Paganism
La Befana – More than just Italian Santa
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In our Spotlight of Traditions, we look at La Befana and some traditions associated with the “Christmas Witch” in Stregheria.
Featured
Pagan Community News: Italian tradition of La Befana, call to end “witch hunts” by 2030, and other news.
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In this week’s Pagan Community Notes, Many Italians prepare to celebrate La Befana, human rights champion calls for end of “witch hunts” in Africa by 2030, moving monoliths, and other news.
Culture
La Befana turns winter into a season for the Witch
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ITALY – There are many popular mythological figures associated with the winter holiday season. We’ve all heard of Santa Claus, Rudolf, Father Christmas and Jack Frost. This past December Krampus, a figure in Germanic folklore, became a household name through the release of a new horror movie. But there is another figure, who stands out within the canon of European winter holiday lore, and is beloved by those who honor her. She is called La Befana.