TWH – Tonight is Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) and tomorrow, December 6 is The Feast of St. Nicholas. Each year events are held across Europe, the U.K., and the U.S., featuring participants who don costumes that bear the likeness of a dark satyr, complete with shaggy fur, hooves, and a wickedly grinning or snarling face crowned with horns. These living representations of Krampus often brandish bundles of switches to swat at observers with and carry baskets or sacks for collecting and holding those who have been naughty.
The tradition of Krampusnacht which has at times been quite popular and has enjoyed a revival in recent years. The origins are unclear, and similar characters appear in other cultures and regions like Knecht Ruprecht in Germany, Pere Fouettard from the Alsace region of France, Schmutzli in Switzerland, and even Zwarte Piet found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. All of these characters bear a striking resemblance to the Krampus in function if not always in appearance.
The Wild Hunt published the article Krampus Spaß in 2018 that looked at the origins and various depictions, and even misconceptions surrounding Krampus:
“The specific origins of Krampus aren’t clear. In some accounts the Krampus is depicted as pre-dating Christianity and being a part of pre-Germanic Paganism, going so far as to claim the Krampus grew out of Norse mythology as the son of the Goddess Hel. There is no source material to confirm any connection to Norse mythology at all. The folklore on the Krampus varies widely depending on which country, what time period, and which author is sourced—many depictions have St Nicholas and Krampus working together as a team.”
The Salzburg Krampuslauf (Krampus Run) was held in Austria on Sunday, December 4:
And one in Whitby in the United Kingdom held on Saturday, December 3:
And naturally, New Orleans, Louisiana puts its own unique spin on its Krampus Parade that took place on Saturday, December 3:
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Tuscumbia, Ala. – The Festival of Yule which had drawn opposition from a small segment of the local community saw a good turnout on Saturday, December 3, with participants taking in the various wares for sale, the entertainment, and activities offered and visiting the shops on Main St.
Organizer, Kendall Gilchrist told TWH that while she did not have specific numbers on attendance, she said it was likely several thousand since it exceeded the Trunk or Treat event which hosted 2,000 people. She also said that The Pour House Restaurant reported record sales, as did all of the other businesses that were open for the festival.
Gilchrist said the police set up and manned barriers around the event with 300 feet of distance, but there were no protesters and the event had no issues or problems. She said the space “felt very safe and protected. [And] many that walked in could feel the energy shift as they felt they crossed over into another world. So that warms my heart that I could help provide that safe space I promised.”
She said she was “blown away by all the overwhelming support both in media and the human race country-wide….even Alaska was sending messages of support!”
Next year, Gilchrist said the event will be expanded to include 200 vendors, live music, a Krampus costume contest, and more. She has plans for a new product launch and has reopened her Etsy store to feature handcrafted items.
As for the future, Gilchrist said, “Now it’s a whole new year of launching a new product, inspiring and promoting small businesses, and planning for a massive Yule Gathering!”
Announcements:
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- The Earth-based Spirituality Action Team (ESBAT) of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold its monthly Zoom meeting on December 12, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm (PST). Interfaith chaplain, spiritual mentor, and peace counselor H.E. Rev. Patrick McCollum will be sharing his thoughts on why “Eco-activism with indigenous peoples is peace work.” According to the press release, “McCollum works with indigenous leaders in various parts of the world including the Amazon. With over half a century of peace work and eco-activism, Patrick will share a bit about what he does and why.” The meeting will run 30 minutes. EBSAT defines itself as, “a group that welcomes anyone who holds the earth sacred to join us in our meetings.” And that, “As with all grassroots groups, we appreciate everyone that shows up and even those that spread the word.”
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- Mystic South Conference has issued a “Call For Papers for 2023.” The annual event is held in Atlanta, Georgia, and will take place on July 14-16, 2023. Mystic South is a polytheistic conference and the call is for papers of a polytheistic spiritual nature. Blocks of the allotted time for those submissions that are accepted will be one hour. Presenters receive free access to the entire conference in exchange for their presentation of their paper. Papers may be either written and read or read and audio/visual in format. Those interested can submit a 400 +/- word abstract via the event’s website, deadline for submitting abstracts is February 28, 2023. The event states, “This is a perfect place for those that are not used to presenting academic papers; such as students, junior faculty, or those that are looking for tenure or promotion credits.” Questions pertaining to papers may be directed to the Papers Coordinator, Gypsey Elaine Teague.
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- The 5th International Conference on Arts and Humanities Women in religion: from spiritual leadership to female empowerment, organized by the International Centre for Studies of Arts and Humanities (ICSAH) and the Dante Alighieri Society of Nicosia in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Milano and the Pontificia Università Salesiana has issued a call for papers: “This year, we invite proposals that explore the female share in leadership roles related to religion (saints, prophetesses, priestesses, nuns, preachers, witches, shamans and more), and emphasize how their achievements are reflected in history and art. How prominent female figures have compromised men’s secured positions of power in socio-religious structures? What was their role in shaping gender-responsive societies? We encourage also papers that examine through a gender lens the impact of religion on civic life by analyzing the deeds of women of faith from a political perspective, or deal with cases of political power over religion, in cases of women who achieved to change traditional religious concepts, practices, customs or symbols. We welcome papers that deal with all religious systems from ancient to present times.” The deadline for submissions is March 30th, 2023. The conference will take place on May 8 – 9, 2023 in Milan, Italy.
Upcoming Seasonal Events:
On Saturday, December 10, the 12th annual Parade of Spirits (der Geischderschtrutz) will take place in Liberty Lands Park, 913 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania beginning at 4:00 pm (EST). Participants are to assemble for opening remarks which will begin just prior to sunset at 4:35 pm when the parade will commence. Attendees are requested to bring a donation of new, unworn socks and/or underwear for any size or age to be distributed to local shelters. Philadelphia’s Sing Slavic Choir will perform both before and during the Parade. After the Parade of Spirits has concluded its route, the Squidling Brothers Circus Sideshow from Philadelphia will provide entertainment in the park. The organizers describe the event as, “a family-friendly, grassroots, community-led event rooted originally in Alpine Germanic and Pennsylvania Dutch, but we encourage participants to share expressions from all cultures and backgrounds. Participants are to dress up in costumes reflecting the shady, shadowy, or downright dark-side characters from lore around the world. Costumes may be as simple as donning ghoulish makeup to appear as a spirit on the Wild Hunt to as elaborate as a full-on Krampus costume. Hand-made or hand-assembled costuming is preferred, though commercial Krampus costumes are welcomed. BRING NOISEMAKERS! This is most certainly -not- a quiet event!” Full details are available on the Facebook event page.
EarthSpirit Community is holding its Yule Ritual to “celebrate the longest night and the rebirth of the Sun at the coming Winter Solstice” on December 17, at 5:00 pm at The Williamsburg Grange Hall in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. Attendees must arrive before 5:30 pm when the door for admittance closes. The event is family-friendly and will include a procession of light with children. Those wishing to participate in the procession need to arrive at 5:00 pm, and wear light-colored clothing, like white, silver, or gold. Attendees must wear masks, and home testing for Covid prior to the event is strongly recommended. Anyone feeling unwell is advised to not attend. Admission cost is on a sliding scale of $5 – $10, though no one will be turned away, and children under 10 years of age are free. Attendees are requested to bring “a donation of new warm basic clothing items: like new socks, gloves, underwear or toiletries, for the Survival Center as a gift to support others in our community through the dark time.” An informal finger-food potluck will follow the ritual and anyone attending may bring a food contribution to share–cookies, snacks, or beverages. Napkins and cups will be provided.
- Circle Sanctuary has a full schedule of events surrounding the upcoming holiday, beginning with its online Yuletide Spirits Full Moon Circle on Tuesday, December 6, and then on Saturday, December 10, the online Green Faith Circle Zoom.
On Saturday, December 17, from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm (CST), the group will hold in person, its annual Yule Festival celebration at the Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve near Barneveld, Wisconsin. The Yule celebration will include the Wreaths Across America Rite, as part of the nationwide event and will take place at Veterans Ridge at Circle Cemetery. Additionally, Selena Fox will present the workshop, “Saturnalia Magic & Merriment” from 10:30 – 12noon (CST), which will be offered both in person and online. Those interested in attending the Yule festivities must register by Thursday, December 15.
- On Tuesday, December 20, Circle Sanctuary will livestream, “Winter Solstice Eve Longest Night” from 7:00 – 8:00 pm (CST) on its YouTube Channel. On Wednesday, December 21, at 7:00 pm (CST), the group will participate in the “Solstice Night Multifaith Longest Night” an interfaith event held at the Fitchburg Memorial United Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711-5321, located near Madison, Wisconsin. The event will also be livestreamed on the Fitchburg Memorial UCC’s YouTube channel.
- On Sunday, December 18, Dark Nation Radio hosted by Jeffrey Weinstock, presents A DARK SOLSTICE, an annual three-hour program of neo-medieval, pagan, Viking chants, and dark folk for the longest nights of the year (in the northern hemisphere). The live broadcast begins at 9:00 pm (EST) on Spirit of Resistance Radio.
In other news:
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- In Wilmington, Ohio, The Satanic Temple’s “After School Satan Club” program at a Wilmington elementary school resulted in the Wilmington City School District superintendent, Jim Brady, sending an email out to parents in the district clarifying that, “The Satanic Temple After-School Satan Club is not a district or school-sponsored event. Wilmington City Schools do not endorse the activities or intent of this group or any other religious groups offering after-school activities on our campuses. The District’s focus remains on student safety and student achievement. The District has no other involvement in this program except for the approval of the space.” According to news reports, there were a handful of people protesting the After School Satan Club last Monday. A group of local Christian churches held a “KIDS KRUSADE” at the same time. Under a 2001 ruling by the Supreme Court, public schools must accommodate both religious and secular groups requesting space within the facility. All afterschool events required a signed permission note from students’ parents in order to attend any event.
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- Last Wednesday, President Biden pledged to designate more land around Spirit Mountain, or Avi Kwa Ame (ah-VEE-kwah-may) as it is known in Mojave, as off limits to development under the 1906 Antiquities Act. Currently, 33,000 acres around the peak is protected, but Biden seeks to expand that to about 450,000 acres. In addition to preserving land that is sacred to the Mojave and 11 other Native tribes, the area provides an important link between the Mojave National Preserve in California and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area that is on the borders of Nevada and Arizona. While the proposal has widespread support, some renewable and solar energy advocates worry that it could undermine efforts to address climate change. Despite those concerns, the proposal is liable to be the largest land monument declaration during Biden’s term.
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- Late last month the Biden-Harris administration announced as part of its domestic policy on addressing climate change, that it has allocated $75 million in grants to help with the cost of relocation for the Quinault Indian Nation, located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington; the Newtok Village, located on the Ninglick River in Alaska; and the Native Village of Napakiak, located on Alaska’s Kuskokwim River. Each will receive $25 million in grant funding. Additionally, eight more tribal communities Native Village of Point Lay (Alaska); Huslia Village (Alaska); Native Village of Fort Yukon (Alaska); Native Village of Nelson Lagoon (Alaska); Havasupai Tribe (Arizona); Yurok Tribe (California); Chitimacha Tribe (Louisiana); and Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe (Maine) will each received $5 million in grants for planning either relocation or make their existing communities more climate resistant.
As Mauna Loa continues to erupt, the volcano demonstrates the awe-inspiring and massive power of nature. While the lava flows are not currently threatening any populated areas, the flows are inching closer to the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), and the danger of Pele’s hair (fine strands of airborne volcanic glass) and the gases being released remain an air hazard. The latest USGS report has the latest and most updated information.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Wonderland in Tarot, by Barbara Moore, illustrated by Eugene Smith, published by Llewellyn Publications.Card: Queens of Cups
The week ahead may call for assistance from an intuitive ally, who can offer help in a way that is kind and supportive. Or deliver needed constructive criticism gently, and in a way that it will be useful and taken to heart.
Be mindful that being disingenuous or insincere when making requests for help or advice are liable to be detected, and thus not received well and very likely to backfire.
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