Word Of The Day: Yule, Yuletide Yule was an indigenous midwinter festival celebrated by the Germanic peoples. The earliest references to it are in the form of month names, Ærra Jéola (Before Yule) or Jiuli and Æftera Jéola (After Yule), where the Yuletide period lasts somewhere around two months in length, falling along the end of the modern calendar year between what is now mid-November and early January. (sound familiar?). Scholars have connected the celebration to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Modranicht as well as the Christian calendar. Yule or Yuletide (Yule time) underwent Christianization resulting in Christmastide. Terms equivalent to Yule are used in the Nordic countries for Christmas with its religious and secular rites. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from Yule. Editors Note: This is a very basic definition of the Yule season or Yuletide. The complex interaction between pagan and Christian holidays and the connection to Norse, Germanic and Celtic history and lore is worth the exploration. Have a great Fourth Day of Christmas, take care of the calling birds and enjoy this wonderful holiday season!
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 14:57:05 +0000
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