1: Day of the Women's Feast

On this day do the women of each household decorate the dining room with all manner of growing plants and feast together. There is perfect equality, with mistress, servants, married and single women given licence to speak with freedom as they please. Good wine helps the shy and tongue-tied in this manner. 

There are games played, and entertainment provided by female musicians. No men or children are permitted to take part or even to witness the feast. Aside from these bare facts, I may say nought else. 

2: Yuletide Amnesty for Prisoners

As a token of the king's mercy may those imprisoned for petty crimes and nearing the end of their sentences receive amnesty for good behaviour. They are given early release for Yuletide, and their criminal record is wiped clean. The Board of Guardians gives them money and clothing to start a new life, while the king himself writes them a letter welcoming them back to lawful society.   

5th: Festival of Country Dancing

A festival for the country people, with folk dances held in many towns and villages. In Camden there are numerous classes and demonstrations of country dances, with a country dancing ball held at Camden Palace.  

8th: Blessing of Bridges

This day are all bridges which cross the River Tayo and its many tributaries given blessing, and are also inspected for faults, with repairs and improvements planned for the new year. It is lucky to cross a bridge over the river this day, but as a result there is so much traffic as seems likely to do further damage.     

11th: Blessing of the Hills

On this day are each of the seven hills of Camden blessed, and it is considered great good fortune to climb one and partake of the blessing. It is said that until you climb all seven hills on the 11th of December at least once in your life, you cannot call yourself a true Camdenite. 

The seven hills are Oldbourne Hill, Whitebread Hill, Castle Hill, Buttercup Hill, Nut Tree Hill in the hamlet of The Potteries, Hunter's Hill in the village of Herring's Hedge, and Green Hill on the manor of Downham Wells. 

None of the hills are particularly high, and each are within three or four miles of the city centre, but the distance between hills makes this a very long walk in cold weather. It is considered cheating to take a carriage or omnibus to travel to each hill - and very much so to use such vehicles to reach the summit.    

13th: Festival of Mother Earth 

There is a worship service at the Temple of Terra to give thanks to Mother Earth for all that she has given through the growing season. There is a feast given by the temple, which usually includes either pork or beef as the main meal. Many people like to spend time in nature today, and have their own special dinner at home.

According to folklore, if it is fine on Mother Earth's day, it will snow by Yuletide. A cold or wet day on the 13th of December means a "green Yule" - although it is really a slushy brown one.

15th: Blessing of the Grain Storage 

The great grain silos on Whitebread Hill are blessed today, with hopes that the grain lasts well all through the winter and brings prosperity to all.

17th: Day of the Horses 

On this day are all horses of the kingdom given holiday from work. No one may ride a horse or take a carriage, no horses may be ridden for entertainment. Many people bring gifts for their horses, and for their ostlers and stable boys too. This day marks the official end of the horse racing season. 

19th: Closing of the Ports (sacred to Neptune)

This day are all ports closed until the end of Yuletide, in the name of the god Neptune. All sailors and dock workers take holiday, and none may even think of crossing the sea until the new year.

Last New Moon of the Year: Yuletide Festival begins (sacred to Sol and Saturn)

The merriest and most beloved festival of all the year begins on this evening. Each home is decorated with festive greenery such as garlands of pine, holly, and ivy. A bunch of mistletoe is always hung up somewhere, and is known as the kissing bunch, as to kiss below it brings good luck to the household. It is common to decorate a holly bush kept in a tub with all manner of tinsels and baubles.  

The Yule Log is brought in, a great piece of oak wood that must be kept burning throughout the thirteen nights of Yuletide. Traditionally the youngest member of the family lights it from the remnants of last year's Yule Log. 

The first night of Yule is always spent drinking, feasting, carol singing, playing games, sharing riddles, and telling ghost stories around the fire. This is another season when ghosts are said to walk - until Yule Day, when all is holy, peaceful and bright.

Day Before Yule Day: Mother's Night

On the morning before Yule does the Board of Guardians give food, drink, money, clothes, and firewood to the poor so that they may have all they need for the morrow's feast. Entrance to the Yuletide Markets is free and everything there is sold cheaply. In country areas, the lords and ladies in their great houses will give such things to the people on their estates, and to all who beg for them.  

This evening are mothers celebrated with a feast given by their children and the father of their children. Those who have lost their mothers and have not become mothers themselves may attend a memorial service given by the temples. It is a night to honour not only our own mothers, but the mother of the Sun, who waits to give birth during this long night.   

Last Waxing Quarter Moon of the Year: Yule Day (sacred to Mercury) PUBLIC HOLIDAY

The greatest holiday of the year begins with a dawn worship service to welcome the rising Sun, beginning not only the day, but the Sun's birth of the year. Presents are exchanged, with a poem attached to each one hinting as to the contents. The Yule Father brings gifts to children, and may share some of his wisdom with them. 

In the afternoon is a feast as lavish as can be prepared, with invitations to all neighbours, both rich and poor. On this day, the great lord in his mansion will have not only the great at his table, but also the small, and nobody may be turned away who begs for a place there.  

It is traditional to swear an oath promising to fulfil some great feat in the year ahead before the dinner begins. It is considered good luck to eat roast pork, baked ham or pork pies this day, while apple tarts and pies in the shape of the sun also bring fortune in the year ahead. Saffron buns with honey is a traditional snack.

Here are the sayings about the day of the week Yule falls upon:

Yule on the day of the Sun shall bring a warm winter, and summer hot and dry. A good year for married folk, a good year to be wed.

Yule on the day of the Moon brings a misty winter and a summer filled with storms and tempest. Many widows shall be made this year.

Yule on the day of Mars brings a cold winter with much snow and a wet summer. There shall be peace in the land and good will between kings and princes.

Yule on Mercury's day shall be a hard winter, a cruel winter, but the summer good and excellent. A bad year for livestock with many losses.

Yule on Jupiter's day will bring a mild winter and the summer prosperous and abundant. A great man shall perish. 

Yule on the day of Venus means a winter that is middling to average and an indifferent harvest. 

Yule on Saturn's day brings a cold winter with heavy snow and icy winds but a good summer. There shall be talk of war abroad.  

Day After Yule Day: Bagging Day PUBLIC HOLIDAY

The day following Yule do tradesmen, servants and children ask for tips from those they have served during the year. The money is carried in leathern bags, hence the name 'Bagging Day'. It is traditional for sports and games to be played this day, the outdoor exercise believed to be the perfect antidote to eating far too much the previous day. In the evening are mumming plays given for the entertainment of old and young alike.

Last Full Moon of the Year: Last Night - End of Yuletide Festival

This is oft considered the most festive of all the thirteen nights of Yuletide, with plays, concerts, parties and dances to farewell the season in style. Cold ham, beef pasties, apple pies, jam tarts, and hot mulled ciders and ales are the traditional treats. 

The centrepiece is the glorious Last Night Cake which contains two tokens inside from which the King and Queen of the Yule are chosen. It is considered a sign of good fortune if the King and Queen happen to be sweethearts or afterwards marry, and a 'Last Night wedding' in the New Year is eagerly awaited.

31st: New Year's Eve 

This day must all work be completed by the end of the day, for it would be a terrible thing to begin a New Year with tasks still to perform. Many like to consult diviners to prognosticate their fortune in the coming year, while others make solid plans for it. There may be parties in the evening to welcome in the New Year, and at midnight there are kisses exchanged, the sounds of bells, and in cities, displays of fireworks.   

And here may all who are gathered together raise their glasses in a toast, their voices in a carol, and wish the company

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅