Yule (redirected from Julfest)

Yule

December 22; December 25

Also known as Alban Arthan, Yule is one of the "Lesser Sabbats" of the Wiccan year, thought to be a time when ancient believers celebrated the rebirth of the sun god and the lengthening of the days. This took place annually around the time of the Winter Solstice and lasted for 12 days.
The Sabbats are the eight holy days generally observed in modern witchcraft (Wicca) and Neopaganism. They revolve around the changing of the seasons and agricultural events, and have been celebrated outdoors with feasting, dancing, and performances of poetry, drama, and music. There are four "Greater Sabbats," falling on February 2 ( see Imbolc), April 30, July 31, and October 31 ( see Samhain). The Lesser Sabbats fall on the solstices and equinoxes.
Yule, or Yule Day, is also an old Scottish expression for Christmas day, "Yule," deriving from the old Norse word jól, referring to a pre-Christian winter solstice festival. Christmas Eve is sometimes referred to as "Yule-Even."
See also Juul, Feast of

SOURCES:
BkDays-1864, vol. II, pp. 735, 745
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 352
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 843
FestSaintDays-1915, pp. 9, 232
OxYear-1999, p. 516
RelHolCal-2004, p. 269
SaintFestCh-1904, p. 40 (c)

Celebration days: Dec 22, Dec 25