Yule (Geola)

Yule (Geola)

Introduction to Yule (Geola)

This period, like the roman Saturnalia was between the months of December and January. All the Anglo-Saxon months followed the Luna cycle. This was a twelve day period of feasting. The fields were mostly left until February when ploughing would begin again. Compare with, for example, the Polish tradition of keeping your Christmas tree up until Candlemas. In England until recent times ploughing did not recommence until Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Night.

Wuldorfadur ‘glory father’ representing the Solar Logos, was mentioned by Bede in his ‘On the Computation of Time’

Little is known about the winter goddess, but I infer from parallel Germanic traditions that it may have been Hella.

Modra Niht ’Holy Mothers' Night’ (24^th Dec) was again taken from, Bede’s ‘On the computation of time. Unfortunately we don’t know what happened on this night, but by the time of Bede it had become the start of the new year.

Yule (Geola)

Growing colder, by the degree.

Betwixt two months, Geola be,

Best stay inside, we doth agree,

Feast and wassail, blessing on thee.

For three short days, the sun hangs still,

In three more days, the new year’s chill.

And so let us, await until,

Wuldorfadur’s, feat to fulfil.

Rejoice us this, most sacred time,

The sun wilt soon, start his slow clime.

For twelve days feast, thy time art thine!

Raise thine goblet, sun wilt soon shine.

Winter goddess, we doth Invoke,

And leave the meads, until Imbolc.

Gather within, yon groves of oak,

And sing galdors, in hood and cloak.

Modra Niht was, Holy Mothers' Night,

Hail the Goddess, returning light.

By means of light, shalt thee invite.

Night of mothers', still secret rite,

Wheel of the year, she starts to turn,

Of summers warmth, we doth yet yearn.

The sun climes high, and starts to burn,

Wuldorfadur, thee shalt return!

Copyright Andrew Rea November 2012