Dec 19, 2010

Serenity Sunday

The Yule log is a central part of Yule festivities. The log is kindled from the remains of the previous year's Yule fire. This piece was kept in the home throughout the year for protection . . The Yule log symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness. According to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze . The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out.


A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.


Once, the Yule log had been the center of the celebration.
There are many traditional ways to collect your log; Some collect a log at Beltane and dry out till Yule. Others use the thickest part of the Yule tree trunk to save till it becomes next years Yule log. Still others will make a ritual of trekking into the woods at yuletide and dragging their Yule log home.


My List:


1.) My kids


2.) My pets


3.) Terrific friends


4.) Twinkling lights


5.) The Yule log


6.) Hot chocolate


7.) Crisp mornings


8.) Chocolate chip cookies


9.) Holiday movies


10.) Honey roasted peanuts



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