Yule Lantern, Runes and Xmas
As we approach the Christmas season I am reminded of the pagan traditions associated with this time of year, especially the Julleuchter or Yule Lantern. The Julleuchter is used to celebrate the Vernal Equinox, Mid-Summer solstice, Autumnal Equinox, and Mid-Winter solstice
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Mid-Summer has, over the years, been Christianized as the feast of Saint John the Baptist and Mid-Winter has been Christianized as the birth of Jesus Christ. Julleuchters became unpopular as Christianity spread and were only used in small communities that held on to their pagan beliefs.
Symbolized in the form of the " Midnight Mountain", the lantern follows the ancient customs from East Frisia, to Scandinavia . This small light has been used as a memento of the "Year of the Great Migrations" of the people of the north, & as the small light of humanity under the stars of the night sky.
When used during the 2 Solstice periods of the year, this is a symbol of the victory of Light over the Darkness, and also as a token of Eternal Circulation. The Norse Rune of Faith and a heart that represents the spirit or soul are visible on all four sides. It stands for an inseparable community, its consciousness and its attitude. It is used as a symbol of the sunlight never going out. During the Vernal Equinox, the holiday of Easter (Ostara) which symbolizes the revival of the sun, a candle is lit in the lower part of the Julleuchter and is then transferred to the upper position. During the Summer Solstice (Mittsommer) the holiday that symbolizes the sun, which entered the total force (god of balâdura). A candle only burns at the top of the Julleuchter.
During the Autumnal Equinox or Autumnal Ting (Herbst) the holiday which symbolizes the beginning of harvesting and of the sun beginning its downward trek, a candle is lit at the top of the Julleuchter and transferred downward.
During the Winter Equinox, the holiday of Yule, what is now known as The 12 Days of Christmas, twelve candles are used. One is used each night symbolizing the twelve months, until the 31 of December when the "July Moon shines."
On that night a thirteenth candle is used for the new coming month of January. The candles always burn below but on the last night, the candle is again transferred upward- this is the sun, which is spilled in order to return to the earth from the gloom of another peace.
The Julleuchter was first mentioned in the Swedish magazine in 1888. It described a Julleuchter from the 16th Century that is today in a museum in Holland and there is also one in the Norwegian royal museum.
I was struck, as I’m sure you will be too, in the Julleuchter image that below the heart, the alternative version Hagall rune sits. This represents the World Tree, Yggdrasill, and was used in magikal workings withinthe natural order. It provides spiritual protection and was historically, apparently was used by Viking navigators when negotiating perilous seas for protection of a more material kind.
This symbol, or rune, was known as Helm of awe.
The Helm of awe removes curses, evil and negative energy and returns it back to the sender. It is also very similar to the ashtanga yantra and its meaning is complete spiritual protection and to shield oneself from the evil from others.
So as we navigate todays turbulent world, perhaps embracing the energy of the Helm of Awe, drawing power from its magic and forging our own path in Midgard should again be encouraged
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