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Weekly PathWalkers.Net e-Newsletter #111 :: PathWalkers.Net Interactive :: Helping you along your path
the world bringing back the light to the people. Even the elves, the helpers of Santa Claus, fit in the
picture, as in Germanic religious lore, Frey(r) is lord of Ljössalfheim, the world of the Light-Elves. And
during Yule, boars were sacrificed for good fortune, or bread was baked in the shape of a boar (Frey(r)'s
boar). While sacrificing/eating the Yule boar, oaths sworn.
(On a side note, one of the reasons for decorating a Yule tree was to give small gifts to the High Folk,
the Gods, Elves and Disir. Originally food (fruits and bread, but also milk and honey) and images of
holy animals would be the decorations, and the candles in the tree are meant to keep the evil spirits
away. Evergreens were used because they keep their needles while other trees loose their leaves during
the winter)
Thor / Donar:
The least likely but mentioned nonetheless is Thor/Donar. The God of Thunder is said to ride a chariot
pulled by two goats (Tanngnjöstr and Tanngrisnir), which again resembles the modern image of Santa
Claus.
Another similarity between Thor/Donar and Yule is the ability of Thor/Donar to slaughter his goats, eat
them and then bring them back to life again, a myth that looks a lot like the some Scandinavian
traditions of the Yule-buck, in which the buck is killed and then brought back to life, symbolizing
rebirth. In most other traditions however the Yule-buck (a wight, or ghost) is a frightening appearance
bringing either good or bad luck when it visits the homes of people (again, Wild Hunt influence?).
Also the hanging of little goat images in the Yule tree or in wreaths and the making of straw goats for
Yule (particularly in Denmark and Sweden) seems to be connected with Thor/Donar.
Conclusion:
No matter which God became Santa Claus in the Christian tradition of Christmas, the severe influence
from the old Germanic/Scandinavian religion is obvious, especially in the northern lands of Europe and
North America. But naturally, other winter solstice celebrations, such as those around the
Mediterranean such as Saturnalia also had their influence on Christmas.
And no matter which version of the winter solstice celebration you follow, remember that it is about the
changing of the cycle of the year, the return of the light in a period of darkness, the death and rebirth of
life and it is the best feast of the year.
Sources:
- The Book of Troth
- Ancient origins of Yule
- Gods and Myths of Northern Europe - H.R.E. Davidson, Penguin Publ.
- Mythologisch Woordenboek - G.J.M. Bartelink, Prisma Publ.
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RECIPE - Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup flaked coconut
2 cups quick cooking oats
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
1. Cream shortening and sugars in mixer bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
3. Mix together flour, soda and salt.
4. Add mixture of flour, soda and salt gradually; mixing well after each addition.
5. Stir in coconut and oats.
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