Julnir, or something
Nov. 23rd, 2011 08:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lonesparkPagans love to talk about Santa. Not that we are the only ones. But there is always a big round of, "is Santa a god?" and then among Heathens, "Is Santa Odin?" and Thor, too and Frey and...
Which, ok, in many (most?) Heathen places and times the Yule-father is an Odinic-type Wild-Hunt-leading sort bringing magic and omens and whatnot. Also I was reading up on Frau Holle, and how she closely resembles Frigg, and I would like to know more because it's really helping me see a side of Her I've never had a strong connection with. So now whenever I see those depictions of Mrs. Claus knitting away I am delighted.
I like Yule Beings of many varieties and I think they can be spirits in their own right and it's all good. Yule celebrations are awesome in their variety and enthusiasm. I am a big fan of the jolly feasting Ghost of Christmas Present types, and elves and winter fairies and Jack Frost and the Lord of Misrule.
The town I live in has lots of Victorian houses and people who take restoration and research on the period quite seriously. We have a fall fair like everybody in New England, but ours is the Victorian Fair. And apparently "Victorian Christmas decorations" are a thing that stores on Main Street sell. I'm not that familiar with Victorian traditions that way, but I think I tend to like them because they tend to be not All About the Jesus, plus with nature and other kinds of imagery I enjoy.
The rest of the year I don't feel particularly marginalized, religiously speaking, living in this Christian household, but when the manger scene comes out, along with a bunch of books about Little Baby Jesus, it gets less comfortable. The UU church we attend is not helping. They have a "holiday pageant," and they are recruiting for Wise Persons and camels. I intend to be proactive and at least line up a pagan Yule activity to take the kids to. I don't mind Christmas, in its commercialized folklore glory. And I don't mind my mom doing her Jesus thing. I just want it to be clear to the kids that it's hers.
Which, ok, in many (most?) Heathen places and times the Yule-father is an Odinic-type Wild-Hunt-leading sort bringing magic and omens and whatnot. Also I was reading up on Frau Holle, and how she closely resembles Frigg, and I would like to know more because it's really helping me see a side of Her I've never had a strong connection with. So now whenever I see those depictions of Mrs. Claus knitting away I am delighted.
I like Yule Beings of many varieties and I think they can be spirits in their own right and it's all good. Yule celebrations are awesome in their variety and enthusiasm. I am a big fan of the jolly feasting Ghost of Christmas Present types, and elves and winter fairies and Jack Frost and the Lord of Misrule.
The town I live in has lots of Victorian houses and people who take restoration and research on the period quite seriously. We have a fall fair like everybody in New England, but ours is the Victorian Fair. And apparently "Victorian Christmas decorations" are a thing that stores on Main Street sell. I'm not that familiar with Victorian traditions that way, but I think I tend to like them because they tend to be not All About the Jesus, plus with nature and other kinds of imagery I enjoy.
The rest of the year I don't feel particularly marginalized, religiously speaking, living in this Christian household, but when the manger scene comes out, along with a bunch of books about Little Baby Jesus, it gets less comfortable. The UU church we attend is not helping. They have a "holiday pageant," and they are recruiting for Wise Persons and camels. I intend to be proactive and at least line up a pagan Yule activity to take the kids to. I don't mind Christmas, in its commercialized folklore glory. And I don't mind my mom doing her Jesus thing. I just want it to be clear to the kids that it's hers.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-25 05:59 pm (UTC)I'm not sure what to do about the whole santa deal either. I don't think I'll be too vigilant about making Pea believe in him or anything. As far as I remember, my own illusions about santa were shortlived and I felt no real sadness in finding out he wasn't real.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-27 02:48 pm (UTC)Eventually he'll figure stuff out, but I guess I hope it happens slowly so either both kids are old enough to not be disappointed, or he's happy to step into the adult role and help maintain the illusion for another year or two for baby sister. But there's a lot of "well (Christian)grandma believes...and (Jewish)Best Friend believes...and (Heathen)mom believes...and this particular book of Norse myths says...and the story in (UU)Spirit Play class last week said..." so it's kind of Choose Your own Adventure folklore already.
Of course elves are totally real...