| December 21, 2009, was the Winter Solstice, also | | | | birth of new life in the spring. |
| known as Yule. This is the shortest day and longest | | | | Yule decorations include Yule trees (which were a |
| night of the year. At this time of the year, the sun is | | | | Pagan custom long before Christmas started). The |
| closer to the horizon, giving out the least amount of | | | | evergreen symbolizes the continuity of life and the |
| daylight. But starting tomorrow, the days will get longer, | | | | hopes for protection and prosperity in the New Year. |
| until the Summer Solstice on June 21, 2010, when the | | | | Brightly colored decorations symbolize the sun, the |
| days will start getting shorter again. | | | | moon, and the stars, and also the souls of those who |
| Solstice is from the Latin meaning "stands still". For six | | | | have died in the previous year. |
| days around the Winter Solstice, the sun appears to | | | | A Yule log is traditionally burned on the evening of the |
| stand still on the horizon. Our ancestors must have | | | | Winter Solstice each year. The burning Yule log |
| wondered if the sun would actually return. The return | | | | symbolizes the blazing forth of new light as the old |
| of the light after the longest night of the year must | | | | year dies. A piece of the log is saved to use as |
| have seemed miraculous, which is how Winter Solstice | | | | kindling for the next year's Yule log, showing the |
| festivities were started. To this day, people all over the | | | | continuity of the endless cycle. The ashes can also be |
| world celebrate the Winter Solstice as a time of rebirth | | | | saved and used for protective magick. |
| and a new beginning as we transition from the dark | | | | The evergreen wreath symbolizes the ever-turning |
| days of Winter to the light of Spring. | | | | wheel, the endless circle of life. The word Yule is from |
| Wiccans celebrate Yule as the rebirth of the God, | | | | the Scandinavian word "Jul" which means "wheel". So |
| who has been in the underworld during the dark time | | | | many of the decorations we see at this time of the |
| of the year. The God is reborn as a magical Child of | | | | year are powerful reminders of the turning of the |
| Light, who represents hope and rebirth embodied. | | | | Wheel of the Year and the unending circle of life. |
| Some Pagan traditions celebrate Yule with the | | | | As we enter the light half of the year, take time to |
| reenactment of the battle between the Holly King and | | | | give thanks for all that you have, and to give to those |
| the Oak King. The Holly King defeated the Oak King at | | | | who are alone or in need. Whether you celebrate Yule, |
| the Summer Solstice and ruled over the dark half of | | | | Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, this season is a |
| the year, but at Yule the aging Holly King (the darkness | | | | time for hope, for healing, and for planning for the year |
| of the old year) is defeated by the young Oak King | | | | ahead. |
| (the light of the new year). The Green Man also | | | | Have a Blessed Yule!!! |
| symbolizes the transition of the death of winter to the | | | | |