Winter Solstice

 

The sun set about an hour ago in the UK - the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge.

Today also marks the beginning of Yule.  Many of our Christmas traditions were borrowed from the Viking's celebration of Odin, Father Christmas.

With a long white beard and hooded fur coat, Odin would lead the Wild Hunt across the world on his flying horse, Sleipnir.  Children would leave their boots by the fireplace with sugar and hay for the horse and Odin would refill them with gifts.

The people would also decorate evergreen trees with carvings and food for the spirits.  Holly and mistletoe were hung to ward off evil ones.

The Yule Log was a whole tree meant to burn for 12 days and was to be lit with the remains of last year's log.  They would carve runes into the bark to wish for the protection of the gods and the return of the sun.

Keep yourself warm on this longest night!