An anthropological and archaeological study of the origins of the Christmas Tree customs that grew out of the older European pagan Winter Solstice rituals by the Old European Culture Blog.
Tag: Christmas
The Christmas Cat, in Shadowplay
“Everyone knows the Christmas Cat, he’s angry, huge, and mean,” begins the story of inequality and injustice for the poor, with the feline ogre who punishes those who fail to perform for their overlords. Retold in a shadow puppet play from the Icelandic story of Jólakötturinn, by Layla Holzer and Spike Dennis.
Labor Taskmaster: The Yule Cat Monster of Iceland
Christmas legends make the freezing nights pass faster and the children – and laborers – behave. Iceland’s Jólakötturinn, or Yule Cat, warned lazy children would be eaten by a monster cat, which has roots hundreds of years back, and popularized by a poem by Johannes ur Kotlum.
Krampus, Wild Nature Spirit, the Christmas Daemon
Krampus, a half-goat, half-daemon of centuries-old Bavarian-Alpine lore, appears prior to the celebration of the benevolent giver Saint Nicholas on December 6th, where Central European communities have a Krampuslauf, or Krampus Run, the night before.
Healthy Holidays: Gluten Free Vegetarian Wild Rice Stuffing
Jessica Aldridge, using The Good Cookies Bakery, has crafted a delicious alternative for those gluten sensitive, vegetarian, or just interested in eating healthy for the holidays. Wheat Free, Dairy Free, Corn Free, and Soy Free.
Rep. Bentivolio, Santa and Reindeer Want Obama Impeached
Freshman Congressman, Part-Time Santa, and Reindeer farmer Kerry Bentivolio advocates he wants President Obama impeached, but not because of his stance on Syria.
The Nutcracker Prince Battles the King of Mice at Christmas
Suddenly, mice fill the room and the Christmas tree grows to dizzying heights. The Nutcracker also grows to life-size. Marie finds herself in the midst of a battle between an army of Gingerbread man soldiers and the mice, led by the fierce Mouse King. The mice begin to eat the gingerbread soldiers.