Tuesday, July 8, 2008

ABC Wednesday - Y

Y is for Yule Log.

The Yule log has been suggested to have been originally a custom amongst the Germanic peoples in tribute to the major Germanic god Thorassociated with Yule. Thor was associated with oak trees, such as Thor's Oak, in surviving references amongst the ancient Germanic tribes.[2]Since the custom survives to varying extent amongst the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians, cultural connections have been suggested between the modern practice of the Yule log and the ancient veneration of trees associated with Thor.[3]

Later, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, the tradition became more closely tied with Christmas, especially in England, where Father Christmas was often depicted carrying a Yule Log. [4]

Among the eastern cantons of Switzerland,the Yule log is an important part of the folk traditions of the winter festivities and there are closer associations to pagan rituals of Wilderness during the Sylvesternacht in Appenzell at the change of the Year, that being the Solstice. (Source: Wikipedia)

Aren't you enjoying a little bit of December in July?

I thought so...

ABC Wednesday is the brainchild ofMrs. Nesbitt
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22 comments:

abb said...

Chestnuts roasting on the open fire...

I feel cooler already... ;-)

Bear Naked said...

What a clever idea for ABC Wednesday--Y.
I am amazed at how many different things have been chosen for Y.
Beautiful photo of your Yule log.

Bear

photowannabe said...

Clever post but I can't cozy up to a Yule log today. The temperature was 110F. or 43.33C. Too hot for a fire.

Juliana said...

great shot for ur y pic

Mine in here Thanks

Tash said...

So cozy! Interesting history. Very nice 'Y' post.
P.S. Lonesome Dove is one of my favorites too.

Leslie: said...

Even though we're not Scandinavian, we always had a yule log cake around Christmas time.

Cath said...

Brilliant Y post. I never considered Yule. Excellent. I love the photo and the background you gave.

Debbie said...

Yule be having hot flashes all day sitting beside this....be sure to head to duck pond to cool off!

Good "Y" post, Mama :)

QueenofPlanetHotflash said...

Grabbing the marshmellows..

Mrs Mac said...

Good idea for "y"!

AphotoAday said...

Well, we could use a little "Y"ule around here in California with all of this hot weather...
Great post -- very educational!

Andrea said...

Great "Y" post.

Daryl said...

I'll be home for Christmas ... you can count on me ..

See I can hit a note .. pffit to Husband ... and stop holding your ears!

:-Daryl

Keetha said...

YES I am so enjoying a bit of December in July. Great day in the morning is it HOT.

Anonymous said...

Okay I'm sweating now! But it was nice to imagine a nice winter evening.

holly said...

as long as the capitalism's left out of it? bring it on!

otherwise, my wallet hasn't fattened back up enough for a present session.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

I so wish that walking outside the door did not FEEL like being encapsulated inside a circle of burning Yule logs!
:D
Hugs Laura

krysta said...

while i'd love some christmas in july, i have to agree with photowannabe, it was the same temp where i live, to even look at fire is just too hot!

nonizamboni said...

We're cooking up here in MN so the thought of snow and the yule season is a welcome relief. Can't wait!
Great post.

Lisa said...

Very nice thought to bring "cool" thoughts to this time of year. AND you sound like you are in a much better mood today. My karma must have made it through the computer for you. MY GRANDKIDS are here!

Mary said...

It's hot and muggy as hell here today, so I'm not sure if FLAMES are exactly what I need at the moment, especially since I seem to have my own internal combustion engine these days...

Great pic, though!
xoxo,
Mary (cranky as hell ,too)

mrsnesbitt said...

Only 25 weeks to christmas! As my birthday is in 26th week of the year I know this stuff! LOL!