Eighth Day of Yule, 2011

Hail and welcome to the eighth day of Yule. Most people will be off hunting those After Christmas Sales, and more power to them. Just remember to be nice to the sales people. To those who are working, my sympathies, as I'm right there with you.

Yule, like most of the winter holidays, is about merriment and excess. Sadly, this year is one of stress and frugality. I too, have been effected by this (hence the repeat offering of donuts, if you were paying attention, lol). Yet, I would encourage everyone to splurge on themselves, if only a little. That cup of Starbucks, a snow cone, warm cookie or donuts, and so forth. Life doesn't have to be about the big flashy things, even if they are nice. The simple things also bring pleasure.

Here's the pic from last night. There's an extra candle on there, because the 6th night's candle didn't get to burn all the way.

And here's the gifts:
Eight Maidens dancing,
Seven Alfs a leaping,
Six Horns of Mead,
Five Golden Rings! (no dice)
Four Runes Inscribing,
Three Days of Kinship,
Two Goats of Thor,
And a Raven in a Yew Tree.

First Day of Yule, 2011

So today is the first day of Yule, and in fact I believe the first one I shall celebrate, if alas without all the pomp and circumstance. There are so many little traditions, I probably won't get to them this year, but I will hopefully manage a few.

One thing I am doing is trying to rig up a Yule Log. Sadly, I can't really burn anything, so I will be trying to find a log of some sort, and be placing candles upon it, one for each night. Hopefully I can get it set up before my idols of Hel (which I need to finish modifying, but more on that later), Thor, and Freyja. Also, hopefully with my limited budget I will be able to at least make some offerings to them as well, probably with the mead I have, or some wine.

One tradition I would love to have is the Yule Goat. Sadly, I don't have any, nor do I have access to a Scandinavian shop (there used to be one not far, but alas it has been closed since my early teens. I regret it's loss not more than ever). But perhaps I can get one or two next year.

So, in closing for this first day of yule, I give you all this: A raven in a Yule tree.