The thoughts of a Norse Heathen.

Yule.

Since it's December I've decided to type up things about YuleTide. That's Christmas for you non-pagans out there.   The idea of Yule originated with our ancestors during a time when they worshiped the Ancient Gods.

Mother Night is the first of the 12 nights of Yule.  It starts on December 20th, and the twelfth night is on the 31st, Yule proper.  When our ancestors used a lunar calendar, it left about 12 days left over each year.  So the twelve nights of Yule were considered to be not part of the old year, nor yet part of the new year either.  

Because these days were considered to be outside of the year, they were considered especially holy.  A time when the veil between the worlds was thin. A time when the gods were more likely to walk the earth in physical form, and people were more likely to catch sight of the elves or dwarves that are around us. On Mother night, the first of the twelve nights, we get together and make a feast to honor the Disir; lackeys to the Norns as well as protective feminine spirits. We set a place for them at our table, and afterwards bury that food in sacrifice. We pour a vessel of milk and/or honey at our harrow, and offer that to the house wights or landvaettir. (If we are able). We also sometimes decorate an evergreen tree with colorful and shiny decor.
The Disir are not entirely different from housewights, so it's best to offer something to both at this time of year since the veil between worlds is thinner.

At the culmination of this time, on twelfth night itself, which others know as Yule, we celebrate the beginning of a new year. We offer thanks to all the gods, and the children often wake to find that just as in ancient times, Red Thor has ridden past in his sled, pulled by his magical goats, and has dropped down presents for the children that are loyal to him. Sometimes the children can hear the bells on his sled ringing as he flies overhead. He delivers his presents down the chimney when he comes. He knows which children have honored him through the year, and to the ones which have shown him know loyalty he delivers a lump of coal. Some of you might recognize that some elements of this story have transmuted into the Santa Klaus myth.

The above photo is of my tree that will hopefully appease the spirits.