Magical Traditions of Christmastime - Karen Michelle Nutt

Magical Traditions of Christmastime
Karen Michelle Nutt
http://www.kmnbooks.com

Billions of people celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, but even those who do not celebrate know about the traditions associated with the celebration. Some of the traditions date back centuries. My characters Alan and Hyatt from Magic of the Loch have been around long enough to not only appreciate the traditions through the years, but they would have participated in them.

Christmas Tree
Trees were important symbols in the Pagan culture. The druids revered the oak. The Romans believed Evergreens had special powers to return life. From this belief the Christians eventually used the Evergreen to symbolize eternal life. The Vikings hung war trophies for good luck on fir and ash trees. In the middle ages, the Church decorated trees nearby on Christmas Eve with apples. This tradition was named Adam and Eve Day.


The Yule Log was once an ancient sun worship ritual. The Vikings burned the log in honor of their god Thor. The Druids selected a large tree bearing fruit or an oak tree. They would bless the log and light the piece with a scrap from the last year’s Yule Log to symbolize the log was ‘ever-burning’. The Druids believed this ritual would promote bountiful crops, provide light and warmth for the dead and cleanse the fire by burning up all the evil of the past year.

Druid priests used mistletoe in their sacred rituals over two hundred years before the birth of Christ. They revered the plant with no roots and the ability to remain green during the winter months. The Celts believed mistletoe had magical healing powers. They used it as an antidote for poison, infertility and to ward off evil spirits. They also thought of the plant as the symbol of peace. Scandinavians associated the plant with their love goddess, Frigga. This perhaps is where we derive out custom of kissing under the mistletoe. Those who kissed under the mistletoe would have happiness and good luck for the next year.

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About the Author:
Karen Michelle Nutt resides in California with her husband, three fascinating children, and houseful of demanding pets. Jack, her Chorkie, is her writing buddy and sits long hours with her at the computer.

When she’s not time traveling, fighting outlaws, or otherworldly creatures, she creates pre-made book covers to order at Gillian’s Book Covers, “Judge Your Book By Its Cover”. You can also check out her published cover art designs at Western Trail Blazer and Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing.

Whether your reading fancy is paranormal, historical or time travel, all her stories capture the rich array of emotions that accompany the most fabulous human phenomena—falling in love.

Visit the author at: http://www.kmnbooks.com
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