The first spoke of the Wheel of the Year is the Winter Solstice. Also known as Yule, it marks the beginning of the annual solar cycle with the "rebirth" of the Sun after the longest night of the year. Indigenous cultures the world over celebrate this celestial event representing the hope and joy of the returning light. Ancient Pagan associations include holly, mistletoe, and the use of evergreens as household decorations celebrating the magick and regenerative power of nature. The Yule log of the ancient Celts/Saxons was a warming blessing to the home in the harshness of winter. For both the ancient Europeans and today’s Witch, the Sun is associated with the God and we think of him as being "born" to the Great Goddess every Winter’s Solstice. His is a cycle of sacrifice: of death and rebirth each year. (It is then easy to understand why the early Christian church thought it wise to place the holiday marking the birth of the new "God", Jesus Christ, near this ancient and similar myth.) The inner meaning of this holiday is the joy of anticipation, and of new beginnings. Witches set goals and make plans for the year ahead as they celebrate the return of the Sun every Winter’s Solstice Eve.