Yule Celebration in Cat's Claw

We have decided that Cat's Claw doesn't celebrate any particular "religious holidays". Of course, your characters may have their own beliefs and celebrations. We will be celebrating our own Magical Ireland version of Yule. Here is a rundown of what happens in our city this time of year.

Yule Traditions in Cat’s Claw (December 19-Jan 6th)

While the season officially begins on December 19, the biggest days in Cat’s Claw of this season are Dec 21-26.

December 19- official Tree Chopping Day. Licenses are purchased in November to allow folks into the surrounding forest to choose a tree of their liking. The tradition in Cat’s Claw has always been to take small trees. They are brought into the home and decorated. At Yule end, they are tied with red-ribbons that symbolize good wishes for others and then burned in bonfires (private or community) to send the wishes out to the universe.

Mistletoe is hung over the doorways. If you kiss under the mistletoe it binds your friendship. This happens across genders and ages, of course lovers exchange more intimate kisses. Why a kiss? Well, because shaking hands isn’t as much fun.

December 21- The evening of Dec 21st (at 6pm) the festivities begin. Families gather to decorate their trees and share food. Wreaths and garlands are hung, pies, breads and cakes are baked and mutton stew is prepared to cook slowly over the night.

December 22- people shop and socialize until 6pm. In the evening, people gather once more and share the foods that have prepared and exchange gifts in the evening while the Yule log burns in the fireplace. The Yule Log should be of red oak and never, ever be purchased. It should be cut by the family or gifted to the family from another.

Midnight-Traditionally, the doors of the home are thrown open at midnight on Yule Eve to let the trapped evil spirits out. Mead is offered to guests.

Candles are lit and placed in windows to guide those who might be lost on their way both in this world and the other.

December 23- In the morning, the first adult to rise on Yule Morning sweeps the threshold. This is thought to clear out trouble for the next year. In the evening, new candles are exchanged and kept for the following year. Foods and festivities continue. Candles remain lit in windows.

A man from the family must sweep the ashes from the yule fire and offer the ashes back to the land. This usually means carrying them out back and dumping them in the woods. It is bad luck to not do this.

The first vistor to a home on the morning after Yule, must offer food, drink or a stick of firewood before crossing the threshold.

December 24-26-The Scarf Swap. It is bad luck not receive a piece of new clothing at this time of year. From this tradition, the scarf swap began. All people exchange winter scarves throughout the day. You begin the day wearing one scarf and whomever you meet, you exchange scarves with. If you come to person with no scarf, you always offer the one you have. It’s rare for two people to meet without a scarf. In that event, a kiss to the cheek wards off bad luck. At the end of the day, you return home with a scarf of some sort. Those too old, young or shut in are given new scarves. If you find yourself without a scarf, you must purchase one before sundown.

December 25-Jan 5

Mothers/Grandmothers place nuts and dried fruits in the pockets of their families (young and old alike) to offer to birds and animals

January 5th- Homes take down decorations except of candlelights. Trees decorations are taken off and replaced with bits of tied red ribbon or yarn. Each ribbon is a wish for someone.

Jan 6th- Trees are burned in private or community bonfires and the smoke lifts the wishes up into the universe. The new year has officially begun and all is new.