Make
A Yule Star!
By Charlotte Bennardo
There are many Yule traditions around the world that folks who don't follow a pagan path have adopted; decorating an evergreen tree, the Yule log, the front door wreath. This year, let's blend two Yule traditions to make a new one: the Yule Star.
Made out of twigs and tied in the form of a pentagram, our Yule star will have the natural elements of the wreath and evergreen and a pentacle star. Here’s what “Yule” need:
Sturdy brown twine (Like
you bundle newspapers with)
Snips of evergreen
Thin straight twigs, all cut to the same size (Please work with an adult to
do this!)
I gathered stray twigs from my yard after a windy night. (I also raided the wood pile!) The twigs should be as straight as possible.
Once you have about 25 (you may need more or less, depending on the thickness of the sticks and how dense you want your pentagram to be), divide them into five bundles. Tie each end tightly; and don’t cut the string ends yet! Lay the bundles out in the form of the pentagram. Using the end strings, tie the ends of the bundles tightly together at an angle.
Once the star is formed, tie supporting strings where the bundles cross in the interior of the star. Slip in evergreen snips and add pinecones, ribbons, bells, dried berries or whatever else you like. Natural elements are best—nothing plastic to honor the Mother!
Hang your Yule star on or over a door. If the greens become dried out, add fresh ones to keep your star welcoming to all! Or, you can bring out your inner druid by adding mistletoe to your star (just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling it). You may even want to keep it up all year and simply change the decorations on the star; flowers for spring, vines and berries for summer, dried fruits and colored leaves for fall. Happy Solstice!