The Yule Sabbat: A History
Pronounced ‘Yool’ (ˈyül) the Yule Sabbat is the shortest day of the year. It is celebrated at the Midwinter Solstice and begins on December 21st and runs through January 1st. Germanic peoples are credited with the creation of Yule, also known as Yule Time, Yule-tide, and Yule Season.
It is a festival established in original commemorations of Odin the Norse God of War and the Dead, the Wild Hunt, the Pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht and the rebirth of the Sun.
While etymologists have been unable to ascertain the pedigree of the word Yule, we do know that it holds root in Common Germanic, Old Norse, Old English, Icelandic, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and Faroese.
WHAT DOES YULE CELEBRATE?
In essence, Yule is a celebration of the Sun’s return. It’s not on accident that it takes place on the shortest day of the year. It’s at this point that we reach the darkest depth of the longest night. The return of longer days and fertile seasons is welcomed with traditions like the Yule Log, feasts, gift giving, and singing.
According to Wicca and some other sects of Paganism, the Goddess followed the God into the Underworld during Samhain. Earth started its slumber for winter and as it does, the Wheel of the Year turned to Yule. It’s then that the Goddess is with child and gives birth to the Oak…
