I love a real tree at Yuletide. Yet despite popular opinion to the contrary, ancient pagans didn't bring entire fir trees into their houses for midwinter celebrations. That only began in about the 16th century. Nevertheless, the Romans decorated their villas with sprigs of evergreen for Saturnalia in December, and the Druids considered mistletoe to be a sacred herb.
In England, Christmas trees in the home were a fashion started by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a secular, family-centric replacement for kissing boughs. The earlier decorations were hoops covered with greenery and hung from the ceiling. As the name suggests, kissing boughs were designed to encourage a more adult kind of party atmosphere. You can see a replica of one in a photo I took at the
Museum of the Home, which has rooms decorated as they would have been in late December at various times in history.
Anyone who has read my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year will know I honestly believe people should enjoy the festive season with its wide variety of traditions from many cultures, countries and origins. We can sing Joy to the World, wish peace on Earth, and offer goodwill to everyone regardless of background or belief. We can share the things we love and appreciate each other's customs.
The picture at the top shows my real Yule tree, still in the garden. I bring it inside every year shortly before the 21st and take it back out after New Year. I've managed to keep it alive since 2017, when I bought it as a tiny sapling in a pot. You can
read an earlier post about it here. I already have a fake tree inside. That's silver tinsel with changing coloured lights. It might not be the height of good taste, but has sentimental value and I love it. It's okay to like sparkles, baubles, and things that are a bit kitsch too.
Share your Pictures
Since my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year came out I've been inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, as well as other seasonal journalling, musings, drawing, painting and crafting.
Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:
- Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
- Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
- Share on Instagram with the tag #RoundingtheYear
Where to find Rounding the Wheel of the Year
My book offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon, find it at esoteric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year
(Please note: I earn commission from some links.)
Previous Related Posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/09/rounding-year-when-do-you-think-autumn.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/08/rounding-year-whats-your-lammas-harvest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/rounding-year-wheel-turns-july-is-here.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/rounding-year-damsons-first-harvest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/07/rounding-year-hollyhocks-with-minds-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/10/rounding-year-my-book-is-two-years-old.html
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