The 25 Strangest days of Christmas Day 8 - A Very Victorian Yule Log: Good Luck, Bad Omens, and Fireplace Superstition

The Victorians didn’t just burn a yule log — they studied it. Cracks were omens, smoke signaled future fortunes, and if the flame died before morning? Someone in the household was doomed. Amy explores true accounts of families who fed their logs ale, decorated them like honored family members, and guarded the ash like sacred treasure. Cozy? Yes. Chill-inducing? Also absolutely.

Like and Subscribe:
Apple

Spotify

IHeart

Audible

This episode of The Strange History Podcast was lovingly crafted with the help of ElevenLabs.io — the magical technology that gives Amy her time to sleep, eat, work and spend time with her dog Jack. While some might say she sounds too good to be true, we assure you, Amy is absolutely a real person… who just happens to have access to studio-grade AI vocal cords and an unnatural ability to pronounce “necromancy” without flinching. Any resemblance to an AI is purely coincidental — and mildly flattering. Dan the announcers name is really Bill and Patrick, the fake ad guy who thinks he is funny? well he is questionable at best. So yes, AI was used but the people are real and the shinanigans are.... well.... shinanigans.