Wiccan Yule Celebration: The Wiccan Yule celebration is an important festival that is observed by Wiccans and pagans during the winter solstice. It is a time to honor and celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light after the darkest night of the year. Yule, also known as the winter solstice, typically falls on December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. During this festival, Wiccans gather to honor the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. They recognize the power of the sun and its role in sustaining life on Earth. The Yule celebration is a time of joy, hope, and renewal as Wiccans embrace the return of longer days and the promise of new beginnings.
The Yule celebration is a time of joy, hope, and renewal as Wiccans embrace the return of longer days and the promise of new beginnings. One of the central themes of the Wiccan Yule celebration is the battle between light and dark. Symbolically, this represents the struggle between good and evil, life and death, and the eternal cycle of cosmic energy.
Meet Miraitowa, the official mascot of the Tokyo Olympics
The cartoony Miraitowa is the official mascot of the Tokyo Olympics, and it comes with surprising powers the athletes can only envy.
Every Olympics has its own mascot, officially hailed as the ambassador of the Games. Tokyo has two: Miraitowa for the Olympics and Someity for the Paralympic Games. Their lofty, stated purpose? To “embody the spirit of the Olympics and play a vital role in welcoming athletes and visitors to the Games,” per the International Olympic Committee.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot Miraitowa (L) and Paralympic mascot Someity (R) attend a countdown event on July 24, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP via Getty Images
Olympic mascots run the gamut from cute to cuddly to quirky to downright catastrophic. Normally, they’re fictional characters or animals that either represent a native species or pay tribute to the cultural heritage of the locale. The mascots help sell the games: They’re on posters, bags, T-shirts, and live on in the form of plushies and stuffed animals.
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In Tokyo, the cartoony Miraitowa's name is a fusion of the Japanese words "mirai", which means “future”, and "towa", which means “eternity.” And it even has a personality. Yup, it’s based on the Japanese proverb: “Learn from the past and develop new ideas.”
What does that mean, you might wonder? Well, per the IOC, Miraitowa is “cheerful and remarkably athletic, with a very strong sense of integrity.” Oh and it can teleport, which will indisputably come in handy for organizers and athletes.
The Tokyo Paralympic mascot is Someity, which comes from the name of the cherry blossom someiyoshino. In English, it loosely translates to “so mighty.” According to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games website, Someity can fly, use the sensors on the sides of its head for telepathic powers, and move objects without touching them.
Olympic mascots the Hare, the Polar Bear and the Leopard stand by the extinguished Olympic flame during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics closing ceremony. Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
The first mascot made its debut at the 1968 games in Grenoble. And its name was Shuss, a weird little dude. On skis. Even then, the IOC was savvy: You could buy Shuss keyrings, pins, magnets, watches and inflatables.
Even when mascots aren’t eyesores, they can still cause controversy. Take the threesome from 2014’s Sochi games: The Hare, the Polar Bear, and the Leopard. Vladimir Putin loves big cats, and was accused of rigging the vote to make sure that the Leopard made the final cut. Scandale!
Wenlock, the Olympic mascot and Mandeville (Blue), the Paralympic mascot are unveiled in London, England. Julian Finney / Getty Images
Or how about Wenlock and Mandeville, from the London games? It’s worth noting that London is one of the most surveilled cities in the world, with 73.31 cameras for every 1,000 people. So perhaps unleashing oddly-shaped mascots whose single eye was a camera lens — was a bridge too far.
Mascots of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon are unveiled in Beijing, China. Xinyu Cui / Getty Images
Beijing, host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, recently unveiled its own mascot, named Bing Dwen Dwen, a wide-eyed panda in a suit of ice. Paris, the next city to host the Summer Games, will unveil its mascot either late this year or in 2022.
Every Olympics has its own mascot, officially hailed as the ambassador of the Games. Tokyo has two: Miraitowa for the Olympics and Someity for the Paralympic Games. Their lofty, stated purpose? To “embody the spirit of the Olympics and play a vital role in welcoming athletes and visitors to the Games,” per the International Olympic Committee.
Wiccans believe that, during the winter solstice, the Oak King (representing light) triumphs over the Holly King (representing darkness), marking the birth of the sun god. Wiccans celebrate Yule in various ways, often incorporating ancient traditions and rituals. Lighting candles and bonfires is a common practice during this celebration, symbolizing the return of light and warmth. The Yule log, a large log that is burned throughout the night, is also associated with this festival. Some Wiccans decorate their homes with evergreens, such as holly, ivy, and mistletoe, as they are believed to possess protective and magical properties. Participating in feasts and exchanging small gifts with loved ones is another way Wiccans celebrate Yule. These actions serve as a reminder of the importance of community and the power of sharing during this festive time. Many Wiccans also engage in divination practices, such as tarot readings or scrying, to gain insights into the upcoming year and to seek guidance from the divine. Overall, the Wiccan Yule celebration is a beautiful and meaningful observance that honors the cycles of nature and the return of light. Through rituals, symbols, and community gatherings, Wiccans embrace the rebirth of the sun and the potential for new beginnings. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and hope for the coming year..
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