While the winter solstice is observed around the world, Yule was celebrated primarily by Germanic cultures of northern and western Europe. The midpoint of winter was a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the light it would bring to the earth.
It’s amazing that the sun always comes back to us. I wonder what would happen if the sun ignored the solstice and just kept going farther and farther away.
I assume they learned this information from writings from the period.
Actually, unsure if that is entirely true.
In Iran there is also "Yalda celebrations" (mid-winter solstice), always celebrated on the eve of 21 December, since ancient, pre-Zoroastrian era, and even now. It is the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere - older FR post
A typical Yalda spread or table
We did celebrate here with family & friends last night. But since I live in Australia, seasons are reversed. So, it is the longest day here - it's an enchanting tradition.
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I, for one, am happy to see the daylight time fraction of the day increase.
Somehow I doubt Celtic or Viking children would have oranges in their baskets. Thank goodness we are done with such superstitions. Now excuse me, I have to get to the airport and sacrifice a goat to keep my plane in the air.
Overcast here, sunrise was not visible
“Children would traipse from house to house with gifts of apples and oranges spiked with cloves and resting in baskets lined with evergreen boughs.”
I seriously doubt that Viking children before 1100 had access to Oranges and Cloves, especially in December. This is an anachronism.