Book Now or Yule be sorry

Decorating evergreen trees was a Viking ritual. The evergreen trees of the Scandinavian forests represented the promise of life even in the middle of winter. All other plants appeared dead but the evergreen still looked full of life, a seed to begin the new cycle symbolising the continuity of life. 

A Yule log was set alight on Winter Solstice and burned down over many days until nothing but a small piece remained. This small piece was kept to be used as the lighter for the following year's Yule fire. 

Holly leaves and berries would be used to make circular wreaths or Wheels of the Sun. They would be used to decorate houses and sometimes burnt and rolled down a hill. It was a promise of warmer days to come. A representation of the continuation of life and that winter flows into summer and back into winter again. 

Midwinter is traditionally a time of feasting. History shows us that the Vikings enjoyed a midwinter celebration, giving thanks to Mother earth and the rebirth of the sun. The Feast of Juule was mainly centred around the Winter Solstice. 

Winter Solstice is the shortest day in the year and marks the rebirth of the sun (new solar year). Days gradually become longer and nights become shorter. It was a time to count blessings from the previous year and encourage hope and prosperity in the new solar year.

It was believed that the last sheaf of harvested corn contained the power of that year's harvest. This cut of grain was made into a festive goat for Yuletide to keep the evil spirits at bay. Many different stories have evolved regarding the Julebukk (Yule Goat) with its' role seeming to change over the years.