Yule is one of eight sabbats, or festivals, celebrated by Pagans. Paganism is a pretty big umbrella term that includes a lot of pre-Christian religions and traditions, like Germanic and Norse celebrations. Such winter celebrations lasted from the beginning of the winter solstice on Dec. 21st or 22, into early Jan. for twelve days, hence the modern ‘12 days of Christmas.’ Norse customs attribute the sabbat to Odin and Frigg, the god of war and death and goddess of motherhood and marriage. Because of Odin’s connection to death, “ Some contend that the original festival was a sort of Norse Day of the Dead,” as Britannica puts it. This connection leads to beliefs that going outside on the night of the solstice was dangerous, as it was the night when the dead move on, and those caught outside could be swept away with them before their time. Odin, of course, was the man flying around in the sky on his eight-legged horse, collecting the souls with his long white beard. He may have been the original Santa, given these connections. The Celts used Yule as a celebration of the New Year, and the Yule log was used to represent and welcome the coming sun. In most solstice festivals, gifts were exchanged between celebrators to honor the gods. Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe, were hung in homes to ward off evil spirits and keep homes pure. In Scandinavia, the holiday is still pronounced Yule or Yol, but it is spelled as Jol or Jul. American spelling comes from old English and the Anglo-Saxons. 

Much of modern tradition did come from Yule but, for early Pagans, the winter solstice was time for rest and partying, since there were no fields to tend to and no work to do. Decorating a tree, for example, came from the Yule tree. It represented the tree of life and was adorned with natural, homemade ornaments like dried fruit, pinecones, or symbols sacred to their gods. Celebrators also put berries on the tree so that birds may feed, as well. The Yule Log, as previously mentioned, was also huge in both Norse and Celtic traditions. In Norse traditions, it was burning a huge log from an ash tree to honor Thor. In Celtic tradition, having a continuous burning hearth in the home was believed to keep spirits from entering the home. They used an oak tree placed trunk first into the hearth and burned it until it extinguished itself. The longer it burned, the faster the sun would return. Any remnants from the log would be kept to start the fire the following year. Hanging mistletoe and wreaths are other traditions that carried over; mistletoe was believed to keep evil spirits out and represented Frigg and her motherly love, and a wreath symbolized the coming of a new year and another cycle complete. Much like keeping the continuous hearth from the yule log, candles were also lit and burned to keep an eternal flame and the sun's warmth nearby. Because it was a time of partying, of course there was some alcohol, along with the feasts and gingerbread, fruits, berries, nuts, pork, turkey, eggnog, and ginger tea. Two of the most popular alcoholic beverages were spiced cider and wassail. The latter is described as a strong drink, usually a mixture of ale, honey and spices also used in mulled apple cider,“ explains Sacred Earth Journeys. One final tradition carried on from Yule was caroling. Children would go door to door in the village and sing, often recieving trinkets, sweets, and small gifts that represented the gifts given by mother nature.