Did you know that evergreem were first used to chase away ...

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"Did you know that evergreem were first used to chase away evil spirits? That Santa Claus was probably descendedfrom the norse god Odin?"

-DOROTHY MORRISON

CELEBRATE THE SUN'S REBIRTH The holidays: some call them Christmas or Hanukkah, others know them as Las Posadas or Ta Chiu. Still others celebrate Winter Solstice or Yule. They are a time for reflection, resolution, and renewal. Whatever our beliefs, the holidays provide us with rituals to celebrate the balance of light and dark, and for welcoming the healing powers of warmth back into our world.

Jam packed with holiday lore, recipes, crafts, rituals, and more, Yule: A Celebra tion ofLight and Warmth guides you through the magic of the season. Traveling its realm will bring back the joy you felt as a child-the spirit ofwarmth and goodwill that lit the long winter nights. Discover the origin of the eight tiny reindeer, brew up some Yuletide coffee, and learn ways to create your own holiday traditions and crafts based on celebrations from a variety of countries and beliefs.

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a Gclcbration of Light & rr[armth

2000

Llewellyn Publications

St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0383, u.S.A.

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CONTENTS Acknowledgments xi

Part I: Yule and Its Place in our Hearts

1: The History ofYule: How It all Began 3 2: Yule Traditions and Symbols 9

Advent Wreath ? Bells ? Bird's Yule Tree ? Blowing in the Yule

Candles ? Candy Cane ? Carols ? Chimney ? Christmas Cards ? Elves

Evergreens ? Gift Exchange ? Gingerbread ? Holly ? Lights ? Mistletoe

North Pole ? Ornaments ? Plum Pudding ? Poinsettia ? Reindeer

Santa Claus ? Sleigh ? Snowflake ? Stockings ? Tinsel and Icicles ? Tree

Twelve Days of Christmas ? Wassail ? Wreath ? Yule Log

3: Festivals of Light Around the World 19

Christmas ? Hanukkah ? Kwanzaa ? Yule (Winter Solstice)

4: Holiday Customs Around the World 23

Argentina ? Australia ? China ? Czechoslovakia ? Denmark ? Greece ? India

Iraq ? Ireland ? Italy ? Mexico ? Netherlands ? Norway ? Pakistan ? Romania

Scotland ? Sweden ? Syria ? Venezuela

5: Omens, Superstitions, and Other Magical Goodies 31

Animals ? Monsters, Trolls, Imps, and Uglies ? Food and Consumables

Gift-giving ? Hearth and Home ? Marriage Omens ? Weather

6: Yuletide Trivia and Fun Facts 37

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CONTENTS

Part II: Preparing for the Yuletide Season

7: Making Room for Yule 43 Cleaning Ritual ? General Success Charm ? Success Charm

Alleviating Success Blockers During the Year

8: Decking the Halls 51 The Yule Log ? Quick and Easy Yule Decorations ? Evergreen Wreath

Evergreen Garlands ? Mistletoe Ball? Ina Rae's Yule Centerpiece

Holiday Harmony Tree ? Placemats ? Quick Yule Stockings

Yuletide Crafts for Children ? Easy-to-Make Sun-Catcher

Christmas Card Holder ? Santa Claus Candle Holder ? Stocking Identifiers

Window Snowflakes ? Hand Print Wreath ? Flower Pot Bells

9: Giving Winter Its Due 67 Winter Scene ? Bottled Snowflakes

10: The Yule Tree 71 Tree Decorating ? Tree Blessing Ritual ? Skirting the Tree ? Tree Skirt

Tree Ornaments ? Swirled Ornaments ? Filled Ornaments

Glittered Ornaments ? Herbal/Potpourri Ornaments

Cookie Cutter Ornaments ? Cinnamon-Apple Ornaments? Snow Balls

Decorating with Garlands ? Garlands ? Sun-Welcoming Tree Topper

11: Holiday Cards 85

Part III: Gifting, Feasting, and Festing

12: Quick and Easy Yule Gifts 89

Attitude-Changing Pomander ? Pine Cone Fire Starters ? Bath Salts

Herbal Energy Sachets ? Pressed Herb and Flower Candles

Flower Pot Candle ? Spell Kits ? All-Purpose Incense Kit

Scented Mug Coasters ? Herbal Tea Basket ? Kitchen Wreath

Instant Spa Basket ? Flowering Bulb Garden ? Potpourri Lamp

Sun Sweatshirt ? Witches' Ladders ? Lacy Amulet Bag

Crazy Quilt Friendship Egg ? Kitty Treats ? Peanut Butter Bird Feeder Cakes

Holiday Dog Collar ? Dog Biscuits ? Bird Bath

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