Christmas & Yule (differences)

[Luminara]

I am a new Pagan, would someone please explain to me the difference between Yule and X-Mas.

Where did Yule come from?
When did it originate?
Offer some links where I can find some info.

Thanks so much,
~Meg

[mucgwyrt]

I am a new People, would someone please explain to me the difference between Yule and X-Mas.

Where did Yule come from?
When did it originate?
Offer some links where I can find some info.

Thanks so much,
~Meg
"Yule" comes from the name "Giuli" which was the anglo-saxon name for the winter solstice, and the 2 months on either side of it :)
I can't recall any reliable links off the top of my head I'm afraid - they all tend to be a bit fluffy.

Not much is known about what the anglo-saxons did for Giuli really. It will have began on what we consider to be the night before the solstice, and continued through to the following sunset. At sunset on the solstice a new day bagan called Modranecht (mothers-night), on which homage was paid to the female ancestors, your female relations and any protective female spirits :)

Christmas is the religous holiday a few days later, placed as such to aid conversion - the church's idea was to place a xian holiday next to the pagan ones so that the pagan britons would be more easily pursuaded to celebrate the xian one rather than the pagan. Where the church deemed it was "christ being born" at xmas, it was infact the pagansun being born at the solstice. (of course that's open to interpretation though, because the church never actually wrote down that's what they were doing, but I think its pretty self-evident imo.)

[SacredWithin]

Christmas is the religous holiday a few days later, placed as such to aid conversion - the church's idea was to place a xian holiday next to the People ones so that the People britons would be more easily pursuaded to celebrate the xian one rather than the People. Where the church deemed it was "christ being born" at xmas, it was infact the People sun being born at the solstice. (of course that's open to interpretation though, because the church never actually wrote down that's what they were doing, but I think its pretty self-evident imo.)

Macha, are you the one that said you have trouble typing the word "Pagan" at work because it is changed to "People"? :lol:

There are so many similarities between the two that I never really saw the differences. The whole Slain God concept is very similar to the role Jesus played. Even the virgin birth. Some may say the stories of Christianity are original, but so many religions that came before it have very similar myths.

[mucgwyrt]

Macha, are you the one that said you have trouble typing the word "People" at work because it is changed to "People"? :lol:

There are so many similarities between the two that I never really saw the differences. The whole Slain God concept is very similar to the role Jesus played. Even the virgin birth. Some may say the stories of Christianity are original, but so many religions that came before it have very similar myths.

:huh: :lol:

edit: FIXED! :spinner:

[Gede]

MM~
The Nordic origins of the word 'Yule' lie in its meaning as wheel and therefore the significance of the Winter Solstice as the conception of its movement and the catalystic momentum that spins it on. The entire of Europe experienced very similar festivities during this time of year and for that reason the Catholic Church saw fit to adapt the date of Christ's birth to coincide with the popularity of the winter season. In Italy they had their Saturnalia which was a celebration of misrule and mirth. Schools and business would be closed and masters would serve their servants and gifts would be exchanged. Those in the Roman military were also inclined to celebrate the birth of the Asiatic God Mithra on the 25th of December, in fact a comparison of the traditional myths associated with Mithra and Jesus it can be seen that they are scarily similar. Yule was a time of joining together and sharing the warmth of the hearth-fire. Wassailing, Yule Logs and the Yule Tree all have their origins in Pagan customs. Here's an excellent article on the Pagan origins of Christmas:

http://www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html?newsid=2654&lang=US

NeoPagans celebrate Yule as the birth of the Sun Child and as the astronomical point from which light increases, ever slightly, each day. It is also a celebration of the Goddess and taking her in to be warmed by the fire after her exerting experience of having the Child.

Namaste, Gede...

[mucgwyrt]

'Yule' lie in its meaning as wheel

Whilst entirely possible, there's no concrete evidence that that's its meaning. The meaning behind "Giuli" (the original word "Yule" was adapted from) was long lost by even 1000ad, so the thought that it means 'wheel' is purely supposition and guesstimation.

[SacredWithin]

MM~
The Nordic origins of the word 'Yule' lie in its meaning as wheel and therefore the significance of the Winter Solstice as the conception of its movement and the catalystic momentum that spins it on. The entire of Europe experienced very similar festivities during this time of year and for that reason the Catholic Church saw fit to adapt the date of Christ's birth to coincide with the popularity of the winter season. In Italy they had their Saturnalia which was a celebration of misrule and mirth. Schools and business would be closed and masters would serve their servants and gifts would be exchanged. Those in the Roman military were also inclined to celebrate the birth of the Asiatic God Mithra on the 25th of December, in fact a comparison of the traditional myths associated with Mithra and Jesus it can be seen that they are scarily similar. Yule was a time of joining together and sharing the warmth of the hearth-fire. Wassailing, Yule Logs and the Yule Tree all have their origins in Pagan customs. Here's an excellent article on the Pagan origins of Christmas:

http://www.hellenicnews.com/readnews.html?newsid=2654&lang=US

NeoPagans celebrate Yule as the birth of the Sun Child and as the astronomical point from which light increases, ever slightly, each day. It is also a celebration of the Goddess and taking her in to be warmed by the fire after her exerting experience of having the Child.

Namaste, Gede...

Yeah, I've heard of Mithra before as well.

[~Elise~]

Yule does coincide closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. That's
because the early Church sught to win the allegiance of the people by
placing its festivals at or around the time of existing Pagan festivals. The
Roman celebration of the birth of the Sun God Mithras was also observed on
Dec. 25.
This Sabbat represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of
the year, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and hope for new light is
reborn.

Yule is a time of reawakening to new goals and leaving old regrets behind.
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has it 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 on the limbs so you 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, symbol of the five elements, was placed
atop the tree.

The colors of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the
custom of exchanging gifts. A solar festival, Yule, is celebraated by fire
and the use of Yule log. A piece of the log is saved and kept throughout the
year to protect the home. That piece is used to light the next year's log.


Also Google the name, Mike Nichols...he has a WONDERFUL series of articles on all the Sabbats.

Hope this helps,

Elise

[mucgwyrt]

People 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 on the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present.
Thats not something I've ever heard before - I'd be interested in reading your source? :)

[DamienDeville]

Check this out its a good article about Yule and Xmass
http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html#open
and another
http://www.candlegrove.com/sacaea.html

[~Elise~]

You know--I wrote this about 6 to 7 years ago. I don't remember where I got that from...Sorry. It's the beginning of a 6 page article...I had it out already because I'm giving a talk on Yule this weekend.

Elise

[mucgwyrt]

Check this out its a good article about Yule and Xmass
http://www.candlegrove.com/solstice.html#open
and another
http://www.candlegrove.com/sacaea.html
This one's quite good, too :)
http://www.candlegrove.com/yule.html

Thanks Damien!

[DamienDeville]

This one's quite good, too :)
http://www.candlegrove.com/yule.html

Thanks Damien!
~yw Macha~and ty for that links it seemed to slip my eye.

[Luminara]

Thanks so much for the links and info. I just needed something to reassure my rents that my new spiritual path is not wrong and needed info to back it up.. Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

~Meg

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

There is no evidence that Christmas trees were ever brought indoors before the 16th century. Evergreen branches (in Greece and Italy they used laurel branches) were brought in and hung above the door for protection from evil spirits, as were holly and mistletoe. But not the tree. Here's a website with the history of the Christmas tree: http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html

[mucgwyrt]

There is no evidence that Christmas trees were ever brought indoors before the 16th century. Evergreen branches (in Greece and Italy they used laurel branches) were brought in and hung above the door for protection from evil spirits, as were holly and mistletoe. But not the tree. Here's a website with the history of the Christmas tree: http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html
That's what I thought, but I couldn't find anything on it. Go Morag :woot:

[Rick]

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. Where I come from, we brought a live tree into the home so the squirrels had a place to live & we had a handy source for the main ingredient in squirrel stew.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

:T I love it Rick.

[mucgwyrt]

:T I love it Rick.
You know, it's scary that I cant tell if he's serious or not :T

[Sersee]

wow those r some good links! this is a great thread! i also have a question...how do you guys each celebrate Yule?

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Yule isn't part of my tradition (Celtic - Scottish Recon - there isn't any evidence they celebrated the solstices or equinoxes), so while I recognize and acknowledge the solstice, I don't really do anything special for it.

[mucgwyrt]

:uhhuhuh: whereas morag doesn't celebrate yule, I (anglo-saxon recon) skipped samhain, because it's not a part of my path.

Well last year was my first ever ritual, and I just lit a candle to welcome to sun back into the world.

This year I'll have been a witch a whole year (it's my witchday :D ). As a congrabulations present for myself I've got Romani Vixen to make a pendant relevant to my path, and will be blessing it and wearing it for the first time! I'll also meditate and probably scry to see what messages I should know in preperation for the coming year, maybe draw a rune or two. Plus I'd do any spells I want to do for the coming year :) The sunset on Giuli/Yule is another festival called Modranecht, so I shall be baring in mind my female ancestors and protective spirits, too. Oh, and I'll probably light a runified welcoming candle and thank Ing for his returning sunshine :smile: I can see that one becoming a tradition!

So it's alot, for one night - more than I'd ever usually do in one night, but it's my favourite festival, so :whatgives :T

[DamienDeville]

Thanks Morag and Macha for the links and info.I knew those things but,just thought the article was a good one.
As for how do I celebrate Yule Sersee,well I celebrate Xmass on Dec 24-25th with family and friends.Just without all the xtian trappings.

[OMmomma]

—by DM Gould
Related deities: Father Winter, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, St. Nick, King of Holly, King of Oak, Sun of Righteousness, Sun King, Horus, King of the Waxing Year, Robin Redbreast

.On this darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and once again gives birth. Thus, from the longest, darkest night of the winter, there springs the new spark of hope.

Ancient Egyptians

Ancient Egyptians celebrated this festival over 4000 years ago with a 12-day party (now known as the “Twelve Days of Christmas” to celebrate the re-birth of Horus — the son of Isis and Osiris — whose earthly disguise took the form of the Sun.

The ritual of the nativity, and the Sun/Son born to a virgin, predates Christianity as well. In Egypt, the celebrants retired into certain inner shrines. Isis circled the shrine of Osiris seven times, to represent her mourning for him and her wanderings in search of the scattered parts of his body.

For the festival, people decorated the outside of their houses with oil-lamps that burned all night. At midnight, the priests emerged from an inner shrine crying, "The Virgin has brought forth! The light is waxing!" and showed the image of a baby to the worshippers. Lamp burning all night at Midwinter is still customary in Ireland and elsewhere, as the single candle burning in the window at Christmas Eve, lit by the youngest in the house.

The Babylonians worshipped the newborn Sun with a celebration called Zagmuk. The Persians and Greeks called it Sacaæ.

Romans

The Romans called it Saturnalia. The Winter Solstice takes place when the Sun enters the Sign of Capricorn, and Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, was also supposed to be the ruler of the far off Golden age of the past when the world was happy and fruitful.

At this time of the year, the Romans decked their houses with boughs of evergreen trees and bushes. People gave each other presents, and all normal business was suspended and social distinctions were forgotten.

In the Julian calendar, 25 December was designated as the Winter Solstice, and it was regarded as the Nativity of the Sun, because the day begins to lengthen and the power of the Sun to increase from that turning-point of the year.

Germanic Peoples

To the Germanic people, Yule was the most important holiday of the year, and is akin to the Celtic celebration of Samhain.

It was believed that this is the time when the deities are closest to Midgard (the middle world where humans live). The Germanic gods are referred to as the "Yule Beings," and Odin himself is titled, "Jolnir," or "Yule-One." This was the time when their dead are free to pay visits and when magic beings such as Elves and trolls are thought to run free. These spirits and beings have to either be welcomed into the home or warded against as the householders see fit. If they are welcomed, they will be ritually driven from the house at the end of Yuletide to enforce the return of normalcy in the world.

Yule was also the time of year when the Wild Hunt of Wodan rides most fiercely and it is the border between years when the fates of men are set.

The Yule Tree (now called the Christmas tree) is a Germanic custom that spread into most of Europe well before Christianity. A pine or fir tree would be decorated with candles and tokens. (Thus, the modern practice of decorating and hanging lights on the tree).

Presents where sometimes left under the trees to be anonymously received buy those indicated. Originally, these trees where left outside, but after the spread of Christianity began many moved their trees indoors to avoid notice. A candle lit and ribboned wreath was sometimes used as a smaller reminder of the season.

Another Germanic tradition was that of the Yule-oath. A hallowed bear, which was considered the emblem of Freya and Frey, was brought forth into the hall and oaths where sworn upon it. The oaths sworn on the bear were considered even stronger in binding than those sworn at other times of the year due to the proximity of the deities. Particularly binding oaths would also be sworn on a horn or cup while drinking at the Yule feast.

Anglo Saxons

According to the Anglo-Saxon chronicler Bede, the first night of Yule was entitled "Mothernights" and dedicated to Frigga and the disir (fore-mothers) in preparation for the return of the god.

Caroling was popular and the carolers expected rewards, usually in the form of alcohol, from the houses they visited. The most traditional solid forming was wild boar (the hunting of which was often a ritual in itself, similar to the Germanic practice) and the most popular of liquids mulled wines and the wassail cup, whose name comes from an Anglo-Saxon term meaning "Be whole or hale."

To the Saxon, the Yule log was the outdoor bonfire of Midwinter Eve. There originated the custom of saving a piece of the Yule log, 'for luck' to kindle the next year's blaze. In later years, when the Yule log became representative of the Midwinter bonfire, carvings were placed on it to bring protection and luck to the house and every family member is allowed to make a wish upon it. The log was then placed on the hearth where it was left to burn for no less than twelve hours and preferably until dawn. It's ashes and rekindling pieces were saved to place about the house or to be made into pendants for protection though out the year.

Mumming plays, which still exist in some places as part of the Yuletide festivities, are also linked with the rebirth of the Sun.

Celts

Celtic people celebrate Yule as the battle between the aging Holly King, who represents the darkness of the old year, and the young Oak King, who symbolizes the light of the new year. Sometimes the battle is re-enacted during the burning of the Yule log — which is done to encourage the Sun’s easy birth, welcome it back to Earth.

This was a time of joy and hope — a holiday meant to uplift spirits weary from winter and a time to appreciate the wonders that will come with the spring.

Along with the evergreen, the holly and the ivy and the mistletoe were important plants of the season, all symbolizing fertility and everlasting life. According to the Bardic Tradition, the Winter Solstice was called 'Alban Arthan' by the Druids. It was then that the Chief Druid cut the sacred mistletoe from the Oak. The Celtic Druids would cut the mistletoe with a golden sickle on the sixth night of the moon. Later Christian churches would ban mistletoe from Christmas celebrations because of its fertility rite connotations.

In addition to fertility rituals, divinations were cast for the coming Spring both through ritual means and through good-natured taunting and wagering.

Another version of the Oak/Holly King theme, was the ritual hunting and killing of a Wren. The Wren, ‘Little King of the Waning Year,’ is killed by the Robin Redbreast, ‘King of the Waxing Year.’ The Robin finds the Wren hiding in an Ivy bush (or as in some parts of Ireland — a holly bush).

Wiccan Rituals

At Yule, the Goddess shows her Life-in-Death aspect. At this season, she is the White Lady, Queen of the cold darkness, yet, this is her moment of giving birth to the child of Promise, the Son-Lover who will refertilise her and bring back light and warmth to her kingdom.

To Wiccans, Yule is a Lesser Sabbat or Lower Holiday in the modern Pagan calendar, one of the four-quarter days of the year, but a very important one.

The celebration should be started well before dawn to culminate into the Sun’s birth. A toast with apple juice or wine should be made to the Holly King:

Winter day of longest night
Step aside now for the light
Thank you for the things you’ve brought
That only darkness could have wrought.
Then name gifts of darkness, such as regeneration, peace, dreams, organisation, quietude, etc.
Use a white altar cloth and decorate with evergreens, poinsettias, rosemary, holly, mistletoe and ivy. Use red, white and green candles to symbolise the bloodshed of birth, the innocence of new life, and the growth process, respectively. To ensure good luck and prosperity, anoint a bayberry candle with oil and roll it in dried chamomile. Light the candle and allow it to burn down completely. Burn Yule incense (a mixture of chamomile, ginger, pine and sage).

If using a Yule log, it must be kept burning for twelve hours, for good luck. It should be made of ash. Save an unburnt piece of the log and some of the ashes, which can be used to light upcoming ritual fire.

End the ritual at dawn with a toast of orange juice or mimosa to the Sun:

O Newborn Sun of love and light
Rise quickly now, rise high and bright
Gain power in the sky above
I grant to you my support and love

[SacredWithin]

I found some more links if anyone cares. :)

Yule Celebrations- by Earth Dancing (http://www.earth-dancing.com/yule.htm)
history of Yule (http://www.twopagans.com/holiday/Yule.html)

Is there anyone else who would like to contribute?

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

The Oak and Holly King story is a modern invention and there is no evidence that it belongs to the traditions of the Celtic speaking peoples. In fact there are no Yule traditions at all that we know of associated with the Celtic speaking peoples as there is no evidence that it was celebrated by them. Again, the only festivals we have evidence of the Celtic speaking peoples celebrating are Samhuinn, Oimelg, Beltainne, and Lunasdal.

[BrigidMoon]

You know, it's scary that I cant tell if he's serious or not :T

LOL No doubt :)

[equinox2]

How does my family celebrate the Solstice?

Starting now around the beginning of December (now), we decorate the house w/ typical holiday stuff (including a tree). On the solstice we get up and go watch the sunrise (preferably over a great lake like lake huron or something), then go home to unwrap both our presents to each other, and the ones left under the tree by “santa”. (use the link in my .sig to get the exact sunrise time - very useful, especially if it is cloudy). The kids are just starting to get old enough to enjoy that. We may have some kind of ritual either at the sunrise or later in the day. Then the rest of the day we spend together – often with good food and fun family stuff. It’s a whole day event.

We'd decorate and burn a Yule log if we had a fireplace......

BTW, celebrating the winter solstice was what started me towards Paganism after I left Christianity. Before I even knew what Pagan was, I was celebrating just the solstice.

Have a fun day!

[mucgwyrt]

and dedicated to Frigga ......... in preparation for the return of the god.


nope, that's nowt more than neo-fluff.

[OMmomma]

The Oak and Holly King story is a modern invention and there is no evidence that it belongs to the traditions of the Celtic speaking peoples. In fact there are no Yule traditions at all that we know of associated with the Celtic speaking peoples as there is no evidence that it was celebrated by them. Again, the only festivals we have evidence of the Celtic speaking peoples celebrating are Samhuinn, Oimelg, Beltainne, and Lunasdal.

I am still learning about Wiccan celebrations, and I thought the essay by Mr. Gould sounded quite knowledgable. If you have some compelling sources for your refutation, I would be most eager to see them. I hate forwarding garbage or misinformation, but I don't just accept someones word for things either. I have more than one source for the OakKing/HollyKing story. Prove Mr. Gould wrong, if you can :smileroll

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Simple enough. The story of the Oak and Holly King first appeared in Robert Graves's The White Goddess which was published in 1948. While it might have been based on the ritual combat found in the earlier tales The Green Knight and the Countess of the Fountain, it did not appear as such until Robert Graves wrote of it in his book.

[Amethyst Rose]

I'd just like to point out that I did make a lesson on Yule in my Wheel of the Year class and you might find it interesting... just follow the link in my sig.

[xantangummi]

—by DM Gould

This was the time when their dead are free to pay visits and when magic beings such as Elves and trolls are thought to run free. These spirits and beings have to either be welcomed into the home or warded against as the householders see fit. If they are welcomed, they will be ritually driven from the house at the end of Yuletide to enforce the return of normalcy in the world.

Yule was also the time of year when the Wild Hunt of Wodan rides most fiercely and it is the border between years when the fates of men are set.

The Yule Tree (now called the Christmas tree) is a Germanic custom that spread into most of Europe well before Christianity. A pine or fir tree would be decorated with candles and tokens. (Thus, the modern practice of decorating and hanging lights on the tree).

Presents where sometimes left under the trees to be anonymously received buy those indicated. Originally, these trees where left outside, but after the spread of Christianity began many moved their trees indoors to avoid notice. A candle lit and ribboned wreath was sometimes used as a smaller reminder of the season.


There are evidence of bringing BRANCHES of trees in and decorating them, the whole tree thing is a german custom from the 1700eds. And here in Sweden its only been common since the start of the last century.

There are several things that still remains in our christmas traditions, for example the christmas ham, the pig being a holy animal for Frö and Fröja who are celebrated around jul.

Another remain is the christmasgoat(Julbock); a goat made of straw that were thought to bring protection from all the spirits who were loose around jul, although it have been described as evil in later folklore.

[treefae]

great links thanks everyone

[Whitewolf]

Yes, Thanks for the links everyone. This year is my first time celebrating Yule. I went to Earth Spirit [my favorite store] and participated in a circle. There were 25 people there other than me. It was wonderful.


-Jessica [aka Whitewolf]