NaturaNaturans Posted December 23, 2023 So, some sort of marking around these days, is very common around the world, most notable is of course Christmas. But with so many traditions accross time and space, i am sure there is a lot of variation between different celebrations. I invite you to share how your tradition marks these holiest of days, and merry christmas to all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted December 23, 2023 Well, not MY tradition but that of the culture I am surrounded by : The usual decorations, trees , presents and family gatherings . usually some type of abundant meal - either traditional or Aussie style (if its hot , this year seems like a cooler Xmas between some very hot weather ) , maybe cold chicken, ham, seafood salad . or if really hot , maybe the meal is picniced to the beach or some other place . The morning usually starts with present exchange in the home or within the extended family . Then there is the alcohol consumption , the family fights, the motor vehicle accidents ..... I better stop there . I used to work in a public hospital and at Christmas time , you would not believe what happens .... even over the Christmas Day 'feast' ! Me ? I live in a 'tourist area ' and although its great 85% of the time, at tourist times I stay home and hunker down away from it all . I also avoid the roads and especially the main ones - its down right dangerous out there this time of year . I would partake of the traditional Christmas feast, if a cooler day, as I dont mind that . However as a single person living alone, why bother . Last year I had a great one . I was driving back from a friends place on Xmas eve , past the golf course and near the club was a collection of vintage cars on display so I stopped to look . Then I got hungry and went into the club to check out their menu . Oh -O ! A huge banquet was underway , I picked the wrong day .... until the waiter returned with 2 huge full Christmas meals and deserts on a tray . The Chef started going off at him for counting there numbers wrong and 'wasting food ' , so I .... " I'll give you ten bucks for one ." he hesitated but then " Go on then ! " and then another old lone codger sitting on a beer ; " I will too ." - so we had Xmas lunch together . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaturaNaturans Posted December 24, 2023 (edited) double post… Edited December 24, 2023 by NaturaNaturans Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaturaNaturans Posted December 24, 2023 (edited) from a post i made on another forum: Went down a little tirade on gift giving shamans flying trough the air in mid winter, gift giving, goats (alot of goats, everywhere), as well as evergreen plants and, you know, The Dark Lord 👹🐐. Lets go: Odin travels the realms of the world tree on his Eight legged horse sleipnir, flying in to unseen realms : ) The mead of poetry is a beverage (entirely with Out any psychoactive ingredients of course) that grants who ever tastes it the gift of poetry and knowledge. often associated with Odin the god of 'possession' via berserker rage or poetic inspiration. Etymotolgy of Odin: From Proto-Germanic *Wōdanaz, derived from Proto-Germanic *wōdaz (“rage, manic inspiration, furor poeticus”), from Proto-Indo-European *weh₂t- (“to be excited”). Depiction of the cloacked, wandering wise shaman, who travelled the skies on his Eight legged horse. Every mid winter he would organize a feast at his «castle.» Indulgence was something to celebrate back then. He knew each character as well; and awarded them there after. Here you see a nisse (magical creature) dressed in the color of Coke. Even the mushroom picked a matching attire. A mistletoe! Evergreen trees symbolosing fertility and rebirth at darkest time of the year? Cool, Jesus of Nazareth approves. No, lets move to the Kalash tribe of India: These people to decorate with an evergreen plant called Chaumos, every winter solstice. And look, a goat! The dardic (kalash) goes as follows: the gods and a hunter meet at a mountain, and the gods invites him to a cermony and a feast, where a mountain goat will ve sacrificed in his honour. He is given the meaty tigh bone, witch he devovers. After that, he broke the bone, to reach the marrow. The gods looked on in horrow and the hunter understood how he had wronged. In a panick he tried to replace the broken bone with a stick, but when the gods revived the goat again, he was limping. This reminds me of something… Lets return to the north for a moment. Thor on his goat driven chariot, travelling trough Asgard. Every night he slaughters them, and ever morning they rise again, good as new. On one of his journey, he stopped outside a farm to rest. He offered the family living there his goats, but on one condition…. Dont break the marrow! But when the god tried to ressuract his goats, he noticed one of them was limping. He furiously demanded answers, and two of the farmers children admitted it, as true it was. To pay him back they travel with him now. …… We seemed to really like goats once up on a time… Julebukk, a very old and popular decoration in sweden. Painting called old christmas (1833), From Robert Seymour, The Book of Christmas (1888) Oh look, it is our Friend the devil Pan, playing his flute in the lush forrest. Goat leggs and a creature of Trine. Demonic, truly demonic…. Because some how these folkelore motiefs… seems to have morfed a little: the friendly goat Kranpus. I likes to boil children alive in the alps. Very popular with the locals, but due to thw reformtion, authorties did little… well. Nobodys home, i promise! Satan himself, also known as Lucifer the morning star, light bringer. well, it was fun looking in to this, hope you enjoyed as well. Dont belive what i way, i am intellectually challenged…. Buuuuut…. I cant help but feel that goats in more nature centered pagan societies had a different feel then the horned one. Edited December 24, 2023 by NaturaNaturans Prooobleøms 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaturaNaturans Posted December 24, 2023 Good lord, that toook like to hours trying to Get thw pictures in. Ar least its done, good night all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
