Yule has a colorful and varied history in Celtic countries. The following is an overview of some of the most interesting lore.
The word ‘Yule’
Yule is a word with uncertain roots.
We know that it was used in 11th century England, when the country was under Danish rule. There are no English records of the word before that time.
The word is jol in Old Norse, jul in Swedish, and juul in Danish, but the actual meaning of the word–except to suggest Christmas–is unknown.
Some claim it was actually a word for the harvest festival.
Linguists remain baffled.
Wassail traditions
Another word with a blurred history is “wassail.” However, we know that the word meant “good health” in Old English.
The tradition is to shout “Wassail!” and drink from a cup. The next person replies “Drinkhail,” and accepts the cup, taking a drink from it.
He says “Wassail!” to the next person, and passes the cup along, giving a kiss to the recipient.
And the next person say, “Drinkhail,” and so on.
The Yule Log
Likewise, the Yule Log is a tradition dating back to unwritten history. In the early 17th century, it was no particular kind of wood, but was burned at the holidays to bring prosperity and luck to the household.
More recently, the Yule Log is made of oak or ash, and a piece of it is saved from the fire, to light the Yule Log of the following year.
Mistletoe, and the “Kissing Bush”
Greenery has long been used in England and Ireland to celebrate this time of year. However, the “kissing bush,” or mistletoe, was introduced in the late 18th century.
It’s only necessary for mistletoe to be part of the decoration that commands a kiss if you’re beneath it.
Celtic traditions suggest a rivalry between the Holly King, who rules the waning year (Midsummer to Yule) and the Oak King, who rules the waxing year (Yule to Midsummer).
At Christmas, holly represents the Holly King, and ivy represents his female counterpart.
It is supposed to be unlucky to have more ivy than holly in Christmas decorations.
Traditionally, all Christmas greenery is taken down on the day after Twelfthnight (January 6th), and burned in the fires of Shrove Tuesday’s pancake breakfasts.
However, the “kissing bush” remains in place all year, providing magical protection for the household until it is replaced at the following Christmas.
But, not in Scotland
In Scotland, the greenery and “kissing bush” was not a tradition, although holly was placed on houses at New Year’s Eve, to keep the faeries out.
Bah, humbug? Scotland was also the country that made Christmas celebrations illegal.
Around 1561, the Reformed Church of Scotland, called “the Kirk,” abolished all winter Christ-related holidays. These included Christmas, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, and all references to holy days related to the Virgin Mary. The Puritans declared them an “invention” of the “Papist” Church.
By 1573, people were punished and sometimes excommunicated for observing Christmas. Nevertheless, it was noted that King James VI celebrated Christmas in his court in Edinburgh in 1598 and 1599, despite local disapproval.
Resourceful Scots shifted their celebration to New Year’s, but in 1606, the Kirk (and the government) also condemned the “superstitious time of Yule, or New Year’s Day.”
Even singing a Christmas carol could result in prosecution.
Thankfully, the harsh laws against Christmas were reversed during the Restoration in 1660, although the religious holiday was disputed for many years afterwards.
A secular solution
In fact, when continuing conflicts prevented Christmas from regaining its full festivities in Scotland, the celebration was shifted once again. The birthday of poet/author Robert Burns, on January 25th, became the new, secular holiday.
Today, no matter what reasons you choose for celebrating at Yuletide, the traditions remain fairly constant.
The colors and characters of the holidays
Gold symbolizes the return of the Sun, or the Son of God. Red is for the resurgence of life-giving blood, and green is a reminder of the evergreen, which symbolized eternal life.
Whether Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or a Pagan god/dess (such as the red-robed German goddess, Holga) comes down the chimney, we share gifts with each other as symbols of charity, and the way that Deity showers gifts on all of us.
And at January first, we look ahead to the New Year, and its promises of wonderful things.
May your Yuletide be filled with wonder and hope, and the warmth of the promise of Spring.
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Just a quick note, your comment toward the end being at January first, we look ahead to the New Year. How quick you forget that our new year is celebrated the night of Samhain. At midnight on Samhain is when the celtic new year begins. Please, if this is going to be a celtic sight, let us all remain traditional and not worry of social exceptance. In accordance with my Welsh heritage, my new year has begun and will celegrate yule. Christmas is part of organized christianity celebrated at a time other than the actual birth of jesus on Jan. 6th due to christians not wanted to share that day with the roman celebration of saturlina. Blessed be and well.