On the Longest Night, Hope Returns: Yule’s Message of Renewal and Queer Inclusion скачать в хорошем качестве

On the Longest Night, Hope Returns: Yule’s Message of Renewal and Queer Inclusion

Last night, December 21, was the longest night of the year: the winter solstice, known in some traditions as Yule. Observance of Yule is usually connected to neo-pagan, earth-based religions, which are attractive to many in the LGBTQ+ community. Yule symbolizes the return of the light. The longest day will immediately be followed by incrementally shorter days. The warmth and renewal of spring is on the way. There are various pagan myths of sun deities being born during this time, but the point is, the flourishing of life will return, beginning today. These non-Christian and really pre-Christian traditions adapted from European paganism appeal to some LGBTQ+ people because they tend to be non-dogmatic, not prudish, not overly judgmental, appreciative of diversity, respectful of gender fluidity in nature, and by offering ritual, often simple “kitchen magic” or folk traditions, the pagan practices are simple, accessible, and they offer hope without condemnation and that, for obvious reasons, might appeal to LGBTQ+ people. Yule joins Advent, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Watchnight, Bodhi Day and still other special days in the final weeks of the year as a contributor to a sacred season that celebrates goodness and light in human hearts. And Yule offers an alternative to patriarchal, colonized, and colonizing, often homophobic or transphobic religion while maintaining a sense of the sacred, providing the opportunity for community, and participating in the joy of the holiday season.