The Yule Tree (Tennebaum) and the Yule log (Germanic-Scandinavian roots) are very pagan traditions. Yet it can feel tough to find specifically pagan or witchy yule-time symbols to decorate and celebrate with.
Unless you celebrate the reborn God (not Jesus, more like Cernunnos or the Wild Green man), then it always feels like you’re left with stars, mistletoe, and cute woodland creatures to use for your Yule celebrations. There’s nothing wrong with any of those symbols, mind you. I am slowly building an army of cute woodland creatures, among other things which I will talk about in a bit.
For such a big holiday in modern times, I’m left wondering how do you put the Yule back in Yuletide.
Adding magick to your Yule Tree
Maybe I’m a stickler, or maybe, just for once, I would love so see my beliefs reflected in a Hallmark ornament, but we all have an obsession with the Yule tree (I refuse to call it, at least this year, what everyone else calls it, because I want to reclaim it’s heritage). As much as we’re geeky here, I’m beginning to feel Disney and Star Wars shouldn’t be on my sacred Yule tree if I don’t honestly feel it’s meaningful.
Letting your kids add something meaningful to them aside, the Yule tree is a focal point of holiday magic and wonder. So why aren’t more of us using it as a focal point or altar (so to speak) for Magick (with a K, the witchy kind).
Ornaments are a good place to start, for this modern take a Yule tree.
Using ornaments in for Holiday Magick
- Choose a Deity Theme
- Make ornaments to express an intention and/or gratitude
- Use Salt or gingerbread dough to create herbal home blessing ornaments
- Add or create ornaments that help call in ancestor, mighty dead, or a loved one's energy.
- Add or create ornaments that express healing intentions, add ornament for those who are in need this season (and maybe an anonymous gift card sent to them too)
Good Symbols for pagan ornaments
- Obviously, the star 5, 8, 12 pointed are always good standards for many tranditions of the Craft.
- The Stag: a representation of the Horned God. A white stag has traditionally use around this time of year.
- The Tomten or Gnomes: These are usually helpful nature spirits from Scandinavian and Germanic lore. In more modern times, these magickal little beings are said to help St. Nick deliver gifts. Don't forget to leave them an offering of butter or cream! I am currently building an army of Tomten for my home.
- Goats or Rams: The horns and cloven feet also make this a symbol of the Horned God. But goats were added to the mythos around Scandinavian Santa, as his trusted helper. Straw Goats with red ribbons are a common decoration associated to Northern European Christmas folk belief.
- Candles: Yule is the official start to the Dark times of the year, when light is waning. Many cultures use candles around this time of year to signify the hope that the light will return. Now I wouldn't put real candles in a tree, too much of a fire hazard for me. But getting a bulk of battery operated tea lights and dressing them up with ribbons or greenery or even making hanging lanterns are a great witchy way to honor our past and still be meaningful today.
- Bells: Not just part of Rudolf's harness, bells and witch bells are a great traditional addition to your tree. Bells were often used to scare away the ghosts and spirits during the Dark times of the year.
- Dried and cloven fruit: Dried orange slices and organges with cloves pushed into them are great magickal symbols and herbal helpers to help set the tone for the Dark times and New Year ahead. Cranberries are also an appropriate symbols for courage and healing in the New Year.
- Crystals: Trees like crystals too!
Sharing Holiday Magick
Sharing is always part of the magick of the Dark times of the year.
Whether it’s sharing a hot beverage on a cold night, finding the perfect meaningful gift, or doing a witchy ornament exchange, the perfect gift, in this and any season, are those given freely in perfect and love and trust!
