Yule-Ġēol-Jul (hāliġdæg)

(Public Domain)

Anglo-Saxon-Norse reference:

þ Th-(Th)or “Thorn”

ð Th-Wi(th) “Eth”

The Yultide is a custom or holiday from Germanic culture predating the suppression and removal of native European customs by the church. The month begins at “ǣrra ġēola” Yule is a season/month of the year. Most of the customs associated with modern day Christmas are lifted from Germanic and Celtic traditions.  The Tannenbaum stems from early modern era Germany  however the custom of evergreens as symbols of immortality in dark winter times goes well back to our Ancient past, possibly even as far back as the hunters and farmers. It should be noted the evergreen decorations were widely used across the world in indigenous polytheistic religions. The word Yule comes from Anglo Saxon Ġēol (G says Y) and is believed to have derived from PIE word meaning joy, however I have found etymology suggested it is related to a word meaning wheel as in the cycle of seasons or Sun. In Nordic countries the word still stands for anything related to Christmas or Yule in the form “Jul”.  Yuletide meaning the “Yule-Time” referring to the period of Yule. In Anglo Saxon there is “ǣrra ġēola” (Before Yule)    and “æfter ġēola” (After Yule). One of Odin’s names is Jolfaðr (Yule Father). This period is also known as Midwinter. In the Anglo Saxon seasons October 31st is Winterfylleð thus making ġēol Midwinter. Many customs representing various aspects of lore like Santa Clause comes from a mixing of stories and traditions. The Jolfaðr gift giver likely derives from Odin but the Greek Saint Nicholas had its influences and various traditions began to merge across Europe. Characters like Krampus, The Tomtens, Elves and more are derived from Pre Christian traditions of the Midwinter. We also see in Sweden the Julbocken (Yule Goat) in Sweden. These Goats draw a carriage with the Tomten aboard carrying gifts. Many traditions in the Alps have Krampus or other Woodwose like creatures who travel with A Jolfaðr like figure dishing out whippings on naughty children. Also Young men dress as creatures and chase young women, a custom likely primordial in nature. The Baltic Countries have similar traditions as well as Slavic regions. Some of these traditions likely passed down to us from the Alpine Celtic tribes. It pervades Indo European culture even after the suppression of our native religions. What we have in America or other western English speaking areas is a spattering of all the traditions brought by our ancestors from Germany, Poland, Scandinavia, Holland, England etc. In reality it is a beautiful and positive Holiday centered around feasting, folk legends, ancient cultural customs and a sense of joy or merriment in the dark half of the year. Those in the Northern hemisphere have a period that is long and drawn out till spring. The prospect of good fun, feasting, mead and rituals to keep kin safe and in prosperity brought hope to our ancestors in the dark winter. Had they not persisted where would we be?

The Wild Hunt:

The Wild Hunt or Wild Host is a mythological event from the deep past believed to be taking place between Between Winterfylleð and ġēol. Customs from Germany, England, Scandinavia and The Alps all  depict some form of this ghostly procession. Each depiction lends a local flavor to the cycle but the central theme is Ancient Gods and hunter spirits drive horses and hounds across the night sky in a great booming host. Most well known perhaps is that Oðinn/Woden/Wotan leads this host and has returned to Middangeard to collect the lost souls wandering the Earth. Other stories have þorr leading or Frigga in the form Frau Wode (Wodan’s wife). I have a very deep ancestral connection to this particular folk story in Mecklenburg and Uckermark North Eastern Germany. Frau Wode or Frekka leads the host and brings either misfortune or good fortune depending certain circumstances, she is also followed by a pack of hounds with glowing eyes who can wrought serious damage. Other tales have her simply assisting while Wodan leads though  It should be noted that this Goddess or Form of Frau Frekka/Frick  is deeply entrenched in the folk legends of North Eastern Germany. In England local versions exist with unique local Deities or spirits wandering the winter nights with packs of hunters and hounds such as Herne the Hunter. The concept of the Wild Hunt could derive  from Celtic roots or be equally shared amongst Germanic and Celtic peoples of antiquity. The concept of the Wild Hunt follows the basic native European view that Samhain or Winterfylleð (Among other names) is the opening of the energetic spiritual veil where these mystical beings enter our reality to do any number of tasks on Earð.  Frau Wode would as described above be accompanied by hounds who may slip into your home to warm itself by the fire. If you attempted to remove the hound it would turn to stone and return to life every night at midnight to howl. Each howl was a curse on the family of the offender. Only Frau Wode can break the spell on Christmas eve. I associate the Goddess Frau Wode with Frigga given a decent amount of etymological/linguistic evidence. 

Tannenbaum:

                                                        Glade Jul by Viggo Johansen (Danish Painter)

We know the basic modern Tradition of the Tree is from Germany and was introduced elsewhere by Germans however we do not know how deep the tradition stems back to pre christian times. Germanic tribes worshipped trees and had the Sacred Yggdrasil and Irminsul. The bringing in of Greenery in the winter is ancient in origin and possibly associated with a Yule-Tree like concept  but evergreens as stated above were used across the world. As with many of the discussed traditions it is now merged with other later traditions. I personally view the Tannenbaum as a symbol of life in dark cold times and that sentiment is repeated in the book “The Solstice Evergreen” by Sharyl Karas (1991) that covers the use of Evergreens in several cultures.

A unique tradition among  Shetlanders (Scotland). Article link bellow.

https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/intriguing-and-unsettling-scottish-island-tradition-skekling-3060580?fbclid=IwAR0Ho7JE-NLu1WgdUz1OGyBYykFJliK8re_psj79LMPNxvlD5a1S5ixYqc8

Photo is from Scotsman.com

Krampus:

Krampus who has risen to modern popularity is arguably a hold over of much earlier Native European customs amongst Alpine Celts and Germanic tribes who was easily applied to later traditions. We see this custom of dark and light play a roll in the Winter Solstice across Europe. the Dark and sinister yet humorous Krampus and the Jolly wise gift bringer. This combined with ancient beliefs in the Woodwose, Ettins, Elves , Wild men and Gnomes bring these beings front and center for the Yule Tide festivities. We see similar characters across Europe in similar but unique customs to their regions. The magic of snowfall over mountains and the whisping presence of Wotan’s host as the beings of ancient lore visit for a Glühwein or Gløgg. Best be a good host or Krampus might cut a switch. Bruce, Mourice (1958) writes that no other figure could Krampus reflect than the Horned God of Ancient Europe. Depictions of the Celtic God Cernunnos show him fully adorned in Antler headdress in a meditative state. 

Credit: National Museum of Denmark. Natmus.dk. Gundestrup Cauldron.

Tomten or Nisse:

Credit: Nasjonalbiblioteket Norway.

The Nisse (Danish/Norwegian) and Tomten (Swedish) is a small (but sometimes 2ft t) house spirit in Scandinavia who looks like the popular depiction of Gnomes. These generous fellows help out with the farm or house and keep prosperity or good luck for the property.  The Book (The Tomten) by Astrid Lindgren based on poems by Viktor Rydbergand Karl-Erik Forsslund is one of my all time favorite Holiday stories and is available on Audible (Not sponsored). The collecting and decoration of Tomtens is now very popular and has become popular outside of Scandinavia. Should you fail to give the Nisse his due (a special porridge) and the butter be misplaced he may exact revenge on you or your property. In modern Sweden he is the gift giving character. 

John Bauer (1912)  Julbocken.

Jolfaðr-Ġēolfæder:

(Photo Copyright unknown)

There is a myriad of articles about the nuance that led to Santa Clause so I will leave that be. I will however talk about Oðinn as Santa Clause. The old wise one eyed God was known also as Jolfaðr (Yule Father) or Jolnir (Yule one) and he brought gifts but the Reindeer were nowhere to be found. He rode across the sky upon his horse Sleipnir. The tradition of hanging stockings originates hear from my research as carrots were left out for Sleipnir to eat. Oðinn also is one of many figures associated with the Wild Hunt where he rides and claims lost souls from Winterfylleð to Ġēol. Oðinn is among the most multi faceted Gods in that he is both a grim  and stern God of death, battle, honor and war but also a God of wisdom, poetry, ecstasy, mirth, victory (Sig) and feasting.

Georg von Rosen – Oden som vandringsman, 1886 (Odin, the Wanderer.

Yule Lads (Iceland):

The Yule Lads are a fairly modern (17th century) Holiday custom in Iceland where 13 Yule lads come to town and cause havoc if not given their favorite snacks. If given their snack a gift will be left in a shoe n the window sill. Some of the terminology is older like their Mother Gryla who appears as a Troll in older stories.

https://icelandwithaview.com/the-13-yule-lads-of-iceland/

Yule Log:

1725 Henry Bourne suggests:

Our Fore-Fathers, when the common Devices of Eve were over, and Night was come on, were wont to light up Candles of an uncommon Size, which were called Christmas-Candles, and to lay a Log of Wood upon the Fire, which they termed a Yule-Clog, or Christmas-Block. These were to Illuminate the House, and turn the Night into Day; which custom, in some Measure, is still kept up in the Northern Parts. It hath, in all probability, been derived from the Saxons. For Bede tells us, That [sic] this very Night was observed in this Land before, by the Heathen Saxons. They began, says he, their Year on the Eight of the Calenders of January, which is now our Christmas Party: And the very Night before, which is now Holy to us, was by them called Mædrenack, or the Night of the Mothers … The Yule-Clog therefore hath probably been a Part of those Ceremonies which were perform’d that Night’s Ceremonies. It seems to have been used, as an Emblem of the return of the Sun, and the lengthening of the Days. For as both December and January were called Guili or Yule, upon Account of the Sun’s Returning, and the Increase of the Days; so, I am apt to believe, the Log has had the Name of the Yule-Log, from its being burnt as an Emblem of the returning Sun, and the Increase of its Light and Heat. This was probably the Reason of the custom among the Heathen Saxons; but I cannot think the Observation of it was continued for the same Reason, after Christianity was embraced.

(Wikipedia)

The Date:

The overwhelming accepted date of Yule is on the Winter Solstice (12/21/12/22) . This being said some scholars have suggested dates such 1/28 based on theories around a lunar calendar. The Mōdraniht of the Anglo Saxons was set at what is now Christmas Eve as attested by Bede but in January (See above) A Night/Ritual/Holiday celebrating female ancestors. This may have been related to fertility ritual aspect at Yule-Tide. The exact date can be described as up for debate but currently most hold events on or around the currant Solstice dates. It should be noted that both January and December held the name Ġēol and the calendar did not match what we have today which has led to debate and theories on the exact debate.

Yule belongs to all of us who’s ancestors contributed to it over thousands of years. It has changed as all things do. some deny its origins, others embrace the ancient past while others see it as something secular however factually inaccurate that might be.  Thankfully we live in a time and place where if we disagree on such details the worst it might end up is a dirty look or argument. Yule is an inspiring time of year for us not unlike it was for our ancestors. Never fear to dig deeper into the past for it is full of wisdom from our forefathers. These posts are just small samples of the folklore from Northern Europe. Take a stroll on Yule at midnight and see if you can hear the distant cry of hunters or Wodan calling his wayward souls.

(Public Domain)

Glæd Ġēol

Hroðbeorht-

December 9, 2020 | Categories: Ancient Germany, Ancient Northern Europe, Ancient Scandinavia, Anglo Saxon Frisian, Anglo Saxon Runes, Anglo-Norda, Axe Culture, ænglisc, baltic, Balts, Celtic culture, denmark, Eald Englisc, Early Celts, English Runes, European Culture, Frisian, Futhorc/Futhark/Futhork, Knife making-Blacksmithing, Middle English, Norð Sea, Norse Culture, North Sea Coast, North Sea Germanic Jutland, Old English, old norse, Proto Germanic Language, runes, Slavs, vendel era, West Germanic Language | Tags: anglo saxon, Anglo Saxon Frisian, Frau Frekka, Frau Frick, Frau Wode, glad jul, Glæd Ġēol, god jul, Jul God Jul merry yule., middangeard, norse, north, North Sea Germanic, northern europe, Northern Germany, pagan yule, scandinavia, Scandinavian, The Alps, wild host, wild hunt, Yule eve, Yule history, yule tree, yuletide, Ġēol | Leave a comment