| Making a Yule Log by Oracle |
| In the Craft, many Wiccan Witches, as part of their Yule celebrations, burn what's called a Yule Log, to symbolically mark the death of winter and the rebirth of the sun. Now, for some Wiccans, we don't have fire places in our houses, so burning logs is definitely a no. So for those who don't have any fire places to burn your Yule logs, I thought I would think up a different way for you to make a Yule log. But before we begin here's a little history about the Yule Log. The Yule Log has a very old history. The burning of the Yule log stems from the old Pagan custom of the Yule bonfire, which was burned in hopes of dispelling the cold and darkness, and give life and power to the Sun. The Sun was thought to be reborn on this night and as the days grew longer, so would fertility and light return to the land as well. Once the fire was burning, the ashes would then be mixed with cow fodder to aid in reproduction and was sprinkled over the fields to insure anew life and a fertile spring. In later times, the outdoor bonfire custom was replaced with indoor burning logs and red candles carved with images of the Sun. The log would then be decorated and sprinkled herbs, then left to burn in the fireplace all night long. But the individual burning the log, always made sure to save part of the log for next year's Yule celebration. The ashes were then put into little pouches of healing and protection against misfortune in the coming year. So that's how the Yule log came about. Here's how to actually make a Yule log: Supplies: metal tea candle cups, a bunch of white tea candles to go into the candle cups, your choice of herbs, preferably ones associated with Yule like evergreens, pine, wintergreen, ivy, myrrh, mistletoe, etc. You will also need some ribbons in your choice of colors, glitter, and a knife. Finally the last thing you will need is a log. Yule logs are usually made of oak, ash, and pine, but you can use any kind of log that you want to. 1. First lay the log on a flat surface. With the knife carve into the surface of the log any number of holes that you want in the log. 2. Insert the metal tea cups into the holes. Make sure that the holders fit into the holes nice and tightly. Make sure its sturdy. Once this is done, place the candles into the cups. 3. Now decorate the log anyway you want. You can tie the ribbons to the log. You can sprinkle the glitter over the top of the log. You can put little Yule charms or trinkets on the log as well. You can also surround the log with fake mistletoe and holly as well. Just go all out and be as creative as you can. 4. On Yule, separate or as part of your Yule celebration, light the candles and then sprinkle the herbs on top of the surface of the log. Make sure not to sprinkle any of the herbs onto the flames of the candles directly! Be careful! 5. Have a fun Yule sabbat! |
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| by Rowan |