Sabbats/Holidays and Esbats > Yule

Yule - What does it mean to you?

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Crystal Dragon:
Like Foxy, Christmas/Yule for me is a season in and of itself.  It's a time of magic and wonder, full of beauty and light in a dark part of the year.  And it's a frame of mind.  Belief in the magic and full of hope that human beings can actually rise above their petty nature and live in peace with each other.

One of the reasons I really can't deal with being out in the crowds shopping is the reality of how nasty so many people are to each other.  They either have forgotten or just don't get what it's all about.

Ah well ... for me it shall start Friday.  The tree will go up and I will watch "Miracle on 34th Street" (one of my all-time favorite movies) to kick things off. :)

vordan:
What is beautiful to me about Yule is the hope, the hope that anything is possible, that the goodness and the light within humanity can triumph. On the shortest darkest day of the year that is when there there is the rebirth of the light. It is the moment when the life stands back up like Rocky Balboa from the mat ready to take on another round. Darkness loses at it's moment of triumph for life and light are not defeated. I can't think of a better time for the Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ, the light of the world, then at the Winter Solstice. I don't really go much in for the traditional Christmas but do a little of the regular Christmas things with my family. I have a very nice ritual with my coven for Yule and a feast.

HappyZealot:

--- Quote from: Wolfsrain on November 24, 2010, 07:47:42 PM ---
--- Quote from: bluefire on November 24, 2010, 06:59:35 PM ---Above all else, it is a celebration of the solstice.  In the darkest time of the year, we find comfort and joy.  We decorate, we sing, we gather with friends and family.  I can't imagine the dark expanse of winter without that effort to find happiness by taking exteme measures like putting trees in the house and putting pretty things on them.  To me, it's like the whole world slows waaaaay down to see how we will fill the void.

--- End quote ---

BF, that was really beautiful.

--- End quote ---

Yes, quite good. 

I agree w/pretty much everything everyone else has said. 
The fall/harvest/Samhain season is my personal favorite, but the winter/Yule/Xmas season is a close second. 
If Hallows signifies a 'descent into the dark' then Yule begins the re-emergence of light, two equal and integral things. 

My observances of both are quiet and contemplative affairs, and since I currently practice solitary I can incorporate the formal ritual I was taught... or not.  :) 
Typically there's a traditional altar that's been tweaked with symbols of the season.  I have a green tree/bell ornament, a Father Christmas figurine, a stag, an old bronze bowl, and a pinecone the size of a football.  There's usually a silent prayer followed by a Guinness libation.  :groovin:
This year the Moon will fall on the Solstice, so I have to come up with something for that too. 

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