26 Dec 05
Originally posted by dagsGod jul (literally translated, that means "good Yule" in Norwegian, although the usual translation would be "merry Christmas" )! Can you tell us a bit more about Yule? Where does it come from, and how old is it? Of course I could look it up on the internet, but my internet connection is somewhat limited at the moment, and I am lazy... Since you talk about the birth of the Sun God, it sounds like the Roman Mithras cult, but Yule is older, isn't it?
The Goddess has given birth to the Sun God 🙂
Blessed be.
And have a happy new year 🙂
26 Dec 05
Originally posted by NordlysI'll try 🙂
God jul (literally translated, that means "good Yule" in Norwegian, although the usual translation would be "merry Christmas" )! Can you tell us a bit more about Yule? Where does it come from, and how old is it? Of course I could look it up on the internet, but my internet connection is somewhat limited at the moment, and I am lazy... Since you talk about the birth of the Sun God, it sounds like the Roman Mithras cult, but Yule is older, isn't it?
Well the word is thought by some to be from the Norse word for wheel (wheel of the year thing) but the word was around before the Norse had wheels. Yule was celebrated for at least a couple of thousand years before christians as celebration of the winter solstice usally about December 21 or 22.
Since the celebration of Yule was around for ages before the Romans, Saternalia,Mithras,whatever I think they adopted it much like the christians did later on (as a way of bringing the pagans into the fold). Mithras was supposed to have been born on the 25th though so that might be where that came from. But most Wiccans do their celebrating on the 21 or 22, when the actual solstice is.
Things like the tree and mistletoe, the yule log are actually all pagan. Mistletoe is a very ancient fertility symbol becuase of what its juice looks like 🙂
Any help?
26 Dec 05
Originally posted by KneverKnightSome say it should burn for 12 days and other just the whole night and then be let to smolder for 12 days but all the Wiccans I know, including me use a wooden candle holder and candle as it's usually to darn hot here for fires at this time of year.
I think the Yule Log was supposed to burn for a number of days (12?), so the log was really a big tree.
26 Dec 05
Originally posted by dagsYes, thanks. I wasn't sure whether the celebration of the solstice and Yule were the same thing. One of my sisters and her husband decided last year that they'd rather celebrate the winter solstice than Christmas (they still have a small Christmas celebration for his mother, though).
I'll try 🙂
Well the word is thought by some to be from the Norse word for wheel (wheel of the year thing) but the word was around before the Norse had wheels. Yule was celebrated for at least a couple of thousand years before christians as celebration of the winter solstice usally about December 21 or 22.
Since the celebration of Yule was around for age ...[text shortened]... istletoe is a very ancient fertility symbol becuase of what its juice looks like 🙂
Any help?
Speaking of "hjul" (wheel) / "jul" (Yule), I once asked in a kindergarten if anyone knew a Christmas song ("julesang" ), and one child suggested "Hjulene paa bussen" (The Wheels of the Bus). 😉
26 Dec 05
Originally posted by dagsIf it's a celebration of the winter solstice, why do you celebrate it in summer?
Some say it should burn for 12 days and other just the whole night and then be let to smolder for 12 days but all the Wiccans I know, including me use a wooden candle holder and candle as it's usually to darn hot here for fires at this time of year.
26 Dec 05
Originally posted by NordlysSo don't, some do, it depends on whether one chooses to honour the northern or southern hemisphere date. I do the northern date, I have friends who do the southern date. It's just a preference.
If it's a celebration of the winter solstice, why do you celebrate it in summer?