21 DECEMBER – WINTER SOLSTICE
MEAN GEIMHRIDH – (pronounced Myawn gey-ree) and also called: Alban Arthuan
This is the Celtic division of the year between dark and light when after 21 December each day would grow a little lighter and longer as the Sun began to triumph over darkness. The Winter Solstice is the year’s shortest day and longest night. This is also when the portals between the material and otherworld closed until the next Samhain.
It was still cold. It was still dark. But days would get increasingly lighter. During this celebration Celtic priests would cut mistletoe that grew on the oak tree. The Oak was a sacred tree for the Celts, associated with strength and endurance. Mistletoe berries were a symbol of life during the cold dark winter months.
The Celts thought that for twelve days in mid-winter the sun stood still. During this time a yule log was lit to conquer darkness, ward off evil spirits and bring luck in the coming year. This is what lies at the root of the tradition of the yule log. This Yule celebration celebrated the Oak King usurping the Holly King in the never-ending competition between the Oak and Holly Kings.
In Scotland, this celebration honoured Caileach Bheur or Beira, the Queen of Winter. She is the hag aspect of the Triple goddess who rules between 1 November and 1 May.
MEAN GEIMHRIDH – (pronounced Myawn gey-ree) and also called: Alban Arthuan
This is the Celtic division of the year between dark and light when after 21 December each day would grow a little lighter and longer as the Sun began to triumph over darkness. The Winter Solstice is the year’s shortest day and longest night. This is also when the portals between the material and otherworld closed until the next Samhain.
It was still cold. It was still dark. But days would get increasingly lighter. During this celebration Celtic priests would cut mistletoe that grew on the oak tree. The Oak was a sacred tree for the Celts, associated with strength and endurance. Mistletoe berries were a symbol of life during the cold dark winter months.
The Celts thought that for twelve days in mid-winter the sun stood still. During this time a yule log was lit to conquer darkness, ward off evil spirits and bring luck in the coming year. This is what lies at the root of the tradition of the yule log. This Yule celebration celebrated the Oak King usurping the Holly King in the never-ending competition between the Oak and Holly Kings.
In Scotland, this celebration honoured Caileach Bheur or Beira, the Queen of Winter. She is the hag aspect of the Triple goddess who rules between 1 November and 1 May.