The Winter Hearth
By Michele White
Our tales have many references to Yule. The most prominent being the "drinking of Yule". In “The Story of Hákon Háreksson”, the statement is made ~ "He held three main feasts every year, Yule, middle of winter and Easter". Yule feasts were also described in Egils Saga and in The Saga of Grettir. In the Saga of Greenland, Eric the Red also made mention of preparations for Yule. Today, we have attempted to reclaim the origins of Yule in many forms. The old tales are still told the world over, only now they may be blended with a variety of cultural practices that we have within our various families. However you choose to celebrate this time of year, there are a number of ways that our spiritual beliefs can be integrated.
As a Hearth* keeper ~ or even as one who holds this “hearth” within their hearts, there are many ways of bringing the ways of our ancestors back into being. One of these is the Yule log.
For more information on the origins and customs surrounding the Yule Log ~ you might look into some sites such as these:
The History of Christmas: The Yule Log
The Religious Practices of the Pre-Christian and Viking Age North - Yule
Today, the burning of the Yule log can be a challenge for the small apartment dweller ~ or for one who lives with others not of their faith. Nevertheless, there many fun methods we can use to honor the old ways! Open your heart and recall the days when families would gather before the life giving hearth fire and drew comfort from loved ones. It was here that meals were prepared with care, guests were shown hospitality, and babies were rocked through the long winternights…
With some simple tools, a small log can be drilled to hold candles and decorated as a centerpiece on a Yule Altar. If tools are not available, hot gluing votive cups on the log will also work. To maintain the tradition of lighting the log with a piece from the previous years fire, a strip of each years cutting can be carved, or sliced off to light the candles of the current year. (note the Icelandic tradition in the links above on the gifting of candles during Yule)
These “centerpieces” can range from simply elegant ~ to whimsical and quite elaborate! Involve the entire family and have each person add something to honor the ancestors ~ or that reminds them of hearth and home. Consider the use of herbs or essential oils ~ they will add a wonderful scent to your home when applied!
Combining the tradition of the “Golden Boar” and the Yule Log, the standard BBQ will do quite well in a pinch! The smell of a rich pork, smoking on a fire can warm the coldest of evenings! Even with limited space or severe winter weather, most folks have the ability to cook outdoors under an awning or on a porch. Using a small log in the burning of the BBQ can be done with ease! (If the log is soaked in water the night before, it will add a nice smoky flavor to your meal! Just be sure to set it out to drain the morning it is to be burned so that it doesn’t extinguish your coals)
As we live our modern lives as Heathen Folk, let us take the time to incorporate the memories and ways of old. Although these examples of Yule are not quite “authentic”, I cannot imagine Frigg turning down a shiny Weber with an instant lighting propane tank! (grin)
* Yourdictionary.com defines “HEARTH” as
a. the fireside as the center of family life
b. family life; home