Last Friday The 13th of 2024 – 12 Days of Yule

Now I have recently mentioned my thoughts about Friday the 13th.

And how much I enjoy anything that involuntarily triggers the otherwise complacently agnostic’s supernatural response. Although I do feel for those who suffer arasavedekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia (said in my best Linus voice).

Me, I’m feeling lucky today. First of all, whatever number on the calendar, it is Friday. The most magical day of the week.

And to make it even more magical, today leads into the first day of the Cold Full Moon, the last of 2024, that begins tomorrow.

But even better, this Friday the 13th also starts the 12 Days of Yule, a pre-Christian practice that paved the way for the 12 Days of Christmas so prevalent today. One day for each month.

https://www.acropolis.ie/magazine-posts/yule/#:~:text=Gradually%20Yuletide%20was%20extended%20to,year%20nor%20the%20new%20year.

All part of the four midpoints – solstices and equinox – of the Celt’s wheel of the year –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_the_Year

People would gather during the 12 days of Yule and feast in preparation for the Winter Solstice – the transition from the longest night/shortest day toward the next year’s lengthening sunlight and bounty. A new cycle of life.

They would burn a large Yule log for the next 12 days. A way of bringing bonfires into a home – extending the daylight into the increasing long nights that culminate on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Most Christians burn this log today – often through some TV station https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQBQp5tgcw – starting on Christmas and continuing until 12th Night. Can’t feel the warmth through the television screen. Glad I have the Grand Kahuna in my living room.

Meals and family were the focus. Like a 12 day Thanksgiving celebration. Unfortunately, the present Holiday season has become far more commercial and materialistic, where people stress over all the Christmas presents they feel obligated to give or expect to receive.

So, whatever your spiritual predilection, you fine, five readers should count yourself lucky this Friday the 13th as you head full steam into the Holidays. After all, if you are reading this, it means you are still here. Life is good. Celebrate that. But try to keep your focus on what really matters. Love. Actually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlyMXYys16U

I thought this morning while out feeding Claire and Honey about how lucky I was to watch my two oldest granddaughters, Scarlett and Savanna (yes, from TCS novels) – the only two wearing antlers, kitty-corner in last and first rows – singing in in their school holiday pageant last night. Stella (also a TCS character) was taking hostages backstage.

And today?! I’m thrilled that, 13th or not, this is one more magical and mystical Friday to enjoy.

So, I’m going to go feed Mittens and cuddle Smokey, and then make my rounds.

But no matter what else we get up to, let us make today a great one.

And count your blessings as we head into the Holidays.