Winter Solstice usually occurs on either December 20 or 21st.
It is the point, in the northern hemisphere when the north pole has the maximum tilt away from the sun. It thus is the shortest day of the year. It is also referred to as Yule or midwinter and is celebrated by many of the traditions that we associate with Yule time and Christmas.
Christmas Day Dec. 25th
Christmas day is marked with a drinking horn, a bold emblem and acknowledgment to the importance of this Blot and the importance of drinking and feasting to celebrate the return of the sun to the world. The days leading up to Christmas and especially Christmas eve are celebrated with elaborate porridge would be made for the Nisse, barn spirits. Christmas eve dinner is left out all night for ancestors to partake at their Leisure. This is were we get the term smørgåsbord. Spirits known as the oskorei, the ride of terror, who had no home in heaven or hell also come at this time. They sought to capture anyone venturing out on this night. See the Chapter on the Major Feasts of the Year for more info on Yuletide.
Thirteenth Day of Christmas Jan 6th
This was Christmas day by the Julian Calendar and apparently it was hard day to let go of. This is also an important day for paying attention to the weather because as the weather is on this day so it will be for the next 13 weeks.
St. Pauls Day January 25th
The 12 days of Christmas are used to know the weather for the 12 months of the year. For example as the weather is on Dec. 25th so it will be in January or Æfterra Geola. But if there is stormy weather leading up to St. Pauls day then there will be fair weather an equally long time after and if there was nice weather leading up to St, Paul’s day there will be foul weather for an equality long time afterwards.
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