I may be a bit in dangerous waters here, but I read some rumor from some
English Wikipedia that Hjul is the sunwheel, the solar wheel and that it is
burned on Yule, Jule, Jul. I don't know if this was before or after Christ, it
must have been before Christianisation was complete. It would be interesting
to burn the solar wheel. We already do have a "juhannussalko" and
"juhannuskokko" in Finland, as well as "joulukynttilät", and then there's
"Yule log" abroads, I think in USA. But "juhannus" is midsummer night, Yule is
Christmas night when Jesus was rumored to be born. I don't think he was born
in December, I think Jesus was born in January. Hmm. Midsummer is not very
Christian, neither is Yule, but Yule has been strongly Christianised with the
angels, the star, the Jesus baby etc. I used to believe in a Christian
Christmas, but now I get disturbed by the thought that it has been mixed with
Pagan Yule and that perhaps the Christian part should be removed. That
wouldn't be popular with my priests, though, Christmas without Christ. Then it
would be just "Yule". I don't think there would be any presents, there would
be no Christmas tree, just Jultomte and Odin and a burning solar wheel, lots
of eating and lots and lots of alcohol, too much alcohol.