Tapestry Life's Blog – Thoughts on Body, Heart, and Mind by Suzanne Eller
Description: Thoughts on Body, Heart, and Mind by Suzanne Eller
Thoughts on Body, Heart, and Mind by Suzanne Eller
The Christmas tradition of lighting the Yule Log is seldom observed in our postmodern culture of heat pumps and gas log fireplaces. Indeed, the pecan log, jelly roll, or a chocolate-filled sponge cake log have replaced the traditional long-burning Yule log when or if the tradition is even thought of as being necessary. Nevertheless, the old custom of lighting and burning the Yule Log bears examination because it is fraught with ritual and meaning that is still relevant.
The custom originated with the pagan Norsemen who brought the Yule Log south to France during their invasions, and it eventually came to England via the Normans in 1066. Both the Scandinavian Norse and their Christian descendants believed the Yule Log brought luck—the Norse believed it honored Thor, the Yule (Sun) Father, and used the log in celebration of the Winter Solstice, and the Norman Christians burned the log on Christmas Eve. Even earlier, Pope Julius the I had decreed that the ritual burning of th
Tapestry Life's Blog – Thoughts on Body, Heart, and Mind by Suzanne Eller