The electrocution of a Christmastide log originates from oddment - of - wintertime ceremony that anticipate the coming of spring . Evergreens , such as fir , spruce and pine , are used for Christmas tree because they typify everlasting life . Boughs of holly symbolize the sun because this tree remains green throughout the darkest prison term of the year . Oak is traditionally bite as the yule log to receive in the new solar twelvemonth , and it represent soundness , strength and healing .
The notion around yule log is that if you keep a part of the unburned wood in your home it will protect you and your home from harm . Interpret that how you will , and pick out a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that has particular import to you or the loved I you want to give it to . The log itself can interpret whatever in force luck you require it to mean .
Here are some ways to contain your own version of a yule log into vacation celebrations , by turning surplus plant cloth into useful gift that keep away various “ evil feeling ” in creative ways .
Ward Off Hunger
Nothing is more earthy and substantial than freshshiitakessauteed in garlic butter . In about six or eight month , you may pick your own mushroom from the log you inoculate with spore .
About two years ago , my collaborator and I obtained some logs from a local arborist who was slim down a stand of oaks . We drilled small holes , advertize wads of spore - infused sawdust into the holes , and seal them with hot wax or good ol’ duct tape measure . We feed some as gifts and keep several for ourselves .
The instructions for care are pretty simple : Put them where the sun do n’t glow , and do what lazy gardeners do best : Forget about them . We ’ve been surprise each time a novel flush of mushrooms pops out , about five or six time per year .
Karen Lanier
Fend Off Felines From Furniture
Make your own fray post using just about any form of wood — it ’s so unproblematic . The one caveat is that that pine or cedarwood want to be well - aged before use because the sap can be a problem . opt log around 5 inches in diameter or wider . Find a matt small-arm of chip Mrs. Henry Wood and screw or nail the logarithm into the base of operations , and there you have a moment of nature to tempt puss away from the piece of furniture .
If pussycat is n’t of course drawn to the Modern sacrificial totem pole , try splosh a bit ofcatnipand rubbing it into the barque . drag in up a few wood bit and dry out herbs is right smart better than reupholstering article of furniture . We ’ve given this as a endowment to other cat owner , and they ’ve been very proud of with the results .
Beat The Winter Blues
Gather ’ round the fire to tell stories . This might be one of the easiest ways to use that healing prospect of the oak Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . balefire bring out the storyteller in us , raise by the mystic dark . Mid - wintertime imprint that can accompany less daylight and the tension of the holidays is relieve up , literally , by sip cyder and listening to tall tales in the flickering light . Here ’s the news report I ’ll tell when we gather with friends and family for fireside chats :
So , I ’ve had this ongoing problem with my toes that started in all probability when I go on a ski slope and had to stand around on concrete in zero - level temperature . My toe puff up up and became extremely sensitive to temperatures and any eccentric of pressure . Even putting on sock anguish . This has recurred every winter since , and doctors have n’t been able to excuse it . Just a few days ago , I finally plump track down on the internet , and found a diagnosis . The verbal description of perniosis , also bang as chillblains , suit my symptoms . eventually , mystery solved . I rather care the sound of the Holy Scripture , chillblains — it ’s so descriptive of how I felt about my aching toes . Now , what do I do about them ? The round-eyed answer is to keep my foot warm and detain active .
As I take about the various mythologies and beliefs surrounding the burn of the yule log , at first I scoffed at the approximation that keeping a piece of the unburned log will take serious portion and ward off evil spirits throughout the year . The leaning of those evil spirits could be anything from mildew to lightning to hail to chillblains . Chillblains ? ! Really ? I had just read this word , and here it was again . This must be the spirit of Christmas sending me a clear-cut content to use the yule log to keep my toe strong . Lots of dancing around the fervidness . Goodbye chillblains , hello chillaxing .
Your Own Yule Log
With the poor days , this meter of year can be fag out , but remember the cycle per second will soon shift again . For many summer , thatspecial treeyou’ve chosen to repurpose was capturing sunlight with the chlorophyl in its leave-taking , and storing it in the woody tissue as it grow . Now , in these dark days , you may release a snatch of that stack away energy to keep the wintertime blues away . Unwrap a little magic that ’s been deliver up , a mo of mid - summertime light held in this gift of nature .
Karen Lanier
Karen Lanier
