In Wicca … Scandinavian Christmas cookie baking traditions have deep historic roots and influences: Keeping the pantry filled to guard against famine during fierce northern winters. These were called minni. “Yule” … Mistletoe The winter solstice has represented a time of death and rebirth for many ancient traditions, and these beliefs gave birth to a variety of different celebrations. Solstice and Equinox Traditions Yule (modern Jul in Scandinavia) is said to have begun as a sun celebration, complete with feasts and parties. Another winter solstice celebration with close ties to Christmas is Yule, a midwinter holiday that was celebrated throughout Northern Europe by Norse and Germanic peoples. Winter Solstice This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth of the Sun. Other cultures around the world had their own way of honoring the solstice, but Yule was the celebration of … That same log is then burned for 12 continuous days. For people throughout the ages–from the ancient Egyptians and Celts to the Hopi–midwinter has been a significant time of ritual, reflection, and renewal. It was believed that the goats Tanngrisnir (“Gap-tooth”) and Tanngnjóstr (“Tooth-grinder”), who pulled Thor’s chariot, provided food for the god and his friends. We take a look at some of the traditions and rituals from around the world that welcome in the winter solstice, taking place on December 21st! 7 Winter Solstice Traditions Winter solstice or Yule is a festival of light. Now, let us compare/contrast other winter solstice traditions around the world. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the sun at its lowest and weakest. Which is actually totally weird, because it is a Christian holiday! This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth of the Sun. The remnants of these overshadowed pagan traditions remain in our Christmas celebrations, for instance and according to the free dictionary, the Scandinavian Winter Solstice festival of the Feast of Juul involved the burning of Juul logs to symbolize the returning of the sun, giving rise to the Christmas tradition of Yule Logs. It heralds the beginning of longer days, after the shortest and darkest days of the season. Traditions - Nordstjernan Across cultures, winter solstice inspired celebrations that have since combined with Christianity’s Christmas. The Yule Log pastry, often decorated with nuts, cream, or cheese (or all three) is also a symbol of the Yule fire, which before burning was inscribed with runes, and decorated with sprigs of other trees – particularly holly, which stayed green all year – another reminder of the coming of the light. The winter solstice is the longest night and shortest day of the year, and from here the days gradually increase in length and bring us spring and summer. If you’ve always felt like Santa Claus didn’t engage in enough petty crime during his visits, … Yule Goat – Julbock. For the ancient Scandinavians, the beginning of the end of winter was a very important reason for celebration. Additionally, only 60 people are able to enter each year for the winter solstice celebration. Yule Norse Holidays and Festivals - Wizardrealm Celebrating Winter Solstice. Candles and a decorated hearth are common parts of the Scandinavian Christmas tradition, passed down from celebrations of Winter Solstice. The pagan Scandinavian and Germanic people of northern Europe celebrated a twelve-day "midwinter" (winter solstice) holiday called Yule (also called Jul, Julblot, jólablót, midvinterblot, julofferfest). How The Yule Festival Of The Winter Solstice Inspired ... The word Yule comes from the nordic word Jol which means the Wheel. Steve Gorton / Getty Images. Most celebrations of the winter solstice in Europe involved merriment and feasting. Winter Solstice In Scandinavia, fires symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the Sun, with a Yule log burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian god, Thor. Summer began at the festival of Eostre, close to the Spring Equinox, and Winter began at the festival of Winternights, close to the Autumn Equinox. The winter solstice is one of the oldest pagan holidays celebrated by people all around the world. The actual date of the winter solstice differs from year to year, and can occur any day between December 20 and December 23, though it mostly falls on 21st or 22nd of December. Traditionally, Midsummer was celebrated on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, but the holiday has its roots in a pre-Christian solstice festival. Winter Solstice traditions vary by time and place, but one common thread weaves through them all: light. According to the Chinese, Yang symbolizes the positive, and Yin is negative. 5 steps to Celebrate Winter Solstice Winter Solstice is still celebrated there a few days before Christmas, and anyone can buy tickets to experience the sunrise and Druid and Pagan traditions. St. Lucia — whose name comes from the Latin word for light — became a symbol of light, and her feast day merged naturally with pre-existing winter solstice traditions. There is actually one source that describes this pagan winter solstice ritual before Christianity got its grips on the Scandinavians. These feasts are reminiscent of the current Julbord or Smorgasbord (more on that below). So for Sweden I would say St Lucy's Day. Enjoy classic Solstice stories and songs that were told and sung at the time of the longest nights. Many modern Christmas traditions, such as the Christmas tree , the Christmas wreath, the Yule log, and others, are direct descendants of Yule customs . Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. Traditionally, Midsummer was celebrated on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, but the holiday has its roots in … Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed over the winter, making the solstice almost the only time of year that fresh meat was readily available. In Celtic mythology seasons are created by two nature gods: the oak king and the holly king. The winter solstice celebrations at Newgrange in Ireland are among the most difficult to attend in the world. In Sweden, Midsummer’s Eve is one of the most important days of the year, rivaling Christmas with its festive spirit and traditions. ... Before the adoption of the Julian calendar in the 1300s, December 13 marked the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Diane Edgecomb’s beautifully rendered adaptations include Baldur and the Mistletoe from Scandinavia, the Greek myth, Ceyx and Alcyona- the Coming of the Days of Peace, the Cherokee tale of the Evergreens and humorous English Wassail traditions. Hǫkunótt - a Norse pagan Yule feast. Celebration of the Norse New Year; a festival of 12 nights. This is the most important of all the Norse holidays. On the night of December 20, the god Ingvi Freyr rides over the earth on the back of his shining boar, bringing Light and Love back into the World. Scandinavia, as a topic of it self! Yule food traditions go back millennia, with pagans from Germanic, Nordic and Celtic regions, among others, all bringing their own traditions to the winter solstice. The fires of Lohri, India. Finland. The winter solstice is a surprisingly popular winter solstice experience: over 28,000 people applied for the lottery in 2018.
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