Ancient History Fangirl RE-RELEASE: You Don't Know Yule
Dec 11, 2025
Explore the mysterious origins of Yule, a holiday steeped in ancient traditions. Discover its dark ties to midwinter festivals, the Wild Hunt myth, and Viking rituals of sacrifice. Dive into the connections between Yule and Christmas, including Odin's transformation into Santa Claus. Learn about quirky customs like the Yule log, evergreens, and mischievous Icelandic Yule Lads. Uncover the folklore of Grýla and her child-eating legend. This festive exploration reveals how ancient practices still influence modern celebrations!
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Yule Is Older Than Christmas
- Yule is an ancient midwinter festival distinct from Christmas with roots in prehistory and Norse epics.
- It lasted about 12 days and marked the solstice and rituals to encourage the sun's return.
Volcanoes May Explain Sun-Return Rituals
- Volcanic eruptions have historically caused 'volcanic winters' that dimmed the sun and triggered famines and social upheaval.
- Such events may explain ancient fears that the sun might not return and the origin of sun-return rituals.
Wild Hunt Explains Winter Deaths
- The Wild Hunt is a spectral winter procession led by Odin that signified liminal times when the dead could pass into the living world.
- Being caught by the Hunt explained sudden winter deaths and served as a cautionary tale about winter dangers.
