Yuul 2009

[Rob]

Distelfink Sippschaft's 2009 Yuul ceremony was delayed by a snowstorm that dumped 26" of snow in the Philadelphia suburbs and made it impossible for easy transit to the site. Thus, it ended up being held on December 29, which means the candles will barely cool off before the twelfth night observances.

Due to work issues and sickness, our numbers were diminished, but the event was still very enjoyable. That night we were also holding the landtaking ceremony for Pete's new house in Schlegelschteddel (more commonly known by its English name of Fleetwood). It was very windy, but we held the ceremony, walked the perimeter of the property, introduced Pete and the Sippschaft to the resident wights. Using traditional Deitsch practices, we delineated the line property line with the neighboring cemetery, but there seems to be some restlessness in that graveyard that will need additional addressing on Grundsaudaag in February.

The mantle in Pete's house makes for a great altar. The room is warm and spacious, and the candlelight provided a fine atmosphere for the Sege and the Sammel.

Deities honored for the landtaking were Frigg, Zisa and Dunner. For Yuul we honored Holle, Wodan, and Frey. Of course, there was some crossover of deities since all are honored for their roles in the lives of the Volk!

Following Deitsch tradition, Pete was given bread (so the house knows no hunger), salt (blessings), sugar (to keep life sweet), pepper (to keep life spicy), oatmeal (bounty), and honey and milk for the wights. We wish our brother continuous blessings in his new home!

We will bury a Dunnerhammer and Hollesichel once the ground thaws a bit. ;)

Der Zwelftdaag (Twelfth Day) is the final day of Yule. Traditionally, Deitsch folks consume copious amounts of pork and sauerkraut. Interestingly, both of these are considered sacred to the god Frey. The pork is similar to the boar, and the sauerkraut represents wealth and bounty. Old traditions die hard!

So we set to burning our Yule wreath (Yuulkrans) with our New Year's resolutions attached. This act symbolizes making sacred our oaths to the deities to fulfill our resolutions. This particular wreath was nice as it consisted of several things beyond the typical pine, and some of these things are associated with other deities (juniper with Gefion, pine cones with Zisa, fennel with Wodan).

After the blaze from the Yuulkrans eased up a bit, we through on a chunk of our pork as an offering to Frey.

Happy 2010 to all!