I don't remember covering the tradition of the Yule Log. About 6 years ago, I put together a garden presentation on Christmas - Christmas trees, Poinsettias, Christmas displays such as Longwood with their trees made of succulents and herbs, and their lights making stars in the sky. There are botanical displays at Niagara Falls Greenhouse, Toronto's Centennial Greenhouses and Allan Gardens - they all have topiary Christmas displays.
But I hadn't considered the Yule Log to be a garden topic. The traditional log is meant to come from the forest - cut down a sizeable oak trunk/log so that it burns for so many days preceding Christmas. Another version has a portion of the log being burnt each evening up till Christmas (more practical).
Considered a Germanic pagan tradition, it is an emblem of divine light and is meant to absorb all the bad and negative things so that when it is burned, they are dissolved. In some cultures, there is a tradition of dragging the Yule Log from house to house and absorbing the whole town's negativity.
It has somehow evolved into a French cake - Buche de Noel. Cut one end of the log off and place it on top of the cake, along with other adornments - sleighs, trees, and so on. Maybe make a chocolate pine cone or little marzipan mushrooms. Given the ganache and buttercream fillings, it makes me think of this Christmas thought:
When what to my wondering eyes should appear... but ten extra pounds on hips, thighs and rear.
And here's a cartoon I found that combines the Yule log and the Christmas letter.
This is one of my favourite holiday cards - Floyd Elzinga work with some stars added. His tree trunks definitely would make great Yule Logs.
Isn't that a great headline. Yule time is a winter festival observed by the historical Germanic peoples with the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon god Modraniht. It 'underwent Christianized reformulation'. What popped out is the term Christmastide. It goes from December 21st to January 1st.
What is the yule log? The origin is unclear. It is a folk custom of a specially selected log burnt on a hearth as a Christmas tradition. The first references are in the 16th century. The yule log symbolizes the battle between good and evil. As the log turned into ashes, it symbolized Christ's final and ultimate triumph over sin.
There are specific traditions with the Yule log: it is unlucky to have to light it again after it has once been started, and it ought not go out until it has burned away. Candles are lit from the Yule log by the youngest person present. While they are lit, all are silent and wish. Once the candles are on the table, silence may be broken. They must be allowed to burn themselves out, and no other lights may be lit that night.
This seems like a tradition where mystery and magic are ingrained in the social fabric of the people. It seems quite a contrast to our invitation to purchase at Christmas. An equal contrast in our pictures today of the colours of the orchid display at Longwood last year with the white winter landscape outside.
