Astrology - Pagan Book of Days

Astrology is a very important concept to Pagan life. It used to tell people the time of the season/month/year. The stars would tell the farmers when it was the right time to harvest and plant. When a child was born, the stars would usually tell the personality and destiny of that child. As you can tell, it was vital for life before we came to have electronics and new technology.

Today, I'm just going to give you a rundown about how important astrology is to us. When you reach Moon Signs, I want you to understand that these signs apply to everyone and how to view that month with opportunity. Let's say it's March 4th; it is the time of Pisces and that is a time of dreaming and psychic growth. Pretty easy. You don't have to live by this, but it's just an idea. I like to keep a printed copy of the information below and try to take advantage of it whenever I can. Enjoy!

Planetary Hours

Hours from Sunrise	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn
2	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter
3	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars
4	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun
5	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus
6	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury
7	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon
8	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn
9	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter
10	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars
11	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun
12	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus
13	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury
14	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon
15	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn
16	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter
17	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars
18	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun
19	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus
20	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury
21	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon
22	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn
23	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars	Mercury	Jupiter
24	Mercury	Jupiter	Venus	Saturn	Sun	Moon	Mars

.

The Days

Each day is ruled by a planet that possesses specific magical influences.

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification and fertility. Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.
Wednesday (Mercury): The conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom.
Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity and generosity.
Friday (Venus): Love, friendship, reconciliation and beauty.
Saturday (Saturn): Longevity, exorcism, endings, homes and houses.
Sunday (Sun): Healing, spirituality, success, strength, and protection.

(Next paragraph donated by a reader. Thanks Erin!)

I don't think anyone has said anything about this on your site that I know of but an easy way to remember the Planet associated with each day of the week is to know the days of the week in French b/c all of them kinda sound like the planet they are associated with (with a few exceptions like Sunday)

Lundi-Monday-Moon
Mardi-Tuesday-Mars
Mecredi-Wednesday-Mercury
Jeudi-Thursday-Jupiter
Venredi-Friday-Venus
Samedi-Saturday-Saturn
Dimanche-Sunday-Sun

   .

The Lunar Phases

The lunar phases are important in determining the best times for magic.

The Waxing Moon: (from the new moon to the full) is the ideal time for magic to draw things towards you.

The Full Moon: is the time of the greatest power.

The Waning Moon: (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, maditation, and little magic at work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

The Moon’s Sign

The moon’s sign is another traditional consideration. The Moon continuously “moves” through the zodiac, from Aries to Pisces. Each sign possesses its own significance.

Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out an appreciation for  beauty and sensory experience.

Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games and fun.

Cancer: Stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints need, supports growth and nurturance. Tend to domestic concerns.

Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, to central ideas or institutions, away from connections with others and emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focus on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Libra: Favors cooperation, compromise, social activities, beautification of surroundings, balance, and partnership.

Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive under this sign.

Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.

Capricorn:  Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities, and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules.

Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt change. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

Pisces: The focus is on dreaming, nostalgia, intuition, and psychic impressions. A good time for spiritual or philanthropic activities.

Full Moons

January - Cold Moon, Moon after Yule,
February - Snow Moon, Wolf Moon, Hunger Moon
March - Quickening Moon, Storm Moon, Sap Moon April - Wind Moon, Grass Moon May - Flower Moon, Planting Moon June - Strong Sun Moon July - Blessing moon, Honey Moon August - Corn Moon, Thunder Moon September - Harvest Moon, Grain Moon, Fruit Moon October - Blood Moon, Hunter’s Moon November - Mourning Moon, Frosty Moon December - Moon Before Yule, Long Nights Moon

 Month, Birthstone and Flowers

January	garnet	carnation, snowdrops
February	amethyst	violets, primrose
March	bloodstone	daffodils, jonquils
April	diamond	daisy, sweet pea
May	emerald	lily of the valley, hawthorn
June	pearl	roses, honeysuckle
July	rubies	water lily, larkspur
August	peridot	gladiolus, poppies
September	sapphire	morning glories, asters
October	opal	calendula, cosmos
November	topaz	chrysanthemums, dahlias
December	turquoise	narcissus, holly

Ritual Days

Sunday - a day best suited for “light” work, especially work that combines the effects of gold and chrisolite. Monday - especially suited to divination and study of the greater mysteries. Wear yellow and pearls. Tuesday - a day of spellwork based on justified wrath, while wearing red and using iron or amethyst.
Wednesday - A day for science and magic pertaining to the mind, while wearing green and using silver or agate. Thursday - A day for religious and political rituals. Dress in purple and use tin or emeralds. Friday - Cast love spells on Fridays. Wear blue robes and use turquoise. Saturday - A day for mourning and for bidding farewell to old ways. Wear brownish colors and use lead or onyx.

Stone Days

Sunday - wear topaz, sunstone, or diamond. Use pearl in crafting talismans.
Monday - Wear pearl, moonstone, or crystal. Use an emerald for amulets.
Tuesday - Wear a ruby, star sapphire, or emerald. Use topaz for amulets.
Wednesday - Wear amethyst, star ruby, or lodestone. Use turquoise in amulets.
Thursday - Wear sapphire, cat’s eye, or carnelian. Use sapphire in rituals.
Friday - Wear emerald or cat’s eye. Use ruby.
Saturday - Wear turquoise, labradorite, or diamond. Use amethyst.

Astrological Signs
ARIES	Fire	March 21 - April 19
TAURUS	Earth	April 20 - May 19
GEMINI	Air	May 20 - June 20
CANCER	Water	June 21 - July 22
LEO	Fire	July 23 - August 21
VIRGO	Earth	August 22 - September 22
LIBRA	Air	September 23 - October 22
SCORPIO	Water	October 23 - November 21
SAGITTARIUS	Fire	November 22 - December 21
CAPRICORN	Earth	December 22 - January 21
AQUARIUS	Air	January 21 - February 19
PISCES	Water	February 20 - March 20

Passionate Dream Spell

Hi everyone! I just tried this spell last night, and, damn, does it work.  As I dreamed last night it was as if all of it was real and lucid. I enjoyed it so much that I think I might do it again tonight! Thing is, I didn't remember most of my dream well, it could be a side effect or it could just be me, but you might want to take some precaution before using this spell if you want to remember every single moment.

Anyway, here's the spell, try it out. If you don't get it on the first try, don't worry about it. Just meditate/think on the spell. The spell says you should have something that the person touched or gave you if you want to dream of a certain person, something to symbolize that person, but I didn't have anything of my person so I guess it's not a necessity, but it'll help boost the spell I think, and after saying the spell you have to think on the memories that you have of that person.

Quite simple, don't worry. It might be a wise thing to be pretty sleepy so you just fall asleep after saying the spell so your mind doesn't wander to other things. Well, good luck, I hope this spell works wonders on all of you like it did me! Also, this spell can be ADJUSTED so that the person you want has dreams of you. Just a thought!

With these treasured memories,

sweet dreams of you shall come to me.

The way you laugh, the way you smile,

my heart, it skips, it leaps a mile.

Your gentle breath, your tender touch,

I long for you, so very much.

Your lips so soft, your eyes so bright,

I need you on this lonely night.

Let me feel you, smell your scent,

taste your mouth, you're heaven sent.

Close me in your warm embrace,

and make my heart begin to race.

Pull me ever closer, near,

tell me what I need to hear.

Fulfill my every earthly desire,

until my passion roars like fire.

As is my will, this shall be done,

my magick dream has now begun!

Yuletide Carols!!!

Today is Yule, the time to celebrate the reign of the Dark King (Holly King) and light as many candles as we can to make way for the King of Light (Oak King). I hope you enjoy these carols and have a merry Yule/Christmas, whichever you celebrate (I do both).

Songs of Yuletide joy for Pagans

HARK THE NEW AGE PAGANS SING! "Coeis and Morrigant " (Tune: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing")

Hark the New Age Pagans Sing, Glory to the Holly King, Peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and Goddess reconciled, Hear us now as we proclaim, We have risen from the flames, Our ancient Craft now we reclaim, In the God and Goddess' names Hark the New Age Pagans Sing, Glory to the Holly King! Herne by highest love adored, Herne the ever-reborn Lord, At all times behold Him come, Offspring of the Holy One, Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail Incarnate Deity! Our ancient Craft now we reclaim, in the God and Goddess' names Hark the New Age Pagans Sing, Glory to the Holly King!

YE CHILDREN ALL OF MOTHER EARTH Ellen Reed (Tune: "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear")

Ye children all of Mother Earth join hands and circle around To celebrate the Solstice night When our lost Lord is found. Rejoice, the year has begun again The Sun blesses skies up above So share the season together now In everlasting Love!

GLORIA Ellen Reed

Snow lies deep upon the Earth Still our voices warmly sing Heralding the glorious birth Of the Child, the Winter King Glo -- ria! In excelsis Deo! Glo -- ria! In excelsis Dea! Our triumphant voices claim Joy and hope and love renewed And our Lady's glad refrain Answer winter's solitude Glo -- ria! In excelsis Deo! Glo -- ria! In excelsis Dea! In Her arms a holy Child Promises a glowing Light Through the winter wind so wild He proclaims the growing Light. Glo -- ria! In excelsis Deo! Glo -- ria! In excelsis Dea! Now the turning of the year Of the greater Turning sings Passing age of cold and fear Soon our golden summer brings. Glo -- ria! In excelsis Deo! Glo -- ria! In excelsis Dea!

OH, COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL! Ellen Reed

Oh, come all ye faithful Gather round the Yule Fire Oh, come ye, oh, come ye, To call the Sun! Fires within us Call the Fire above us O, come, let us invoke Him! O, come, let us invoke Him! O, come, let us invoke Him! Our Lord, the Sun! Yea, Lord, we greet Thee! Born again at Yuletide! Yule fires and candle flames Are lighted for You! Come to thy children Calling for thy blessing! O, come, let us invoke Him! O, come, let us invoke Him! O, come, let us invoke Him! Our Lord, the Sun!

SILENT NIGHT Ellen Reed

Silent night, Solstice Night All is calm, all is bright Nature slumbers in forest and glen Till in Springtime She wakens again Sleeping spirits grow strong! Sleeping spirits grow strong! Silent night, Solstice night Silver moon shining bright Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth Yule fires welcome the Sun's rebirth Hark, the Light is reborn! Hark, the Light is reborn! Silent night, Solstice night Quiet rest till the Light Turning ever the rolling Wheel Brings the winter to comfort and heal Rest your spirit in peace! Rest your spirit in peace!

GLORY TO THE NEW BORN KING Ellen Reed (1st verse)

Brothers, sisters, come to sing Glory to the new-born King! Gardens peaceful, forests wild Celebrate the Winter Child! Now the time of glowing starts! Joyful hands and joyful hearts! Cheer the Yule log as it burns! For once again the Sun returns! Brothers, sisters, come and sing! Glory to the new-born King! Brothers, sisters, singing come Glory to the newborn Sun Through the wind and dark of night Celebrate the coming light. Suns glad rays through fear's cold burns Life through death the Wheel now turns Gather round the Yule log and tree Celebrate Life's mystery Brothers, sisters, singing come Glory to the new-born Sun.

DANCING IN A WICCAN WONDERLAND "Alexander & Aarcher"

Pagans sing, are you listenin', Altar's set, candles glisten, It's a Magickal night, we're having tonight, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland Blades held high, censer smoking, God and Goddess, we're invoking, Through Elements Five, we celebrate life, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland, Queen of Heaven, is in Her place, Triple Goddess, now the Crone Face, Above and Below, She's the Goddess we know, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland Now the God, is the Provider, Supplying game for our Fire, Above and Below, He's the Horned One we know, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland In a Circle we can light a Yule Fire, And await the rising of the Sun, It's the Great Wheel turning for the new year, loaded with abundance and great fun. Later on, by the fire, Cone of Power, gettin' higher It's a Magickal Night we're having tonight, Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

SHARE THE LIGHT (The First Noel)

CHORUS: Share the light, share the light! Share the light, share the Light! All paths are one on this holy night! On this Winter holiday, let us stop and recall That this season is holy to one and to all. Unto some a Son is born, unto us comes a Sun, And we know, if they don't that all paths are one. Be it Chanukah or Yule, Christmas time or Solstice night, All celebrate the eternal light. Lighted tree or burning log, Or eight candle flames. All gods are one god, whatever their names.

MOON OF SILVER (We Three Kings)

CHORUS: Oh, Moon of Silver, Sun of Gold, Gentle Lady, Lord so bold! Guide us ever, failing never, Lead us in ways of old. Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone, Queen of Heaven on your throne, Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee, For all that you have shown. Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light, Gentle Brother, King of Might, Praise we sing thee, Love we bring Thee On this Solstice night.

JOY TO THE WORLD

Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let Earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare him room And Heaven and Nature sing, etc. Welcome our King who brings us life. Our Lady gives him birth! His living light returneth to warm the seeds within us And wake the sleeping earth, etc. Light we the fires to greet our Lord, Our Light! Our Life! Our King! Let every voice be lifted to sing his holy praises, As Heaven and Nature sing, etc.

CHRISTMAS TIME IS PAGAN! (Gloria in Excelsius Deo)

CHORUS: Glorious! Christmas time is pagan! Glorious! Christmas time is pagan! Christmas time is here again, Decorations everywhere. Christmas carols ringing out, Gentle pagans, we don't care. Modern folks all celebrate What they learned in Sunday School. In December, they don't know They are celebrating Yule! Let them have their Christmas trees, Decked in red and green and blue. We rejoice at every one! Christmas trees are pagan, too. Bowls of bubbly Christmas cheer, Fill your cup and quench your thirst. They think the tradition's theirs. Wassail bowls were pagan, first.

CHRISTMAS TIME IS PAGAN!

Every door and window bears Wreaths of holly, wreaths of pine. Circles represent the Sun. Every wreath is yours and mine. Christmas lights on Christmas trees, Candle flames burn higher and higher, Let us cheer along, my friends, As they light their Yuletide fire. There's a possibility That this song is yours and mine 'Cause the tune was known to all Back in A.D. one-two-nine.

GOD REST YE MERRY, PAGANFOLK (God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen)

God rest ye merry, paganfolk, Let nothing you dismay. Remember that the Sun returns Upon this Solstice day. The growing dark is ending now And Spring is on its way. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy! Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. The Goddess rest ye merry, too, And keep you safe from harm. Remember that we live within The circle of Her arms, And may Her love give years to come A very special charm. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy! Oh, tidings of comfort and joy! Thanks to http://sanfords.net/Pagan_Humor_and_Thoughts/Pagan_Yule_songs.htm

Gods and Goddesses of the Moon

We've talked about the cycle of the moon before, but we never really talked about the moon itself. Science states that an asteroid hit the Earth and sent a chunk of it spiraling out into space. Even though I passed my Physical Science class with an A+, it's still something that I don't feel is the truth. Truth is we might never know how the moon formed or how certain things happened, but there is one thing that I am very sure about; the Moon is a God/Goddess.

Answer me this; have you ever just been really upset, either with anger or with pain, that you looked up to the moon and it actually made you feel calm and at peace? I imagine that all of you have had your own moment of just looking up at the moon in your own moments.  If so, NO this does not make you a werewolf. This just makes you a human being. It's a gift that we are attracted to beauty, a natural part of life.

I wholeheartedly believe that the Moon is a God of sorts. Imagine our ancestors thousands of years ago, imagine how they looked up into the sky and out of the darkness there was this great huge, white orb floating in the sky. Imagine how they felt when they watched as, in a month, it disappeared only to reappear again. Imagine how they believed this rock in the sky to be significant and important.

Now, when you're done reading this, I hope that you have found the right Moon God/Goddess. It's important to believe in/worship a God of the Moon and of the Sun to represent balance in the world. Light and darkness, good and bad, yin and yang. For many, the Moon is a Mother, a Goddess that protects all within her light. Keep that in mind.

Westerners are familiar with (female) moon goddesses. Our word lunar, as in the lunar cycle of full, crescent, and new moons, comes from the feminine Latin Luna. This seems natural because of the association of the lunar month and the female menstrual cycle, but not all societies envision the moon as a woman. In the Bronze Age, the East, from Anatolia to Sumer and Egypt, had (male) moon gods [Source: "The Myth of Europa and Minos," by P. B. S. Andrews. Greece & Rome, Vol. 16, No. 1 (Apr., 1969), pp. 60-66]. Here are some of the moon gods and moon goddesses of major ancient religions.

Arma
Nationality: Hittite
Moon God
Arma is the name of a Hittite lunar personification whom some think is connected with the Greek god Hermes.
Reference: "Hittite Ritual at Sardis," by Noel Robertson. Classical Antiquity, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Apr., 1982), pp. 122-140.

Artemis
Nationality: Greek
Moon Goddess
In Greek mythology, the sun god was originally Helios (whence words like heliocentric for our sun-centered solar system) and the moon goddess Selene, but over time, this changed. Artemis came to be associated with Selene, just like Apollo with Helios. Apollo became a sun god and Artemis became the goddess of the moon.

Bendis
Nationality: Thracian 
Moon Goddess
Bendis was a goddess of the moon and hunt, associated by the Greeks with Artemis.
Source: "Balkan mythology" The Oxford Companion to World mythology. David Leeming. Oxford University Press, 2004.

Coyolxauhqui
Nationality: Aztec
Moon Goddess
Coyolxauhqui means "Golden Bells." Coyolxauhqui is the sister of the Sun god, Huitzilopochtli.
Diana
Nationality: Roman
Moon Goddess

Heng-O
Nationality: Chinese
Moon Goddess
Heng-O was the mother of the 12 moons and 10 suns.

Ix Chel
Maya goddess Ixchel
Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia
Nationality: Maya
Moon Goddess
Lady Rainbow was a Maya old woman moon goddess. 

Khons/Khonsu
Nationality: Egyptian
Moon God
Amen's consort was Mut. Together they had a son, Khons or Khonsu the moon god. His name means "the wanderer." He may have been believed to be capable of flying.
Other Egyptian moon gods:
Thoth
Osiris
Min
Duau
Shu and Khnum are also associated with the moon.
Source: Hathor and Thoth, by Claas Jouco Bleeker.

Mawu
Nationality: African, Dahomey
Moon Goddess
Also spelled Maou. Female.
Mên
Nationality: Phrygian, Western Asia Minor
Moon God
Male
Mên is a Phrygian lunar god also connected with fertility, healing, and punishment. Characteristically, Men is depicted with the points of crescent moons on his shoulders. He wears a Phrygian cap. Mên carries a pine cone or patera in his outstretched right hand and rests his left upon a sword or lance.

Selene or Luna
The Moon-goddess Selene
Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons.
Nationality: Greek
Luna in Latin.
Moon Goddess
Actually, Selene/Luna is a moon Titan (since she's female, that could be Titaness), and the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Thea. Selene/Luna is the sister of the sun god Helios/Sol.
Sin/Nanna

Tsuki-Yomi
Nationality: Japanese
Moon God
A Shinto moon god.

Yarikh
Nationality: Ugarit
Moon God
Yarikh or Yarih was the lover of Nikkal -- a Sumerian sun goddess.











Thanks to N.S. Gill from http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/polytheisticreligions/tp/MoonGods.htm

Symbols of Yuletide

Deities of Yule:  All Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children. 

Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future. 

Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus. 

Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar. 

Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples). 

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon. 

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange. 

Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds. 

Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule 

Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness. 

Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon. 

Yule/Winter Solstice

First, before we start on this topic, I just want to say thank you to all of you who look at this blog and take something away from it (hopefully good). I know that starting this path has always been difficult when there's no teacher to guide you, but I hope I made that journey much easier. So, thank you for the 7000 views!

December 21 has been known by many names; the Winter Solstice, Yule (Wiccan), Alban Arthuan (Druidic), and the Festival of Lights. It is traditionally known as the first day of winter and the longest day of the year. This day is celebrated as the death and rebirth of the Sun God - the Divine Child. The full moon after Yule is considered the most powerful of the whole year. Yule is the celebration of the death of the Holly King and the renewed reign of the Oak King.

Pagans celebrate Yule nearly exactly like Christians, Catholics, and many other people you would see celebrate Christmas. When Pagans of old were taken over by the Christian rule, the Christians found it impossible to convert the Pagans. They eventually allowed the Pagan peoples to keep their holidays as long as they did them "in the name of their Lord, Jesus Christ." This is why Christians celebrate the birth of their lord on this night, even though (even stated in the bible for those bible thumpers out there) Christ was born in the spring with the lambs. The Yule log, made of oak, is burned as sacrifice of the old dead Holly King. This day is a light festival, with as many lights on the tree and altar as possible to celebrate the coming of the new child. Mistletoe is hung because in the ancient days couples would play out their trial marriages on this day. Ceremonies were held beneath oak trees strung with garlands of mistletoe.

Yule is known to Pagans as the "Time of Great Darkness." The nights grow long and the days grow short and the Sun before Yule seems to wither and die. Yule marks the coldest, darkest, and harshest part of  the year. Yule is always celebrated on the Winter Solstice. The Christian holiday Christmas was adapted form the ancient Pagan tradition of celebrating the coming of the newborn Sun/Son to light the world. In the Pagan traditions he [the Sun] is born unto the Mother Goddess and in the Christian religions he [the Son] is born to the Mother Mary.

"The first written record for this holiday's occurrence on December 25th was in 354 AD in Rome when one scholar wrote: 'It was customary for Pagans to celebrate the birth of the Sun...when the doctors of the church perceived that the Christians had a leaning to this fstival they took counsel and resolved that the true Nativity should be solemnized on that day.'" (From "You Call it Christmas, We Call it Yule" by Peg Aloi - Witches' Voice writer)

Pagans celebrate Yule by blessing their crop plants and animals. A common Yule practice is Wassailing Apples from the fall harvest are made into a cider known as Wassail. To ensure the fertility of their apple trees for the coming years, bits of cider-smoked bread were placed in the branches of the trees and libations of cider were poured over their roots. Later in history, guns were fired up through the branches to ward off evil spirits. In the same way, cider was often poured on livestock to ensure their fertility and good health for the next year.

Kissing under the mistletoe also stems from ancient Celtic traditions. The Winter Solstice was a time for marriage ceremonies, as stated earlier. There was feasting and games and couples who wished to marry would come together at this time. Mistletoe was considered a very sacred plant and was thought to grow between the Worlds symbolically because it grew on trees and not out of the ground. It was considered especially lucky when mistletoe grew on oaks, because oak trees have antibiotic properties which prevent fungi from growing on them. Mistletoe on an oak was a symbol of harmony in unity and became an important symbol for marriage. Garlands of mistletoe were strung between the trees and couples would dance or pass under the boughs and kiss, thus sealing their marriage for 1 year and 1 day. After this time if they no longer wished to be married, they could go their separate ways. This began the modern tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.

Holly is used in Yule decorations to symbolize the Holly King who dies at Yule to make way for the Oak King. The Yule log stems from this tradition. Some say that the log should be oak, some say ash, and others say holly. Burning the Yule log symbolizes the sacrificial death of the Holly King and the reign of the Oak King over the second half of the year. The Yule log is decorated with paper decorations and plants such as holly, mistletoe, and evergreen sprigs. Red ribbons and tinsel are tied to the top of the log before it is burned in the fire. The Yule log must be lit on the first try and must remain burning for the next 12 hours for good luck. A piece of the log is saved to use to light the next year's fire.

There are many ideas where Christmas trees origionally came from. Some say that the practice originated in ancient Egypt. Others say that it stems from ancient tree-worshiping practices. Today, many Pagans refuse to cut down trees and use fake trees instead. Those who still cut down trees every year say that you must cut your own instead of buying one and afterward the tree should be burned. There is even the practice of replanting a tree that you had taken.

During this night, the longest night of the year, Pagans light has many candles as can be found both to symbolically wait out the death of the Holly King and to celebrate the coming of new light. At no other time of the year is light more sacred. Many believe that it is taboo to extinguish any flame or to travel at Yuletide.

Feasting has always been a Yule tradition. These meals celebrate the harvest that was gathered in the autumn and to celebrate the passing of winter. It was the time when the days begin to grow longer as the Oak King grows stronger and climbs further and further up the sky. Tables, altars, and Yule trees are covered in lights and candles. As many lights as possible lie strewn about in anticipation of the birth of the new child Sun King from the womb of the Mother.

Well, that's my version of Yule. Look for my next post and I'll show you the symbols of Yule and how to best decorate for it!

Here's a site for you to look at if you have any specific questions about Yule.
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/a/About_Yule.htm