BEWARE THE WINTER DARK

Cultures all over the world celebrate some form of holiday during the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the darkest day of the year, literally- this is when night lats the longest. Since fall the nights have been growing shorter and shorter until the solstice, which culminates into the shortest day of the year. All this darkness can be symbolic as well. Moods sour during the long winter months. The environment looks bleak. In most places it's gotten cooler and winds howl. With such an eerie aesthetic it's no wonder fears are heightened. This is part of the reason we hang Christmas lights. Now that we will be leaving behind the darkness and moving towards brighter days.. might I remind many of you of the creatures that make appearances during the 12 days of Christmas and well into winter. Winter is not over and take caution...many of these creatures are still lingering.....

 This creature comes across as a beautiful "White Lady" rewarding diligent homemakers or a terrifying crone who punishes the lazy by disemboweling them and filling their insides with straw and rocks, earning her the nickname, the belly-splitter. She is a complex pagan goddess, sometimes leading the Wild Hunt, or joining the 12 Yule Lads in mayhem, and overseeing domestic order and punishing those who shirl their chores during the winter months.

The Wild Hunt is a legendary, ghostly procession of spectral riders who appear in winter to snatch souls, they are a real terrifying force, led by a head elf, Eredin, who travel between worlds to abduct people as slaves.

I think we all know who Krampus is.

 

Watch for glowing red eyes. The Yule cat will kill or eat people, particularly children who haven't received new clothes or finished their chores.

Nasty little hellions. They come to the surface to play pranks, contaminate food, scare people to death and general wreak havoc. And beware...they LOVE sweets, especially honey and sugary offerings. And they HATE light.

And the worst of all. The mother of the Yule Lads, Gryla who is an ogress who kidnaps and eats children who don't obey their parents. She likes to come out and make appearances at the yuletide season. She has three different husbands and 72 children not to mention the Yule Cat who also lives with her.

And remember.... many passed on friends and family may be back to pop in.

Be safe and put an extra place setting out at the table.