Acknowledging the holidays
celebrated by the special Witch in your life is a wonderful way to express
appreciation for and understanding of a very unique aspect of your loved one.
When December rolls around, why not add a personal flair based on an
understanding of what this season means to those close to you who practice
Wicca? By doing this you can deepen your understanding of what this time means
to your loved one, while also showing that you are willing to acknowledge a
large part of what spiritually fulfills the individual.
Unlike many other holidays, there is
a great deal of overlap in seasonal celebrations this time of year with pagan
and Wiccan celebrations. In fact, unlike Samhain which
may take some practice to get used to, the Wiccan celebration in late December
bears a name with which most of us are familiar: Yule. It is important to note that many traditions
and customs later carried out during December festivals such as Christmas, St.
Stephen’s Day, and other Winter Holiday traditions originated in pre-Christian,
pagan cultures. The roots of many of these traditions still hold strong in the
modern Wiccan and Pagan celebration of Yule, or Midwinter or Winter Solstice.
This holiday occurs circa December 20-22, depending on the year. It marks the
beginning of winter. A great example of a special tradition for Yule is the
decorative or functional Yule Log, or an evergreen log with holes drilled along
the side for candles. Holly, Mistletoe and other natural accessories of winter
are very important and symbolic, as well as beautiful accents used during this
holiday. Even wreaths and other remnants of nature’s stoic survival in the
harsh winter months make great Yule gifts.
As it marks the heart of winter in
the northern hemisphere, this holiday is a fire festival. Any gifts that bear
the mark of fire, from candles, to warm spicy foods and ciders, to specialty
stews or toasty warm blankets, carry the energy of this holiday: warming the
heart and home and uplifting the spirit in an otherwise dark time of year.
Gifts that capture the light are a great way to acknowledge this season as
well, and can be given in the form of sparkling, glittery or shiny
ornamentation, jewelry, and household accents. Gold colors are significant this
time of year as they relate to the Sun and this is being the holiday marking
the “rebirth” of the Sun God.
While most symbols of Yule are close
enough to other winter holiday décor and symbolism to be compiled together in
one big politically correct happy family, acknowledging the specific
celebrations of one you know to be Wiccan can be deeply heartwarming. When in
doubt consider that since Wicca is a nature based religion, most symbols
reminiscent of winter holidays that stem from the natural world will be held in
high esteem. Go for the holly, mistletoe, and pinecones in decorative or
fragrant arrangements, even the reindeer as symbolic of the “Stag King”
(fertility representative of the God) or any variety of candles or representations
of warming and fire. Choosing gifts carefully can help you avoid awkward
moments on the holiday and during family or workplace gatherings. With the right gifts you can demonstrate that
you took the time to choose seasonally appropriate gifts for the known Wiccan
in your life: gifts that show an understanding and respect for Wiccan holiday
customs and traditions.
Article by: Angela Kaufman. Angela is a Priestess for the Dragon Warriors
of Isis Coven in Upstate, New York, and the co-author of Wicca: What's the Real Deal?
She is a professional tarot reader.
For more information about Wicca:
What's the Real Deal? visit http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.
