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Yule Yesterday and Today
​
By Pat Salway


It’s no secret that many of the traditions that define the Christmas season are rooted in paganism. The origins of customs such as decorating evergreen trees, caroling, the Christmas ham, and burning a yule log are all traceable to the ancient Germanic festival of Yule that begins at the winter solstice. 

Most of our modern knowledge of Yule comes from a text called the Heimskringla–sagas of Swedish and Norwegian kings written in the High Middle Ages by the Icelandic historian and poet Snorri Sturluson. The text tells us that King Haakon the Good, who was a confirmed Christian by the time he took over Norway, merged pagan Yule festivities with Christmas celebrations in order to maintain the cooperation of the wise heathen elders. King Haakon passed a law stating that both heathens and Christians would celebrate their customs together with ale on Christmas or else pay a fine. The Heimskringla goes on to describe the customs of Yule in detail, customs which—in addition to what later became incorporated into Christmas—involved some darker traditions that are less well-known today.
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT PRS
    • Manly P. Hall >
      • Manly Hall, A Personal Perspective
    • PRS Board & Staff
    • Contributing Artists >
      • Guy Blakeslee
      • John Bucher
      • Sandra del Castillo
      • Devon Deimler
      • Edgar Fabian Frias
      • Mandy Kahn
      • David Orr
      • Marina Pacowski
      • Stephen Reedy
      • Fahad Siadat
      • Eliza Swann
    • Press
  • EVENTS
    • Past Events
    • Online Classes
    • Videos on Demand
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • Library
  • PRS Journal
    • Past Issues >
      • India
      • Winter Festivals
      • Water
      • The Veil
      • Harvest
      • Fire
      • Moon
      • Solar
      • Rebirth
    • Journal Subscribers >
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues >
        • December - Winter Festivals
        • November - Water
        • October - The Veil
        • September-Harvest
        • August - Fire
        • July - Moon
        • June - Solar
        • May - Rebirth
    • Journal Submissions
  • Shop
    • New Arrivals
    • Best Sellers
    • PRS Merch
    • Books by Manly P. Hall >
      • The Secret Teachings
      • The Signature Editions
      • New Editions for Contemporary Seekers
      • Vintage Lecture Notes
      • MPH Essays
      • MPH Book SALE
      • Manly P. Hall Book Bundles
    • MPH Audio >
      • MPH Collection at BetterListen.com
    • MPH E-Books
    • Reprint Series curated by MPH
    • Books and Catalogs >
      • Dr. Obadiah Harris
    • Gifts & Curiosities >
      • Gift Cards
    • Tote Bags
    • Rare and Used Books
    • Symbolic Prints and Posters
    • Tarot, Oracle, and Affirmation Decks
    • Curbside Pickup
    • Shipping Update
  • Support
    • Volunteer
    • Roof Restoration Fundraiser
  • Rentals