Yule ~ Winter Solstice ~ Christmas and Fig and Raisin Tea Loaf

 

Yule - Winter Solstice, typically falls between December 21st and December 22nd, in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs in the Southern Hemisphere between June 21st - 22nd and the Celtic celebrations may vary from year to year depending on when the Sun reaches the southern most point in its yearly cycle. Yule celebrations are believed to be connected to the original celebrations of Yule with the Wild Hunt (the Norse god, Odin) and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Modraniht/Modranicht (Mother's Night) and the Roman celebration of Saturnalia. Yule also marks the longest night of the year.

Winter Solstice is a time for gathering in darkness and honouring and celebrating the return of light and the rebirth of the Sun. It also marks the beginning of Winter with the shortest day and the longest night of the year and because of that the days grow longer. Darkness begins to diminish as the returning light brings hope and promise. As the days become longer think perseverance, transformation and renewal as the increase of daylight will lift your spirit with hope of what lies ahead, Spring.   

Christmas, December 25th to December 27th, is linked with Winter Solstice and most customs, lore, symbols and rituals are similar. 

Other festivals or celebrations that occur in and around this time include: Yuletide (Various/Germanic/Northern European, Dec 21st-Jan 1st), Wren Day/Wren's Day (Irish), Alban Arthan (Celtic/Druidic), Finn's Day, Festival of Sol, Great Day of Cauldron, Festival of Growth, Wassailing, Mari Lwyd (Welsh), Koliada/Koleda (Slavic), Lohri (Punjabi), Julebord or Julebukking (Scandinavian), Yalda Night/Chelle Night (Iranian), Hanukkah (Jewish, Dec 10th -18th), Kwanzaa (African-American Dec 26th-Jan 1st), Las Pasadas (Spanish, Dec 16-24), Soyal (Zuni and Hopi, Dec 20-22) and Saturnalia (Ancient Roman, Dec 17-23). Traditions or customs such as Mummer's play, First-foot, Wishing Tree, Yule Goat, Polaznik, and Jaslickari are also observed and connected to Yule, Winter Solstice, Christmas and or New Years. 

To honour Yule and Winter Solstice celebrations and or Christmas I made a Fig and Raisin Tea Loaf. Lovely with lashing of butter or rum butter, if you prefer and a spirited beverage to toast all things merry and bright. 

Fig and Raisin Tea Loaf

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makes one 2 lb. loaf

1 2/3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon British mixed spice

1/2 cup dried figs, chopped

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

2/3 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup light olive oil

2/3 cup milk, plus extra if needed

Preheat oven to 325ºF (170ºC). Grease and lightly flour a 2 lb loaf tin. Line the bottom with baking parchment.

In a large bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, brown sugar, British mixed spice and whisk together. Then add the chopped figs, chopped walnuts and golden raisins. Stir to combine. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the oil and milk and stir until just moist. If you notice that the batter is a bit dry just a tablespoon or two more of milk, blending one at a time until the batter becomes a good dropping consistency.

Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin and smooth the top. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, raisins and a light dusting of vanilla sugar. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in a preheated oven or until firm to the touch and a knife or skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool the loaf in the tin on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then carefully remove from the tin and allow to cool completely on the wire rack. Sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.