Happy Happy Joy Joy.......

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Uh the first day of winter isn't til next week.

*stage whisper*

Psst! Deb the first day of winter IS yule.

It was the spring right around the corner thing that I was referring to.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
*stage whisper*

Psst! Deb the first day of winter IS yule.

It was the spring right around the corner thing that I was referring to.

We're in socal silly spring is 3 weeks away, gotta plant tomatoes by candlemas (feb 2nd).

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

We're all prepped with the Yule log from last year and our Solstice Bread.

We keep a candle burning (safely) through the night and before Dawn we all get up to celebrate the morning and make Solstice bread. It is essentially what people refer to as Monkey Bread (?) But the idea is that everyone gathers around and as you pull the dough from the bowl each person makes a wish for the next year - usually for some one else and then we put it in the bowl. It is lovely with the kids and so incredibly sweet to hear them make wishes for others.


I love this time!!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
It was the spring right around the corner thing that I was referring to.

We're in socal silly spring is 3 weeks away, gotta plant tomatoes by candlemas (feb 2nd).

I wish I could plant something - we have goats.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
We're in socal silly spring is 3 weeks away, gotta plant tomatoes by candlemas (feb 2nd).

I wish I could plant something - we have goats.

I'll trade baskets of tomatoes for goat milk (i'm dying to have cheese I can you know actually eat again).

 

[SarahFair]

Eeerrrrr..
Wait. Hold up.


What is this 'Yule tide cheer'?
What are traditions and why are they traditions?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
YULE/WINTER SOLSTICE


The Winter Solstice, sometimes referred to as Yule, celebrates the rebirth of the sun to the earth, and the solstice itself is the longest (hence, darkest) night of the year. Throughout the world, from Scotland to Iran to the Americas, ancient and modern peoples have called forth the sun on the longest night of the year.

You may have noticed that the solstice falls near the Christian holiday of Christmas, and that the word Yule is usually associated with that same holiday. Upon closer inspection, you will find many remnants of the pagan holiday within the current Christian celebrations. For example, the Christmas tree that is erected in many homes is a nod to the original pagan celebration of creating a Yule tree. The sturdy, evergreen tree represents life surviving in the darkest time of the year. The Yule tree was decorated with natural ornaments such as berries, rosebuds, and cinnamon sticks. Candles adorned the tree, representing the light of the sun, soon to be reborn. In many traditions, a Yule log is burned throughout the solstice night to provide a light in the darkest night, symbolizing hope and a belief that the sun will return.

Yule is a time of celebration and rebirth, as the light of the God once again is reborn and shines within our lives. The winter solstice is also the time when the Goddess, in her aspect as Crone, is reborn as the Maiden. Rites to celebrate the return of the sun and the respective rebirths of the God and Goddess are appropriate, as are rituals to guide your spiritual path and honor the lessons learned within the dark time.

(From www.witchonthego.com)

We have both a christian and a wiccan in this family, as well as a closet witch, so we celebrate both.