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Hanukkah - Jewish
- Description:
- Jewish Festival of Lights. It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and re dedication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight candle Menorah is lighted
Yule - Asatru
- Description:
- This was the celebration of the Norse New Year - a festival of 12 nights, and is the most important of all the Norse holidays. On the Mother night of December 20, the god Frej (also called "Fro Ing") rides over the earth on the back of his shining boar, bringing Light and Love back into the World. Jul signifies the beginning and end of all things; the darkest time (shortest hour of daylight) during the year and the brightest hope re-entering the world. During this festival, the Wild Hunt is at its greatest fervor, and the dead are said to range the Earth in its retinue. The god Odin is the leader of this Wild Ride; charging across the sky on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir - a very awe-inspiring vision. In ancient times, Germanic and Norse children would leave their boots out by the hearth on Solstice Eve, filled with hay and sugar, for Sleipnir's journey. In return, Odin would leave them a gift for their kindness. In modern times, Sleipnir has been changed into reindeer and the grey-bearded Odin became the kindly Santa Claus (Father Christmas).
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