Lonleye Yule tree

The days are beginning to grow longer as of today. Slowly but surely the light overcomes the darkness signifying the never ending circle of life that flows like the seasons from birth through life to death into rebirth like spring runs into summer and autumn turns into winter that then melts into the awakening of nature in spring again.
At this time of year the only 'greens' in nature in the far north of Europe were the conifers and at the festival of winter solstice the Scandinavians would hang their offers to the gods on them and dance around them singing chants imploring the spirits to bring them prosperity and abundance in the new year that was beginning.