I was thinking about Santa Claus today and was wondering if there are any other traditions out there. A tradition not well know in the United States is the Christmas Witch. Depending on the country you are from the witch can be benevolent or slightly darker. Below is a list of Christmas Witches.
Perchta: The Germanic Christmas Witch: Perchta has two forms; she may appear either as a beautiful and white-robed female or as an elderly and suffering spirit. Perchta is known as the one who likes to reward the hard-working, and her generosity in gift-giving is particularly well-known during the twelve days of Christmas. Folk legends of Austria and Bavaria tell us that Perchta usually wanders around the countryside, and also has the habit of going into houses. Upon entering the house, she checks whether the owners cleaned the house well before Christmas, and also finds out whether the children behaved well during the year and were obedient. I would suggest being good because the punishment does not really fit the crime. Perchta’s punishments are horrible. One of her favorite penalties involves ripping out the sinful’s intestines to replace them with garbage and straw.
La Befana: The Kind, Italian Christmas Witch: In Italy, celebration for La Befana ( the Christmas witch) is on the 6th of January, and it marks the end of Christmas festivities. Legends say that, on the night between the 5th and the 6th she flies above our roofs on her broomstick and, once we are all fast asleep, she gets into your homes through the chimney and leaves presents and candy into stockings. Good children will receive lovely gifts, whereas naughty ones will get only coal.
The Baker and the Christmas Witch: The story of the baker’s dozen dates to the early nineteenth century and was brought to the U.S. by Dutch immigrants. The story goes that a beggar-woman asks a baker for a dozen cookies, which she specifically tells him is thirteen. He turns her away a few times and in return he’s punished with bad luck. Cookies and baked goods don’t rise and other problems occur because of his greed and lack of compassion. The baker prays to Saint Nicholas for help and when he bakes another batch of cookies and they are perfect. The Christmas witch returns. The baker now knows she is a witch with magical powers, and again she asks him for a dozen cookies. He gladly gives her thirteen, and she tells him the curse has been lifted. The baker’s business thrives once more. The witch has a clear connection with Saint Nicholas in this story, and therefore can be called a Christmas witch.
Gryla, Iceland’s Christmas Witch: Gryla has been around since the 13th century, when tales of her exploits spread via word of mouth. The name Grýla translates as “Growler”. According to the tales, she comes down from the mountain to steal naughty children, much like Krampus. She is often depicted carrying a basket on her back with which to collect the children. Instead of delivering them to the Netherworld, Grýla instead boils children alive which she consumes in a stew, as she is said to be constantly hungry. It’s not just children she eats. Grýla is said to be on her third husband, having killed the first two (one of whom she then ate). She also has an evil cat. The Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn), roams the countryside and devours anyone who isn’t wearing some new piece of clothing.
For this year, I am hoping La Befana makes it to my door. I am hoping the others do not have my address.
Photo by murat esibatir from Pexels
We definitely need La Befana this year.