Now one year old, the Student Pagans Educating, Leading and Learning (SPELL) organization recently held an event for a yearly tradition that does not typically have a large celebration on campus; the holiday of Yule.
The Germanic Holiday of Yule, also referred to as Jul, jól or joulu, was originally celebrated in Central Europe almost 3000 years ago, in the 9th century, and it is now celebrated by millions of people all over the world. The holiday of Yule celebrates the winter solstice and commemorates the gods with a festival of songs, drinks, food, dancing and sacrifices. This holiday can be traced back to the Norse people, who referred to the holiday as Jul. Historically a three-to 12-day holiday, it is a time of celebration, laughter, and the beginnings of a new year.
Senior Peter Porrello, vice president of SPELL, discussed what Yule was to him and others who celebrated it. “Yule is a time for new beginnings and good times for the spring, it also represents the death of an old year and the rebirth of a new year,” said Porrello.
The event included several arts and crafts stations around the German Club, with several tables containing handbooks on how to make various types of knots, holiday wreaths, runes and other traditional items such as yule logs and crystals. Each table had a director as well, who gave lessons on the different respective items and crafts, along with a bit of history behind the items and crafts. The centermost table included a staple of Yule, representing one of the most celebrated and looked forward to of all the events to take place during the celebrations: the burning of the Yule log, symbolizing and enticing the return of the Sun.
Traditional German folk music played in the background as the attendees socialized. Refreshments were served, considering those with dietary restrictions, with food options offering halal, vegan and vegetarian. Crumble cookies were also served as a dessert, with Hawaiian Punches and Caprisuns scattered about the drinks table.
“100 percent of this event’s proceeds are going to Friends of the Earth, a charity with goals we support,” said Porrello. Friends of the Earth is a charity that acknowledges and strives to act on political and environmental issues.
For more information on SPELL and any future events, visit them on Charger Connection. For any information or to donate to Friends of the Earth, you can visit their website at foe.org.
