Post by robincragin on Nov 10, 2015 11:37:45 GMT -5
Burning huge communal bonfires was another ancient Yule custom. Pagan folk would first select trees that they considered to be sacred. Each household would cut down a sacred tree and add it to the communal fire. Some of the trees sacred to the ancient Europeans included birch, oak, holly, pine, and willow. Pagan folk believed that while the wood burned, it imparted some special or magical influence.
The hearth fire replaced the customary outdoor bonfire over the course of time. Because of this change, pagan folks typically burned only a section of the tree—a Yule log—instead of the entire tree. New magical traditions arose with this change. For example, pagan folk would first select a tree for logging on the land of the home where it would be burned. Like other magical tools, the Yule log was not a thing to purchase. It could, perhaps, be a gift.
Families would cut Yule logs from the thickest parts of the tree. Sometimes huge roots or giant stumps found their way to the hearth. After cutting the log, the householder would then ceremonially drag it across his or her land for luck. Once the log made its way to the hearth, family members and neighbors might then decorate it with sprigs of holly, pine needles, and berries. The master of the house would sprinkle the log with oil, salt, and cider or wassail. A young girl would then ceremonially kindle the log, and attendants would keep it burning over the course of twelve nights. In other accounts, the log was supposed to last for twelve hours; it was considered an evil omen if the log extinguished before the end of twelve hours.
A family would then, customarily, preserve a piece of the log from the fire. This piece of wood served as kindling for the next year’s Yule log. In the rural parts of Europe, a farmer might attach the piece of unburden Yule log to his plow to assure a bountiful harvest. The early Europeans also believed that they could bless their crops by mixing the ash from the incinerated Yule log into the soil just before seeding. Pagan folk might also keep the ash in their homes as protection from lightning, malevolent forces, or from evil spirits.
For today’s practice, select one of the magical woods listed below, based on its magical influence or which one is easier to find where you live:
Magical Wood/Magical Influence
Aspen: Invokes universal understanding and compassion
Birch: New beginnings, a fresh start, new ideas, new projects
Holly: Inspires visions and reveals past lives
Oak: Evokes the power of the sun and brings healing, strength, & wisdom
Pine: Invokes the energies of prosperity and growth
Willow: Invokes the triple goddess’ aid, psychic power
You won’t need an entire log for this activity. You can use a branch or even a twig. Sprinkle the wood with salt and rub it vigorously with olive oil. Cut off one end of the branch and save it as kindling for your Yule log this winter. Burn the rest of the log in order to release the wood’s magical virtues. When you are finished, place the ash in a small bundle that you make from a red square of cloth. Tie the bundle with green thread and hang it near the hearth to keep away unwanted forces. Be sure to save this ash, as you will use it in future ritual work.
The hearth fire replaced the customary outdoor bonfire over the course of time. Because of this change, pagan folks typically burned only a section of the tree—a Yule log—instead of the entire tree. New magical traditions arose with this change. For example, pagan folk would first select a tree for logging on the land of the home where it would be burned. Like other magical tools, the Yule log was not a thing to purchase. It could, perhaps, be a gift.
Families would cut Yule logs from the thickest parts of the tree. Sometimes huge roots or giant stumps found their way to the hearth. After cutting the log, the householder would then ceremonially drag it across his or her land for luck. Once the log made its way to the hearth, family members and neighbors might then decorate it with sprigs of holly, pine needles, and berries. The master of the house would sprinkle the log with oil, salt, and cider or wassail. A young girl would then ceremonially kindle the log, and attendants would keep it burning over the course of twelve nights. In other accounts, the log was supposed to last for twelve hours; it was considered an evil omen if the log extinguished before the end of twelve hours.
A family would then, customarily, preserve a piece of the log from the fire. This piece of wood served as kindling for the next year’s Yule log. In the rural parts of Europe, a farmer might attach the piece of unburden Yule log to his plow to assure a bountiful harvest. The early Europeans also believed that they could bless their crops by mixing the ash from the incinerated Yule log into the soil just before seeding. Pagan folk might also keep the ash in their homes as protection from lightning, malevolent forces, or from evil spirits.
For today’s practice, select one of the magical woods listed below, based on its magical influence or which one is easier to find where you live:
Magical Wood/Magical Influence
Aspen: Invokes universal understanding and compassion
Birch: New beginnings, a fresh start, new ideas, new projects
Holly: Inspires visions and reveals past lives
Oak: Evokes the power of the sun and brings healing, strength, & wisdom
Pine: Invokes the energies of prosperity and growth
Willow: Invokes the triple goddess’ aid, psychic power
You won’t need an entire log for this activity. You can use a branch or even a twig. Sprinkle the wood with salt and rub it vigorously with olive oil. Cut off one end of the branch and save it as kindling for your Yule log this winter. Burn the rest of the log in order to release the wood’s magical virtues. When you are finished, place the ash in a small bundle that you make from a red square of cloth. Tie the bundle with green thread and hang it near the hearth to keep away unwanted forces. Be sure to save this ash, as you will use it in future ritual work.