Our fifth yule calendar entry comes from Laurel! It's a yule-themed drawing and a short article related to yule traditions. That sleigh does look quite comfortable, doesn't it?
On a fateful Yule night, Mr. & Mrs. Cloudfarm came home late from a party and stumbled upon a tall, cloaked stranger. To their surprise (and relief), the trespasser was not taking their precious Mathoms, but actually delivering gifts!
Caught in the act, the Grey Wanderer said: it is YOU who shall not pass… until I finish moving the gift boxes out of my sleigh.
Keeping in mind the pagan roots of the Yule celebration, I’ve been getting this Rohan house ready for a 2020 Yule with a Middle Earth flavor. There are several traditions that date back to pre-Christian times and that we keep nowadays, so in this scene I’ve focused on one: the figure of the Gift-bearer. Our modern Santa can be traced back all the way to the Norse.
Odin, the Norse God, had many names but the relevant ones this time are “Jólnir” (Master of Yule) and “the Grey Wanderer” (based on his appearance when travelling). During the 12 days of Yule he was said to be leading the Wild Hunt at night and also to be the one slipping down chimneys and fire holes to leave gifts, like toys and sweets. And yes, he knew if you’ve been naughty.
This is why I’ve chosen Gandalf the Grey (or Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim, as the Elves call him) as our Middle Earth Santa, for he’s the best equivalent for Odin: a wise, grey-clad Wizard, ready to dish out gifts or coal to the Free Folks. Sadly, neither Sleipnir nor the modern reindeers were available, so my Majestic White Stags had to fill in pulling the sleigh.
What wonderful decorating, and such a lovely summary! Thank you very much.
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