What holidays do Wiccans celebrate?

Was Christmas a pagan holiday?

Now, as Christmas applies to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is decidedly not pagan. However, there are some differences of opinion when it comes to the selection of day of celebration. On the Roman calendar, December 25 was the date of the winter solstice (December 21 on the modern calendar).

Are winter solstice and Yule the same?

The pagan celebration of the winter solstice is known as Yule, and it’s one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. It simultaneously celebrates the shortest day of the year, midwinter, the return of the Sun, and a festival of rebirth. This year, it occurs from December 21, 2022, to January 1, 2023.

How is Yule traditionally celebrated?

Decorating with greenery, hanging ornaments in trees, caroling, and gift-giving are all customs that originated with Germanic peoples celebrating the day of Yule. Some scholars believe that the festival of Yule is closely related to Saturnalia, a week-long holiday that ancient Romans celebrated around the solstice.

What are the traditions of Yule?

Yule celebrations included bonfires, decorating with holly, mistletoe, and the boughs of evergreen trees, ritual sacrifices, feasts, and gift-giving.

Do pagans still celebrate Yule?

Modern paganism

Some Heathens, for example, celebrate in a way as close as possible to how they believe ancient Germanic pagans observed the tradition, while others observe the holiday with rituals “assembled from different sources.” Heathen celebrations of Yule can also include sharing a meal and gift giving.

What is a Yule pagan?

For Wiccans, Yule is the second sabbat of the Wheel of the Year, marked with rituals to welcome the return of the Sun. Some mark the holiday with reenactments of the battle between the Holly King (representing darkness) and the Oak King (representing light) of Celtic legend.

Do Christians celebrate Yule?

Although some people think Christians cannot celebrate Yule, it is definitely not an anti-Christian festival. It is also not an exclusively Pagan celebration. Yule is a time of celebrating nature and seasonal change, so Christians can celebrate Yule.

What do the 12 days of Yule mean?

Gradually Yuletide was extended to span a full 12 days and nights, blending several other traditions. The 12 days between the winter solstice and the beginning of the next solar year were considered a sacred period, belonging neither to the old year nor the new year.

Who brings gifts for Yule?

The Yule Goat

Thor was said to have a chariot that was pulled across the sky by two goat bucks. During Yule they would either bring gifts to well behaved children or demand gifts on behalf of Thor.

Is Christmas gift-giving pagan?

Gift-giving has its roots in pagan rituals held during the winter. When Christianity folded these rituals into Christmas, the justification for bearing gifts was redirected to the Three Wise Men, the Magi, who gave gifts to the infant Jesus. But in early modern Europe, it also had its roots in Christmas begging.

What do you say to celebrate Yule?

“When they say ‘Merry Christmas’ I say ‘Merry Christmas,’ ” she said. “Amongst sisters and brothers and mothers of my faith, we say ‘Blessed Yule’ or ‘Happy Yule. ‘ ”

What is an appropriate Yule greeting?

During the Yule, the Oak King conquers the Holly King until Midsummer. Greetings include “Happy Solstice,” “Merry Yuletide,” and “Happy Yule.”

What is the winter solstice blessing?

May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night, that each day forward is blessed with more light. That the cycle of nature, unbroken and true, brings faith to your soul and wellbeing to you. Rejoice in the darkness, in the silence find rest, and may the days that follow be abundantly blessed.

What should we do on first night of Yule?

As the first night of Yule, it has also become customary to drink eggnog and wassail, eat rich foods, and spend time with family and friends to set the tone of wealth, plenty, and harmony for the coming year.