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.
Krampus Part 6
If Krampus is indeed tied into Hel somehow he may also have some relation to Harlequin as one of the translations of his name is “Kin of Hel”. Perhaps a brother or child of Krampus in some myths or just a figure with a similar tie in, but in a differing regional tradition. Krampus' name itself means “claw”, and alongside his more fearsome and wild sides. He is also somewhat lustful and debaucherous being the subject of many “Gruss von Krampus” (Greetings from Krampus) cards, that display at times his tormenting of children and other times women who find him ravishingly attractive.
If Krampus is indeed tied into Hel somehow he may also have some relation to Harlequin as one of the translations of his name is “Kin of Hel”. Perhaps a brother or child of Krampus in some myths or just a figure with a similar tie in, but in a differing regional tradition. Krampus' name itself means “claw”, and alongside his more fearsome and wild sides. He is also somewhat lustful and debaucherous being the subject of many “Gruss von Krampus” (Greetings from Krampus) cards, that display at times his tormenting of children and other times women who find him ravishingly attractive.
Krampus Final (Part 7)
Thus tying him into the more festive, bestial and sensual side of the season. Because, in the middle of winter with Snow on the ground some eggnog and some mistletoe there isn't much to do and December is the most fertile month.... Krampus is also fond of Schnapps and while on the Krampuslauf the revelers at times are given schnapps on their run. Otherwise little is known about this increasingly popular figure, perhaps along with the wild hunt and Frauen the horned god of the Alps is returning as well. In any case and any story “Gruss von Krampus” have you been Naughty? Or Nice?!
Thus tying him into the more festive, bestial and sensual side of the season. Because, in the middle of winter with Snow on the ground some eggnog and some mistletoe there isn't much to do and December is the most fertile month.... Krampus is also fond of Schnapps and while on the Krampuslauf the revelers at times are given schnapps on their run. Otherwise little is known about this increasingly popular figure, perhaps along with the wild hunt and Frauen the horned god of the Alps is returning as well. In any case and any story “Gruss von Krampus” have you been Naughty? Or Nice?!