Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas — Ellen Evert Hopman
A paperback guide to the plants, rituals, and folk traditions that shaped Yule and Christmas across cultures, blending herbal lore, seasonal crafts, and historical context into practical recipes, divinations, and hearthside traditions.
Key Features
- Author: Ellen Evert Hopman
- Subject: Herbal lore; Yule and Christmas traditions; seasonal crafts
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 344 pages
- Language: English
- Audience: Readers of folklore, herbalism, and seasonal traditions
Product Details
Hopman surveys winter festivals worldwide, tracing how greenery, barks, berries, and seasonal plants were used for medicine, magic, and ritual—from Egyptian midwinter greenery to Roman Saturnalia practices. The book explains origins of customs such as the Christmas tree and gift-bringers, and explores regional figures and spirits tied to winter rites.
Practical sections provide instructions for making a Yule Log, wassailing and orchard rites, winter solstice divinations, and traditional recipes and crafts that use seasonal botanicals. Entries combine historical context with hands-on guidance so readers can adapt rituals and herbal uses responsibly and practically.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Drawn from European, Scandinavian, and Germanic folk traditions as well as global midwinter practices, the book situates Yule and Christmas customs within a long history of seasonal plant use and communal ritual, highlighting how herbal knowledge and seasonal ceremonies were passed down through generations.
