The Heathen Celebration of Yule: Ancient and Modern (and was it stolen?)

[@Rex26572]

I like the special attention to modernizing practices. People can get so wrapped up in recreating things from a historical standpoint, even though it can be hard to execute in their circumstances. It makes it hard to enjoy the event. Taking a little history, balancing it with your life situation, and respectfully adding it to your celebrations makes everyone happy. (and if they get spicy, liberally apply the rules of heathen discourse.)

[@zandernewson9933]

I think it’s important to create our own new and distinct practices. Recreation is important, but it’s difficult and at times, impossible. Where we cannot recreate, we should create.

[@MysticHeather]

This is exactly how I approach it! It makes it doable and enjoyable 🎄

[@CapriUni]

And besides, even if the polytheistic religion of the Norse *had* continued in an unbroken heritage over the last 1,300+ years, it *still* would end up being very different today than it was back then. I doubt even King Hakon the Good would recognize our modern version of Christianity, compared to his own.

[@zandernewson9933]

@@CapriUni That’s true. Everything evolves

[@willlowsage9603]

bestie how did you get a mjolnir in ur name!!!

[@alexcypher4794]

Whether Odin is Santa or not, we can all agree on one thing: I really need to a get a Yule goat.

[@alexcypher4794]

@@mbyrd9223 Sounds nice but I've heard nothing but bad things about Grimfrost.

[@funnygaming2672]

@@mbyrd9223 oh thank you for the shop suggestion ! ;)

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

I want one too and the Grimfrost one does seem a reasonable price. What bad things have you heard?

[@alexcypher4794]

@@moralityisnotsubjective5 Grimfrost seem to be the kind of people that appropriate the aesthetic of Heathenry as part of a more or less secular veneration of "Viking culture", with vaguely nationalist undertones. Wolf the Red criticized them for it a while back and they responded through a kind of aggressive condescension towards him.

[@PsychicWarfareUnit]

100% you should!

[@mackereltabbie]

As a Norwegian, I feel the need to insist on a couple of traditions: the first is ale: you should brew a wooden bathtub-ful of ale to share with friends, family and any visitors. And even if you can't (be bothered to) brew, sharing food and/or drink with any who visit (most definitely including any JW's, Christmas carollers, people who want to sell you something or ask for donations), even if it's just candy or gingerbread, is important. They're probably not Odin in disguise, but you never know. Better safe than sorry. And keep food out (no need to sprinkle blood, wrapped candy is fine) in case of uninvited midnight visitors who don't care about doors and walls. Keep some lights on for the same visitors.

[@stelladonaconfredobutler9459]

Yes. Yes. Yes!!!!!!!!

[@Wib0]

Demons like candy more then blood..?

[@mackereltabbie]

@@Wib0 they like that you share something valuable that you could have kept for yourself

[@Powersnufkin]

Jeg gjor det samme selv. Man vet aldri nar Odin er forkledd som gjest.

[@tamatelford2759]

Each Winter Solstice my husband and I invite family, friends, and all who are interested to join us for a huge bonfire/bonfires and feast. We are in Wyoming so we have seen it snow over a foot of snow during the celebration and we've had temperatures as low at five below zero. But we always go out. The feast is pork ribs, beer cheese soup, etc. We make food offerings, drink mead and beer, read poetry about winter solstice, and at the conclusion we all gather around the bonfire and throw in a small clipping of new growth evergreen. This has become the most anticipated holiday for all who have attended in the past. I wish I could show you some pictures of the event because the fires and scene are incredible.

[@danielbergersen4459]

That's Awesome!!! Happy Yule holidays brother and sisters Skál💀🍻🍺🍻🧙‍♂️🎅🌲👍

[@ajrwilde14]

That sounds incredible!

[@Readrose8]

In the Description of the video there’s a link to the discord- you might be able to share there!

[@jennyaxelsson3673]

In Sweden it doesn't matter if you're a heathen or a Christian. The Yule goat ( julbocken) has its place next to the Christmas tree in pretty much every home and the Christmas ham is the centerpiece of every julbord.

[@tomford3437]

Heathen?

[@jennyaxelsson3673]

@@tomford3437 It's complicated...

[@Readrose8]

@@jennyaxelsson3673 I feel this

[@sonye-jin6737]

The giant Julbocken in Gävle is also often (despite efforts by the police and municipality) burnt down. A weird joke that got out of hand.

[@jakobrosenqvist4691]

@@sonye-jin6737 The goat must burn for our sins, to keep the world on the proper path and to bring light to the long night.

[@jlburilov]

What I like about ancient and heathen traditions/celibrations is how they connect time to nature and how they celibrate nature's part and power in keeping life. The whole cycle.

[@ByronPendason]

I get my kids every other weekend. This year, that means I get them Christmas weekend and two weekends before that. The time before Yule, we're gonna have them put treats in their stockings for Sleipnir, and then they'll have gifts from Wōden (the Anglo-Saxon counterpart to Odin) to replace them by the time they come back Christmas weekend. It's a tradition we're starting this year. I also plan to read Beofeld's "Twas The Night Before Yule" (from the Wind in the Worldtree" blog) to my youngest before we stuff their stockings.

[@kitsunegolem1925]

Happy yule

[@ByronPendason]

@@kitsunegolem1925 Thanks. You too! :-)

[@jw-vs7wh]

this is so special, your kids will remember this for a long time :) i hope you all have a great time

[@connorleonard4047]

Hey Bryon! How are ya

[@ByronPendason]

@@connorleonard4047 I'm doing good. Just working and trying to come out with content on my blog when I have the time. Lol.

[@Sakuraclone99k]

Yule regret some of those puns, Ocean. xD This video taught me a lot! I had admit I had that misconception of Yule being stolen by Christians, but hearing that Yule stole Christmas is a fascinating perspective. Thanks for digging deep into this Ocean.

[@goatsiahthelegend]

As a baby Heathen, I’ve been doing research on Yule and this is the best explanation by far. Thank you so much!

[@zandernewson9933]

Just a quickie - don’t let anyone tell you “your doing it wrong”. When I first started my journey, I was told that a lot. Your not wrong, your just taking elements from what you know, and applying them to religious resurgence.

[@JariDawnchild]

The correct response to "you're doing it wrong" is "you can't tell me what to do". Looking at records available to us as well as practices of other pagans is a good way to find inspiration, but don't be afraid to do what feels right and (importantly) have fun.

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

@@JariDawnchild or the correct response is “you’re not my real dad and you never will be”

[@pageroks]

May I recommend: youtube.com/@ArithHarger?si=5kzhFmsUYEbXtaFU

[@pinchtwo654]

As an engineer I highly value scientifically correct language, and it warms my Heathen heart to hear you say “the heat goes fluttering out the door” rather than something like “the cold comes rushing in the door”.

[@OceanKeltoi]

I love that you appreciated this, lol. My grandfather had an engineering background, so this kind of language seems to have just fallen into my vocabulary.

[@AdjustingLight]

Ah yes, the correct reference to the temperature pressure differential dynamic is fantastic

[@diegodiaz8927]

My first Thermodynamics class in uni: Student - "Sir, can we close the door, the cold is coming in" Professor - "Get out of my class" Student - "But...." Professor - "GET OUT OF MY CLAAAASS !!" True story lmao

[@somefuckstolemynick]

As an engineer you should know that mass flow is the significant part of this heat transfer, not radiation or conduction, meaning that as the hot _air_ leaves, cold _air_ rushes in. So yeah, the cold does quite literally come rushing in the door.

[@kynaston1474]

You're not a very good engineer then. Cold air can %100 come in your door. You don't understand the Zeroth Law as well as you think you do. It does not say cold air cannot come in your home. It says the cold air cannot impart energy to the warm air that remains in your home. Hot air goes out the top of your door, cold air rushes in the bottom because of the gas dynamics but I assure you cold air DOES enter your home.

[@TakeshiKeiken]

I have taken Yule as an opportunity in the military to request leave for 12+ days to prepare and recover from Yule. The reason why, is I work in a 24hr/365days a year shop for the USAF and my career field traditionally only gives you Christmas or New Years off. This is my daughter’s first Christmas/Yule, and my open circle congregation is hosting a New Year’s Eve party. So I’m using the 12 days of Christmas/Yule as an opportunity to reconstruct an old tradition. I am a bit bummed to learn it’s not as historical but there’s a lot of eclectic practice around it. So I’m going to take a pinch of eclecticism with my Yule this year. We’ve decorated a tree, adored our alter with holiday decorations such as santa candle holders, Yule Goats, and Christmas scented candles. But I’m not sure what we’re going to do for all 12 days. There are some ancient Heathen sites close by to where I’m stationed at in Germany, so I do plan on making small pilgrimages to a couple of close by locations. But that won’t necessarily be available to me after I move in a couple of years. So I’m still working out what I’m doing besides a Yule feast with my friends.

[@OceanKeltoi]

I feel the bum from learning that, however, I did include a screen of the laws of Alfred saying, look, you give workers 12 days off for Yule. That's at least historical evidence that 12 days of a break from work is part of the deal. It should be noted that Alfred was a Christian King who wasn't really a fan of Heathendom in his kingdom, so it's likely a word for Christmas in that context. But there's nothing wrong with establishing that in your tradition there is a 12 days Yule that includes preparation and recovery. That's entirely legitimate and reasonable to me. And you can definitely support that with the laws of Alfred.

[@sootsire2375]

I am a recently changed Christian to Heathanry and your channel has been such a blessing for me to learn about a religion that I feel the most connected to. So thank you 'thor' all that you do!

[@danielbergersen4459]

Welcome to the Old Ways, Happy yule holidays, Skál💀🍻🌲👍✋

[@Readrose8]

I’m curious- how is the transition to heathenry- I’ve been a lot of different things- currently I’m in a place where I cannot reconcile certain aspects of Christian theology.

[@sootsire2375]

@@Readrose8 well it was smooth for me since I have not been Christian for a long time, and was in the agnostic boat for a while. I'm still trying to maneuver my way through this religion though. There is a lot of information to get through.

[@CH-gc1fd]

@@sootsire2375 how’s it going?

[@sootsire2375]

@@CH-gc1fd loving it

[@ragingwitch8875]

Just wanted to leave an aggressive hate comment. All seriousness though this was great, especially the bit of Christians keeping pagan traditions alive for us to use now. Very wholesome Yule tide goodness.

[@JariDawnchild]

Hearing that particular piece felt good. I've worked my tail off over the years to set aside the Christian-shaped chip my shoulder grew as a baby pagan, especially since I left Christianity on good terms with it within myself and in relation to the Christians around me at the time (who are still around me and just as loving and supportive). It helped a lot.

[@TheWitchInTheWoods]

Last year I burned a small part of a log in my fireplace each night for 12 nights, being sure to keep one small piece (still under my bed for luck) to kindle this year's yule fire with. This was quite easy, since I had doused the log with red wine, and when I threw it on the fire, it went up with a roARing flame. So just burning it for 15 minutes each night was symbolic enough for me.

[@jonathanheidenreich8565]

Our Yule will consist of a morning trip to the woods with an offering of cranberries, peated Scotch, and a candle to be given up for Skadi, Odin (and Loki, to honor their pact) Freya, Thor, and Eir. Being an eclectic Norse/Celtic pagan I also find it proper to give offering to Cernunnos and the Fae spirits while in the woods. We have a Yule goat as well, however they can get a bit pricey, at least from the shop we found ours, to burn every year (and my partner and I love it too much) so it will stay as a decoration on our mantle. Have a blessed Yule, Ocean!❄

[@frostflaggermus]

I'm from Norway and we still do the julebord thing! And I know Sweden still loves the yule goat. And Finland does call Santa "Joulupukki". In Norwegian, it's "Julenissen". There's indeed a lot more emphasis on the food and presents here. Pinnekjøtt, juleribbe, juleskinke, grøt of various different kinds, those are just some of the foods I can think of off the top of my head. After the food and present openings, we sometimes play traditional types of games together. Board games, word games, card games, whatever. I know the Norse had board games too, so I don't see why they wouldn't pass the time doing some of that as well. Also, instead of that american way of having Santa Claus visit and leave presents while everyone is sleeping, we instead get our version of Santa personally visiting us during the celebrations and handing out the biggest presents to the children at the eve of yule. (Julaften! It's on the 24th.) (also, obviously that santa is someone in the family or even a neighbor who agreed to visit and dress up, but we don't tell the kids that)

[@Omgoldrakanthiled]

This will be my first Yule fully embracing my Heathenry. For years I’ve left sacrifice in silence and I’ve never conducted a full ritual or had proper alters. Not that I was really in the broom closet but moreso because no one around me really cared. This year I have my wife who is heathen and our 9 month old daughter to teach these traditions to. I plan to make this my first full ritual on the solstice with my little family and I am so excited!

[@OceanKeltoi]

that's so awesome

[@icykittenlunatic1122]

Sounds like it will be lovely. ❤️

[@EmilReiko]

i live close to a stagested/stagsted… a place of the pole, the pole was just a pole, but the peasants in Denmark used it to determine solstice.. when its shadow at a certain time of day fell in a certain direction, it was solstice.. then the clock started.. from then, they knew how many days before various sacred days, and they knew that by the end of the next moon cycle it was Jul.. So they had a month to prepare food, brewing the beer and time their doings and travels. Its a very smart system

[@ajrwilde14]

@@EmilReiko fascinating, tell us more

[@t3m288]

I am danish and i still live at home. My parents are very religious christians and not accepting of other religions, so they wouldn't like things like an alter or incense in my room, but i am not christian and christmas can be a hard time for me because of how closely my family ties it with christianity and my religious trauma. So this year i plan on putting a yule goat in my room and maybe find a way to make a tiny yule log with food (a little snack) for 12 days. I think it will help me to reassociate christmas with the pre-christian story that it has, especially since i am scandanavian myself so it is a part of me. Thank you for this video, it was very interesting and i always like learning about my ancestors.

[@Wiwaz]

Bed om hestebøffer i stedet for and juleaften.

[@Shinseidono89]

Most of the family isn't heathen, so we've been doing is having normal Christmas, then for Yule we basically have Second Christmas to keep things more approachable (minus the decorations and gifts). Double the feast, double the fun.

[@joshcichoski3620]

Thanks for the clarification on whether it was was a stolen. I've been able to let go of my anger from my past faith learning from all your videos. Thanks for all the help!

[@zackglenn2847]

So, less "Christians stole Yule" and more "certain Yule traditions were incorporated into Christmas via normal religious syncretism"

[@OceanKeltoi]

Correct.

[@reddsaxxmike2865]

'Church washed' holiday

[@joltjolt5060]

@@OceanKeltoi maybe instead of the big bad colonizing Catholics you can kind of admit their INCLUSION of different cultures?

[@HoneyBeeJess]

@@joltjolt5060 bestie what are you even doing under this video with that kind of attitude. This is an educational video on the topic of yule in the heathen tradition, made for and consumed by a majority pagan audience. Many of us are former Christians who are often uncomfortable around the trappings of Christianity due to the experiences that ultimately led us to leave the church, and others are equally uncomfortable due to the prejudice we have faced from Christians. No one here wants to hear your frankly aggressive arguments in defense of catholicism. I think I speak for the lot of us when I say that you are welcome to stay and learn about pagan faiths, but this is not the place to debate bro the creator about cultural appropriation in religion.

[@user-oc3ic4vc7x]

@@joltjolt5060 ah yes, just as the Spanish conquistadors included the native cultures in their conquest and takeover of Mexico.

[@ulfurkjalkur5165]

As a solo practitioner in a Christian family I will most likely be taking a portion of my Christmas dinner as an offering and a candle to the tree line behind my parents house and praying/meditating in hopes of returning before they realize I’m gone

[@mumo9413]

Love this lol! I collect full moon water & make ice cubes with it! Covertly, lol, as my family consume in their drinks! 🤣

[@dirangosoly2211]

For a blot, I boil eggs and leave them in the wooded part of my yard for the possum along with any of the peelings from the dinner (apples, sweet potato, ect.). It's kinda funny, because the scraps we leave at the edge of the yard, but the eggs because I know the possum don't like coming into the yard so much I throw them into the trees. Last year, I introduced my son to this, and this year he is very excited to "yeet the eggs."

[@BlackFlagHeathen]

Also ain’t nobody stopping me from wearing an ugly Christmas(Yule) sweater. That shit’s here to stay.

[@coregoon]

T'is the season to be jolly! And the word jolly apparently also comes from the Jól (through French, amusingly enough). Anyway, over here in Norway I pretty much do the same as everyone else (obvious exceptions aside: no nativity scene decorations, nor do I take the yearly visit to church that many take in december). Also there's no naming debate, since everyone still uses the (modern version of the) old name; Jul. Family gathering on the 23rd to eat rice porridge, and see who finds the almond and gets the prize. Another family gathering on the 24th with massive traditional dinner with pork (the name doesn't translate very well), then smaller gathering in the evening where we open presents and have some cookies and such. There's usually background music playing throughout on the 24th. On the 25th absolutely nothing happens. A bit of cleaning up in the kitchen maybe, but that's it. The 26th and 27th my family usually have luch gatherings with friends of the family. This has gotten rather interesting in later years, as the family of those friends have greatly expanded. Then it's somewhat business as usual until new years eve. The only thing that really sets me apart is that I try to, at some point in there, bring some baileys or such and head off to the local cemetary to share a quick drink with my family there. Three of my grandparents, and their parents, plus one of my cousins. I've even made sure to ask my parents, my grandma, and my aunt/cousins, about the alcoholic preferences/stances of my grandparents and cousin. Hard to say further back, but if any of them were specifically against alcohol I think I would have heard.

[@BlackFlagHeathen]

Ooooh I can’t wait for this one!!! Yule is the holiday I look forward to the most. Might be latent Christmas lol, but Christmas is based off Saturnalia and Yule, so maybe it’s been Yule I’ve looked forward to all along. Once the whole Santa Clause magic thing wore off as I got older, I began to feel down around the holidays, even as a Christian celebrating Christmas. After I left Christianity, and was trying to convince myself I was an atheist, that “down in the dumps” feeling only got worse. Like I was missing out on something. Now that I celebrate Yule, that childlike holiday cheer is back with a vengeance! Looking forward to this video!

[@spencerday2937]

Watch it man, Santa is real😤

[@amyrosenold-music-healing-yoga]

I like that logic is applied to various theories. How refreshing to not just take history as authoritative, but to investigate the stories with both analysis and open mindedness.

[@Ayse-x8d3u]

Love you so MUCH Ocean! Hope you are taking care of yourself well this holiday season. 🙏🙏

[@kjmav10135]

Our family has been beset with really terrible calamities this year, so, just for comfort, I put up all my Yule decorations early. Mostly homemade, they have lots of silver and gold and sparkle to celebrate the return of the sun. And “Christmas “ lights are all over the place, and candles that look like birch, and evergreen.

[@agentredfox]

We do Christmas with both our families around Christmas Eve/Christmas but we decided to celebrate Yule on our own either on the solstice or the Sunday closest to it. We exchange our gifts to each other, have our own mini-feast and have a small fire and give thanks to the ancestors and gods.

[@jesserichards5582]

You know one thing i alwys found a shame is people not celebrating certain holidays because of certain other enfluences. I personaly love the idea of yule & christmas (which has been together for a long time) traditions mixed together & same thing goes with every holiday we celebrate. Deep down holidays are to be celebrated mainly for our existence & thankfulness to our family, community, gods & etc. & with that we are all related no matter our differences. One thing for sure our ancestors in all cultures especially in hard times would not let anything go to waste, i can see if there was sacrifices to the gods it would be carefully planned in order to benefit the community. Anyways, Happy Holidays everyone!

[@stancarmen3369]

The part about leaving food offerings made me remember the modern Scandinavian custom of leaving porridge for Santa Claus. Just like in Ibn Fadlan's account, if some animal eats it, he is said to be the one who did. For some context, Santa Claus is not seen primarily as a Christian Saint, but as a special kind of tomte (more specifically the jultomte). Tomtar are a kind of land spirit mostly associated with the farm. If you treat them well, they'll keep the farm safe, (and conversely if you don't respect them they'll f you up) and because of this they've traditionally been given offerings at different occasions. (they're first mentioned in the middle ages if I remember correctly) Anyway, the jultomte grew out of this folkloric being and became popular around the turn of the 20th century, replacing the julbock as the gift-giving mascot of Christmas. This video made me wanna take up the porridge tradition again. :)

[@EmilReiko]

The porridge and beer for the nisse (ancestors) is probably the oldest living tradition in Scandinavia

[@KebaRPG]

Yeah, that is one of the weird things about connecting St Nicholas with Santa Claus. Yes, The modern Idea is from a corruption of the Dutch Name of St Nicholas; but the attribution of giving gifts to children conditional to if they had been good is not part of the tradition of what St Nicholas did in life. St Nicholas did not give gifts because the children were good, but did not want to see his parishioners need to sell their children into slavery or prostitution.

[@mumo9413]

As a UK hereditary pagan witch we always leave porridge out for the fae, along with meaty chicken bones! Every lunar month, including yule! Thankyou, for sharing your traditions! Blessings!

[@TheParadoxGamer1]

I’m primarily of Irish Paganism, tho I love to learn of Heathenry and worship some deities of Heathenry (Loki, Hela, & Freya followers where you at?) and Gods I love how many Heathens, Celts, and so many more coincide with Yule and other holidays. I’ve got to ask, what are your thoughts on Yule celebrated amongst Celtic Pagans or hell even Wiccan tradition? Love your stuff man.

[@OceanKeltoi]

Yule being celebrated amongst Celtic Pagans and Wiccans isn't a problem, if that's what you're asking. As long as you're taking the time to look at the themes of the celebration and incorporating it into your practice so that it's still 'Yule' it seems reasonable enough of a practice. I would say that Odin, Freyr, and Njordr are a huge part of Yule being Yule, so celebrating them contributes to making a meaningful Yule. But there are likely Celtic deities that are associated with similar themes and such.

[@TheParadoxGamer1]

@@OceanKeltoi there are q u i t e a few. I didn’t mean to ask if it was a matter of “if it was ok” just wanted to know your thoughts on it, considering how many similarities there are between the cultures

[@smrtfasizmu7242]

@@hartwarg3051 it isn't, wicca is the Old English word for witch; viking is a verb from Old Norse related to raiding or traveling

[@cosmicabyss7358]

Get help your brain is sick.

[@emilywyatt9340]

Us druids call it Alban arthuan. Light of Arthur he symbolises the sun the the stories. Arthur means great bear. I combine that with Yule traditions. I'm an eclectic pagan.

[@michaela244]

"Never seen a text so verbose in everything except for the part I was interested in" - ah, so the tradition which produced quite a bit of software documentation goes back much further than I thought.

[@josva9124]

Yule for me is December 21st to January 1st. The 12 days of Yule.

[@wyoguy9720]

This was Fantastic, thank you! Learned so much. The discord has also been very welcoming! ❤

[@Ms.Raven_Bastet]

I appreciate you for providing the deep dive in-depth history of Yule.

[@davidjb20010]

With the whole yule log bit, i always just skirted around the how silly it sounded having a tree trailiing out the door and would just take a hunk of oak and bring it inside for days of yule. We also decorate it and make it look pretty with candles and stuff then on the last day we would burn it.

[@malloryharrison1350]

I loved this video. Thank you for all the time you spend researching and thoughtfully creating these for us! I laughed when I saw "King Alfred, King of Wessex" because I'm a particular fan of The Last Kingdom, so here are my questions: What do you think of TLK and other such "Viking" shows and would you consider doing a video rating your fav ones/or least favs based on historical accuracy (I know that's pretty iffy, we still don't know a lot) or whatever random criterion you choose? I think it'd be very fun and entertaining! One of the reasons I like TLK so much is how the writers incorporate and treat ancient paganism (I also just love Uthred and his friends going on fun adventures). Ok, I'll stop here because I could rant and rave about TLK for hours. Anyway, thanks again! Love your channel!

[@OceanKeltoi]

I have occasionally threatened my discord with making videos about historical issues in those kind of things. They respond with encouraging me to do it.

[@emiliobustamante2401]

@@OceanKeltoi mighty tempted to join your discord, so that I can become one of your enablers

[@KenKaneki-xh7by]

@@OceanKeltoi The Japanese Manga series Vinland Saga (which also has an Anime series) involves Nordics during the Viking Age, definitely worth a read/watch.

[@homesteadontheridge]

I know this is an old comment but just wanted to say that I love The Last Kingdom as well. My husband and I liked Vikings and just finished season 2 of Vikings:Valhalla. There's another show called Norsemen. It's Viking related but more of a comedy. I believe there's only 3 seasons but its worth a watch.

[@DrDino123]

Thank you for making this video on a holiday that I love researching! And that ending tho lmao

[@missZoey5387]

I was wondering about this on the Hellenism subreddit the other day. What excellent timing.

[@COmtnLady]

Matches wouldn't be invented for hundreds of years, so part of the Yule Log Celebration was to provide the participants with hot embers/coals to take home to start their hearth's fires with. The coals were carried in a tough turnip which is where our tradition of jack-o-lanterns came from.

[@RagnaroksHomesteading]

We will always keep true to our Yuletide traditions. Thank you for sharing this information.

[@RobertLeeBrownBlind]

Great video! I'm curious to hear your take on something. I've heard in some places that there's this idea that holidays like Jol/Yule was celebrated on the full moon after the new moon after the solstice. I haven't found anything concrete, source wise, but I think it's interesting nonetheless.

[@OceanKeltoi]

someone else commented the same question. I'll paste my response to them here. "I'd heard that said to me before, but I honestly don't know where it comes from. It's not in any primary source that I could find. Thinking about Bede, though. That =may= have to do with the =month= of Yule rather than the day. The day of Yule as the winter solstice between two months might have been part of the calendar resetting process each year. I'd need to some digging to verify that beyond suggesting it as a possibility."

[@saragrimes7609]

Check the work of Andreas Nordberg

[@OceanKeltoi]

@@saragrimes7609 wound up looking into it. I didn't find the evidence of a later Yule convincing. I'd currently side with the established historical position that Yule resides on the solstice as a multi day event around there. But, that said, there was likely variation of times of celebration between local traditions. Maybe some actually did celebrate in January. But even with all of that, Yule as a modern holiday can be celebrated whenever, honestly. I find, especially with group practices, people's availability matters far more than the specific date.

[@aloka_karunathilaka7159]

I have finally caught up with all your videos!! Well worth watching all of them 👌

[@thepaganpirate3528]

My wife and I have Yule traditions, so far it’s just a big meal, with candles, but we are creating our own traditions

[@tymanung6382]

Not sure if this help but, Colombia Christians use 12 candles + 12. grapes. per person. See many videos on Colombia Christmas, on youtube.

[@LisatheWeirdo]

As a person who grew up in the redwood forest. I thank you for referencing the beautiful Sequoia, though the coastal redwoods in my area (Humboldt pride!) are bigger... That's all I have to say. (I fully accept I'm a redwood-loving dork.)

[@OceanKeltoi]

Listen you nerd, I appreciate you

[@jturtle5318]

I worship trees, I'd love to see the Sequoias before I die.

[@lollipopkaboom]

I'm just a baby pagan but I became one because of my love for Christmas. Celebrating Yule is the one part of my practice I feel confident about and can feel secure in my practice because, via being raised Christian, I do have that "brought up in it" knowledge of how to do the things. I hope one day the rest of it feels just as easy. Thanks for your videos.

[@logan0v723]

Thanks for making this video man. Just started my path not too long ago and was wanting to know more about Yule!

[@JTSuter]

Just discovered and subscribed your channel - I really enjoyed the video. On my Yule Tree, which is a real douglas fir tree, I have a small statue of Odin and his Ravens at the top of the tree instead of an angel or star. I also have over 50 bottles of mead that I made myself, waiting in a cool cellar, of which I plan to spice a few of them for the season.

[@Skull_Tree]

We’ve started making yule logs to burn on “Christmas”. It makes my crafty heart happy and moves the celebration away from my mother’s version, which was forcing us to sing happy birthday to Jesus before we could open our presents.

[@OceanKeltoi]

That's... wild. What a strange concept.

[@cbjork29]

Thank you for all the information on yule and the norse religion, it has helped me with my journey in learning more about being a young norse pagan.

[@fatherdeath]

Our family Yule is always a fire, which we light with part of the previous yule log. read some of the Norse stories, while we eat some of the falls meat harvest usually elk. and spend time around the fire

[@urubutingaz5898]

Christmas stole Yule (X) Yule stole Christmas (✓) Gotta love this.

[@cheriesonline]

I'm putting this on the Drake meme.

[@brandonadair9708]

As a fan of puns, bad jokes, and dad jokes, I love that you love puns and dad jokes as much as I do

[@selinadudley8270]

I have 3 Yule goats that are now displayed in my home. 🐐 I'm the only one who believes in & is drawn to Heathenry so it's been a difficult journey so far. But I won't give up. I'm still new to everything & still learning. 😁❤🖤

[@monicaluketich3106]

I left Christianity years ago, but being in The USA Bible Belt (southern states - VERY conservative), I keep my spiritual beliefs to myself. But in the last few years I have starting a raise goats. Very interesting animals. Could you explain the role of the yule goat to me? I know that Thor or Odin had a sleigh pulled by goats. Are the goats decorations or do they represent those gods? Thanks for a very interesting talk.

[@chriswright3216]

I'm new to heathenry and this will be my first ritual that I do ever with many more to come

[@soloharmonicsrobj8246]

Interesting topic and I was recently discussing the pagan origins of Christmas/Yule celebrations with my co workers. Thanks for your detailed information and insight on Nordic Yule traditions.

[@forthor219]

Another solid video. Ocean have a good yule brother and to all my fellow pagans a happy yule season to you as well and may the gods bless you all !

[@DanielRWomack]

This was fantastic and for anyone who might still be confused, just take a break, meditate on the concepts, then watch again. Yule get it eventually. I believe in you.

[@astherthemetalhead3000]

2 more hours I've got can't wait to see this (edit: thank you for the heart ocean keltoi)

[@nataliepearl1979]

Well done! There is so much BS out there about Yule. The very worst I saw this week was taking a verse from Jeremiah 10 to support that the Christmas tree is in fact a Yule tree. Many ppl need to hear this as the neo pagan minds of many have been confused by memes and mentors alike of what Yule truly is.

[@johnh2055]

My wife & I will observe Yule for the 12 days, usually as simply as drinks & food beside the campfire in the back yard, but we do go big for the traditional 3 Days of feasting .

[@jeramy70]

A log only burns as fast as you feed it into the fire, we often build fires with three or more logs converging at one point instead of chopping them into smaller logs. Not inside ones house though, so I’m not sure if you had a hall with an open pit fire maybe… 🤔

[@TheShamanKnight]

I have been seeing your videos for some time. And found this one very good. I liked the ending very much saying we are in this modern time and such can modify the rituals and ceremonies to mirror our thanks to the Gods and Goddesses. As a sidenote we in Puerto Rico love to celebrate Christmas/Yule with a traditional cooking of Pernil which is the pigs shoulder and I quote "what we call “ham” is the upper rear part of the pig's leg). While pernil can certainly be made with ham, it's actually more commonly made with pork shoulder" so there are similarities in the whole world. I that k you for the video and all the other ones that come in the next year. May the Gods and Goddesses of all pagan faiths in the world bless thee and thine.

[@marcrhodes-taylor5347]

nice video which summarises the history of this celebration quite nicely

[@got2kittys]

The Yule tradition I was taught was that on the solstice day, all fires were put out, everywhere in the home. A brand new fire was kindled at Yule-eve, with the sunset. The new year was welcomed, and the increasingly longer days wecoming the sun, and the turn of the seasons. It's a point of balance in the wheel of the year. Just as Equnox's and Summer solstice.

[@Olga_Efremov]

In Romanian & Moldavian culture we also have the goat costume and dance during the Winter celebrations, but only now I understand that it has obvious connections to Yule... 🤩

[@sherrihaight2724]

What a lovely video presentation! I love it as a history fan, and as a pagan.

[@emberrose82]

Omg so interesting! And I belted out a laugh when you said just stand up. That was awesome.

[@rckoala8838]

Always appreciate your videos. It often bothers me when people accuse Christians, among others, of "stealing" or "copying" features of pagan/pre-Christian rituals and worship. The ancients were seldom so protective (or dare I say prejudiced) about their practices. Cultural habits were retained, rather than "stolen", and the ancients often incorporated the interesting ideas of other peoples. We've seen this throughout traditional Europe. Culture moves the other direction, too. As for sacrifice, if I kept chickens (or turkeys) and I was going to kill one for the Thanksgiving feast, I would do it with reverence and prayer. God Jul to you!

[@JDBriceProductions]

Loving the intro.

[@phyllisdicks9830]

"If you get lost in an Icelandic forest, just stand up." Man, that's cold. [Loki said that]

[@jigaretta]

excellent vid as always, happy warm and delicious Yule to you!

[@jamescookiii9881]

My family and I have a Yule celebration every year, along with other major pagan holidays. We start with gifts given and thanks to Odin, then later in the day have a Yule feast, set a fire in the fireplace, make offerings of our meal and mead to the gods and ancestors, leave carrots for Sleipnir with my sons, and finally sit around the fire and tell tales of some of the important women of our family history and mythology in honor of mother's night. Cheers to all you celebrate that which came before and teach their children how to do so. Ocean Keltoi, wonderful video as always. I appreciate your research and insight, as well as, your humor.

[@gabrielcote7661]

Thank you again for you research, truly help me has a new pagan to put some base on those old ritual. Can't wait to reconstruct a medieval potlock with my friend! Joyeux Jule!

[@feagal612]

This was great, thank you! I was chuckling a good few times throughout as well haha. Blessings to you and your folk.

[@integrationalpolytheism]

This is really interesting. I hadn't thought of this channel as basically reconstructionist pagan ministry before. I'm a polytheist, but not a huge reconstructionist, and I have always had a vaguely dim view of reconstructionist paganism, but this video has made me see the value of it, and I also recognise that you're ministering to other pagans about ways to keep practice dynamic and relevant, and there's a lot to be said for that.

[@MsOldmom]

A Yule log was often slightly green and the servants sometimes poured water on it to stop it from burning so quickly.

[@michaelsletten8763]

Now i really want a yule log. Thanks ocean. Im going to make one rn.

[@dux_bellorum]

Yule never know how much you missed hearing Oceans puns until he drops another video after a month...

[@joeburkeson8946]

Late to the Yule as always... 'Wisdom is welcome wherever it comes from". Subscribed, thanks. Wisdom is welcome wherever it comes from

[@KveldulfSnowbear]

Well done, brother Ocean. I especially like how you turn it around and say "Yule stole Christmas" and the the concept of "borrowing back" traditions the Christians kept alive. In my house we decorate like crazy... except now there are few, if any, ornaments relating to Christ. He has been put back in the suitcase.

[@marocat4749]

The eat dripping as ritual you eat later sounds interesting and probably no reason to not adopt that to ell meals. Ocean has problm with the wood :O

[@sarcastichamsandwich5413]

Thank you for your detailed description of Yule! I’m a Christian and so sometimes I feel bothered when I find out how much my religion feels like it smothered others from being allowed to practice theirs, thus losing a valuable piece of history, but I like the way you described how Yule has been preserved. My grandparents are fully Norwegian and I always wanted to learn more about past Norwegian traditions. Great video!

[@tymanung6382]

Old Christian are easier to find. Old or traditional original religion is going to be harder to find. Some non Euros still use masked, costumed. dancers for ceremonies, like Quechuas + Aymara in Peru + Bolivia. or many Africans throughout many countries.

[@annalorree]

I study many aspects of human spirituality, across many faiths and traditions. This was a well done video, consulting many sources, as well as a discussion of how such sources may be problematic. Additionally, I like the bit about adapting tradition to modern life. If faith and tradition don’t serve people where they are now, those faiths and traditions will cease. You just earned a subscriber.

[@jaydenhunter7990]

I don't know why but now I feel like you dealing with the headache of the Norse lunisolar calendar for any heathens who would wanna use that (Like finding when Þorrablót would be) cause you clearly LOVE dealing with the perception of time as I can see from the leap-second revelation LOL. Also, love the video; keep it up.

[@willlowsage9603]

ocean wearing a santa hat and a mjolnir is the visual manifestation of my personal aesthetic

[@abfleks]

Horse (regular meat for us, I have it in my fridge right now). Julklapp, the word for christmas gift, is (as far as I know) was a nice log (of wood!) you would leave at the recipiant(s) door step, after a knock (klapp) on the door - or you throw it at the door making a "klapp", (an onomatopoetic word). I usually do three days, the 24 celebration all day and is the "main" one, the day before (the small christmas) and the day after. Non alcoholic ale inspired soda- "julmust"- some say most important (FYI avoided a handfull of puns right there). I know I'm late for the julfest, won't be for the next one! 😀🎄

[@cherilynne1946]

My family and I decided not to contribute any longer to the stress that seems to be the natural product of the “season of peace.” Instead, we’re going to celebrate winter solstice and lean heavily into the observation of Yule. Thanks for the video; now I have an idea of how we can do that!

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Great video, Ocean.

[@OceanKeltoi]

Thanks!

[@sandranevins2144]

First time viewer, glad powers that be! I'm intrigued on your view of traditions, bring back to light. I've been trying to find a traditions my grandmother and great grandmother practiced. Greens( a cluster of tree cuttings and mistletoe ) placed in the attic tied with red wool yarn. What I vaguely remember new greens were re placed on 21 December. Do you have any information? Yes I really don't Agee with a HUGE tree hanging out the front door, na da. Especially if it was so cold sometimes chickens and goats were brought in to keep from freezing. Much less people.

[@urbex_coasters]

For me the first day of Yule is the winter soulstice, and it ends with the first hole I drill in a maple tree. Or as is the case this year, when I leave Kansas City to go west because being that I got a job out west for the spring it's unlikely I'll be mapling this year both because of when I travel and the fact that I'm seemingly not in an area that gets cold enough for mapling to be possible this year (I've been in the mountains of upstate New York the past few years).

[@shadowulfhedinn8261]

I'd always heard the Yule Log was burned for the 3 days of Yule, which still seems longer than expected but more reasonable. I don't have a source for this however. Great video, new subscriber here!

[@thekraken48]

Just curious...If Jesus was supposedly born in the spring and not winter. Is this not evidence that Christians appropriated Yule for their holiday?

[@OceanKeltoi]

Christians actually wound up placing Christmas in the winter all on their own before they even heard of Yule.

[@Nivasi]

When did Pope declare Christmas? In the late 330s AD, Pope Julius 1 declared: “December 25th, Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea.” Originally, early Christians held a Mass service for Christ (hence Christmas' name) but also debated the actual birth date of Jesus, which was never stated in the Bible.

[@emiliobustamante2401]

@@OceanKeltoi and thank the gods for that. Can you even imagine Christmas in July? What are we, australians?

[@Keepersoftheflame]

August whilst the figs ripened. Source: Grew up catholic, went to catholic school. Fig = Tree of Life. That thing in the garden that housed the snake. Hence that wreched pudding. The fresh figs are best, dried second. Fig pie... yes.. pudding NO!!! lol Have a lovely season!

[@Birta112]

I read that it was originally taken from saturnalia. Then there were some northern pagan traditions which were adopted into that.

[@dinerwaitress]

I heard that the yule log was soaked for months in water with minerals, then dried out before the holiday. It would then burn with bright, festive colors. If one wanted it to last the 12 days, it would just be fetched out of the fire with tongs. In our celebration, I make a cake just like the one in the video and it's the best chocolate cake I've ever eaten. It's great to read here about what others are doing, and the video was full of good information as always 🌲

[@Serai3]

By the way, have you read "Krampus, the Yule Lord", by Brom? Fantastic pagan novel about the Santa Claus War, pitting Krampus against Balder in a very clever and fun story. One of my favorites. :)

[@star-cursed]

Great video with some super interesting points. In regards to the 12 day Yule log...it might not be that outlandish. I live in a heavily forested region in Northern Canada, and when a large tree falls and is blocking a path, it will be cut into sections and moved off the path section by section until clear...so if it falls length-way onto the path, basically the whole tree needs to be cut up. These are large trees that are at least a couple centuries old, but definitely not giant redwoods or sequoias, and I could see them potentially lasting long enough to burn for 12 days, section by section, especially if covered with ashes overnight to slow the burn to a smolder while the household slept, as was/is common practice when using wood fire to keep a home heated. Obviously this is speculation, but I think it's at least possible it was a thing!

[@carrie5980]

First video from your channel I have watched and I really like it! You explain things in a very clear and interesting way. Looking forward to checking out your other videos, too!

[@OceanKeltoi]

Glad you enjoyed it! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

"Stolen" or "integrated" and/or "adopted"? Nice hat, brör! XD I dig it. All said, this is a good video, and your delivery is great!