Happy Yule! Yule Decorations, Yule Gifts, and the Yule Tree

Glittery snow covers the cold earth, the animals and all of nature seem to be in a deep sleep. Your husband just finished placing the freshly cut fir tree in your living room, and your children can't stop talking about their upcoming presents. There's a ham cooking in the oven, and the smell of cinnamon undulates the air down the hallway.

What time of year is it? It's Yule time! Also known as the Winter Solstice, and celebrated by Christians on December 25th as Christmas. This Happy Yule hub is going to present to you the meaning of Yule, some ideas for Yule decorations and Yule gifts, as well as ideas for the perfect Yule tree. Happy Yule!

Happy Yule everyone. This is the time of year to really focus in on what the meaning of Yule really is. Yule is the celebration of the winter solstice, which means on a more mundane level that this night is the longest of the year and the day is the shortest of the year. Yule is also the official changing of the tides...when the seasonal tide switches from the tide of recession to the tide of consolidation. But what are the ancient Pagan meanings of Yule?

Yule, the winter solstice, is known to many who practice Wicca and Celtic traditions as the time when the Oak King and the Holly King go to battle for who will rule the oncoming part of the year. The Holly King is defeated and the Oak King takes the crown. The Oak King will warm the land in preparation for another Spring and Summer season. Another belief is that the Mother Goddess gives birth to the sun god on Yule. He will grow into a youth in the coming Spring. Others see Yule as the time when the Goddess goes into the underworld to bring back the sun for Spring, like the story of the Greek goddess Persephone. There are many Yule traditions and rituals and they vary from person to person. Despite the rituals and traditions, the true meaning of Yule is to celebrate the earth and it's coming Spring and to honor the gods, as well as to enjoy and appreciate our families and lives.

Decorate for Yule just as you would for Christmas; there's not too much of a difference as much of the Christmas decorations we use today have Pagan roots!

Christmas wreaths work just as well for Yule as they do for Christmas. Poinsettias are beautiful in Yule wreaths, and maybe think of adding little goddess or Oak King & Holly King figurines or symbols to the wreath before hanging it on your door or above the fireplace.

Fir, yew, holly, ivy, and mistletoe were all used during the Winter Solstice in Celtic countries to symbolize the coming of rebirth and renewal of the earth. Snowflakes are beautiful decorations to use for Yule decorations and simple to find almost anywhere that sells holiday decorations. Remember that the Winter Solstice is also about celebrating the beauty of winter.

Reindeer and other winter animals can be used as simple Yule decor. We should use the Winter Solstice to also celebrate and commune with winter deities and winter animal guides. Symbolize this with reindeer, penguins, polar bears, etc.

Candles and symbols of the sun represent the growing day. Place red and green candles, as well as gold candles, all around your home and in the windows. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons can be used in decorating, as throughout the centuries many Yule traditions included going wassailing and carrying citrus fruits to represent the return of the Sun.

The options are endless for simple Yule decor, just use your imagination and go with whatever reminds you of the reason for the season! Oh, and don't forget the Yule log!

Even though you might be celebrating Yule this year instead of Christmas, that doesn't mean you have to forego in the present-giving. Yule gifts, especially for Pagans, can be great fun to find and to give. Search online for special books of shadows and tools for the Pagan gift-receiver. Divination sets are fun gifts for Yule gift giving, too. Try rune sets, tarot cards, scrying mirrors, and crystal balls as Yule gifts.

Even books on Yule as a Sabbat (holiday) are a great Yule gifts. Use your imagination and good taste to pick out Yule gifts this year. And if the person you're buying for isn't Pagan, just call it a Christmas present...they won't know the difference.

The "Christmas" Tree actually has roots in Paganism...the ancient Celts in Europe would decorate the trees on the Winter Solstice, as well as on other Pagan holidays. The "Christmas" tree should actually be called the Yule tree, if you are indeed a Pagan.

To deck your Yule tree in Yule decor, look for ornaments that are shaped like stars, suns, and moons to symbolize the god and the goddess, as well as the growing daylight. Oak King and Holly King ornaments are great as Yule tree ornaments, as well as candles. Don't light real candles while on the Yule tree though, please! This is for your own safety.

Holly garlands are perfect for your Yule tree this year, as well as Star toppers. Or opt for a Yule fairy to top off the tree, instead of the typical angel toppers.

Fruit ornaments are perfect for Yule tree decorations, as well; particularly citrus fruit ornaments.

Happy Yule, everyone!