We are now entering the darkest month of the year. With all the parties, lights, parades and festivities few think of December as eerie or frightening. And in present time its not, thanks to the above activities. But, thousands of years ago, before electricity, indoor plumbing and methods to preserve food, people grew uneasy as the daylight waned and the nights grew longer. Was there enough fuel to keep a fire going for the many months of cold and darkness? Had the harvest been plentiful that year, with enough food to last until spring time? Strange to contemplate just how much time and energy went into securing the bare necessities, and then having to face that cycle every year.
Folklore born of the dark
If you like to research folklore and superstitions you’ll have noticed how many had their origins in appeasing the gods and protecting the clan against cold and starvation. As Christianity inserted itself into European culture, the myths and rituals began to change. They slowly began to take on a more personal and everyday aspect. I visualize the celebrations and ceremonies as becoming centered in the home and village, rather than outside, sending fire upwards to the sky. Simplistic, I know. (Also, this is a musing on Euro-centric folklore; South America, Asia, and Eastern cultures have similar myths and creatures that I know little about.) However, much of how we Americans now celebrate the Yule season has evolved from old Britain, and it was much darker than I thought.
Krampus and Krampusnacht
I mentioned Krampus, that old cloven-hoofed devil, last blog, and he’s a good figure to start with. While I’ve read he existed in some form BC, Krampus refined his image throughout the centuries until he was widely accepted as Santa’s counterpart. He even had his own night, December 5th, which became known as Krampusnacht. Santa comes down the chimney with a bag of toys; Krampus sneaks in through the same (or an open window) with an empty bag in which to stuff bad children. Apparently he took over the job of punisher-in-chief from Santa, who evolved into a saintly, jolly visitor whose punishments extend only to rare lumps of coal. Krampus would kidnap, beat, starve and occasionally eat disobedient children without a backwards glance.
Santa's rougher companions
Another dark figure of Christmas is Pere Fouettard, the Old Man Whipper, who accompanies Santa on his rounds, carrying everything from lumps of coal to a whip. Multiple origin stories have him as an actual child murderer from the 13th century to a tanner from Metz, France. Fouettard appeared in United States folklore in the 1930s as a figure who punished naughty children all year round.
Another companion of Saint Nicholas, Belsnickel, comes from the German tradition of filling stockings and shoes with treats at Christmas time. Belsnickel is known for filling those of disobedient children with coal, and he also has a magical whip that stings as well as charms.
Ghost stories by the fire
All of these creatures, including good Saint Nick himself, have multiple stories associated with him. Oh, and I say “him” but there are several entities that, if not women, have female characteristics. Telling Christmas horror/ghost stories was a popular past time in Victorian England. Today most of us know Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” but he was a prolific author and editor of many seasonal stories centering on hauntings. All of this is to say, October 31st is just the beginning of the dark, eerie days of the year. We’ve turned it into a holiday but it really was a time of fear and scarcity not so long ago. So string colorful lights, give little gifts and sing uplifting carols to drive away the shadowy figures from the underworld. Book a freaky foot tour as a fun way to learn more about your town and bond with friends and family. And if you have any ghosts lurking around your own home, give us a call. We’d love to investigate! BOO
Make a winter evening of it
Susan is right that the dark months earn their ghost stories. If you want yours outdoors, The Flagstaff Haunted History Tour runs nightly at 7 PM, with a second 8 PM departure Fridays and Saturdays, $29 for adults and 75 minutes through historic downtown. Dress warm; the stories do the chilling.
