Yule: a Time of Custom and Favour

By

Bran of Cornwall

Yule as a season is today defined by calendar and date but by custom it is a continuation of the old midwinter festivals that both preceded and followed the Winter Solstice when all the families and tribes would gather together to will the return of the sun and ultimately the fertility of the land.

We cannot presume to know what the native customs of our land were back in the dark times of pre recorded history and now only have the remnants of Germanic and Nordic custom to reflect on as part of our present day celebrations. Even with those we cannot truly understand the pressures of the survivalist lifestyle that many lead and how this coloured their lives and festivals.

We, with our modern lifestyle not truly bounded by the seasons are still affected by the dark times. Deep within us there is instilled, though many would deny it, that primitive fear of the dark times that the sun will not return to the glory that is summer. So we can understand, if only slightly, the release of celebration that was there when the ancestors realised the days were lengthening and the sun was higher on the horizon each day.

The time of Yule with the northern races would have also been a time when the surplus of food they had stored in the summer and autumn would have began to deteriorate so practicality would have ensured that the surplus would have had to be eaten – so became the custom of Yule feasting.

It would also have been a time of relaxation, the fear of attack from distant tribes would have receded as it was a time when travel would have become difficult due to weather and terrain so tribes with little outside work or threat could relax together feasting and drinking within their encampments.

At a time when the land turned its back on the people and slept, they could gather together and reflect on the past and the future; a true celebration of the cycle of nature and a reaffirmation of the continuation of life, with the festival at the Winter Solstice and the days leading to the start of the new years work.

In Scandinavia, from time immemorial, Yule has been a time of peace and charity. In Norway, work had to be reduced to a minimum, and no wheels were to be turned, for that would show impatience with the great wheel in the sky, the sun ( symbolism of waiting for the solstice festivities perhaps?) As part of this time-- called Julafred, or Peace of Yule--neither bird, beast nor fish is trapped, shot, or netted nor hand raised in anger or war.

So when the Christians came along there was already the basis of Christmas as we know it today.

Obviously We all know that the modern Christmas is a bringing together of all sorts of customs from around the world, even our modern picture of Santa Clause is from a coke a cola advert from the 20’s and 30’s but some of the customs are far older and what we have are the faint memories of more pagan practice. I shall mention just a few to add to your Christmas and Yule entertainment

Where did Santa come from?

Well if you scratch the surface of Christmas folklore in Scandinavian countries you will find images and traditions that probably go way back. This is because Christian missionaries didn't reach these countries until the 10th and 11th centuries, so the old traditions had longer to settle in and that’s where good old Santa has his roots even the Russian St.Nicholas (as most of modern day Russia was started by the Russ; that is Norse in Russian!)

There's the Julbock or Julbukk, or Yule goat, from Sweden and Norway, who had his beginnings as carrier for the god Thor. Now he carries the Yule elf when he makes his rounds to deliver presents and receive his offering of porridge. Thor the all father as Father Christmas not quite what the modern conception is!

From Iceland comes the legend of the Yule Cat, who dines off lazy humans. Those who did not help with the work of their village to finish all work on the autumn wool by Yule tide missed out on the Yule reward of a new article of clothing, and they were threatened with becoming sacrifices for the dreaded cat , the cat was of course sacred to the goddess Freya.

Starts to hang together now doesn’t it; Santa and Mrs Clause the God and the Goddess, Thor and Freya!

Signs of older traditions of nature worship abound Evergreens were cherished at this time of year as a natural symbol of rebirth and life amid winter whiteness.

Of course, there's the tree, originally in many places, they were hung upside down to represent the goddess.

And as for holly that was particularly prized to decorate doors, windows, and fireplaces because of its prickliness -- to either ward off or snag and capture evil spirits before they could enter and harm a household. Bit like flypaper for hobgoblins and trolls.... Oh one wonders were the ideas for the holly and the Ivy of Christianity came from!

Many of the ancient traditions surrounding Yuletide are concerned with coping with the darkness and the evils it was thought to harbour, and helping the return of light and warmth

The most wonderful festival for me is the feast of St Lucy or Lucia now celebrated on December 13th. Though it used to be on the night of the winter solstice before the calendar was changed; now Christianised as a festival of some ancient virgin who died rather than get married to a pagan,. It rings so much of its original beginnings as a Solstice festival. Where now a maid is crowned with a crown of greenery and lit candles attended by youths dressed in pointed hats with stars on and other maids dressed in white as a sign of innocence gives out saffron buns as presents ,yep the Cornish are not the only ones to like saffron buns.

Think of it the representative of a goddess, as a bringer of light handing out food to those worshiping her! So before I pass on the talking stick let me just read this translation of an Old Norse poem regarding Luciadagen.

The Feast of St. Lucy:

And I will stay awake throughout the longest winter night
And dress up in a red silk sash and flowing gown of white
And serve my parents with warm sweets and sing for their delight.

And I will wear upon my head a crown of fragrant green
Ablaze with tall white candles, with golden candle-gleam,
And I will be a Lussibrud as in some wondrous dream.

And as the night begins to fade I'll greet December sun
And knock on all the neighbours' doors and sing to everyone
And offer all the friends I greet a golden saffron bun.

Lucia maidens will come too, with silver in their hair
And star boys with their studded wands and pointed caps to wear,
And elfin boys will follow us as we walk everywhere.

And I will stay awake throughout the longest winter night
And dress up in my silken sash, my crown, my robe of white
And I will be, for one brief day, Lucia of the Light.