Krampus part 2
He finds counterparts in areas across the land. Other holdovers from the Wild Hunt and Yuletide myths. Such as the Belsnickel or Zwarte Piet. Yet Krampus' home is the Alps themselves. His long Ibex horns and macabre costumed celebrations a glowing example of the culture of the region. Perhaps here we find the Alpine Horned god himself. Long horned, lustful, strong, shaggy, and wild. The alps are an odd place mythically they are more their own group than truly being part of the larger more well known groups. A blatant example of the language groups being less pertinent than at first glance. Aspects of Slavic, Roman, Celtic, Germanic, and more all combine in this mountain range and its nearby areas. Researchers into folklore have even mentioned how “Blatant” Krampus is as an example of “The Horned God of the Witches”.
He finds counterparts in areas across the land. Other holdovers from the Wild Hunt and Yuletide myths. Such as the Belsnickel or Zwarte Piet. Yet Krampus' home is the Alps themselves. His long Ibex horns and macabre costumed celebrations a glowing example of the culture of the region. Perhaps here we find the Alpine Horned god himself. Long horned, lustful, strong, shaggy, and wild. The alps are an odd place mythically they are more their own group than truly being part of the larger more well known groups. A blatant example of the language groups being less pertinent than at first glance. Aspects of Slavic, Roman, Celtic, Germanic, and more all combine in this mountain range and its nearby areas. Researchers into folklore have even mentioned how “Blatant” Krampus is as an example of “The Horned God of the Witches”.
Krampus part 3
Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) is on Dec 5th and Children are especially good then as Krampus is said to come and they do not wish to draw his attention over the more benevolent St. Nicholas. The Krampuslauf (Krampus Run) are enormous processions in some way mimicking the Wild Hunt itself. They run across the town hitting children, men, and women with birch branches and more. The men inside the costumes embodying Krampus spirits and perhaps the god himself. Though these could just as easily be considered his retinue or perhaps similar to gods such as Vesna, Berginya, Nornir, or Perchta the name applies to the spirits and the god in equal measure. In many ways this could be considered a sort of shamanic or spiritual experience. Classically done with goat or Ibex Horns, furs, cow bells, and a carved wooden mask.
Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) is on Dec 5th and Children are especially good then as Krampus is said to come and they do not wish to draw his attention over the more benevolent St. Nicholas. The Krampuslauf (Krampus Run) are enormous processions in some way mimicking the Wild Hunt itself. They run across the town hitting children, men, and women with birch branches and more. The men inside the costumes embodying Krampus spirits and perhaps the god himself. Though these could just as easily be considered his retinue or perhaps similar to gods such as Vesna, Berginya, Nornir, or Perchta the name applies to the spirits and the god in equal measure. In many ways this could be considered a sort of shamanic or spiritual experience. Classically done with goat or Ibex Horns, furs, cow bells, and a carved wooden mask.
Second half of Krampus will be posted tomorrow, hope you enjoy. -TLK
Yuletide & The Good Women
In German Folklore and across Europe there is tell especially at Yuletide of Female Spirits coming house to house in a procession of the dead. These spirits were often ancestors though they would appear in the form of Weisse Frauen or through Christian Eyes devils. This is especially noted in the example of the Good Women who would go door to door receiving feasts as offerings to the dead and consuming the spirit of the food before the living would eat the physical side. The Good Women were also said to weave fate for new borns and spinning tools were left out for the Good Women to spin fate for the newborn. While similar to the Norns these spirits are specifically mentioned as ancestors, though the Church via a tale of St. Germanicus is said to have "Exposed" them as demons. In a Hagiography intended to vilify this widespread pagan custom. A similar honoring of Feminine Ancestors can be seen in the Norse Disir Blot.-TLK
In German Folklore and across Europe there is tell especially at Yuletide of Female Spirits coming house to house in a procession of the dead. These spirits were often ancestors though they would appear in the form of Weisse Frauen or through Christian Eyes devils. This is especially noted in the example of the Good Women who would go door to door receiving feasts as offerings to the dead and consuming the spirit of the food before the living would eat the physical side. The Good Women were also said to weave fate for new borns and spinning tools were left out for the Good Women to spin fate for the newborn. While similar to the Norns these spirits are specifically mentioned as ancestors, though the Church via a tale of St. Germanicus is said to have "Exposed" them as demons. In a Hagiography intended to vilify this widespread pagan custom. A similar honoring of Feminine Ancestors can be seen in the Norse Disir Blot.-TLK
Krampus part 4
Nowadays the celebration has grown and commercialized so much that Latex masks and fake fur are used in place of the once far more sacral yet boisterous ceremonial pieces. In some areas the figure of St. Nicholas is dropped entirely. Especially in the more isolated areas, instead Krampus travels with other beasts and Wilder Mann. The Wild men, spirits, and gods of the woods, mountains and people going door to door as they would elsewhere, but without the Christian saint in tow.
Nowadays the celebration has grown and commercialized so much that Latex masks and fake fur are used in place of the once far more sacral yet boisterous ceremonial pieces. In some areas the figure of St. Nicholas is dropped entirely. Especially in the more isolated areas, instead Krampus travels with other beasts and Wilder Mann. The Wild men, spirits, and gods of the woods, mountains and people going door to door as they would elsewhere, but without the Christian saint in tow.
Krampus Part 5
The Krampus as a group of spirits rather then an individual were said to travel place to place (the revelers in costume) running through the town and stopping at houses to scare children, give gifts and sweets, when different Krampus troops would meet they would wrestle and the St. Nicholas figure would serve as referee calling the Krampus back when ready. However, this horned god is associated with more well known deities. Some say he is the son of Hel, though he may just as easily have been a consort of hers or even Holle who Hel is often conflated with. In modern days due to the similarity between the Perchten and the Krampus costumes, Krampus is often said to be the consort of Perchta though Berchtold is often attributed this as well.
The Krampus as a group of spirits rather then an individual were said to travel place to place (the revelers in costume) running through the town and stopping at houses to scare children, give gifts and sweets, when different Krampus troops would meet they would wrestle and the St. Nicholas figure would serve as referee calling the Krampus back when ready. However, this horned god is associated with more well known deities. Some say he is the son of Hel, though he may just as easily have been a consort of hers or even Holle who Hel is often conflated with. In modern days due to the similarity between the Perchten and the Krampus costumes, Krampus is often said to be the consort of Perchta though Berchtold is often attributed this as well.