|
Jul - Icewytch
The Basic Beliefs Of Yule - Wildmoon
jul
for me, the jul season begins around mid november....the animals which needed to be turned into meat and skins have been done so around october, winter finding. stores of food and provisions are laid in. hay for the remaining beasts, and grain stores. vegetables and meat and fish for us, along with the foods for the jul feastings.
it is the dark time of the year.
the wild hunt rides this time of year. according to which myth you follow, it is odin with his wolves, baying out to manni, the moon, as alfadr rides the night skies, his one eye bright with the god madness on these nights.
or it is thorr, driving his wain, his chariot, the goats red eyed and wild, their hooves thundering the skies, the hammer mjollnir throwing out lightning to catch the unwary.
all sorts of traditions have grown up over the years around jul. one has it that thorr is the origin of santa claus, his gifts given to the farmer or hard working thrall, gift for gift, profit for profit and who would refuse the gifts of the gods? for, it could be the greatest of gifts, life.....
so in scandinavian countries still, a goat, the symbol of fertility and prosperity, of straw is hung upon the jul trees, brightly decked with a red collar. elves, small and red-capped, remnants of those proud peoples whose gifts were prized, still carry parcels to place under the trees.
and on the nights of the wild hunt, when the storm lords ride the skies, wolves howl and thunder roars and wise is the man who stays indoors, away from the hunt....
most of all, jul is a celebration of life in the face of the jaws of death, from the time when shops didn`t exist and the only food you could have was the food you raised with your own two hands. when the only heat you could bask in was born from the fireplace built with your own hands, the wood stacked with your hands.
from times when winter claimed the weak, the sick, the poor, we celebrate having enough to eat, to drink, health to enjoy it all and prepare for the coming seasons.
feasts are lavish, hearty affairs, whether the food is rustic country or sophisticated city foods, and a portion is given to the gods in the form of blot and sumbel, where mead is drunk and sacred toasts made, vow to friend and god alike.
gifts are given, as much to show and say "look, i am prosperous enough to give away", as to give to loved ones a token of appreciation and love.
all in all, it is a double edged time, of fear, of poverty, death, lack, and of mirth, of prosperity, wealthy, and show....
here is wishing everyone, the least sharp edge of THAT sword this season, and that wealth and prosperity and love be yours throughout. :)
The basic beliefs about yule;
Also known as winter solstice, Iule, Yul ect.
Yule marks the death and rebirth of the sun god; it also marks the vanquishing of the holly king, (god of the waning year) by the oak king (god of the waxing year). The goddess now shows her 'leprous white lady' form at this season. This is her moment of giving birth to the child of promise.This will bring back light and warmth to her kingdom
Some do sabbat rituals for yule, but most make it a bit easier and celerate the birth of the child of promise by watching the sun come up.From that moment the sun shall shine and grow brighter and stronger, until it reaches its peak at midsummer (22nd june).
|
