A Yule Log to Celebrate the sun’s journey back to the north

Celebrate the joy and peace in the sun’s journey back to the north with the burning of a Yule Log. Inspired by eGALLERi’s contributor Trine Stolbin, our European Yule Log features five thin candles set in solid brass fittings. The 5 candles vs. the traditional 3, represent the great mother nature goddess. Did you know as an ancient symbol of the season, the Yule Log came to us from the Celts as a pagan observance? It was later adopted into Christmas holidays and burned on the night of Winter Solstice and on Christmas Eve.

Connecting with Nature, Winter Solstice and Christmas

As the year turns over and the days get shorter, the skies become gray. It can even feel sometimes as if the sun is dying. In this time of darkness, we pause on the Solstice and realize that something wonderful is happening. At Yule, the sun stops its decline into the south. For a few days, it seems as though it is rising in the same place – and then something amazing and miraculous takes place. The light begins to return. The sun begins its journey back to the north, and once again we are reminded that we have something worth celebrating.

For families from all different spiritual paths, the return of the light is celebrated. Menorahs, Kwanzaa candles, bonfires, and brightly lit Christmas trees brighten our winters. On Yule, the Winter Solstice celebration take place on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. The Yule log itself is not burned, but candles are placed on it and lite to celebrate the passing of the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Yule Log Tradition

The tradition of the Yule log began in Norway, where a giant log was hoisted onto the hearth to celebrate the return of the sun each year. The Norsemen believed that the sun was a giant wheel of fire which rolled away from the earth, and then began rolling back again on the winter solstice.

Once Christianity spread through Europe, logs were burned, and the ashes were scattered about the house to protect the family within from hostile spirits. “The Yule log symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness whether burned in whole or just its candle. Traditionally, it would burn throughout the night, or 12 hours, and hopefully smolder for 12 days.

Each type of wood is associated with various magical and spiritual properties. Logs from different types of trees might be burned to get a variety of effects. Aspen is the wood of choice for spiritual understanding, while the mighty oak is symbolic of strength and wisdom. A family hoping for a year of prosperity might burn a log of pine. While a couple hoping to be blessed with fertility would drag a bough of birch to their hearth.

Candle Colors & Log Decorations

Modern Yule logs typically hold 3 candles vs. eGALLERi’s yule log that has 5. Generally, the various colors noted below represent these three things:

• Red, green and white candles represent “Season”
• Green, gold and black candles represent the “Sun God”, and
• White, red and black candles represent the “Great Goddess”.

Although the colors of Yule in pagan observances include red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow and orange (according to wicca.com). The website twopagans.com designates the colors of Yule as gold, silver, red, green and white. These same colors have also been adopted into Christian Christmas celebrations. Generally, yule logs used in homes today typically utilize red, green or white candles, the traditional modern Christmas colors.

You may also see the yule log and its candles decorated additionally with red ribbons of natural fiber, dried green holly leaves and mistletoe. Additionally, many people change out their candle colors throughout the holiday season.

Find joy and peace in the sun’s journey back to the north by purchasing our European styled Yule Log. Naturally harvested, this birch log may be reused year after year, with the candle colors changing throughout the holiday season. Red thin dipped candles included. Made in USA.  Shop now.