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Yule is the Pagan Sabbat to acknowledge and celebrate the rebirth of the Sun. In Pagan symbolism the Year is viewed as a constantly turning Wheel. Yule is the spoke where the Oak King , representing the light half of the year, vanquishes the Holly King, representing the dark half of the year, and thus promises that the light and warmth of the sun will begin to increase each day. Known also as the Winter Solstice, this is the longest night of the year and is akin to The Dark Night of Soul. Celebrations often echo both of these sentiments, beginning in silent darkness and ending in a blaze of light, fire and laughter.

While Yule is most often juxtaposed with Christmas today, Yule and Winter Solstice celebrations far out date the Christmas celebration. December 25th, the date to celebrate Christ’s birth, was also the birthdate of Mithras, the ancient Persian Sun god of light and the guardian against evil. Christianity didn’t celebrate Christmas until the fourth century. Even as late as 1740, it was a normal workday for the Puritans in the New World of America. They viewed Christmas as a Pagan holiday, and forbid any celebrations and/or decorations of acknowledgment of the day.

One cannot erase the Pagan aspects of this holiday. Most of today’s Christmas traditions are Pagan in nature, derived from both old Yule and Solstice traditions including reindeer, lights, wreaths, decorated trees, the Yule log, kisses under the mistletoe and the jolly old man himself, Santa Claus.

Yule is a time of rebirth, new beginnings and the setting of new goals for oneself. It is a time of putting aside regrets, resentments, and that which causes us unhappiness. But before we can rid ourselves of these, we must know them intimately. The season starts in the silent darkness of the cold winter’s night.  The beginning celebrations are a time of meditation and inward thoughts. Recognize the cold sorrows of the season of barrenness as both those within the frosted panes of our souls as well as those outside the frosted window.