Yule Log

The Ancient Druids began the tradition of the Yule log, though they probably didn’t expect it to become a chocolate one after the passage of time…. The name ‘Druid’ has been said to stem from the word ‘Duir’, or ‘oak’, which gave rise to the assumption that the Druids were priests of the sacred oak groves believed to have once spread across Britain and Ireland. They worshipped trees as symbols of the Gods, chanting to them and making offerings. The custom of ‘wassailing’ (meaning to wish good health to) is descended from the Druidic worship of these powerful trees. The Yule log symbolised the sacrifice of a great tree, which was the only means strong enough to make the sun return. The Celts thought that the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter and during this time a log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year. They believed that if they could keep the log burning for the full twelve days then the sun would be persuaded to move again and make the days grow longer. Terrible ill luck would befall if the burning log went out… (All I can say is that it must have been a very big log…).