Yule Tree

The Christmas Tree or Yule Tree has many symbolic meanings depending upon which part of the world you are from. To me, as a British pagan and Hedgewitch, the evergreen tree represents everlasting life with its ability to keep its greenery throughout the year. By decorating this tree with lights and other shiny objects such as tinsel and baubles, we are celebrating the winter solstice and the return of the sun back into the world (northern hemisphere). Another symbolic tradition I particularly like is the Old Norse belief that by decorating an evergreen with carvings and food, it will encourage tree spirits to  return bringing the springtime with them.