Yule, The Winter Solstice

Yule usually falls between December 21st and the 23rd, but should be astrologically calculated. The Winter Solstice is technically the longest night of the year, in which there are more hours of dark than of daylight. It is symbolically special, representing survival of the most difficult of nights knowing that things will improve. It is a positive celebration, welcoming the return of the sun and that the hours of daylight will be increasing! It is for this reason that I consider Yule to be the Neo-Pagan New Year, something to truly celebrate! It appropriately follows Samhain, the end of the year. The time in between is one of careful reflection upon ourselves, our lives and our future.

Yule is interesting in Montreal. The weather often fluctuates - in 2006, it didn't snow until January, yet this year in 2007 we've already received significant snowfall. Winter here is characteristically unpredictable, we might say. Personally, I find the sky takes on a specific shade of blue, a sort of rich ultramarine, that I've heard was special to Montreal. I will always associate this late-evening colour with Yule.

Origins

Yule is actually Germanic in origin, stemming from the word yol or yula that means 'feast' or 'wheel'. It was not a time celebrated by the Celts.

In Roman tradition, one would celebrate Saturnalia around this time, on December 17th. It was a large celebration devoted to the freeing of Saturn. Marked with giving gifts, especially candles to mark the growing light after solstice, it was a time of great celebration.

Traditions

Yuletide resolutions or 'Yule Blueprints' are an important part of my winter solstice ritual. With the coming of the sun and the promise of brighter days, resolutions are ways we can brighten our life. I feel it's very important to take control of the way we live and not just let things 'happen'. We choose to be happy, and these blueprints are a start. The time between now and Imbolc is one of planning. 

The Yule Log seems popular among solitary Neo-Pagans, though I'm not sure of the origins of it, especially that today people usually assume you're referring to a long cake. It's actually a real log that one would charge with protective, positive energies. You would start your fire in your fireplace with it, and keep it going all night until the sun rises. Given that many people don't have fireplaces today, it can also serve as a beautiful and symbolic candle-holder for an all-night vigil.

Performing a candle lit vigil is the act of witnessing the setting of the sun, and staying awake until it rises again. A candle would be kept lit throughout the night as a reminder of the Sun and its warmth. I enjoy this tradition, but find it immensely difficult.