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The YULE LOG - what is it?
The Yule log is
a central part of Yule festivities. The log is kindled from the remains of the previous year's Yule fire(This piece was kept
in the home throughout the year for protection . . The Yule log symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness. According
to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder' s land, or given as a gift... it must never
have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with
cider or ale, and
dusted with flour before set ablaze . The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days
after before being ceremonially put out.
A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners
would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side
so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold
red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the
Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves,
and dust with
flour.
Once, the Yule log had been the center of the celebration. There are many traditional ways to collect your
log; Some collect a log at Beltane and dry out till Yule. Others use the thickest part of the Yule tree trunk to save till
it becomes next years Yule log.
Still others will make a ritual of trekking into the woods at yuletide and dragging their
Yule log home.
Yule Log Magick
The yule log is a remnant of the bonfires that the European
pagans would set ablaze at the time of winter solstice. These bonfires symbolized the return of the Sun.
An oak log,
plus a fireplace or bonfire area is needed for this form of celebration. The oak log should be very dry so that it will blaze
well. On the night of Yule, carve a symbol of your hopes for the coming year into the log. Burn the log to release it's power.
It can
be decorated with burnable red ribbons of natural fiber and dried holly leaves. In the fireplace or bonfire area,
dried kindling should be set to facilitate the burning of the log.The Yule log can be made of any wood (Oak is traditional)
. Each releases its own kind of magick.
Ash -- brings protection, prosperity, and health
Aspen -- invokes understanding
of the grand design
Birch -- signifies new beginnings
Holly -- inspires visions and reveals past lives
Oak --
brings healing, strength, and wisdom
Pine -- signifies prosperity and growth
Willow -- invokes the Goddess to achieve
desires
The burning of the Yule Log can easily become a family tradition. Begin by having parent(s) or some other
family member describe the tradition of the Yule Log. The tale of the Oak King and Holly King
from Celtic mythology can
be shared as a story, or can be summarized with a statement that the Oak represents the waxing solar year, Winter Solstice
to Summer Solstice, and the Holly represents the waning solar year, Summer Solstice to WinterSolstice.
Lights are
extinguished as much as possible. The family is quiet together in the darkness. Family members quietly contemplate the change
in the solar year. Each in her/his own way contemplates the
past calendar year, the challenges as well as the good times.
Then the Yule Log fire is lit. As it begins to burn, each family member throws in one or more dried holly sprigs and
says farewell to the old calendar year. Farewells can take the form of thanksgiving
and appreciation and/or a banishment
of old habits or personal pains.
Once the Yule Log itself starts blazing, then the facilitator invites family members
to contemplate the year ahead and the power of possibilities. Each member then throws in an oak twig or acorn into
the
fire to represent the year ahead, and calls out a resolution and/or a hope.
Families using a Yule Log
with candles
Each family member can write a bad habit and/or a wish for the upcoming year on a slip of paper and
burn
it in the candle flame.
When this process is done, the family sings a song together. The traditional carol, "Deck
the Halls," is good because it mentions the Solstice, the change in the solar year, and the Yule Log.
Let the Yule
Log burn down to a few chunks of charred wood and ashes (or candles burn down). Following an ancient tradition, save remnants
of the fire and use them to start the Yule Log fire the following year.
MAKE A YULE LOG
To
make a Yule Log, simply choose a dried piece of oak and decorate with burnable ribbons, evergreens, holly, and mistletoe.
To make a Yule Log with candles (suitable for indoor observances when a fireplace is not available), you will need a round
log at least
thirteen inches long and five inches thick. Flatten the bottom of the log with a saw (preferably a power
saw) by trimming off an inch or two so the log will sit without wobbling. Next determine where the three candle holes should
be drilled along the top of the log. They should be evenly spaced. The size of the holes will be determined by the size candles
you are using. Drill the holes 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to accommodate the candles.
The log with candles may be painted
or sprayed with varnish or shellac to keep it from drying out. When the varnish is dry, insert candles and decorate it with
holly, evergreens, and mistletoe. Candles may be green, red, and silver or white to represent the Oak
King, the Holly
King, and the Goddess; or white, red, and black to represent the Triple Goddess.
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