THE YULE LOG

Perhaps one the oldest of all Pagan Yuletide traditions is the burning of the Yule log. At this, the coldest & darkest time of the year, the burning of the Yule log, expressed in the simplest magickal terms what
was needed most:  warmth & light. The power of the Yule log gave its strength to the new born Sun when another solar year was born. Today not everyone has a fireplace in which to burn the Yule log, but
the ancient ritual can still be performed.

Small logs, particularly of birch, have been especially prepared & decorated and called Yule logs. To prepare such a log, obtain a length of natural log with the bark left on. The log will then need to be split so
that it can rest on the flat side, or flattened just enough on one side to keep it from rolling. A third method is to nail two flat strips of wood to the base. Once the log is steady and secure, drill two or three 3/4 inch
holes in the top of the log to receive candles (sometimes a florist will sell them with the holes drilled in).

Prior to your Sabbat Ritual, add the candles to the log (red or white anointed with Yule type of oil, and decorate with fresh holly, fir, pine & yew. At the appropriate point in the Ritual, light the candles and say your prayer.

A major part of the Yule log tradition is that the ashes of the log are kept throughout the year as an amulet of protection & fertility, and that an unburned portion of the Yule log be kept and used to kindle the Yule
log the following year. By doing this, the remains gather unto itself a great deal of magickal power and the stumps of the candles may be kept at amulets throughout the year and used to light the new candles on the following Yule.

~Author Unknown~