Kalevala is a collage of poems put together some 160 years ago by scholar Elias Lönnrot. It contains several mythical worldviews, ancient myths, ideas adopted from Viking-age adventurers, Christian legends, rustic tales, ideas expressed by female lyric poets, and tradition passed on by wise women, witches and shamans. Seguir leyendo »

Mithras, God of the Morning,
Our trumpets waken the Wall!
Rome is above the Nations,
but Thou art over all!
Rudyard Kipling Seguir leyendo »

House gnomes have always watched and protected homes in Scandinavia, and Elves have guarded the high passes, assisting straying house animals (who cannot survive alone) and finding lost children. Seguir leyendo »

Saturnalia was the most popular holiday of the Roman year. The joyous celebration, described by Catullus as ‘the best of days’, was no quick affair but a succession of exuberant festivals lasting for up to a week. Seguir leyendo »

In Western Christianity the Twelve Days of Christmas runs from the 25 December until the Feast of the Epiphany - the holy day of January 6. Depending on the church, January 6 may mark the baptism of the Christ (the Catholic tradition), or it may mark the day that the wise men visited the baby Jesus with their gifts. Seguir leyendo »

The Christmas carol we know as Good king Wenceslaus is a moral tale, a pious illustration of the virtue of charity. The song describes King Wenceslas braving a fierce storm in order to help feed a poor neighbour but the rather confused narrative of Victorian whimsy owes its popularity not to the lyrics, but to the delightful tune, a Swedish melody to celebrate Spring. Seguir leyendo »

The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol instantly calling up images of gifts and family jollity. There are many beautiful connections to ancient traditions. Egyptian and Roman customs, early Christian practices and Victorian nostalgia are all combined in our modern Christmas tree. Seguir leyendo »

During the holiday season, we see many references to mistletoe, christmas rose, rosemary, hawthorn, bay, fir trees and the evergreens. We may sing of the holly and the ivy, or even use the holly to deck our halls. All of these plants share in the traditions of Christmas. Seguir leyendo »