Pagan Yuletide Greenery

by Selena Fox

Kinds

• from Evergreen "Yule" Trees - Pines, Fir, Spruce, others
• from other Trees - Holly, Oak, Birch, Silver Fir, Yew, Juniper, Cedar, Fruit trees, others
• from Herbs - Mistletoe, Ivy, Bayberry, Bay, Rosemary, Sage, others
• from other Plants - Poinsettia, others

Forms

• living
• cut & kept fresh
• cut & dried
• representational

History

• Used for Winter Solstice time celebrations since antiquity -- Roman, Teutonic, English, Egyptian, others
• Use continued as part of Christmas traditions, but banned some eras & places due to their Pagan associations
• Part of spiritual & secular December holiday celebrations in contemporary America & elsewhere

Sacred Uses:

• Wreath - symbolizing the wheel of the year; placed on doorways, walls, altars, other places
  Rituals of selection, creation, placement, removal, burning at Imbolc, Summer Solstice, or other times
• Yule Tree - symbolizing eternal life force & World Tree; decorated with lights, sun symbols, other symbols
  Rituals of growing, selection, honoring tree spirit, placement, decoration, removal, offering or burning
• Sprigs, Boughs, & Garlands - symbolizing the continuity of life; used to adorn homes, altars, other places
  Rituals of cutting, arranging, removal, burning or mulching
• Mistletoe Amulet - symbolizing peace, friendship, affection; hung above door ways to protect home
  Rituals of harvest, placement, home blessing, kissing under it for peace making, fun, good luck
• Mistletoe is often an ingredient in multi-herbal kissing ball used in similar ways
• Yule Log Adornment - with Holly to symbolize old year passing & with other greens for continuity of life
  Rituals of selection & placement on the Log, burning with the Log to welcome new solar year, good luck
• Greenery Circle Making - symbolizing the Circle of Life & Yule season; outline ritual circle with greens
  Rituals of harvest, placement, later removal & use in sacred fires
• Evergreen Sprig Wand - symbolizing the Yuletide season, renewal, well-being
  Rituals of harvest, uses for circle casting, purification, healing, energy directing, home blessing
• Sacred Fires - dried greenery symbolizing the season & specified intention such as release or attraction
  Rituals of fire starting, fire feeding, magic making
• Crowns - of Holly leaves symbolizing Holly King, Holly Boy, & Goddess; of Oak Leaves for the Oak King, of Ivy for Goddess, God, Ivy Girl; of a mixture of greens symbolizing Yuletide
  Rituals of creating, crowning, invoking, offering, aspecting, thanksgiving, celebration
• Gifts - of living plants, herb teas, greens scented candles, motifs decorating cards, foods, music, art
  Rituals of creating, selection, gifting, thanksgiving, friendship renewal & love
• Greenery Meditation - using actual or visualized greenery symbolizing renewal of the Yuletide season
  Rituals of healing, guidance, seasonal celebration