sources. Some were lunar or astrological. Some were remarkably accurate, others may have been off by a day or more. Some may have been based on calculations that were learned through years of observations, or passed down through generations. And then there were those that tracked the sun through early temple or monument structures.

The Newgrange burial mound in Ireland’s County Meath is surrounded by megalithic stones set in what archaeologists believe to be astronomical position to the Winter Solstice. The Stone Age monument dates to around 3200 B.C., making it 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and a thousand years older than England’s Stonehenge. Which are also related to tracking the movement of the sun.

Today, Yule is still an important holiday to Pagans. In the most direct terms it is still a festival that honors the cycle of nature and the Wheel of the Year. It is not just about the rebirth of the God figure in pagan lore. Yule is a 12 day holiday, it begins on “Mothers Night” (December 21st) and ends 12 days later on “Yule Night” (January 1st). And yes, it’s the origin for the Christian “12 Days of Christmas”.

Over the evolution of paganism, these legends have developed into various rituals and observations within the pagan community. One of the more detailed or organized observations is closely related to the Celtic legend of Lugh, Eriu and the 12 Days of Yule.

These festival celebrations are observed from sunset to sunset. In addition to honoring the Divine aspects of the Universe, this is also a time to go within and align one’s soul to the Divine and review their spiritual mission and lessons. It’s not simply a time for reverent honor of the Divine, but for putting the gifts the Divine brings into practical manifestation in your life.

Dec. 20 to Dec. 23. During the 1st 3 days:

The virgin Maiden Goddess is honored as your guide for moving forward into the new year, to set you on the right and positive path. For many this is a time to align with the Maiden Goddess and go within to discern where your soul “needs”you to be vs. where your physical brain/heart “wants” you to be.

Dec. 23 to Dec. 26. The 2nd set of 3 days:

The Mother Goddess is honored for fertility and all your coming endeavors. Again this is a reverent celebration that looks to align your soul with the greater Divine Creation of the Mother Goddess. To focus on what you “need” to create in your life to carry your soul forward on its spiritual mission.

Dec. 26 to Dec 29. The 3rd set of 3 days:

These 3 days are set aside for the rebirth of the God, and honoring his guidance through the physical world. For many this is making plans and putting the spiritual knowledge learned from Maiden and Mother Goddess into practical steps. To physically create the spiritual insight that was attained.

Dec. 29 to Jan. 1. – The Final set of 3 days:

The last 3 days are set aside for the Old Crone Goddess who is honored for wisdom and as your teacher into the cosmic lessons of life and spirit. In modern times, under the solar calendar, she might also be honored as the waning year giving way to the new year. Here many people align with the wise Old Crone to review their spiritual lessons and karmic mission. What have they cleared and what have they gained. What holds them back and how do they embrace the wisdom of the Divine and move forward into the coming year.

Many enjoy gathering in a circle for a reverent service honoring the Divine aspect or a particular deity of their choice. After the gathering a feast is prepared and shared, ensuring a plate and drink are offered to the God/Goddess or however they view the Divine. After the feast, a celebration of dance and song occur, typically around a bonfire. Of course these are general celebrations and they can be conducted in a variety of ways. But the Solstice / Yule celebrations are still practiced by pagans around the world.

Whatever your celebration tradition, we wish you wondrous blessings, joy and happiness with your family and friends. May the peace of the season restore your faith and compassion all the year through.

Here’s another look for what each individual day means for Yule. For many of us, this word is most associated with the Winter Solstice on December 21. Many folks will stay up through the longest night to welcome the return of the Sun. Did you know that in various older European traditions, Yule was (and is!) celebrated for 12 nights? That's right! From December 21 to January 1, many of our ancestors honored this season. We've spent too long celebrating a Christianized and truncated version of winter. In this post, I'm going to share with you some traditions, and some ideas for creating your own "12 Days of Yule".

In Asatru and Norse Heathenry, the 12 Days begins on the evening of December 21st.

December 21: This is known as Mother's Night. It is sacred to Frigg, Freya, and the Desir. Celebrations center around the females of the family, particularly mothers, and the virtue of Industriousness.

December 22: The Wild Hunt- sacred to Odin and Ullr. This night focuses on hearth and home, and staying indoors to avoid the wild hunt. This was the night when Odin would ride and gather up lost souls. This celebrates the virtue of Perseverance.

December 23: The High Feast of Yule, and the beginning of the runic year. Sacred to Thor and Freyr. Burning a Yule log, and jumping the flames for good luck in the new year, rekindling friendships, taking oaths, and setting goals are all done on this night. This celebrates the virtue of Courage.

December 24: The Fourth Night of Yule. Sacred to Aegir, Niord, and Freya. This is the day to remind one's self of the importance of friendship, and strengthen the bonds of kinship. Feasting is a big part of this day, and it celebrates the virtue of Community.

December 25: The Fifth Night of Yule. Sacred to Community. This is the day to celebrate and remember the virtue of Hospitality. It is prevalent in nearly every ancient culture.

December 26: The Sixth Night of Yule. Sacred to Eir and Healing. This is the day to honor the health of yourself and your loved ones. This celebrates the virtue of Discipline. Self-discipline, in particular.

December 27: The Seventh Night of Yule. Sacred to Thor. This is the day to remember our impact on our community. Sif is also honored on this day, as both Thor and Sif are protectors of children. This celebrates the virtue of Fidelity.

December 28: The Eighth Night of Yule: Sacred to Scathi and Ullr. This is the day to honor the hunters, and the virtue of Truth.

December 29: The Ninth Night of Yule: Sacred to Odin. Celebrates the virtue of Honor.

December 30: The Tenth Night of Yule: Sacred to Sunna and ancestors. Celebrates Justice. Offerings to Slepnir (Hay) and Alfar (apples) are done on this night.

December 31: The Eleventh Night of Yule: Sacred to the Valkyries. On this day, the virtue of Self-reliance is honored.

January 1: The Twelfth Night of Yule: Sacred to all the Gods and Goddesses. This is the culmination of the 12 nights, and is spent feasting (pork is the main dish), swearing oaths on Thor's hammer, acknowledging the passing year, and and the new one. Oaths and words spoken are said to carry heavy weight on this night. Time to make goals. Wisdom is celebrated.

Sources:

http://www.wildlywitch.com/2019/12/thursdays-child-twelve-days-of-yule.html?m=1

https://www.google.com/amp/s/springwolf.net/2014/12/21/the-12-days-of-yule/amp/