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| The Winter Solstice - The Origins of Christmas |
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The Older Myths behind the Birth of Christ Let us start with the birth of Christ. This was arbitrarily fixed by the Church Fathers some 400 hundred years after the event. Long before that, a very ancient festival known as the “Cult of Sol”, possibly of Etruscan origin, had been celebrated in Rome. Around 10 B.C. the Emperor Augustus replaced Sol with the Greek Apollo. The choice of 25th of December as Christ’s birthday was borrowed from the Roman “Birth of the Unconquered Sun”, fixed on that date in A.D. 274 by the Emperor Aurelian. Since the beginning of time, the point when the sun seems to stand still in the sky and then rise again out of the darkness had been observed by humans who honoured the rebirth of this all-important Sun God.If one delves a little further into the myths of pre-christian civilisations, one is struck by the similarities with Christ. Apollo, the Greek Sun God was born in a cave on the island of Delos, of the God Zeus and a mortal woman named Leto, on the Midwinter Solstice. One of his feats was to conquer the serpent, symbol of the Underworld, and he was often represented as a shepherd. Further afield in the Middle East, we encounter the Iranian/Persian solar deity, Mythras, known since the 6th century B.C. and imported into Rome by legionaries where he continued to be worshipped until the 5th century A.D. Sent by the God of Light to slay a huge bull whose blood was the source of all fertility on earth, his birth was attended by shepherds. He ate bread and wine at a last supper before ascending to heaven to his father, and it was believed that he would return at the end of time to raise the dead for a final judgment. The Emperor Constantine, who was a follower of Mithras before converting to Christianity around 360 A.D., proclaimed that Jesus was also born on the 25th of December. In Egypt, we find Osiris, the bringer of peace, order and arts and crafts to the world. Murdered and dismembered by his jealous brother Set, his wife Isis searches for and re-assembles his body parts, restoring Osiris to life on 25th December. Their son, Horus, is sometimes depicted sitting in his mother’s lap, in a pose very reminiscent of the portrayal of the Virgin Mary and her infant Jesus. The Phrygian solar deity Attis was also born in a cave around the Winter Solstice. He was the son of Cybele, the Great Mother Goddess whose forbidden love for her son drove him to castrate himself under a pine tree. This deity is similar to the Celtic symbol of the vegetation spirit which is cut down each year to be reborn anew. The cave represents darkness and the invisible generative powers it contains. From darkness springs light; from death, life. In Wales, we have the Celtic story of the solar deity Mabon, whose name means “Mother’s Son”. Mabon is stolen from his mother’s side while only two nights old. The warrior Culhwch goes in search of him, to enlist his help in retrieving the comb and shears behind the ears of the giant boar Twrch, one of the tasks set for him by the giant Yspaddaden in exchange for his consent to marry his daughter Olwen. Culhwch begs the assistance of a blackbird, an owl, a stag, an otter and finally a salmon, all sacred in Celtic lore, the latter directing him to yet another cave beneath a rocky outcrop named “Echymynt”. The same symbolism emerges: Mabon is the promise of youth, the sun energy released at the darkest time. Three Wise Men? The Bible tells of the three wise men, who followed the star and reached the newborn infant Jesus, bestowing their gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold. For a long time in Wales, Jesus was equated with Mabon, while the wise men were considered to be Druids. An early Christian sect, the “Gnostics”, wrote not of 3 but 12 wise men, perhaps an allusion to the 12 months of the Zodiac. In their “Book of the Bee”, they stated that the star in question was not a real star. This star was visible day and night, and its course was from north to south not east to west. In their “Book of the Cave of Treasures”, they claimed that the star appeared two years before the birth of Christ. The Gnostics were declared heretics by the Church of Rome, but what is now known as the “Dead Sea Scrolls” are much studied today.The gifts themselves were far from being humble as stated in the Bible, since gold was given to a King, myrrh to a physician and frankincense to a priest. All the myths briefly relayed above point to the same idea: that of a return to the Age of Gold, a previous more perfect time. Nowadays, we tend to think of Christmas as a one-day event but it was not so in times gone by. The Winter Solstice is a solar event lasting a couple of days, but the period before and after would give rise to all sorts of celebrations. In 1752, the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar made Christmas Day fall twelve days earlier (instead of 5th January). The Romans had a festival called “Saturnalia”, which usually took place during the January Kalends. Those festivities were dominated by much rejoicing and over-indulgence. Green garlands were hung up and worn through the streets. Evergreen Solstice What about our indispensable Christmas tree though? The first records come from Germany in the year 1605. In England, the custom began in 1789 but it was not until the 19th century, with Queen Victoria and her German husband Albert, that it became well-established. One can follow its onward journey through the world starting with Finland in 1800, Norway and Denmark in 1830, Sweden in 1862, Bohemia in 1863 then Russia, the USA, Spain and Italy.In Norse mythology, the ash tree “Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life” is all important, as it is said to connect the Underworld to the Heavens, stretching its branches into all nine worlds. The Celts also held trees in high esteem, believing that each had magical properties, especially the oak tree. In medieval Christian lore, we also find allusions to the tree of life. Adam and Eve are said to have taken a slip from the Tree of Life when they left Eden, which grew into the wood out of which Christ’s cross was made. Odin, the Norse God, hangs himself from the Tree of Life in self-sacrifice to obtain knowledge of runic wisdom, while Christ offers himself up in sacrifice on the cross to bring light and eternal life to the world. The tree is the axis of the world, while evergreen represents life that never dies. All over the world, we find evidence of rituals involving the decorating or honouring of a tree at this time of the year. The Norse tradition of Midwinter, which lasted from mid-November until the end of January, has left us the legacy of the Yule Log. The word “Yule” is open to interpretation. It is either derived from the Saxon word “hweol”, which means wheel (referring to the wheel of the seasons), or from “Jolnir”, one of the names given to the head Norse God, Odin, as he rides out in his chariot looking for dead heroes’ souls. The Yule Log is an important part of the fire aspect of the celebrations, in which the New Year’s fire is lit from the old one. A Yule Log was kept alight from the Solstice, but not allowed to burn through. A piece of it had to be kept to kindle the following year’s fire. In Sweden, St Lucia and “Little Yule” are celebrated on 13th December, during which “Queen Lucy” visits houses with a crown of candles to bring blessings and prosperity. Today’s custom of lighting candles at Christmas dates back to a more ancient period, when putting lit candles in the windows would encourage the Midwinter spirits to enter and bless homes. And what of the naughty mistletoe, which has become a rarity on our shores? This plant was sacred to the Druids, who used it for its all-healing qualities and as a poison antidote. It was also the “Silver Branch”, a means of crossing the boundary into the Otherworld, as well as a bringer of luck and fertility. In Sweden, it was known as the “Thunder Broom”, and hung from house walls to protect its occupants from storms. Paradoxically though, in the Norse myth of Balder, it is a branch of mistletoe which finally kills Balder, the God of Light. In Celtic mythology, the “Green Man” represents the spirit of Nature and vegetation, the life force which permeates everything that grows, and which emerges from Death in the Spring. The theme of the yearly battle of the Green King of Winter for the hand of the Spring Maiden lies at the basis of the legend of Robin Hood (the Green King of Sherwood) and his struggle over Maid Marian, as well as other Celtic legends. Holly is usually part of this Green King’s attire and is perceived as the male force, while ivy is its female counterpart. Who is Santa Claus really? In 1822 the journalist Clement C. Moore wrote a poem, “The Night Before Christmas” in which he described the jolly old elf and his eight reindeers with which we have come to associate Santa since then. Christmas traditions were suppressed in 1644 England by the Puritans, but revived in 1660. Queen Victoria’s spouse, Prince Albert rekindled these traditions adding German overtones, while Charles Dickens emphasized the spirit of giving at Christmas in his “A Christmas Carol”. However, behind Santa’s cheerful laughter and generosity, hides a much older character.Born in Turkey around A.D. 270, the Bishop of Myra, near Demre in Asia Minor, took to distributing anonymous gifts to his poor parishioners. It is him who is honoured on 6th December as St Nicholas. In France however, gifts known as “etrennes” are given on New Year’s day, while in Italy, gifts are left by an old woman called “Strina”. This can be traced to the old Roman feast of the Goddess Strenia. In today’s commercially-motivated society, it is sometimes difficult to conceive a less material aspect of gift-giving. For that, we need to turn to an even more remote ancestor of modern Santa, from the cold regions of Lapland. Shamans were the spiritual leaders of Lap Society. In winter, they bore the responsibility of bringing back the sun. In a trance state, they would ascend to the spirit world and return with the gift of fire and prophecy. A study of the shaman provides an illuminating analogy with Santa. A shaman wore bells which served to announce his approach into the Otherworld, and to frighten off evil spirits. Reindeers, an animal so vital to the survival of those northern tribes, were not only hunted by shamans for food and clothing, but were honoured as spirits. The colour red was sacred as it symbolised the gift of fire and warmth. Sun images as well as sacrifices were hung on the tree which formed the central pole of the shaman’s tent. Compare to this the red cloak of Santa; his reindeers with harnesses and jingling bells dragging him through the sky to land with a chariot full of gifts, which he places under our Christmas tree so richly decorated with animal figures, bright reflecting baubles, candles and all that sparkles and glitters. The Bestiary of Christmas Animals seem to blend in seamlessly with the rest of our Christmas decorations. Consider the reindeers, deers, robins, rabbits, foxes and other animals which romp in cheerful snowy landscapes on our Christmas cards. Where do they come from?Midwinter animal spirits have been important from times immemorial. Deers in particular, which were sacred to the Celts, started their rutting season in October. In those dense forests, the clashing of antlers was a symbol of the battle between the old and the new year. This symbolism is still re-enacted today in a medieval tradition from Abbot’s Bromley, the “Horn Dance” - six dancers carrying huge racks of reindeer horns, and a She-Male stirring a pot with a ladle. November was known as “Blodmonath”, which in Anglo-Saxon means “Blood Month”. The word “bless” is also derived from “bleodswean”, which means to sanctify by blood. In days when the arrival of winter translated into the scarcity of fodder and provisions, it was impractical to herd cattle. The culling of animals was carried out at this time, hence the name for this month. The meat would be salted and stored for the long winter ahead. However, beyond the necessity of survival, lies a more mystical reason for the culling. The Celts and other ancestral people held a profound respect for the animal which fed them. As they ate its flesh, they communed with the spirit of the animal and believed that they acquired its properties. The cow/bull was another sacred animal imparting the gift of prophecy, while the pig was believed to be a gift from the Otherworld, and various birds were also associated with the Solstice, such as the “King Wren” and “Midwinter Cock”. In France, it was the bear which played an important role in winter, due to its hibernation pattern. Animals were the spiritual guardians of Winter, and they were offered to the Gods in sacrifice following rituals during which men wore masks of the animal in question to feel a closer connection with it. Later, these sacrifices were replaced by guising with people dressing up as bulls, rams or horses depending on the region. Often the bones of animals were put back together after they were slain and eaten, so that they could be resurrected. These sacrifices, symbolic or not, processions and guising are all manifestations of the by-now familiar idea of disposing of the old year and making way for the new. The Mother Goddess There is a final aspect of midwinter which has not yet been examined, that of the Celtic “Crone”, the old woman of winter. More often associated nowadays with the Halloween witch, the Crone represents the third female aspect of Nature, that of simultaneous destroyer and creator of life. Her names are numerous and her attire varies from a broom, ladle, pestle and mortar or hammer but her role is always the same: she is the personification of Death and Renewal, dissolving and stirring new life in her cauldron. The period from the end of Autumn to the beginning of spring shows us Nature at its bleakest, vegetation being reduced to a minimum, cold barren earth, windswept bare branches and days smothered by darkness. However, underneath, Nature is preparing once more for the lushness and fertility of summer.The Twelve Days of Christmas Day 0 – 25th DecemberOn this day is celebrated the birth of all “Sun Gods”, the “Unconquered Sun”, Mithras, Attis, Aion, Horus, Dionysus, and Jesus. Day 1 – 26th December – Boxing Day Known as “Boxing Day” because it was customary to give servants a box on this date, this day is devoted to the early Christian martyr St Stephen, patron saint of horses. It is a day associated with death, resurrection and animals. On this day, the King Wren was sacrificed and the tradition is symbolically re-enacted in some areas. Day 2 – 27th December – Mother Night, St John’s Day This day is devoted to the Christian saint John, and in Germany and Austria, wine is blessed on this day. In Pagan lore, this is the day of the “Wild Hunt”, when the Fairy Host rides across the land gathering up wandering souls and carrying them to the Otherworld. The Saxons called this day “Modranicht” (Mother’s Night) in honour of the Mother Goddess, bringer of fertility, abundance and justice. This female deity who watches over children especially, is known in Germanic countries as Holla or Hulda. She is dressed all in white with a golden girdle and rides through the land during the Twelve Days on a sleigh pulled by horses, bestowing gifts. In folk tales, it is said that snow comes from the feathers that fall out when she shakes out her bedding. Day 3 – 28th December – Holy Innocent’s Day, Childremass This day commemorates the biblical story of the slaughter of the children of Herod, and in the Middle Ages was considered a very unlucky day for business. Until the 18th century, it was customary to beat children on this day, and to exchange token blows between spouses to ward off anger and aggression in the coming year. Branches of birch and rosemary were used for that purpose. Day 4 – 29th December – The Feast of Fools The Feast of Fools dates back to medieval times, and was a day when the order of things was reversed allowing everyone to give in to those casual pleasures frowned upon by the Church. It was a much awaited day of great merriment, sometimes superseding Christmas itself. Day 5 – 30th December – Bringing In the Boar Although the boar was virtually extinct by the early 12th century in Britain, it was sacred to the Celts and remained honoured as such for a considerable time. Boars were a traditional Christmas fare, and the head would be paraded ceremoniously into the room. In Scandinavian mythology, Frey, the God of Sunshine rides across the sky on his golden-bristled boar, Gulli-burstin, which is thus another symbol of the Solstice. Day 6 – 31st December – Hogmanay In Scotland, New Year celebrations have always overshadowed Christmas ones, which were banned from the Reformation until the middle of the 20th century. The origin of the word “Hogmanay” is obscure but there are suggestions that it derives from the French “au gui menez”, meaning “lead to the mistletoe”. As we have seen, mistletoe was sacred to the Celtic druids who cut it on the Solstice. Another suggestion is that the word derives from an old Celtic song, “Oge Midne”, meaning “new morning”. Hogmanay is thus a very ancient festival, to which revelry, guising and mummer’s plays are central. The familiar concept of letting out the old year and bringing in the new, took the shape of purifying the homes with water and juniper smoke; extinguishing all lights and relighting them after midnight; the custom of “First Footing”, when a friend enters the house on the stroke of midnight bringing a gift and good luck and so on. In America, this practice involves the sharing of “Eggnog”, a drink made of eggs, cream, milk and whisky. Day 7 – 1st January – The Kalends of January In ancient Rome, the Kalends were an outpouring of fun, and in Britain, the old year having been swept away, it was time to encourage prosperity for the immediate future. Since Saxon times, the custom of pouring wassail on the roots of the cider orchard trees took place around this period. “Wase haile” means good health, and the purpose of the practice was to drive away evil spirits that might dwell in the tree, and ensure a good crop for the coming season. Wassail is a hot drink made of hot ale or cider, apples, spices and sometimes cream and eggs, which give it a fluffy appearance, hence the other name given to the beverage “lamb’s wool”. At this time, mummers also went from house to house, singing songs and collecting alms in the wooden wassail bowl. In other parts of the country, this day was also given to divining the future by the direction of the wind or the shape of clouds, and for collecting the “Flower of the Well” or “Flower of the Shore”, the first water drawn from the well, or the first piece of driftwood collected from the beach. These were thought to bring good luck. Day 8 – 2nd January - No festival associated with this day Day 9 – 3rd January - No festival associated with this day Day 10 – 4th January – St Distaff’s Day St Distaff’s Day is so named because this was the day when women would have to go back to spinning wool or flax into thread, in order to produce all the cloth for their families. To alleviate the tedium of these daily chores, young men would try to light the flax on this day, while women retaliated by throwing buckets of water over them. The men had their own festival soon after, called “Plough Monday”, during which Mummers and guisers once more entertained the village. Day 11 – 5th January – The Festival of the Three Kings The Eve of the Epiphany is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Nativity of Christ. It is the day when the magi are said to have found their way to the stable at Bethlehem and handed over their gifts. This day was very important in medieval France, and the procession was recreated each year. Day 12 – 6th January – Twelfth Night (Epiphany) Twelfth Night marks the end of the Winter Solstice celebrations, when every decoration is taken down and burnt in a final flare of merriment, drinking and dancing. On this day, it was traditional to bake a cake in which a bean was hidden. Whoever found the bean would be appointed King or Queen of the Bean for the night, and lead the company in song and games. Thus concludes this overview of the manifold traditions of Midwinter. Whether you celebrate the birth of Christ, another solar deity, or welcome back the Sun, the force without which no life is possible, this time of year is more than just a day in the calendar when we feel obliged to exchange expensive gifts. It is the season to take a step back from our busy year, celebrate the simple joys and blessings we are given, and to look with hope and enthusiasm to the immediate future. Pascale Jooste Sources: “The Winter Solstice - The Sacred Tradition of Christmas”, John Matthews. | |||
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