Blessed Solstice
Technically this is going up a bit late as it is past midnight, but I'm still awake so to me it is still the solstice!
As I am not a practicing pagan yet, I do still celebrate Christmas with my family (and will likely continue to do so anyway but that is another topic). However, I did want to do a bit of an acknowledgement of the solstice on here. For those who are not sure, there are two solstices during the year: Winter, and Summer. They are, respectively, the shortest and longest days of the year. Usually they fall on the 21st of December and the 21st of June in the northern hemisphere at least, (it changes some years for leap years and the fact that the Gregorian Calendar is inaccurate). The reason I am going on about the solstice is because in many pagan religions and practices, solstices are very important. Now I do not profess to be all knowing about the many forms of paganism and how their 'Holy' days work. What I do know is that the winter solstice is the beginning of the Germanic/Norse Neopagan celebration of Yule (Jul). This is an interesting one because Yule specifically has become very Christianized in such things as a Yule log etc, and goes as far that many Scandinavian countries use the word Jul synonymously with Christmas. In fact, many Christmas traditions are based on pagan Yule celebrations. Things like Yule logs, Christmas trees, holly branches, Santa Claus, gift giving and even possibly the date of Christmas itself.
In terms of actual celebration there isn't much I can say. As far as I know from a few sources Yule is celebrated over 12 days starting on the solstice and generally involves gatherings with a meal and gift giving (ah ha, Christmas presents!). It is also, most often, considered a celebration of light. Norse pagans used to decorate trees with fruit and candles to honor Odin. I think it's mostly due to the lack of light from the sun, so people try to gather as much light as possible such as fires, candles, etc. Also, because after the solstice the days start getting longer again and it is like a welcoming back to the sun. According to the Icelandic Sagas (one of the few written sources of Norse history and customs) Yule was also a time of sacrifice, merrymaking, and feasting.
After some research, however, I have discovered that Wiccan's also celebrate Yule (whether all Wicca circles call it Yule I'm not sure). It also seems to be a 12 day celebration/devotional. This seems to be more of a time of prayer, family, reflection.
There is also a Druidic and Celtic celebration surrounding the solstice, unfortunately there is not much known about the inner workings of this celebration.
Well, there is my crash course of Yuletide...not very comprehensive, but hey, give me a break. I'm new at this!
To all the pagans, neopagans, Wiccans, heathens, and otherwise I wish you all a Blessed Solstice.
As I am not a practicing pagan yet, I do still celebrate Christmas with my family (and will likely continue to do so anyway but that is another topic). However, I did want to do a bit of an acknowledgement of the solstice on here. For those who are not sure, there are two solstices during the year: Winter, and Summer. They are, respectively, the shortest and longest days of the year. Usually they fall on the 21st of December and the 21st of June in the northern hemisphere at least, (it changes some years for leap years and the fact that the Gregorian Calendar is inaccurate). The reason I am going on about the solstice is because in many pagan religions and practices, solstices are very important. Now I do not profess to be all knowing about the many forms of paganism and how their 'Holy' days work. What I do know is that the winter solstice is the beginning of the Germanic/Norse Neopagan celebration of Yule (Jul). This is an interesting one because Yule specifically has become very Christianized in such things as a Yule log etc, and goes as far that many Scandinavian countries use the word Jul synonymously with Christmas. In fact, many Christmas traditions are based on pagan Yule celebrations. Things like Yule logs, Christmas trees, holly branches, Santa Claus, gift giving and even possibly the date of Christmas itself.
In terms of actual celebration there isn't much I can say. As far as I know from a few sources Yule is celebrated over 12 days starting on the solstice and generally involves gatherings with a meal and gift giving (ah ha, Christmas presents!). It is also, most often, considered a celebration of light. Norse pagans used to decorate trees with fruit and candles to honor Odin. I think it's mostly due to the lack of light from the sun, so people try to gather as much light as possible such as fires, candles, etc. Also, because after the solstice the days start getting longer again and it is like a welcoming back to the sun. According to the Icelandic Sagas (one of the few written sources of Norse history and customs) Yule was also a time of sacrifice, merrymaking, and feasting.
After some research, however, I have discovered that Wiccan's also celebrate Yule (whether all Wicca circles call it Yule I'm not sure). It also seems to be a 12 day celebration/devotional. This seems to be more of a time of prayer, family, reflection.
There is also a Druidic and Celtic celebration surrounding the solstice, unfortunately there is not much known about the inner workings of this celebration.
Well, there is my crash course of Yuletide...not very comprehensive, but hey, give me a break. I'm new at this!
To all the pagans, neopagans, Wiccans, heathens, and otherwise I wish you all a Blessed Solstice.
Cheers
Sláinte
Skol
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