Pagan Dictionary

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Y

YANG: One of the twin poles of energy in the dualistic Yin/Yang philosophy. Yang corresponds to Projective Energy and Yin to Receptive Energy.

YDROMANCY: Divination by interpreting water including its color, ebb and flow, or ripples produced by pebbles dropped in a pool. Also known as Hydromancy.

YELLOW PHASE: The intermediate stage in alchemy that takes place between the Black (first) and White (second) phases of the Great Work. It takes place during Fermentation. Also known as Xanthosis.

YGGDRASIL: In Norse mythology, the great Ash tree whose root and branches hold the Universe together. The branches hold up the World and the Heavens and the roots lead to the Underworld.

YIN: One of the twin poles of energy in the dualistic Yin/Yang philosophy. Yin corresponds to Receptive Energy and Yang to Projective Energy.

YIN/YANG PHILOSOPHY: A dualistic system of viewing the universal energies. Yin corresponds to Receptive Energy and Yang to Projective Energy.

YOUNGER EDDA, The (Icelandic, edda: "greatgrandmother") The Edda, a collection of lays and stories based on the mythic wisdom of the ancient Norse, is comprised of three manuscripts: the Codex Reguius being the Elder (Poetic) Edda; and the Codex Wormianus and the Codex Upsaliensis comprising the Younger Edda. Also known as the Prose Edda.

Y TYLWYTH TEG: The American branch of Dynion Mwyn, a Welsh tradition named for the faery folk. It emphasizes historical lineage, religious equality, and Welsh mythology and lore.

YULE: The Lesser Sabbat celebrated on or about December 21st marking the rebirth of the Sun God from the Mother Goddess, it is a celebration of Renewal and Rebirth as the dark force gives way to the Sun. Also known as Alban Arthan, Alban Arthuan, Jul, Jol, Meán Geimhridh, MidWinter, Yule.

YULE LOG: The ceremonial hearth fire for Yule or Christmas celebrations. The log is harvested from the property of the homeowner or is given as a gift. It is often decorated with green boughs and doused with cider or ale. Traditionally it is kindled with a piece of the previous year's Yule log and allowed to smolder for twelve days before being ceremonially put out.