In Norse paganism, a Yule (also known as Jul) is a festival celebrating the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun. The word "Yule" comes from the Old Norse word "jól," which means "feast of the winter solstice."

 

The festival was typically celebrated in mid-December and lasted for several days, during which people feasted, drank, and exchanged gifts. It was a time of great importance in the Norse calendar, as it marked the turning point of the year when the days would begin to grow longer again and the darkness of winter would gradually give way to the light of spring.

 

The Yule festival was also associated with a number of pagan traditions and beliefs, including the worship of the god Odin, who was often depicted as leading a wild hunt through the night sky during this time. Other customs included the burning of a Yule log, the decoration of homes with evergreen branches, and the offering of food and drink to the spirits of the ancestors.

 

Overall, the Yule festival played an important role in Norse paganism, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and the power of light over darkness.