Yule preparations | Pagan Yule stories & history | Witch vlog

#yule #yuletraditions #paganchristmas

In today's witch vlog I want to take you through my preparations for Yule.
And while I am decorating for Christmas and Yule, I would like to share some of the pagan origins of Christmas traditions with you too. And maybe give you some inspiration on how to celebrate Yule or how to prepare for it. It is that magical time of year again, filled with the scent of dried oranges and freshly baked Christmas cookies, the sounds of the softly crunching snow under my boots, and twinkle lights in the windows - I absolutely adore Winter! How are you celebrating Yule and have you gotten your Christmas tree yet?

How are we preparing for Yule?
00:00 Intro
00:23 What are we doing in today's witch vlog?
00:59 Walk through a winter wonderland
01:47 Yuletide and the wild hunt
02:53 Christmas traditions and their pagan origin
03:57 Bavarian / Austrian Christmas figures with pagan roots
05:26 Warming up with Spiced Orange tea
06:23 Simple kitchen witch spell for winter days
07:12 Thor's connection to the winter solstice
09:54 Pagan kitchen witchery: Thomas wheels / Yule wagon recipe
12:25 When to cut your Yule tree according to the Lunar calendar
14:17 Getting our tree
15:02 Christmas ornaments and their pagan origins
16:40 Ideas for an enchanted witchy Yule tree
18:30 Decorating for Christmas and Yule

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

✉ If you´d like to send me snail mail: Rebekka Laufer, Postfach 17, 92246 Vilseck

Might contain affiliate links, meaning that I earn a veeeery small percentage from them. The final product is NOT more expensive for you when buying through the links but you help me being able to keep creating on this channel - Thank you 💕

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thomas Radln / Yule Wagon Recipe
200 ml milk (warm)
14g active dry yeast
100 g sugar
1 swig vanilla extract
3 egg yolks
500 g flour
100 g butter (soft)
1 pinch of salt
3 TBSP Rum or Amaretto or Milk with cinnamon
1/2 lemon (juice and zest)
50 g raisins (optional)
Water & sugar to drizzle (add cinnamon for extra taste)

[Thewitchescookery]

I was actually wrong about the sustainability of the reusable tree! Apparently the best option is to buy from an organic tree farm - this helps the climate and environment, furthers regular replantation and prevents urbanisation of woodland areas! So nice 👌 someone shared a wonderful article on this over on my Instagram post, if you want to check it out!! 🌲✨

[mamakelly]

I love your upbeat attitude, the history lessons and you are truly a joy to watch. Thanks for all the videos

[melaniekull]

I’ve been into peganism and started when I was 12. My parents found out and put me through intense catholic “cleaning” as they called it. I’m so happy I’m finally able to learn about peganism again and this was the first year my family (husband and daughter) celebrated Yule instead of a Christian version of Christmas 😊❤️

[kellysardella]

My mother is German & has always decorated tree with apples, and cardinals for each deceased family member. As I learned the meaning behind so many of our traditions & my own beliefs we began to build on the traditions each year . Lovely video, going to make the bread this year .

[arthurzackaryabrin]

As a german beginner practitioner it's great to see the german side of these traditions!! It was difficult to find something from a german's perspective cuz most witchy content creators I found are located in the US or the UK!!

[evegrace]

Yule is coming again, so I had to revisit your videos. Winter is one of my favourite times of the year. I love how everything is dark and cold outside but inside there's so much light and coziness. Preparing for the Sun's return and waiting for nature to be reborn again is such a beautiful journey. I love how this time of the year teaches us patience.

[ReneeAnon-ebooks-music]

This could be a Lifetime TV show. Excellent production!

[GuyG.KTalesOfAnimals]

As a person whose of jewish heritage, it is always fascinating for me to see this winter traditions in other cultures, we don’t really have weather were we live but it is always inspiring me to see every year how people honor this darker part of the year around the world, the traditions and culture which they preserve and celebrate. This is a time for holding light through fire, while the sun is resting. It is an inspiring time.
On Hanukah there are very little decorations as far as I know, if you have children you might set a bowl of dreidels somewhere in your main living area, there are gambling games and children always create their own little games with the dreidels. you will make deep fried food, the story of hannuka has to do with a tiny bottle of oil that lasted 8 days during a time of war, so oily food is traditionally associated with Hanukah- Sufganiot (a jelly filled donut), latkes, and on. You will also serve them hot, since it might be cold outside. You will set a Menorah on the kitchen window, and light a candle each day. And you will celebrate this candle lighting with family and friends by singing special songs and prayers. If the kids are good, they will get some money (or chocolate coins) from their grandparents, that is called Hanukah Gelt, this is associated with good luck and abundance.
I haven’t celebrated Hanukah in a long time though since I don’t actively practice Judaism. It is not at all like Christmas, or yule, but it is definitely a wintery holiday.

[kathryneconomou]

When you mentioned German, Slavic and Scandinavian traditions. I was quickly drawn to your videos on ancient customs. I am of all three backgrounds and feel such a kindred spirit towards these things. You brought back feelings I haven't felt since I was a child when we felt free to embrace old stories and folklore. I honestly believe my ancestors dwell inside me and guide me to my true heritage. Love your vlogs!

[V.R.CoryArt]

As far as I'm concerned the Perfect Yule would be spending a day at this woodland witch's hut with all her traditional items and magical cloak! Such a folk tale vibe you've got, love it!

[CFIDSM]

I was born on Winter Soltice/ Yule December 21st
BLESSED BE!!!

[restoreexplore]

As one of many people from 'across the pond' with Germanic roots I enjoyed this video immensely. Thanks for sharing some origins of known and lesser known history in a fun way!

[sarina]

I’m so glad I found this channel for Yule! I’m Wiccan and I’m so happy to find someone with similar traditions with such an amazing attitude! You’re absolutely adorable and I’m so glad I found your channel!

[belovedchaos]

You are such a breath of fresh air! Thank you ❤

[luischeddar]

I have been excited learning about pagan, german, and other cultures traditions and holidays and seeing what I can adopt into my own. My family doesnt celebrate holidays, only I do, so these times of the year can be really depressing for me. Witch craft has helped me celebrate holidays alone, knowing around the world other Witches and holiday lovers are celebrating them with me. Happy Holidays everyone!

[elisebrown]

Happy Yuletide! I've been a Norse heathen for many years and I love this season. You have a wonderful energy and exuberance, and I enjoyed hearing about ways that close neighboring traditions celebrate the holiday. I have to let you know, though, that the picture you showed at 8:05 is actually Odin/Wotan, and not Thor/Donar as stated. Odin is known for having sacrificed one of his eyes for wisdom and is associated with his two ravens, Huginn and Muninn. Odin would sometimes walk among mortals, disguised as one, and gauge how he was treated. Since hospitality was considered a noble virtue, those who showed such generosity were rewarded.

[down-to-earth-mystery-school]

Thank you so much for this. A dear friend and witchy mentor passed away in 2021, she was from Germany and I recognize so many of these traditions when I would go to visit her home. I felt like she was visiting me and bringing the light ⭐️

[mrs.newton]

Thank you this is our first Yule ! And I’ve been trying to learn as much as I can

[TevilsTreasures]

That bread looks so easy and scrumptious! I love the idea of putting little spell bags on the tree. Very festive video. Have a beautifully blessed day 💗💚

[sujubits]

I didn’t know about the connections between the folklores of different traditions! The video was awesome and got me in the yule spirit :)