Yule

'Yule or Yule-tide was a Germanic midwinter festival involving a sacrificial feast that was absorbed into Christmas. The pagan Germanic peoples celebrated Yule from late December to early January on a date determined by the lunar Germanic calendar, but the festival was placed on December 25 when the Christian (Julian) calendar was adopted.  The term is still used in the Nordic Countries and to a lesser extent English speaking countries to refer to Christmas. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from Yule. In modern times, Yule is observed as a cultural festival and also with religious rites by some Christians and by some Neopagans.'

Today is Yule - the winter solstice, it's also my surname.  I love my surname, it's unusual in the south of England where I live - but in the north of Scotland it's pretty common (which is where my father's ancestors came from.)   I've always thought it was a somewhat inappropriate surname for me as I just loathe midwinter (as did my Dad) and spend this time of year wishing my life away until it is spring (as did my Dad). However, this quote from the Wikipedia page made me think again.  Perhaps it really is a good name for me to have.

'Jól (Yule) has alternately been theorized as deriving from Old Norse hjól, wheel, referring to the moment when the wheel of the year is at its low point, ready to rise again.'

Wishing you all a wonderful Yule - and here's to the wheel rising again soon.

Comments

[Sharon J]

Hjul is still the Norwegian word for wheel and as far as I've always understood it is indeed symbolic of the turning of the wheel of the year and now the sun will once again grow strong and warm us with its rays :)