On the Ninth Day of Yule - The Yule Log

The Yule Log

In many places fires or candles were kindled to burn through the twelve days that marked the festivities. Another fire tradition was that of the Yule log, lit from the remains of last years log at sunset on the 25th of December or on The Winter Solstice. The Yule log was often of Oak, and the burned remains of it were thought to guard a home against fire and lightning. The ashes were also sprinkled on the surrounding fields to ensure good luck for the coming years harvest. The largest remaining part of the log was kept safe to kindle next years fire. Fraser in his book 'The Golden Bough' suggests that Midwinter was a major fire festival in ancient times, and it is highly probable that the Yule Log was a remnant of that tradition.


Most of us don't have real fires in our homes nowadays but you always bring in a log that you find on a woodland walk.  You can make holes so you can place candles in it and decorate it with evergreens.  If you are lucky enough to find a piece of oak and decorate it with holly that will just add to the Yuletide symbolism of the battle between the two Kings.  

The picture is my Yule Log which is part of my celebration every year.  We used it as part of our Kitchen Witch ritual last Yule.