Twelfth Night among the Pagans
The most important, most intimate and all-powerful winter festival of our pagan ancestors was considered Yule - 13 nights, called “Nights of the Spirits”, and in the German interpretation Weihnachten (Christmas)
On these nights, the deities of all worlds gather in Midgard - a kind of middle border fortress between the worlds Elves and trolls easily talk with people, gods and goddesses descend to earth, the deceased appear to loved ones For 13 nights the gates are open, this sacred time has no usual restrictions, during this period the spindle of Fate rotates and the plan destined by higher powers is accomplished
The end of Yule celebrations falls on Twelfth Night, from December 31 to January 1 according to the ancient German calendar, or January 6-7 according to the Christian calendar
According to various assumptions, the word “Yule” comes from the Scandinavian “wheel”, “to spin”, and perhaps it reflects the solar solar symbol, because according to an unwritten law, the longest night of the year must end with the victory of the renewed Sun and the onset of the New Year - the newly-minted cycle of life Therefore, special significance is attached to the signs that happened on this magical night, and the most secret wishes made at this time come true, since every word has extraordinary power
The day that followed Twelfth Night was called “Day of Destiny” Before sunset, it was recommended to especially carefully monitor both your speech and your actions and actions, because it was believed that they determined the further events of the New Year
Of course, in the twenty-first century, the celebration of the Twelfth Night of Yule has changed somewhat, but even now many people retain their original perception of the purpose of the wonderful New Year's Eve, which came to us from deep pagan antiquity Many beautiful traditions, such as caroling, shchedrovki, and dressing up, have not lost their attractiveness to this day
For example, the British hold performances next to the Shakespeare Theater on Twelfth Night, and in Spain children take out gifts from shoes left outside the windows Italians leave gifts in front of a closed door, because according to legend, the fairy Befana, who delivers gifts on a donkey, opens it with her golden key
In Mexico, they bake pies, in one of which they hide a small doll, symbolizing Jesus Christ According to church books, it was on the Twelfth Night that the Magi appeared in Bethlehem with gifts to the Baby It is believed that the person who finds the doll will be happy all year
In preparation for the New Year, we decorate a fluffy Christmas tree, attach Christmas wreaths to the doors, bake log-style cakes, confidently believing that we are observing Christian customs In fact, all the attributes are borrowed from the pagan Yule
Perhaps the most famous attribute of Twelfth Night is the Yule tree, which we know as the Christmas or New Year tree In ancient times, the Yule tree was considered a tree of wishes A cut down Christmas tree or pine tree was brought into the house, or simply transplanted into the yard, decorated with bright toys The festive decoration of the Yule tree continues to this day Glass balls symbolize people's desires, and angel figures replaced fairies, who, according to ancient legends, liked to rest on branches
The custom of putting gifts under the Christmas tree has also reached us through the centuries The Celts and Germans believed that in this way they would please the elves, and also make a kind of sacrifice to their deceased ancestors with their offering