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Witchcom online conference
February 16 @ 8:00 am – February 18 @ 5:00 pm
Witchcon
On Line Conference
February 16-18, 2024
4:15 PM Eastern, USA time
(Ellen will also be vending her books on line on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3:45 PM Eastern)
“Yule” is the word for the ancient Northern European winter festival that spans the Solstice season. Known as “Jul” in Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, “Jol” in Icelandic, “Joula” in Finnish and “Joule” in Estonian, it predates the Christian festival of “Christmas” or “Christes Maessan” (from the Anglo Saxon for “Christ’s Mass”). The original Yule celebrations lasted from mid-November to mid-January, spanning the time when farm animals were slaughtered and there was plenty of food for feasting. Meat, especially pork, and a lot of alcohol consumption characterized the observance. Certain plants such as pine, holly, ivy, mistletoe, bay, and many others were and still are an integral part of the festival. In this talk I will cover the magical and medicinal aspects of plants that have a special connection with Yuletide; roots, barks, berries, leaves, flowers, nuts, and seeds that have many dimensions and spectrums of influence. As we work with each one, whether in cooking, ritual, or medicine, we can bear in mind the spiritual qualities and magic that each plant embodies. More about these herbs and customs can be found in my newest herbal; “The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas – Remedies, Recipes, Magic, and Brews for the Winter Season” (Destiny Books, 2023)