Dear friends, We hope this note finds you in good health and high spirits. As we gear up to welcome the year 2022, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks for all your support and assistance in the past year. 2021 has undoubtedly been a challenging year for all of us. The world was faced with unprecedented situations, and yet, together, we managed to navigate through the storm. Your dedication and resilience have not gone unnoticed, and we are genuinely grateful for your unwavering commitment. The theme for 2022 is "Witches thanksforing.
3. Sacrifice a goat Okay, maybe don't sacrifice it, but goats are associated with Odin and were often slaughtered at this time of the year. After Odin was given his share, any other goats that weren't being saved through the winter were slaughtered. Their meat was either preserved or eaten right away--boiled, pit-roasted, or spit-roasted. Visit here and here for tips on humanely slaughtering and butchering your own goat.
With our help, Thor will once gain prevent Fimbulwinter, the precursor to Ragnarok which is not so much the end of the world as it is the beginning of a new one. Pagan spirituality encourages participants to honor those deities they find themselves most drawn to, to incorporate the traditions that best fit their sense of the divine, and to practice rituals with creativity and generosity.
The theme for 2022 is "Witches thanksforing." As we move into this new year, we encourage you to reflect upon the power of gratitude and how it can transform our lives. Let's take a step back and appreciate all the big and small blessings we have received, the growth we have experienced, and the lessons we have learned.
Celebrate Yule Like a Viking
Make Mead Like a Viking has been out for nearly two months now and things are going well. While I would prefer you buy it through an independent bookseller or through Chelsea Green Publishing , if you like it, please review it on Amazon and elsewhere. If not, review it anyway, but try to be nice. If you want to buy a signed copy for yourself or as a gift, click here .
While my newsletters and blog entries aren't put out on any set schedule, I find it fortuitous that I'm finally finding the time to put this one out at the beginning of winter solstice, AKA, Yule. While I don't celebrate Yule, per se, I'm very interested in how early European cultures celebrated this time of the year. For peoples in Northern European climates, with the long dark and cold winters, this time of year was a time of celebration. In part because they had little better to do while huddling over fires in their homes or in communal mead halls, but also because they knew that the sun was heading back their way. Light would once again overtake Dark. Many cold months were ahead, but the days would slowly start getting longer.
This was in no way a celebration limited to a single culture though. Many other cultures celebrated this time of year, as it symbolized the beginning of a new year, with all of the rituals and hopes for better tidings that went with that. For a brief summary on what Yule meant to early pagan cultures, see this video . Visit The Asatru Community's page for a more in-depth exploration. These celebrations are by no means dead, as many people still celebrate Yule today. Christmas is essentially a Christianized version of Yule, although not all Christians celebrate it due to its pagan origins. In the Dark Ages, the Roman church wanted to convert more "heathens" (literally, "from the heath," i.e., country folk who preferred the Old Ways) to Christianity. To do so, they changed the Biblical birth of Jesus to the dead of winter rather than the spring. Over time, Yule traditions were integrated into Christmas and Yule fell by the wayside.
For those who prefer the pagan aspects over the Christian, Yule can still be celebrated today, right alongside Christmas (or any other culture's winter holiday for that matter). After all, the goal is to bring people together and wish joy and good tidings on all . On midnight, December 21st, Yule officially begins, and Yule eve is celebrated as the "Mother Night." Preparations must be made to cheer on and strengthen Thor as he prepares to once again battle the frost giants of Jotunheim to keep them from turning Midgard (the land of humans) into a land of frost and bitter cold. With our help, Thor will once gain prevent Fimbulwinter, the precursor to Ragnarok (which is not so much the end of the world as it is the beginning of a new one).
For 12 days, celebrations will be held with friends and family, with much cheer, drink, food, burning of bonfires, and quiet reflection. December 25th falls right in the middle, and New Year's will be its culmination.
During Yule, Jólnir (Odin) will lead the Wild Hunt through the sky, along with the spirits of humans, horses and dogs. This grand procession takes place during all twelve days of Yule, with the intent of reminding our deceased ancestors (the draugar) that they need to stay on their side of the veil, as it as at it thinnest during this period.
So, how can you celebrate Yule in modern times and still feel like a Viking while you're at it?
1. One thing you may already do that is a part of the Yule tradition is to bring an evergreen tree into your house and decorate it. This is a pagan tradition at its core, but some choose to do it with their Christian beliefs in mind, or simply as a secular tradition. Many cultures integrate the mythos of trees that symbolize life into their beliefs, from the Tree of Life of Judaism and Christianity to the great World Tree of Norse and Germanic mythology, Yggdrasil. This one is up to you.
2. A yule log is another option. In honor of Thor, take the largest oak log you can find (or can handle) and kindle it, either in an indoor fireplace or an outdoor fire. Be sure to save some of its charred remains to use for lighting next year's log.
3. Sacrifice a goat Okay, maybe don't sacrifice it, but goats are associated with Odin and were often slaughtered at this time of the year. After Odin was given his share, any other goats that weren't being saved through the winter were slaughtered. Their meat was either preserved or eaten right away--boiled, pit-roasted, or spit-roasted. Visit here and here for tips on humanely slaughtering and butchering your own goat.
4. Sacrifice a boar. Or just roast up some pork. Either way, continue the tradition of the Oath Boar, during which oaths were solemnly made to Frey over a large boar. Unlike New Year's resolutions, these oaths are meant to be kept.
5. Make some mead. Sorry it took me so long to get to this one but you know this is where I was headed. Of course, you can use some recipes from my book, but here is a handy link on how to make a spiced holiday mead, along with some tips for cooking goat. In addition to the spices mentioned in this recipe, you can incorporate many other spices, from vanilla, to cardamom, to a bit of spruce from the Yule Tree. Make a small mead in time for New Year's or start a tradition of making mead over the holidays that you will age and drink during future holidays.
6. Play some Viking games. The tabletop strategy game Hnefatafl is an obvious choice, but why not pick up a copy of Don't Fall in the Mead Hall for future gatherings? Or, make up your own drinking games. Remember, when the Vikings celebrated Yule in the mead hall, it was all about boasting, oath-making, poetry, dance, and song. Can you hold your own or are you a weak-livered milk drinker?
2022 is a time for us to come together as a community and lift each other up. Let's lend a helping hand to those in need, offer kindness and support, and foster an environment of love and understanding. Our united efforts can create a ripple effect, spreading positivity and hope throughout our world. As we set our intentions for the coming year, let us strive to be kinder, more patient, and more compassionate towards ourselves and others. Let's embrace the magic that lies within us and use it to create positive change. Whether it's through small acts of kindness or significant contributions, let's leave a lasting impression on our communities and make 2022 a year to remember. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to all the witches who have supported us in the past. Your loyalty and belief in our mission have been the driving force behind our success. As we embark on this new journey, we hope to continue to provide you with enriching experiences, valuable resources, and a sense of belonging. May 2022 be a year filled with love, joy, and fulfillment for each and every one of you. We look forward to sharing this journey with you and witnessing the many magical moments that lie ahead. With heartfelt gratitude, [Your Name].
Reviews for "The Role of Witches in Environmental Activism"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Witches thanksforing 2022." The plot was confusing and all over the place, and the characters lacked depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the story. Overall, it was a forgettable experience and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
- John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witches thanksforing 2022," but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without much happening. The special effects were lackluster and didn't enhance the viewing experience. The performances were also underwhelming, with the actors failing to bring life to their characters. It was a forgettable film that didn't leave a lasting impression.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - "Witches thanksforing 2022" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The execution was messy, with subplots that went nowhere and a lack of overall coherence. The humor felt forced and I didn't find myself laughing at any of the jokes. The film had potential, but it fell flat and ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of the genre.