Yule
Also Known As: Winter Solstice, Midwinter, the Long Night
Yule is a common holiday found in pagan traditions. Many groups find it worth while to have a celebration which marks winter as half over -- and not just because its near christmas.
Yule is usually held to celebrate the longest night of the year, and the eventual return of the sun. Often a vigil is held the entire night to welcome the sun in the morning -- similar to New Years Eve. Light is an important part of the holiday, so a fire or grouping of candles is usually maintained.
Common Traditions
There are many traditions that seem to be cross-cultural -- they are used similarly by Wiccan, Asatru, Druidic, and eclectic groups. The names or symbolism may change from group to group, however. Many groups burn Yule Logs to keep the light alive all through the long night. Quite often the Yule Log is theremains of the May Pole from that years Beltane. Sometimes the Log itself is not burned -- instead, candles are arranged on it and kept lit all night long. In many traditions, everyone stays up all night to watch the fire and then welcome the sun back in the morning (although in some only one person will remain awake with the fire).
Mistletoe, Holly, and Evergreen are all important plants of the season. Often, houses are decorated with them, symbolizing life in the dead of winter.
Many groups include the fall of the Holly King and the rise of the Oak King. The Holly King represents the Dark Half of the Year. At Yule, he loses battle to his brother/alter ego/father/etc the Oak King, who represents the Light Half of the Year.
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