The Old Ways:
The Christmas Pyramid
Charlynn Walls
I have very distinct memories of the Christmas/Yule season when I was a child. Many of my family members had been stationed in Germany at some point in their military careers, so we incorporated many customs and foods that were traditional in that part of the world. However, my fondest memories are of watching the small flickering lights from the candles that sat ensconced in a fantastically carved wooden pyramid. The carved figures on the carousel would spin as the heat rose to turn the leaves of the fan at the top of the structure. This was the Weihnachtspyramiden (Grimm 1970), or Christmas Pyramid. It captured my imagination and provided hours of entertainment on those long evenings leading up to Yule.
Yule, or the Winter Solstice, is the shortest day and longest night. It marks the return of the sun as the days begin to get longer from this point forward. Yule is the coldest and darkest time of the year. The festivities often utilize candles or other means of illumination as sympathetic forms of magic that beckon the return of the sun, which gives its life-bringing warmth back to the earth.
Evergreens and Light
Yule is intrinsically linked with the well-known Christmas tree. It seems that everywhere there is the image of twinkling lights and stings of popcorn or tinsel draped in the branches of the evergreen tree with packages of all shapes and sizes nestled at its base. Evergreen boughs and trees were brought into the homes during the Yule season because they symbolized everlasting life. These trees were able to survive harsh conditions and not only lived but thrived. Their use can be traced back to Greek and Roman origins when bay was hung throughout homes to entice Apollo to continue his chariot ride through the heavens. The use of the Christmas tree as we know it is thought to have begun in Germany during the eighth century. There are conflicting accounts of how the tree became an integral part of the Christmas holiday, but it is thought that they were brought into the homes to help convert Pagans to Christianity.
Candles were added to the trees to provide light and decoration during the sixteenth century in Germany. The story goes that Martin Luther was out walking through the woods one day. He caught the glittering light shining from the ice crystals on a pine tree. He considered the sight inspiring and he sought to recreate that for his family so that they could experience it as well. He brought a tree indoors and wired candles to the tree. The illumination that the candles produced could also be seen to correspond to the returning light of the sun. The concept took root and soon spread across the world. However, the cost of having a tree with lights was an extravagance that most common folk could not afford.
German Origins
The Christmas Pyramid was first created in the Ore Mountains of Germany (History.com Editors 2009). These wooden decorations were a low-cost substitute for a Christmas tree. They were built to resemble a tree in shape. The pyramids were anywhere from one to five tiers high. The base, the lowest tier, was constructed with four to eight spaces for candle holders built in. The heat generated from the candles would rise, turning the leaves of the fan-like structure at the top. The fan began to spin, which rotated the carved scenes within the middle tiers.
These are popular items in Germany and in some parts of the United States where German immigrants settled. People like them due to their intricate scenes and convenient size, since they take up minimal space compared to a tree. They are also affordable.
Celebrating Yule: A Pyramid All Your Own
Not everyone has the space for a tree during the holiday season. The traditional Christmas pyramids are a great alternative if you are short on space. They are festive, easily stored, and bring together the essence of a tree and the light of the candles. It provides a festive touch that can fill your home with warmth and cheer. The great part about these is that they come in a variety of sizes and have motifs other than the traditional Christmas nativity. They can include depictions of the forest, snowmen, and even scenes right out of the Nutcracker Suite.
As Altar Decoration
You can include your pyramid on your Yule altar. The smaller pyramids are ones that have a minimum of four candles at the base, which turn the propeller on top. You can easily coordinate your candle colors to represent the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. This can make a unique addition to your Yule festivities.
References
Grimm, Donna. “What Are Weihnachtspyramide?” Belznickle BlogSpot. http://belsnickle.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-are-weihnachteaspoon yramide.html. (no longer available)
History.com Editors. “History of Christmas Trees.” History.com. Published 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees.
Morrison, Dorothy. Yule: A Celebration of Light & Warmth. St. Paul, MN: Lewellyn Publications, 2000.
McCoy, Edain. The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways. St. Paul, MN: Lewellyn Publications, 1994.
Morgan, Sheena. The Wicca Book of Days. London, England: Vega, 2002.
Nichols, Mike. The Witches’ Sabbats. Albany, CA: Acorn Guild Press, 2005.