Hi All and Many Blessings,
First I want to let you all know that the print copies of Mystic Monday the Book should be ready for purchase soon! I am
waiting for the last (hopefully) proof copy to come in and review that before
setting up a link for sales. Keep checking here and on the Facebook page for
giveaways and events. But don’t forget, the eBook copy is ready for purchase on Amazon.com!
We are going to take the month of December to talk
about traditions and holidays.
Let’s start with some dates.
December 17th is a Tuesday and the night
of the Full Moon. Manifesting energy is at its peak. Ask for your highest good,
the things you’d like to come forth in your life and ask for it on this night.
December 21st is a Saturday and Winter
Solstice and the day of Yule.
Here is where we will begin today. Now some of our
traditions come from the old way of worshiping when people gave prayer and
thanks to Gods and Goddesses that revolved around the growing seasons and
Mother Earth and the Sun. Wicca and Pagan traditions follow these old ways. Many
of these celebrations were incorporated into Christian celebrations as people
were urged to convert to Christianity. For me, I tend to celebrate with a
little of both. I was brought up Catholic and do believe some of what I was
taught, yet I’ve merged some of the old ways with my celebrations because I do
believe there is a Goddess or a Mother aspect to God.
Yule/Winter Solstice
This year Saturday the 21st marks Winter
Solstice or Yule. It is the shortest day of the year and the first official day
of Winter. The days from here on out will get longer as the sun makes its loop
back toward Mother Earth.
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This was the time for Yule celebrations. Yule is
Winter Solstice and the celebration of the Sun’s return. It was a time of
bonfires in the fields and toasting the land with cider. Gifts of apples and
oranges placed in baskets lined with evergreens were given to family and
friends as symbols of the sun and rebirth as evergreens never die from season
to season.
Some plants of the season include:
Holly:
A spring of Holly kept at or near the door of a home all year long is a
constant invitation for good fortune to visit the home. Holly also protects and
repels unwanted spirits. It is a symbol of everlasting life.
Yew:
Is the symbol of regenerations and rebirth. It is deeply connected with
the spirit realms and the ancestors.
Pine:
Brings healing and joy to the home. Burning it will purify the home.
The Yule log was a tradition and can still be kept
for good luck. The yule log must be found on the household lands or given as a
gift. One must never purchase the log. It must then be decorated with a
ceremony with greenery and covered in cider or ale then dusted with flour
before it is set in the fire place and set on fire with a piece from last
year’s log to light it. Yule logs were left to burn and smolder for 12 days. Traditionally
yule logs were Ash wood.
Yule is also the time for celebration of the
Nativity and the birth of Jesus.
Now, after researching Yule there are many good
resources and I’ve come across many that tie the old ways into Christmas
celebrations.
Next week we will talk a little more about
traditions and decorations, along with celebrating this magical time of the
year.
Blessings All and have a fabulous week!
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