Woodland Yuletide greetings
On the 21st of December, we reflect on some of the old, pagan, woodland traditions from years gone by.
Two of the woodland plants which have had cultural significance to both the pre-Christian and Christian people of Britain are the holly bush and mistletoe. As evergreen plants, they were revered by traditional cultures and were used to adorn the doorways and windows of homes, to ward off death. The tradition of the Christmas wreath on the door is thought to have originated from these practices.
Holly bristles are said to have warded off spirits and protect babies- which would have been particularly relevant in the deep winter. Red berries were said to represent the monthly blood of women.
Mistletoe- nowadays best known in association with kissing- is said to have been sacred to the druids. It was believed to have existed in the threshold between worlds. Therefore, it represented the winter solstice, which is a time between dark and light, death and life. Mistletoe was also thought to represent femininity and fertility, and some sources say the white berries represent the seed of the Forest God or the Oak king.
Yule was a 12-day celebration in Germanic, Celtic and Scandinavian cultures, which started from midwinter’s night (the winter solstice) on the 21st of December and lasted up to 1st of January. The Yule log was traditionally a huge log which was burnt at this time of year. The Scandinavians traditionally used ash, and the Celts would use oak.
The Christmas tree actually has its origins in pagan worship. Evergreen trees were seen as a symbol of continual life, especially at the time of the solstice. In ancient times these were decorated with pinecones, holly berries, ribbons and religious symbols.
So every year when you are decorating your tree, you are partaking in an ancient pagan rite, that has been practiced for thousands of years before it was a Christmas tradition!
A Celtic tradition was to visit one sacred place during the solstice time is an open area or hill that affords a view of the horizon in all directions. What better place to do that than May Hill!
