Lutzelfrau & St. Lucy Tarts: A Tale of Winter Solstice Food Magic

December 12, 2023.Reading time 15 minutes.

Soon the blessed Winter Solstice will be here, and thank Goddess for the return of the light! For the Germanic and Northern European peoples from which I descend these dark days were preoccupied with the old winter magic known as holiday baking. Cakes, breads and buns, tarts, and strudels were prepared to celebrate the imminent […]

Doe, A Deer, A Female Reindeer: The Spirit of Winter Solstice

December 15, 2017.Reading time 21 minutes.

Long before Santa charioted his flying steeds across our mythical skies, it was the female reindeer who drew the sleigh of the sun goddess at Winter Solstice. It was when we “Christianized” the pagan traditions of winter, that the white-bearded man i.e. “Father Christmas” was born. Today it is her beloved image that adorns Christmas […]

Remembering The Deer Mother Of Winter Solstice

November 19, 2017.Reading time less than 1 minute.

It’s the season when we tell children the tales of Santa and his flying reindeer. But this year why not tell the story of the sacred “Deer Mother” of old? Taking flight from the darkest, longest night of the year, it was she who brought the life-giving light of the sun back to the land, […]