Of Winter Solstice - the Holly King, the Oak King, and the Yüle Log

The Winter's Solstice is upon us, bringing the shortest day of the year and with it, the longest night. This is Yületide, the season of Yüle, a time of feasts and celebrations. Winter Solstice feasts extend back 30,000 years into human prehistory to celebrate the end of darkness and coming of the light. Since Midsummer's Eve the light has waned, the days became shorter and the nights longer. Now the days will lengthen and become brighter until the arrival of the Summer Solstice.

Each Solstice has its king, the twin Kings of Holly and Oak, the two sides of Cernnunos the Green Man. Each of the twin kings rule for half of the year, fights for the favor of the Goddess, and dies at the hands of his other half. But the defeated twin is not truly dead, he merely withdraws for half the year awaiting the next solstice, some say to Caer Arianrhod, the Castle of the ever-turning Silver Wheel, which is also known as the Wheel of the Stars. This is the enchanted realm of the Goddess Arianrhod where the defeated king must wait and learn before being born again at the next solstice. The golden Oak King, who is the light twin, rules from midwinter to midsummer. The darksome Holly King rule sthe dark half of the year from Midsummer to Midwinter.

Yüle was celebrated across most of Northern and Central Europe up through the 19^th century. The Winter Solstice was an important date in ancient cultures, especially in northern locations. Winter was the harshest season and many did not survive its wrath, particularly the youngest and the oldest. The northern areas are dark much of the day in the depth of winter, around the Winter Solstice daylight is but a few precious hours. Yüle traditions were also brought to the Americas during the period of colonialism. One tradition that has survived, at least in lore and lyric if no longer in general practice, is the burning of the Yüle Log. Traditionally the Yüle Log was a large Oak log, large enough it could burn continuously for up to a fortnight, though in some areas where oaks did not grow other trees would be used instead for the Yüle Log. The Oak would be covered with bows of Holly and the fire started with remnants of the previous year's Yüle Log.

Of course, there is great symbolism associated with the Yüle Log, beginning with the Oak and Holly, each representing its King's half year of rule. The Oak would burn the Holly and from its ashes the light would arise. This marked the sun's victory over darkness; the defeat of the Holly King by the Oak King and the days would now grow longer. The cinders from the burnt log were thought to protect homes from sickness, lightning and unfavorable spirits. Later, as Christianity spread, the tradition and its symbolism of light, birth, and life become more closely associated with Christmas, especially in England where Father Christmas is often seen carrying the Yule Log. 

Traditionally different woods were burned to produce desired effects: 
Aspen: invokes understanding of the grand design
Birch: signifies new beginnings
Holly: inspires visions and reveals past lives
Oak: brings healing, strength, and wisdom
Pine: signifies prosperity and growth
Willow: invokes the Goddess to achieve desires

 

The Holly King and the Oak King
Sing we of a mystery, now as long ago.
Blood red holly berry, blood upon the snow
Oak King shall rise - The waxing year to bring
Therefore bid we farewell, To the Holly King.
In the bright Midsummer all seems in a trance
Comes the golden Oak King, In his age old dance
Comes he to slay, Yet honour he does bring
To his fallen brother, the darksome Holly King.
In the cold Midwinter, the year wheel's turned around
Then shall be the Oak King's Blood upon the ground
Ever it comes, once more the year's waning
Then shall be victorious, the darksome Holly King
Sing we of a mystery, now as long ago.
Blood red holly berry, Blood upon the snow
Oak King shall rise The waxing year to bring
Therefore bid we farewell To the Holly King
-Author Unknown