Yule Log

The Feast of Juul was a festival observed in Scandinavia when fires were lit to symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the returning Sun. A Yule or “Juul” log was brought in and burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian god, Thor.  It was Thor’s job to bring the warmth of the Sun back to the people. The log, which was never allowed to burn entirely, was kept as both a token of good luck against misfortune, and used as kindling for the following year’s log.  In England, Germany, France and other European countries, the Yule log was burned until nothing but ash remained. The ashes were then collected and spread into the fields as fertilizer every night until Twelfth Night, or worn around the neck as a charm. The ashes were sometimes used in medicine.

French peasants would place the cooled ashes from the log under their beds, believing they would protect the house against thunder and lightning. The present-day custom of lighting a Yule log at Christmas is believed to have originated with these fires associated with the Feast of Juul.

Celebrated around the winter solstice (December 20–23 in the Northern Hemisphere), Yule marks the longest night and the rebirth of the sun. Central to the festivities is the burning of the Yule log—a tradition symbolizing warmth, light, and the hope of longer days ahead. In ancient times, families would bring a massive log (sometimes an entire tree) into the home, feeding the fire for twelve days, which later inspired the "Twelve Days of Christmas".

Yule was a communal event, featuring feasting, drinking, singing, and storytelling. It also included rituals to honor ancestors and invoke the favor of gods like Odin, who was closely associated with the festival. Over centuries, many Yule customs were absorbed into Christian Christmas celebrations, including the use of evergreens, wreaths, and the Yule log itself—now enjoyed as both a decorative centerpiece and a chocolate dessert (bûche de Noël) in France and other countries.

Modern Neo-Pagan and Heathen communities continue to celebrate Yule with bonfires, feasts, and rituals that honor the cycles of nature and ancestral spirits. The enduring legacy of Yule is its message of hope and renewal during the darkest time of year.