Messages In This Digest (9 Messages)
- 1.
- "Share a Deity Day", 1/4/2012, 9:00 am From: which_witch_is_witch@yahoogroups.com
- 2.
- Metaphysical Study Group open to All, 1/4/2012, 7:30 pm From: which_witch_is_witch@yahoogroups.com
- 3.
- Goddess of The Day: BEFANA Befana Fair (Italy) From: Cher Chirichello
- 4a.
- La Befana - The Celebration of Epiphany From: Cher Chirichello
- 4b.
- La Befana - The Celebration of Epiphany From: Cher Chirichello
- 5.
- Holy Day of Apollo Spell From: Cher Chirichello
- 6.
- Thursday's Correspondence...January 5 From: Cher Chirichello
- 7a.
- The Legend of La Befana -- The Italian Christmas Witch From: Cher Chirichello
- 8.
- Second Guessing It From: Holly Stokes
Messages
- 1.
-
"Share a Deity Day", 1/4/2012, 9:00 am
Posted by: "which_witch_is_witch@yahoogroups.com" which_witch_is_witch@yahoogroups.com
Wed Jan 4, 2012 5:40 am (PST)
Reminder from: which_witch_is_witch Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/which_ witch_is_ witch/cal
"Share a Deity Day"
Wednesday January 4, 2012
9:00 am - 10:00 am
(This event repeats every month on the first Wednesday.)
Notes:
"Share a Deity Today" Share info about a God/Goddess you are close to or work with, why do you feel so close and if it's around a holiday/sabbat/esbat/season/ occasion please Explain why and be prepared for any questions.
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2012
Yahoo! Inc.
http://www.yahoo.com
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http://docs.yahoo.com/ info/terms/
- 2.
-
Metaphysical Study Group open to All, 1/4/2012, 7:30 pm
Posted by: "which_witch_is_witch@yahoogroups.com" which_witch_is_witch@yahoogroups.com
Wed Jan 4, 2012 2:25 pm (PST)
Reminder from: which_witch_is_witch Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/which_ witch_is_ witch/cal
Metaphysical Study Group open to All
Wednesday January 4, 2012
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
(This event repeats every month on the first Wednesday.)
Location: Burlington County, New Jersey http://ourfavoriteplace.org
Notes:
Monthly Adult Study Group, held on the first Wednesday of every month, 21 years of age or older please, We discuss various topics on all things Wiccan/Pagan/Spiritual. If you have any questions please contact Ladi Ravyn at ladiravyn@verizon. net
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2012
Yahoo! Inc.
http://www.yahoo.com
Privacy Policy:
http://privacy.yahoo.com/ privacy/us
Terms of Service:
http://docs.yahoo.com/ info/terms/
- 3.
-
Goddess of The Day: BEFANA Befana Fair (Italy)
Posted by: "Cher Chirichello" CHIC0411@YAHOO.COM chic0411
Wed Jan 4, 2012 6:58 pm (PST)
Goddess of The Day: BEFANA
Befana Fair (Italy)
Themes: Overcoming Evil; Wisdom
Symbols: Broom; Horns; Hag Poppets
About Befana: Befana is the Italian Crone Goddess. Call on her for wisdom and guidance through
the other eleven months of the year. Because she has lived a long life,
her astute insight will serve you well. Today is her festival day in
Italy, celebrated with horns, noise makers, songs, and music. These loud sounds drive out evil and mark the passage of winter's darkness out of
the region.
To Do Today: Have any
children in your life follow the Italian tradition of leaving Befana a
broom to fly on and a gift basket. According to legend, Befana rewards
this kindness with little gifts in stockings much like Santa Claus.
Find a "kitchen witch" at a gift shop and hang it up near the hearth to welcome Befana's wisdom into your home.
Or, take a broom clockwise around your house, sweeping inward toward a central spot to gather her beneficent energies.
To protect your home
for the rest of the year, use a kazoo or other noise maker (pots with
wooden spoons work well). Go into each room and make a loud racket
saying,
All evil fear! Befana is here! Away, away, only goodness may stay.
If your schedule
allows, make a poppet that looks like an old woman. Fill it with dried
garlic, pearl onions, and any other herbs you associate with safety.
Keep this near the stove or hearth to invoke Befana's ongoing
protection.
)0(
By Patricia Telesco
- 4a.
-
La Befana - The Celebration of Epiphany
Posted by: "Cher Chirichello" CHIC0411@YAHOO.COM chic0411
Wed Jan 4, 2012 7:00 pm (PST)
La Befana - The Celebration of Epiphany
Â
Holidays in Italy are rich in traditions which have,for the most part,a religious history. A
favorite Italian holiday occurs on January 6.It is commonly known as "La Befana " (Twelfth Night or
the Eve of the Epiphany or Little Christmas ). La Befana is a personification of the "spirit of the
Epiphany " and can almost be considered a nickname for "Epifania," the proper Italian word for
epiphany.While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th,the Eastern Christian Church to
this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 was also kept as the
physical birthday in Bethlehem.
Â
Tradition depicts La Befana as a kindly old lady with a stereotypical nose with a big red mole on
top of it and a pointy chin.Wearing an old coat mended with carefully with colorful patches and
tattered shoes,she flies around on a broom and carries her black bag filled with sweets and presents
for the children.Entering the houses through the chimney she places her gifts inside the children ’s
stockings hung with care,the night before.The buoni ragazzi (good kids)are very happy to find their
stocking filled with presents.They have been busy writing letters to La Befana, la buona strega
(good witch).But for the children who have not been good,there will not be presents,but a lump of
coal!
Â
The origin of the tradition is veiled in mystery and in all likelihood this poetic figure goes back
to country legends of pre-Christian times.Befana also exists in various other popular traditions.
For instance on the evening of January 5 th ,"The Old Woman" (symbolizing the out going winter),
Befana appears in street processions as a masked figure with her consort, "Befano ","The Old Man ".
Their followers revel as music fills the street,they receive offerings,the gift of prosperity and
blessings from Befana.Then to assure a good year, the dolls are burned in effigy in the town
square,welcoming the returning spring. Her festival has usurped an ancient pagan feast set
celebrated on the Magic Night,the 6th day of the New Year,chosen by ancient Eastern astronomers
according to their complicated calculations. Epiphany was, therefore, pagan in origin.Only later was
the day associated with the life of Christ.
Â
Apparently there was a woman with a broom called Befana found on some Etruscan scratchings. The
people in remote areas of the Emilia still call on her by that version of the name to bestow or cure
malocchio (evil eye).Even la scopa (the broom)is considered a blessing against evil. In Italy
tradition,however,the Christmas holidays ending on 6th January,is quite fitting for a gift-giver
since the Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi (or 3 Wise Men)to the infant
Jesus,with their gifts of gold,frankincense,and myrrh.The Magi were named Balthazar, Melchior,and
Gaspar,according to tradition.According to legend the three men during their journey stopped and
asked an old woman for food and shelter.She refused and they continued on their way.Within a few
hours the woman had a change of heart but the Magi were long gone. The Befana is depicted as a witch
astride a broom,still searching the world for the Baby Jesus. Thinking of the opportunity she had
missed,Befana stops every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ
child.Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus.
Â
Many welcome La Befana by laying out a small meal for her.Consisting of sausage and broccoli and
usually accompanied by a glass of wine.After her arrival, it is a time for celebration and people
move from house to house visiting friends and relatives.
Â
This is a song used by some Italian children, a rough translation into English would be:
Â
La Befana comes at night In tattered shoes Dressed in the Roman style Long live la Befana!! She
brings cinders and coals To the naughty children To the good children She brings sweets and lots of
gifts.
Â
Take frankincense, both of the best and the inferior kind,also cumin seed.Have ready a separate
scaldino (spirit bowl),which is kept only for this purpose.And should it happen that affairs of any
kind go badly,fill the scaldino with glowing coals,then take three pinches of best incense and three
of the second quality,and put them all ‘in fila ’ (in a row)on the threshold of the door.Then take
the rest of your incense and the cumin,and put it into the burning coal,and carry it about,and wave
it over the bed and in every corner,saying:. In nome del cielo! Delle stelle e della luna! Mi levo
questo mal d ’occhio Per mia maggior ’ fortuna! Befana!Befana!Befana! Che mi date mal d ’occhio
maladetta sia Befana!Befana!Befana! Chi mi ha dato il maldocchio Me lo porta via E maggior fortuna
Mi venga in casa mia!. Translation: In the name of heaven And of the stars and moon, May this
trouble change Befana!Befana!Befana! Should this deed be thine; Befana!Befana! Befana! Take it
away,bring luck,I pray, Into this house of mine!
Â
Then when all is consumed in the scaldino,light the little piles of incense on the threshold of the
door, and go over it three times, and spit behind you over your shoulder three times,and say:
Â
Befana!Befana!Befana! Chi me ha dato maldocchio!Me lo porta via
Â
Translation: Befana!Befana! Befana!I say, Since thou gavest this bad luck, Carry it away!
Â
Then pass thrice backwards and forwards before the fire,spitting over the left shoulder,and
repeating the same incantation.
Â
Looking for a place to celebrate in the typical Italian tradition...here are a few! Paularo,Italy
:La Femenate Bonfire (January 6). Tarcento,Italy :Pignarul Giant Bonfire Festival (January 6).
Cividale,Italy :Historical Pageant and Costume Parade (January 6). Gemona,Italy :Messa del Tallero
Medieval Pageant (January 6). Milan,Italy :Epiphany Parade of the Three Kings proceeds from the
Duomo to the church of Sant ’Eustorgio (January 6).
Â
The legend of the Befana has had an important role in the imagination of all children of the world.
Those who wish to relive the magic of the first wonders of infancy and understand the meaning and
origins of this extraordinary figure,should be prepared to undertake a long voyage that will carry
them back in time,to the origins of human ’s history.
Â
This little old lady so dear to children has continued to fascinate them for centuries, and they
still await her arrival on the night of her holiday.The gatherings at La Befana are filled with
music, song,traditional foods, sweets and gifts.Celebration reigns supreme, with people opening
their hearts by sharing love and peace in the World.
Â
Sources: "The Legend of Old Befana ", Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,1980,by Tomie dePaola "Etruscan
Magic &Occult Remedies" by Charles Godfrey Leland,University Books,NY,1963 Befana incantation from
"Etruscan Magic &Occult Remedies ", by Charles Godfrey Leland,University Books,NY,1963. "Befana " by
Fabrisia - 4b.
-
La Befana - The Celebration of Epiphany
Posted by: "Cher Chirichello" CHIC0411@YAHOO.COM chic0411
Wed Jan 4, 2012 7:22 pm (PST)
La Befana - The Celebration of Epiphany
Holidays in Italy are rich in traditions which have,for the most part,a religious history.
A favorite Italian holiday occurs on January 6. It is commonly known as "La Befana " (Twelfth Night or the Eve of the Epiphany or Little Christmas ).  La Befana is a personification of the "spirit of the Epiphany " and can almost be co nsidered a nickname for "Epifania," the proper Italian word for epiphany.While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity.
January 6 was also kept as the physical birthday in Bethlehem.
Tradition depicts La Befana as a kindly old lady with a stereotypical nose with a big red mole on top of it and a pointy chin.Wearing an old coat mended with carefully with colorful patches and tattered shoes,she flies around on a broom and carries her black bag filled with sweets and presents for the children. Entering the houses through the chimney she places her gifts inside the children ’s stockings hung with care,the night before.The buoni ragazzi (good kids)are very happy to find their stocking filled with presents.They have been busy writing letters to La Befana, la buona strega (good witch).But for the children who have not been good,there will not be presents,but a lump of coal!
The origin of the tradition is veiled in mystery and in all likelihood this poetic figure goes back to country legends of pre-Christian times.
Befana also exists in various other popular traditions.For instance on the evening of January 5 th ,"The Old Woman " ((symbolizing the out going winter),Befana appears in street processions as a masked figure with her consort, "Befano ","The Old Man ".Their followers revel as music fills the street,they receive offerings,the gift of prosperity and blessings from Befana.Then to assure a good year, the dolls are burned in effigy in the town square,welcoming the returning spring.
Her festival has usurped an ancient pagan feast set celebrated on the Magic Night,the 6th day of the New Year,chosen by ancient Eastern astronomers according to their complicated calculations. Epiphany was, therefore, pagan in origin.Only later was the day associated with the life of Christ.
Â
Apparently there was a woman with a broom called Befana found on some Etruscan scratchings. The people in remote areas of the Emilia still call on her by that version of the name to bestow or cure malocchio (evil eye).Even la scopa (the broom)is considered a blessing against evil. In Italy tradition,however,the Christmas holidays ending on 6th January,is quite fitting for a gift-giver since the Feast of the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi (or 3 Wise Men)to the infant Jesus,with their gifts of gold,frankincense, and myrrh.The Magi were named Balthazar, Melchior,and Gaspar,according to tradition.According to legend the three men during their journey stopped and asked an old woman for food and shelter.She refused and they continued on their way.Within a few hours the woman had a change of heart but the Magi were long gone.
 The Befana is depicted as a witch astride a broom,still searching the world for the Baby Jesus. Thinking of the opportunity she had missed,Befana stops every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ child.Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus.
Many welcome La Befana by laying out a small meal for her.Consisting of sausage and broccoli and usually accompanied by a glass of wine.After her arrival, it is a time for celebration and people move from house to house visiting friends and relatives.
This is a song used by some Italian children,a rough translation into English would be:
La Befana comes at night
In tattered shoes
Dressed in the Roman style
Long live la Befana!!
She brings cinders and coals
To the naughty children
To the good children
She brings sweets and lots of gifts.
Take frankincense, both of the best and the inferior kind,also cumin seed.Have ready a separate scaldino (spirit bowl),which is kept only for this purpose.And should it happen that affairs of any kind go badly,fill the scaldino with glowing coals,then take three pinches of best incense and three of the second quality,and put them all ‘in fila ’ (in a row)on the threshold of the door.Then take the rest of your incense and the cumin,and put it into the burning coal,and
carry it about,and wave it over the bed and in every corner,saying:
In nome del cielo!
Delle stelle e della luna!
Mi levo questo mal d ’occhio
Per mia maggior ’ fortuna!
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Che mi date mal d ’occhio maladetta sia
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Chi mi ha dato il maldocchio
Me lo porta via
E maggior fortuna Mi venga in casa mia!
Translation:
In the name of heaven
And of the stars and moon,
May this trouble change
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Should this deed be thine;
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Take it away,bring luck,I pray,
Into this house of mine!
Â
Then when all is consumed in the scaldino,light the little piles of incense on the threshold of the door, and go over it three times, and spit behind you over your shoulder three times,and say:
Befana!Befana!Befana!
Chi me ha dato maldocchio!Me lo porta via
Translation:
Befana!Befana!
Befana!I say,
Since thou gavest this bad luck,
Carry it away!
Then pass thrice backwards and forwards before the fire,spitting over the left shoulder,and repeating the same incantation.
Â
Looking for a place to celebrate in the typical Italian tradition...here are a few!
Paularo,Italy :La Femenate Bonfire (January 6).
Tarcento,Italy :Pignarul Giant Bonfire Festival (January 6).
Cividale,Italy :Historical Pageant and Costume Parade (January 6).
Gemona,Italy :Messa del Tallero Medieval Pageant (January 6).
Milan,Italy :Epiphany Parade of the Three Kings proceeds from the Duomo to the church of
Sant ’Eustorgio (January 6).
The legend of the Befana has had an important role in the imagination of all children of the world.
Those who wish to relive the magic of the first wonders of infancy and understand the meaning and origins of this extraordinary figure,should be prepared to undertake a long voyage that will
carry them back in time,to the origins of human ’s history.
This little old lady so dear to children has continued to fascinate them for centuries, and they still await her arrival on the night of her holiday.Â
The gatherings at La Befana are filled with music, song,traditional foods, sweets and gifts.Celebration reigns supreme, with people opening their hearts by sharing love and peace in the World.
Â
Source: "The Legend of Old Befana ", Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,1980,by Tomie dePaola
"Etruscan Magic &Occult Remedies" by Charles Godfrey Leland,University Books,NY,1963
Befana incantation from "Etruscan Magic &Occult Remedies ", by Charles Godfrey Leland,University Books,NY,1963.
"Befana " by Fabrisia
Â
Cher
New_Jersey_Pagans...Come in and Chat with us!
Main Yahoo Group NJP:Â http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/New_ Jersey_Pagans/
Ning Web NJP:Â http://njpagans.ning.com/
Myspace NJP: Â http://www.myspace.com/njp_cher
FB Page NJP:Â Â Â http://www.facebook.com/# !/NJPagans
FB Group NJP:Â http://www.facebook.com/groups. php?ref=sb# /group.php? gid=93725735017
- 5.
-
Holy Day of Apollo Spell
Posted by: "Cher Chirichello" CHIC0411@YAHOO.COM chic0411
Wed Jan 4, 2012 7:00 pm (PST)
Holy Day of Apollo SpellÂ
Incense of the day: Cedar
To open yourself to new
business possibilities, try this spell. Write the name of a desired new
endeavor on a paper plate. This could be a new career or a new
investment. Make a hole in the middle of the plate and pass a string
through it. Twirl the plate clockwise, and say:
Wheel of fortune, Â
Spinning round,
This is where my future is found.
Grant me courage to step forth
And change for better my life’s course.
Place the plate where you will see it each day. Visualize yourself happy with this new choice
each time you see the plate. Decorate it and add to its magic. Note:
Today is one of the celebration days of Apollo, who is the god of
prophecy. Ask for his guidance if you’re unsure of your future. Seek him in your sleep and dream of new destinies.
By: Nancy BennettÂ
- 6.
-
Thursday's Correspondence...January 5
Posted by: "Cher Chirichello" CHIC0411@YAHOO.COM chic0411
Wed Jan 4, 2012 7:14 pm (PST)
Thursday's Correspondence...January 5
Today's Influences: Agriculture, Domestic, Long Life, Medicine, Travels, Visions, Theft
Deities: Thor, Zeus, Jupiter, Juno, Luna, Selene, Diana, Re, Gaelach, Ida, Artemis [Whom The Greeks Associated With Bast], The Witches, Yemaya, Erzulie, Bast
Incense: Myrtle
Aromas: White Poppy, White Rose, Wallflower
Color of The Day: Silver, Grey, White
Candle: White
Color: Royal blues, greens
Planet: Jupiter
Metal: Tin
Gemstones: Turquoise, amethyst, lapis lazuli
Herbs & Plants: Honeysuckle, oak trees, cinquefoil
Associations: Honor and family loyalty, harvests, clothing and riches, fealty
Use for magic involving the subconscious, healing, emotions, love, spirituality, healing wounds, children, small animals, women's mysteries, the female side of men, mothers, sisters, female partners, wives, instincts
What's Happening Today:
Kore's Day
Twelfth Night/Epiphany Eve.
Old Christmas Eve. Old Christmas Eve/Twelfth Night: With One Blow, Boys Would Nail The Tailcoats Of Window Shoppers To The Window Frame Of Pastry Shops.
Eve Of Wonder.
England: Twelfth Night Revel.
Syria: Night Of The Magic Mule.
Syria: Night Of Increase.
Southern Syria: Night Of The Magic Camel.
St. Agatha's Day. Also Known As Santo Gato, She Appears As A Cat & Can Summon Storms When Angry.
Burning Of Greens.
Glastonbury, England: Blooming Of Glastonbury Thorn, Offshoot Of The Staff Of Joseph Of Arimathea.
Discordian Festival Of Blessed Saint Hung Mung.
Old Bohemia: Beginning Of Carnival.
Festival Of Pyrotechnics.
1834 -- US: Kiowa Indians record this as the night the stars fell
Eve of Wonder
Bird Day
Fair Deal Day
Nones of January
St. Simeon Stylites (patron of shepherds)
Apple Howling Day
National Whipped Cream Day
Epiphany Fair (Italy)
St. John Nepomucene Neumann's Day (1st male US Saint)
- 7a.
-
The Legend of La Befana -- The Italian Christmas Witch
Posted by: "Cher Chirichello" CHIC0411@YAHOO.COM chic0411
Wed Jan 4, 2012 7:53 pm (PST)
The Legend of La Befana -- The Italian Christmas Witch
Â
For Our Italian Members, if you like to share more bout La Befana
We'd love to hear your stories......
Â
Italian Lore
Roman & Greek (History, brief)
The Legend of La Befana
It is a great mistake to think that there are no fairies in Italy, and one of the nicest is called La Befana, and she belongs to Christmas just like the holly and mistletoe and snowmen. She comes only once a year as the Three Kings do, and she is not young and beautiful, but old and bent and more like a witch than a fairy.
In fact, before people realized how kind she was, they thought of her as a wicked witch and rang bells made of earthenware and blew glass trumpets to frighten her away. But all this has been forgotten now, and anyhow, the Befana never deserved it as her story will show.
The first thing to notice about her is that she is very ancient, and when Our Lord was born the Befana was already a little bent and her hair was white. She had a tiny cottage outside Bethlehem and after her husband died she lived there alone, and she was always rather sad because she had no children to keep her company.
Well it happened that the winter two thousand years ago was extremely cold and all the poor people suffered very much, and the Befana got so stiff in the knees that she couldn't hurry for anyone, but still, when her firewood got low, she had to struggle out into the woods on the opposite hill to where her cottage stood; but on that particular night the moonlight was so wonderful that the Befana could hardly tear herself away from the window, and if she had known how to read she could easily have done so without a candle. Somehow the whole world seemed alive; "How strange," thought the Befana, "the sky looks as though it were quivering; I'm sure I see things moving, and what a frost there must be, I can hear the ground singing." And though she was not at all an imaginative person, she stayed at the window a long time, and it was past midnight when she went to bed. She woke up late and the sun was shining and the air was very crisp and brilliant, and the
Befana felt elated and hardly groaned at all about her old bones though she was stiffer than ever and there wasn't much for dinner. Still, she felt so happy that she began to sing even while she lit the fire and cooked.
A few days passed and then one afternoon she went out to gather some sticks and it took her rather longer than usual, so by the time she had brought down one bundle the sun was beginning to set and an unusually bright star shone in the sky. She was just starting to go and fetch the other two bundles she had left behind when a party of riders drew up at her gate. There were quite a lot of them and they had evidently come a long journey for there were camels and mules laden with baggage and a number of servants dressed in a strange fashion, not at all like one saw around Bethlehem. The Befana stared at themand she heard them chattering in an unknown tongue. Toward the end of the procession came three men riding together on camels, and when they saw the Befana they stopped and one of them, a very dignified old man with a long white beard, called to her with a foreign accent: "My good woman, would you tell us whether the city yonder be Bethlehem?"
"Yes it is, sir," answered the Befana, "but I doubt if you will find any lodging there; every corner is full to overflowing with folk come for the census. But they do say too how the inn keeper, has made a fortune by charging whatever he liked just for a roof and shelter, being always fond of money. You are late though, if you have come for the census, tor the last day of enrollment is tomorrow."
"We are not come to enroll ourselves," answered the old man, "for we are from a far off land not subject to Caesar. God the Almighty One has put it into our hearts to seek for His Christ, the great King of the Jews, who is now newly born, and He has sent that most bright star to guide us to where we may find and worship Him, and I think we are near to our journey's end. How is it that you have not heard of this?"
The Befana listened in round-eyed amazement, even she could see that these were no ordinary travelers, and there was the star shining as no other star ever shone; it all sounded very wonderful, and almost before she knew what she was saying she had cried out: "Oh sir, couldn't I find that King too?"
"Certainly," replied the old man, "but you must come with us at once for we cannot dally by the way since our star never stops." And he made as though to go on.
"Oh sir, sir, do wait a moment; just a little, while I go and fetch the bundles of wood I have left out on the hill; if I don't go and get them now the woodman will surely steal them and then where should I be! But I will be very quick."
So the Befana hobbled hurriedly to fetch her bundles of sticks, but the old man shook his head and pointing to the star he gave the signal to move on and when the poor old Befana came back the caravan had disappeared though she could still hear the camel bells tinkling in the distance.
"Oh dear, oh dear, " cried the Befana, "whatever shall I do now? They have left me behind, but I suppose I ought not to have thought such fine quality as themselves could wait for an old woman like me. How shall I ever find Christ that King?"
Â
Then quite suddenly the Befana found herself' wringing her hands and crying and not caring for anything, not even for the bundles of wood nor her supper; she only wanted to follow the riders. She began to run along the road and then such an extraordinary thing happened; she found she was running faster and faster, and she didn't feel old any longer, only the city seemed so far away she despaired of ever getting there.
The first person she met was a peasant, and she stopped rather out of breath. "Tell me," she panted, "have you seen a party of riders pass this way? I have missed them and must catch up."
"A party of riders, did you say?" answered the peasant slowly. "Yes, I saw them and they spoke to me and I told them what I could. We don't often see such folk in these parts but their coming must be all part of the strange happenings of these last days."
"What happenings do you mean?" asked the Befana. "My cottage is too far from the village and so I hear little news."
"What, " returned the peasant, "you don't mean to say you have not heard what befell the shepherds out on the hill some twelve nights ago? Why my own cousin was among them, and wonderful it was and fearful too. They saw first one angel who appeared quite close to them and talked with them as man to man, and told them of a newborn Saviour who is to be the king of our own country and of all the world. And the angel told them to hurry over the hill, that hill opposite to your own cottage, to a cave that all the shepherds know of, and there they would find the Child newborn and lying in a manger. And my cousin says that all of a sudden he and the other shepherds felt themselves surrounded by a host of angelic beings, and the sky was filled with light and they heard music and words of peace and praise. All their fear left them, the dogs began to bark, the sheep to bleat, and he and his fellows ran over the hill until they came to the cave. There they found a
woman, young and very fair, gazing at a newborn Babe who was lying in a manger, and the cave was filled with light and the sound of heavenly singing.
"At first they wondered that the Child should be found in a cave, but it seems that the innkeeper had refused the man and woman lodging in the inn. My cousin is a changed man from all this and he came to tell us of these marvels, but it is not good to speak of them openly for some men jeer and call us fools, and others might try to do that child some harm. But I have told you because the Old Wise Man, whom I take to be a King, warned me thata woman would follow in their steps and he charged me to entreat you never to give up the search until you, too, have found the Child and His Mother. When you find that Child I think you find the greatest good in the whole world. And now you must go on, and if you are ready to follow the guiding of the Star which is the desire of your own heart, you will surely find him too; but you look to me young, not old, and I think you still have a long way to go." With this he turned away.
The Befana listened to all the peasant had said, and she thought of how she might already have found Him and how she had missed her opportunity by being so anxious about those sticks. What did she care for them now, neither they, nor her house, nor anything mattered at all, only the burning desire of her heart of which the peasant had spoken.
So she went on stopping at many houses to ask if here was the Babe, the King of the Jews, and she could find no house sheltering a man and woman and newborn babe. Even when she asked for news of a caravan of riders, she only heard that they had indeed been seen but were gone on their way again, no one knew where. So very sad and extremely tired, the Befana sank down under an archway and fell asleep, and while she slept she dreamed of the Old Man who had spoken to her, of all the peasant had told her, and in the far distance she seemed to see a child beckoning to her and she woke just as she was starting to run toward him.
So the Befana's long journey began, and at first it took her all over the earth and into every corner of the world; she crossed the great mountain ranges, and deserts and oceans; she forded rivers and passed through forests. And so she saw all the beauty God had created, and met many strange animals, and she found that they too knew of the Baby King. As to men, she soon gave up asking them anything for they only contradicted each other, but she thought that if she went steadily to every child, in the end she was bound to find that one baby for whom she was searching. And remembering the Kings and their long caravan of pack mules laden with gifts, she got an old sack and filled it with every kind of thing that children most enjoy; only I think there must have been something magical about that sack, for though the Befana is still traveling, it never gets too heavy or full for her to carry, and yet she never gets to the bottom or runs short of toys.
Gradually Italy came to be her special country for further north she found Saint Nicholas was busy looking after children's Christmas presents, and he called himself Santa Claus and dressed up like a grandfather snowman for the occasion; and though he was a saint, he was very annoyed when he found the Befana who was reputed to be a witch trespassing on his ground, so he promptly sent her away, promising that when he found the Christ Child he would let her know. However Saint Nicholas had so much to do in his own country that he never got to Italy, so there the Befana had the field all to herself, and every year just after Christmas she goes the rounds of the children from the Alps to Sicily, slipping into their nurseries when they are asleep and she always leaves them a present. Only if they have been naughty, then she leaves a little bit of coal too just to show that she knows all about their misdemeanors.
And isn't it a proof of how stupid men can be, that in spite of the Befana's obvious good will, they should ever have thought her to be a wicked witch and threatened children that she would come and carry them off as though she had been the boogeyman. Now I am glad to say, people have grown wiser and little boys no longer sing rude songs about her, and the earthenware bells and glass trumpets that used to be made to frighten her away have all been forgotten.
But still the Befana prefers that no one shall see her so it is useless for children to pinch themselves to keep awake on the night when she is expected, and of course being a fairy she has every right to be invisible whenever she chooses. Very often too she lets other people give the presents for her but you may be sure that, though she can't be seen, she is there all the time smiling in the corner.
Naturally in all this long time the Befana has gotten to know any number of children for she goes into palaces where the King's little sons and daughters hang out their stockings just like the children of the gardener or the chimney sweep, but I think she has always found the kings of the earth very different from the Baby who was King in Bethlehem. That is why she really feels more at home among the poor, and the poorer the parents, the more presents the Befana leaves for the children, for she feels a mother to them all. And if she meets some who have no homes and no stocking to hang up, why then she can't rest till she sees they have what they want. If the Befana could have her way, every poor child would be taken out of the streets and the towns and set down in a nice clean cottage surrounded with fields of flowers and scurrying rabbits, and every flower would have the magic gift of making the child who picked it perfectly happy. But search as she may
among the poorest people of town or country, she has never found anyone as poor as that man and woman in the hillside cave, and never a baby cradled in a manger with an ox and ass to warm him.
Sometimes when that Baby seemed further off than ever, the Befana even thought of looking for Him in the Christmas Cribs which are set up in the churches, and once she managed to get into the great church in Rome where at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is shown the cradle of Our Lord. "Now surely at last," thought the Befana, "I shall see the Bambino Gesu;" she prayed so hard and scarcely dared to look up, so much did she long to see a little living Child lying in the cradle, but though the choir sang most sweetly, it was not the song of the angels, and when, at last through the mist of incense and many lights she did look at the altar, she saw the cradle was empty.
And the poor old Befana sank down on the step of a chapel and began to cry. She stayed there quite a long time never noticing the people as they came and went, or the children as they jostled past her in their anxiety to get a good view. When she looked up again the church was empty. She thought she heard the figures laughing, but laughing so kindly that she didn't feel a bit hurt, and the old King beckoned her to approach. Then the man who was nearest to the Mother and Child, he whom the shepherds had seen watching the entrance to the cave, turned toward her. "Poor old Befana," he said, "you have been searching for a very long while but you are just a little mistaken. You want to find the Bambino Gesu as He was that night in Bethlehem when the angels sang in the sky, but that cannot be. The Christ Child cannot now be found in one human child, but in all children; He is in each one to whom you give your gifts for the One dwells in the many, and the
searching never ends nor does the finding. Your place is not here, but among all living children." And the laughter ceased, Saint Joseph and the King fell back into their fixed positions and the Befana hurried away quite happily for she remembered how many children were still waiting for her.
Now I think this episode happened to the Befana about two hundred years ago and though I have no documents to prove it is true; things often happen in the lives of fairies that never get into the official biographies. In some Presepi, moreover, of about that time you may even see in one corner among all the other folk, a nice tidy old woman with a tall hat rather like a witch's and a bundle of sticks in her apron, and a chance acquaintance might easily take her for the Befana.
But I am sure that after what Saint Joseph said, the Befana doesn't really want a place among the dolls; she is much too alive and busy for that, and now that she knows the searching and finding go together, she is quite happy.
And so this is a story that can't have any proper ending, for there will be Christmas and children as long as the world lasts, and if dear old Befana deserted us now, we should have to find all our former bells and trumpets, only this time they would be used to call her back.
http://images.google.com/ imgres?imgurl= http://village. fortunecity. com/radclyffe/ 541/SoulKitchen/ Folklore/ itwitch.gif& imgrefurl= http://village. fortunecity. com/radclyffe/ 541/SoulKitchen/ Folklore/ folklore. html&usg= __qur-3dtpYyNV15 zd8Bk_6E2ZAeU= &h=414&w= 359&sz=37& hl=en&start= 1&um=1&tbnid= QbifiEPcD- 6TAM:&tbnh= 125&tbnw= 108&prev= /images%3Fq% 3Dla%2Bbefana% 26um%3D1% 26hl%3Den% 26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_ en___US214% 26sa%3DN
_____________________ _________ _________ _________ ______
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The Legend of La Befana
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The story of the kind and loving Italian witch who brings goodies for good children on Jan 5 is deeply ingrained in the minds of Italian children.
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Many centuries ago, King Herod decreed that the first born male child and each male child born in that year was to be slain. It was his desire to kill the child reported to have been born the new "King."
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Soldiers rampaged villages throughout the country murdering male children. One mother became so stricken with grief that she was unable to cry nor accept the loss of her son. She looked and looked around her house for her baby son. She became convinced that her child was not dead, but instead lost. She placed all her child’s belongings onto a tablecloth and bundled it at the end to carry it over her shoulder and set out searching from house to house for him.
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To this young mother it seemed much time had passed as she searched yet, in only a few days, she came upon a child. Convinced that she had found her lost son, she placed the cloth sack containing all her son’s belongings at the base of the manger where the child laid. The young father gazed at the face of this stranger bearing gifts and wondered about the many years in this old woman’s past. Her face had many lines and her hair was fully grayed.
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The child was Jesus Christ and in gratitude to the "OLD" woman’s generosity, He gave the woman a wonderful blessing. One night a year for all eternity, the woman He named "La Befana" for "giver of gifts," would have all the children of the world as her own. On that night, she would be able to visit each one, bringing them clothing and toys. The night is January 5 each year and the morning of January 6, children all over Italy find their stockings filled with sweet curly candy for being very good or a dark piece of coal if they have been bad. During the night of La Befana’s visit, she is hosted by each family with a plate containing broccoli and spice sausage plus a small glass of wine.
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In modern time, La Befana is only seen on rare occasions and indeed lives in the imaginations of small children.
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http://www.twilightbridge.com/ hobbies/festival s/christmas/ epiphany/ la_befana. htm
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The Legend of ‘La Befana’
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Fun Activities for the Home or Classroom
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La Befana is the benevolent old woman with magical powers who brings gifts to the children of Italy on the eve of the Epiphany.
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Like any other legend, there are many versions. There is an abundance of sources to research the history, origin, significance and the numerous versions of la Befana - an
Italian Christmas tradition. (Some resources are listed below.)
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Derivation:Â The name Befana is derived from the word epifania, the Italian name for the religious festival of the Epiphany.
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A Tradition for Children:Â In the weeks preceding Epiphany, the children of Italy are busy
writing notes to Befana telling her the presents they would most like to receive. And they are on their best behavior because they know that Befana will leave a lump of coal, instead of sweets and toys, for ill-behaved youngsters.
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The Legend:
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Synopsis:Â This story takes place at the time of the birth of Baby Jesus, the Christ Child.
La Befana is an old woman who lives in a house in the hills of Italy. She once had a husband and child, but now lives alone. Befana spends her days sweeping and baking.
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One night, Befana notices a bright light in the sky, she thinks nothing of it and goes back to her work of sweeping and baking. Later, a glorious caravan led by Three Wise Men stop and ask Befana for directions to Bethlehem and invite Befana to join them in their search for the Christ Child. But Befana is too busy and knows nothing of this far-away place nor the birth of a special baby. After the caravan disappeared over the hills, Befana thought of how much she missed her child who sadly died at a very young age. She changed her mind and wanted to visit this special child, because she loves children very much.Â
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So she placed some baked goods and gifts for the child in a sack, took her broom to help the new mother clean and raced out after the caravan in search of the Baby Jesus. Befana soon was lost. And just as she tired, angels appeared from the bright light, the magic star, in the sky to give flight to Befana on her broom - after all this was a night of miracles. She searched and searched for the Baby Jesus. Befana still searches, even today, even after all these centuries. And so, every year on the eve of the Epiphany, whenever Befana comes to a house where there is a child, she drops in to see if it might be the child she seeks.  It never is, but Befana leaves a gift anyway. For Befana has come to realize, over the years, that her searching is not vain, that in a way the Christ
Child can be found in all children.
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http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/ calandra/ community/ commbefa. html
Craft activity:Â Children can decorate a holiday stocking to prepare for the visit from la Befana.
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Color-in activity:Â To print a line drawing of la Befana, click here.
Storybook:Â To print a simple storybook, that you can color-in, about la Befana, click here.
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Full color image:Â To print a full color image of la Befana, click here.
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La Befana Doll:
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Among other places, a doll of la Befana can be purchased at:
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E. Rossi & Sons
191 Grand Street (at the corner of Mulberry Street), Little Italy, Manhattan
(212) 966-6640
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capri Universal, Inc.
615 East 187th Street (near Arthur Avenue), Belmont section of the Bronx
(718) 367-1843
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The Costume:
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The costume of la Befana is simple and can be created out of items from the house:
shawl
scarf
apron
old broken shoes (le scarpe tutte rotte)
eyeglasses
burlap sack
straw broom (la scopa)
coal (il carbone)
Storybooks:
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The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie De Paola
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Befana: A Christmas Story by Anne Rockwell
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The Legend of Befana by Henry Chafetz
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The Christmas Witch: An Italian Legend by Joanne Oppenheim
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The Christmas Witch by Ilse Plume
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Video:
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The Legend of Befana: The Italian Epiphany Tale by Judi Mazziotti
The tale is created in a bi-lingual video of puppetry and poetry.
($19.95, plus tax)
www.ritornello.com
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Websites:
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A simple keyword search of “la Befana†will retrieve several websites in English and Italian, such as;
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www.labefana.com
www.labefana.info
www.labefana.it
www.la-befana.it
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Viva, viva, la Befana !!!
- 8.
-
Second Guessing It
Posted by: "Holly Stokes" hollylstokes@gmail.com hollyberrysheart
Wed Jan 4, 2012 7:58 pm (PST)
Have you ever had a dream or a vision or even a thought or feeling and
it turn out to be true?
I bet you have.. many of us have at some point in time.
My question for you is this:
When that dream, vision, feeling or thought turned out to be true …
how did it make you feel? And why after it passed did you not continue
believing in yourself?
Did you dismiss it as coincidence?
Did you flick it away as if nothing more than wishful thinking that
just happened to be right?
Why not believe in yourself and your own inner knowing?
_____________________ _________ _________ ___
Don't be afraid to follow your insticts and that inner knowing that
stirs inside us all.
Take a moment to think back over all of the years you have lived so
far… think of the moments when you felt something about a situation,
person or moment and whether or not you listened to that inner knowing
or not and then how you felt when it turned outto be true. Oh and lets
not forget thos popular words we all mutter to ourselves "I should
have known" or "I knew it!" or "I should have listened to myself" or
"why did I doubt myself".
Think about all those moments and then answer my original question:
Why not believe in yourself and your own inner knowing?
--
Many Blessings,
Raventalker
Blog: http://www.MyRavenBlog.com
Blog for Artists: http://somethingcreativethiswaycome s.wordpress. com
Halloween Blog: http://simplyhalloween.wordpress. com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ravenguide
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ Raventalker777
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