The Mystical Cauldron

My husband loves Yule time too. In fact, he loves it so much that when he proposed to me, he set our wedding date for the 24th of December. I can't imagine a more perfect time for a wedding. After all, there is magick, wonder, joy and a great amount of love and harmony around this time of year (as long as you avoid the shopping malls...) And, with the birth of the Sun God, it is time of hope and renewal. A time when faith burns bright in our hearts and the snow gives the world a clean bright coat. Even in the worst of times, humanity as a whole tries to be a bit kinder to those around them at this time of year. If only we could all strive to retain the warmth and joy of the season within ourselves, we could encourage this wonderful feeling throughout the rest of the year... what wonder and magick could abound then.

Yule Story

The First Yule

(author unknown)

Once upon a time, long long ago, a beautiful young woman lived on a blue and green island. She had many friends on the island, fairies, trees, flowers, rabbits, deer and birds... but she was the only person who lived there.

She wanted to share her friends and her secrets with other people just like her, so she began to give birth. Every month when the moon was hiding, she gave birth. For the first six months, she gave birth to daughters with dark skin and eyes. For the last six moons of the year she gave birth to fair skinned daughters. On the seventh moon of every year the First Mother gave birth to a magickal, sacred oak.

As the years turned, many many daughters were born, and quite a few oak trees as well. The daughters played games with the animals and each other, they climbed in the branches of the oak trees and gathered flowers with the fairies.

One day the first born daughter of the First Mother gave birth herself. The First Mother was very proud and happy, her favorite friend Oak Tree(who was very wise) gave her a silver crown to wear and told her that she was now a Grandmother.

Soon many of the daughters gave birth, and the island became an even happier place, full of babies and big girls and mommies who all played together with the animals, the trees and the fairies.

One winter night when the moon was hiding, one of the daughters gave birth to a baby that was different from anything they had ever known. It was not a daughter, it was not even an oak tree, it was a baby BOY!

It was a very dark cold night, the longest winter's night of the year, so all the daughters and all the animals were snuggled up together to keep cozy and warm. After their excitement of seeing a brand new baby born passed, the daughters and the animals realized that the baby boy was not feeling well. He was not as strong or as warm as the babies and trees that were usually born on the island.

They all began to worry about the new baby, and tried to help keep him warm. The animals with the furriest coats pushed up close to the mother and baby, the fairies sprinkled magick dust above him, and the little girls sang wonderful songs and danced around and around the room.

But the baby boy couldn't get warm enough and soon he was too cold and tired even to cry or to drink the healing milk from his mother.

The First Grandmother was so afraid for the baby boy. She tried to hide her tears from her daughters and ran out into the forest. The snow was very deep and full of white glitter. She tried to walk but it was just to deep. So her friend the owl carried her up above the snow filled clouds deep into the magick forest where her firstborn, most sacred wise friend Oak lived. The First Grandmother intended to ask Her friend for advise about the baby boy.

When the owl reached the clearing where the sacred First Oak tree lived, the Grandmother gasped! There was no snow on the ground there, and in the middle of a perfect circle lay her friend the Oak. The tree had Fallen to the ground and broken into a pile of logs and branches. She rushed to kneel beside the broken tree, and her teardrops turned into sparkling icicles on her cheeks.

While she was trying to understand what had happened to her dear friend, a coyote entered the circle and brushed up beside her. First the coyote kissed her tears dry, and then whispered a secret in the First Grandmother's ear.

The Grandmother nodded, and with the help of the coyote and the owl, she gathered some of the branches from her oldest friend Oak and they returned to her daughter and the baby boy.

Using the gifts from the Oak, and the secrets from the coyote, the Grandmother built the very first fire that anyone on the blue and green island had ever seen.

The fairies were shocked, they had never seen anything dance like that without wings. The animals laughed, they had never seen colors so bright except on springtime flowers. The daughters didn't know WHAT to do, they had never felt anything as warm as the summer sand on the beach in the middle of winter.

The mother brought the baby boy close to the edge of the fire, closer than everyone else( they were still just a little bit scared of this new thing called fire). The baby boy opened his eyes just a little bit, and began to wiggle his fingers. Then he smiled and moved his toes too. When he was warm enough, he snuggled with his Mother and drank her milk, soon everyone was certain the baby boy would be okay. They were all so happy, they danced around the fire singing their favorite special songs and giving little gifts to the fire.

The baby boy grew up strong and happy because of the gift of the First Oak Tree. He had many sons of his own, and taught them all to plant acorns on the seventh dark moon of the year so that there would always be many, many oak trees on the island.

Every winter, on the longest coldest darkest night of the year, all the people who lived on the blue and green island built a very special fire. They brought in a special tree and honored it with shiny ornaments and glittery fairy dust. They picked one very special branch or log and sang their favorite songs while they decorated it. Then they would give this beautiful log to the fire as a present... and all the children would hear the story of the gift of the First Oak tree.

On the longest night of the year, whenever you light a candle or build a fire, remember the story of the First Grandmother and the coyote who told her the secret. No matter how cold and dark it seems, The Sun will always be reborn and bring us warmth and light again.

Yule Crafts

Borax Crystal Snowflakes

With a little kitchen science you can create long lasting snowflakes as sparkly as the real ones.

You will need:
wide mouth pint jar

string

white pipe cleaners (Pipe cleaners and string form a snowflake base for the crystals to grow on)

blue food coloring (optional)

boiling water (with adult help)

borax (available at grocery stores in the laundry soap section, as 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster - NOT Boraxo soap)

pencil

Directions

1. Cut a white pipe cleaner into 3 equal sections. Twist the sections together in the center so that you have a "six-sided" star shape.  If your points are not even, trim the pipe-cleaner sections to the same length.

2. Now attach string along the outer edges to form a snowflake pattern.

3. Attach a piece of string to the top of one of the pipe cleaners and tie the other end to a pencil (this is to hang it from).

4. Fill a wide mouth jar with boiling water.

5. Mix borax into the water one tablespoon at a time. Use 3 tablespoons of borax per cup of water. Stir until dissolved, (don't worry if there is powder settling on the bottom of the jar).

6. If you want you can add a little blue food coloring now to give the snowflake a bluish hue.

7. Insert your pipe cleaner snowflake into the jar so that the pencil is resting on the lip of the jar and the snowflake is freely suspended in the borax solution.

Wait overnight and by morning the snowflake will be covered with shiny crystals. Hang in a window as a sun-catcher or use as a wintertime decoration.

Lightbulb Angel

You will need:

burned out light bulb

rubbing alcohol

acrylic paint in white, pink, and flesh

gold cord or ribbon

gold craft wire

wire cutters

handful of tiny white silk flowers

gold scrap material

Fiberfil cotton batting

three plastic white or iridescent flowers

lace curtain remnant with a floral pattern

hot glue

scissors

black marker

Instructions

1. Wipe bulb down with rubbing alcohol, this will help the paint adhere to the bulb.

2. Let dry. Paint entire light bulb with white acrylic paint and let dry. Apply a second coat. If finish appears streaked, you can use a large paint brush or a sponge to blot on a "stucco" look. It is not necessary to paint the socket. Allow bulb to dry completely.

3. While bulb is drying, cut out two large flowers from the lace curtain and fashion a halo from craft wire (leave enough wire to wrap around the bulb socket).

4. When bulb is completely dry, wrap craft wire around bulb socket and bend upward so that halo is above the socket (head).

5. Using gold fabric strip, glue in place all the way around the socket (almost at the end of the socket where it meets the bulb).

6. Cover any remaining socket with Fiberfil. Prepare Fiberfil by taking small amount and rolling it between your hands to create "tubes", glue in place.

7. Above the gold band, one at a time, glue tiny silk flowers in place until entire socket is covered.

8. Carefully paint face area on with flesh colored paint.

9. Fashion a small bow from gold ribbon or cord and glue to the front of the bulb, about halfway down where the round part begins.

10. Carefully glue iridescent or white plastic flowers around the bow.

11. Use the two lace curtain flowers to create a shawl by starting up behind the angel's neck and working your way frontward and around. Do this for both sides, overlap where needed.

12. Turn angel over in your hand, being careful not to put any pressure on the embellishments on the front, and glue angel wings to the back.

13. Tie a loop in gold cord or ribbon and glue securely to the back of the angel just above the wings.

14. Use black marker to draw on eyes and mouth.

15. Using a small paint brush, blot off excess pink paint onto paper towel. When all excess paint is off of the brush, carefully and gently blot on cheeks. Hang!

Handprint Yule Tree

courtesy, EnchantedLearning.com

Supplies needed:

A lot of green construction paper

A piece of brown construction paper (for the tree trunk)

A piece of yellow construction paper (for the star)

A large piece of brown paper (or use another color)

Pencil, Scissors, Glue

Optional: Glitter, glitter glue, or paper ornaments to glue on the tree

Instructions:

1. Trace the child's hand on a piece of green construction paper.

2. Cut out the hand print. Fold the wrist over. Make a lot of paper paper hands (the number you'll need depends on the size of your tree).

3. Draw a tree shape on a large piece of paper.

4. Cut out a small rectangle of dark brown paper (this will be the tree trunk).

5. Glue the rectangle below the tree.

6. Glue the hand prints together in a tree shape, gluing the folded part of the wrist to the background. Start at the bottom of the tree.

7. Starting with the second row, make the fingers overlap the next hand a little bit.

7. Cut out a yellow star for the top of the tree. Glue it on the tree.

8. Write a Yule message around the tree.

9. Decorate your tree with glitter, glitter glue, or paper ornaments.

Pinecone Yule Tree

For each Pine Cone Christmas Tree you will need:

a large, open pine cone (pick one that is tree-shaped and stands upright easily)

Glitter

A few cotton balls

White glue (like Elmer's)

Small beads and/or various sequins, etc.

string of tiny beads

A small bow or star to top off your little tree
1. Glue the cotton balls around the bottom of your pinecone (to simulate snow)

2. Decorate pinecone by gluing beads and sequins onto it.

3. wind string of beads onto pinecone as garland.

4. Glue bow or star to top of tree.

Beaded Candy Cane Ornament

To make 2 Candy Canes, you will need:

12" White chenille stem

20-30 White tri-beads

20-30 Red translucent tri-beads (non-translucent beads may be used)

Wire cutters

Directions:

1. Cut Chenille stem in half

2. Feed beads onto stem, 1 red, 1 white until desired length.

3. Fold ends overtogether and push sharp ends to inside of beads.

4. Hang and enjoy!

Beaded Yule Wreath Ornament

12" Green chenille stem

20 Green translucent tri-beads (non-translucent beads may be used)

10 Red translucent tri-beads (non-translucent beads may be used)

Wire cutters

Directions:

1. Cut Chenille stem in half

2. Feed beads onto stem in this order... 1 red, 4 green, 2 red, 4 green, 2 red, 4 green, 2 red, 4 green, 2 red, 4 green, 1 red

3. Twist the ends together and push sharp ends to inside of beads.

4. Hang and enjoy!

Recipes for Yule Feast

Alton Brown’s Dr. Pepper Ham

Courtesy Foodtv.com and Alton Brown

Ingredients

1 ham (preferably on the bone)

1 liter Dr. Pepper

1 cup sweet pickle juice, optional

Directions.

1. Unwrap ham and rinse clean

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

3. Place ham in a large disposable turkey-roasting pan and add enough Dr. Pepper to come about halfway up the side of the ham. Add pickle juice if you've got it and tent completely with heavy-duty foil.

4. Cook for 1/2 hour then reduce heat to 325 degrees F, and cook another 1 1/2 hours.

5. Turn the ham over, insert an oven safe thermometer (probe-style is best) and cook another 1 1/2 hours, or until the deepest part of the ham hits 140 degrees F (approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound total).

6. Let rest 1/2 hour then slice paper-thin and serve.

Cottage Potatoes

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Foodtv.com

Ingredients

3 large Idaho potatoes

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 cup cottage cheese

1/2 onion, diced

Salt and pepper

Paprika

Directions.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Scrub the potatoes, slice them, and put in a pot with water to cover. Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain and mash them with 2 tablespoons of the butter.

3. Add the cottage cheese, onion, and salt and pepper to taste.

4. Stir the mixture gently, and then put in a greased casserole.

5. Dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle with paprika.

6. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Sweet Peas au Gratin

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse and Foodtv.com

Ingredients

1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons butter

1 cup minced onions

Salt

Freshly ground white pepper

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

4 cups sweet green peas, blanched

1/2 cup fine dried bread crumbs

Emeril’s Essence(recipe follows)

4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Directions.

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Grease an 8-cup oval gratin dish with 1 teaspoon of the butter.

3. In a large sauté pan, over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of the butter.

4. Add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes.

5. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

6. Stir in the milk and bring to a simmer. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes or until the mixture coats the back of a spoon.

7. Add the peas and mix thoroughly.

8. Pour into the prepared pan.

9. Season the breadcrumbs with Essence. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the peas.

10. Top with the grated cheese.

11. Place in the oven and cook until the peas are bubbly and the top is golden, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Emeril's Essence

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Cream Cheese Filled Biscuits

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Foodtv.com

Ingredients

2 cups biscuit mix (suggested: Bisquick)

3 ounces cream cheese

Milk, to moisten

Flour

Directions.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a mixing bowl, cut cream cheese into biscuit mix until cornmeal consistency.

3. Add enough milk to moisten. Place dough-like mixture onto floured surface and knead 2 or 3 times. Don't knead too much or your biscuits will be tough.

4. Roll dough to desired thickness using a rolling pin and cut out with round cookie cutter.

5. Place biscuits on a greased cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 15 minutes.

Fruity Yule Beverage

Ingredients

1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle orange juice

1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle cranberry juice

Directions.

1. Pour the orange juice into ice cube trays and freeze them. Chill the cranberry juice in the refrigerator.

2. When the orange juice cubes are frozen, Place them in a large pitcher and pour in the cranberry juice.

Bob’s Peppermint Pie

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Foodtv.com
This pie got its name from the yummy peppermints used to make it… (Bob’s brand)

Ingredients

1 envelope plain gelatin

1/4 cup cold water

1/2 cup whipping cream, plus 1 1/2 cups whipping cream, whipped

8 ounces peppermint candy, soft type (recommended: Bob's brand)

1 chocolate cookie crust

Directions.

1. Soften gelatin in water, set aside.

2. Put half cup whipping cream in small saucepan with candy and cook over low heat until candy melts.

3. Add gelatin, mix well.

4. Let cool and fold in whipped cream.

5. Pour into crust.

6. Chill.

Pine Bark

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Foodtv.com

Ingredients

35 saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

5 (4-ounce) milk chocolate bars, broken into pieces

Directions.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Line a 15 by 10 by 1-inch jelly roll pan with tin foil.

3. Lightly spray foil with a non-stick cooking spray.

4. Place saltine crackers, salty side up, in prepared pan.

5. In a saucepan, boil butter and sugar for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

6. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract.

7. Pour mixture over crackers and bake for 4 to 6 minutes.

8. Remove from oven, top with candy bars, and spread evenly as chocolate begins to melt.

9. Cool slightly and transfer onto waxed paper. Allow to cool completely.

Peppermint Bark

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Foodtv.com

Ingredients

Crushed candy canes, to yield 1 cup

2 pounds white chocolate

Peppermint flavorings, optional

Directions.

1. Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller.

2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

3. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired.)

4. Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm.

5. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle.)

Table of Contents

What Yule Means To Me	Yule Story
Yule Crafts	Yule Recipes

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