December 21 - Day 2 of Yule: The Winter Solstice

This post is part of my 12 Days of Yule series, inspired by the seasonal framework outlined by Pagan Grimoire. Yule is an ancient fire festival, meant to assure the return of the sun. The Yule Log, in some traditions, was meant to burn all night.



Long before tv stations played Home Alone on a 24 hour loop on Christmas, WPIX-11 broadcast The Yule Log. For New Yorkers without a fireplace, it brought Christmas music and a roaring fire to their living room televisions. A nice touch.

Watching a controlled fire, whether it's a campfire, hearthfire or candle, is comforting and nostalgic. People instinctively know that fire means gathering, community, warmth and reassurance.

The reassurance is what comes into play with a Yule log. It's meant to light the longest night of the year, and remind us of the sun's return.

I hope you spend some contemplative time watching a fire tonight, and that it brings you comfort and security.