I think I mentioned last year (and probably many times prior to that), that tradition dictates we should not go in search of a Yule Log, but to let the Yule Log find us!
The above log (it looks like a piece of Oak) has been looking up at me from in amongst some rubbish for the past six months or so, so I had a word with it, and it allowed me to bring it home.
I have placed it behind the woodburner to dry off thoroughly, then later it will be dressed with ribbons, holly and ivy, and a few baubles ready for its big day.
A Yule Log must be placed on the fire on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning if one finds nothing but ashes, it will be a good omen for the year ahead.
It worked last year, so I shall expect the same this year. Four weeks to go!
Hope it burns away merrily. We won't be doing that here as things have warmed up again.
ReplyDeleteI've put it behind the woodburner, so it should dry-out before the big day.
DeleteI have been thinking about you and your Yule log. I'm still waiting to trip over ours..
ReplyDeleteGreat tradition
I've noticed several looking up at me this year, but this one was almost pleading to come home. It's just the right size too.
DeleteI am going to have to replace my woodburner. The casing has now split. It is old and no longer made so will be hunting for a new style one for a 17th century house. Modern meets old.
ReplyDeleteLocal alien (above) recently showed a very simple woodburner with the fire below and a small oven above. If you weren't cooking with it, you could simply leave the oven door open. The simpler stoves are the best.
DeleteFunny, I just looked at one like that on line. Will have another look. I agree, the simpler the better.
DeleteYour log looks just the job. I've only a few bits of some pine cones. Difficult to shove a log into our ancient appliance. The way in for the fuel is quite small and is in the top.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit damp when I fished it out from the brambles, but it's already looking much better.
DeleteIt's nice that you are keeping the old pagan traditions alive. Unfortunately, I don't have a real fire. I shall have to burn a cinnamon stick instead.
ReplyDeleteA Yule Cinnamon Stick sounds good to me; one doesn't have to be too precise about such things.
DeleteThat's a really nice tradition.
ReplyDeleteChristmas time is filled with traditions. The tree, Mistletoe, exchanging gifts, etc. The Yule Log is just one more; and a very good one too.
DeleteA lovely old custom. I shall have to follow Andi's idea and burn a yule cinnamon stick.
ReplyDeleteOr an incense stick maybe?
DeleteWe don’t have a custom like that but it sounds lovely. I have a gas fireplace so it would not work in my house.
ReplyDeleteMany people buy Yule Log CAKE these days. They go much better with central heating.
DeleteGood one, Cro. My granddaughter made a pumpkin cake log for Thanksgiving last week and I bet I can convince her to make a Yule log confectionary for Christmas.
DeleteGas here too... used to be wood burning, but not anymore. I think a Yule cinnamon stick would work... and we can just toss it in the gas burning fire on Christmas Eve!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds OK. And go for the Cake too; why not!
DeleteSorry - bad spelling mistake. I will try again. I thought a Yule Log was one which could be put on the fire at Yule and left to burn all over the season by being long enough to push on the fire a bit at a time.
ReplyDeleteAs with so many things, traditions can be different wherever you live; this is the Surrey version that I was brought up with. In many old illustrations of 'bringing home the Yule Log', the logs are huge, so they would certainly have kept burning for several days.
DeleteWhat a lovely tradition.....hope it's just ashes.
ReplyDeleteMe too Libby. I hear you met with Rachel recently; what larks!
DeleteI didn't realise this was what the Yule log was about. Not being winter here, the do see Yule log cakes in our local French-owned patisseries, but it never occurred to me they were based on a real log. Will have to try the cinnamon stick this year!
ReplyDeleteThat's three votes for Cinnamon yule logs. This could become a trend.
DeleteI've never given any thought whatsoever to the significance of a Yule Log so I now consider myself better educated. However as I have no fire I will have to forego knowing what my future year will be like.
ReplyDelete