Hello one and all. I am back to blogging after a little hiatus and I have just discovered a new and fascinating reason to love the Christmas Season-the Italian Christmas witch known as La Befana.
The legend of La Befana tells of a little old woman who was so busy cooking and cleaning that she declined an invitation from the 3 Magi to help them find the infant Jesus. Another tale says that La Befana refused the 3 wise men lodging for the night and brings gifts to all children in Italy as a sort of penance.
But some facts about her are certain-she is akways seen carrying or riding a broom, she is an old woman, and she is covered in soot because she makes her way into homes via the fireplace. How seasonally appropriate that she is a crone! ♥️
La Befana gifts good children with candy, fruit, and gifts, and leaves bits of coal for ill behaved children. (Today the tradition continues with black coal candy, which is something very familiar to this coal country girl.)
La Befana flies the winter skies on the night of the Epiphany, January 6th.
Those of us who have a "kitchen witch" or bring fragrant cinnamon brooms into our homes during the winter are already channelling the energy of La Befana 🙂
Legend has it that she will sweep the floor with her broom before taking off on it for anyone lucky enough to receive a visit from her.
I love any reason to channel my inner witch-and reading about La Befana the Italian witch of Christmas has given me just that-a bewitching tradition indeed!
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