Yuletide 
From pagan gods to Yule logs 

Sarah Powers Bradish (1900)

Skirnir kept Frey’s magic sword for his own, and he did not bring back the borrowed horse, Blodughofi. So, for a long time, Frey had neither sword nor horse. The dwarfs kindly supplied him with a swift steed, as we shall see. This was a boar called Gullinbursti, or Golden-bristle, which was, ever after, Frey’s constant attendant. The golden bristles gave light, and were the rays of the sun; or, some say, the golden grain, which grew in Midgard, at the sun god’s bidding. Gullinbursti, by tearing up the earth with his tusks, taught men to plow. Sometimes Frey rode on his back; and sometimes he harnessed him to his chariot, from which he scattered fruits and flowers, as he drove over the world. Sometimes his sister Freya rode with him in his chariot, and helped him in blessing men with fruits.

Boar’s flesh was eaten at the festivals sacred to Frey. The roasted boars head, crowned with laurel and rosemary, was brought into the dining room with great ceremony. The head of the household laid his hand upon it, and swore that he would be faithful to his family and true to his promises. Then everyone present followed his example.

The boar’s head was then carved by a man of good character and great courage.

The helmets of Northern warriors were often ornamented with boars’ heads, because that emblem of the conquering sun god was supposed to strike terror to the hearts of the enemy.

The longest night of the year was called Mother Night. It was a time of rejoicing, because the sun was then beginning his homeward journey. It was called Yuletide, or Wheeltide, because the sun was thought to be like a wheel rolling across the sky. A large wooden wheel was taken to the top of a high hill, wound well with straw, set on fire, and, when all ablaze, rolled down into the water, because the sight of the burning wheel suggested the sun’s course through the heavens.

This Yule festival was kept in England for many years. As it occurred in the month of December, it was easily united with the festivities of Christmas.