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Yule and Midwinter
The midwinter feast of the Germanic peoples, now a Pagan sabbat for the longest night, with the Yule log, evergreens and the return of the sun.
About Yule and Midwinter
Yule was a Germanic midwinter feast, recorded in the early Middle Ages, and the name survives in Christmas customs such as the Yule log and the Yule goat. Evergreens, holly, ivy and mistletoe brought indoors have been read as signs of life through winter, though the idea that they are directly pagan survivals is hard to prove. Modern Pagans, Wiccans and Heathens hold a Yule rite near the December solstice, with candles and the burning of a log, marking the sun's return. Some Heathen groups hold a longer sacrifice and feast known as a blot. The same night is observed in other ways around the world, from Dongzhi in China to Yalda in Iran.
Also part of it, and being written: Yule (The Germanic midwinter feast.), Yule log (The burning log of Christmas lore.), Mistletoe (The plant of Druid and Norse tales.), Winter solstice (The astronomical event behind it.).
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Yule" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family, and are described as belief and practice. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.