Australian Yule
In Australia Yule falls somewhere around the 20th
to the 23rd of June, as we are in the Southern Hemisphere. Yule is the shortest day and longest night. It
marks the return of the suns warmth, and light.
We celebrate this season with candles, fires, dressing the home with greenery and feasting. Yule logs are burned a Yule tree is placed in the home with a Pentagram at its highest tip. Gifts are exchanged and many Pagans stay up all night to welcome the return of the sun.
The Great Rite is performed with the Oak king taking the Projective, dominant role for the first time.
In actuality we have had a very odd winter so far, it’s been
very hot and very cold, but hasn’t stayed one way or the other. I suppose this
will get more prevalent as our climate changes, and will create whole new
dilemmas for Pagans to come. Do we continue to turn the wheel as it should be
in hopes of righting it, or do we try to adapt to the unseasonable and chaotic
weather.
This Yule we will have a look at the Krampus.
The Krampus
He is a magical being a nature spirit for sure, but he may
have indeed once been a powerful Pagan god. The Krampus visits children on Yule
night. Adults often leave tribute out for him, usually alcohol. The Krampus
will lash naughty children, and sometimes adults, with his birch rod and
threaten to put them in his sack and carry them away, if they do not behave better.
The homes of adults who gave proper tribute to Krampus will
be warded against evil spirits; good children were rewarded with small treats
and gifts by the Krampus.
Krampus himself is said to be a horned and hoofed goat man
similar to the god Pan. He has dark skin
and his eyes glow like hot coals in the darkness. The Krampus carries a magical
sack, a birch rod and sometimes even a trident or a chain.
After being demonised and ignored by the Christians, The
Krampus is coming back, and he has a lot of Yules to catch up on. So when you
hear that clipity clopping on the roof this Yule night, spare a cautious
thought that it may not be Santa’s reindeer that you hear. You may be getting an
unexpected visit from the true lord of Yule, The Krampus. Have your parents
left him proper tribute? Will he reward you with a treat or lash you with his
cane like branches?
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