On St Thomas’s Eve in Austria, unmarried ladies would slice an apple in two to foresee their wedding. If there was an even number of pips, she would marry soon, an odd number meant a wait, if she’d cut through one of the pips she would have a more troubled life and end up a widow.
It was believed that the weather for the 21st December to 21st March, could be foretold from the breast-bone of a Christmas goose. The more discolouration present when the bone has been revealed after cooking indicates an in increase in storms & bad weather in those months.
At the winter solstice, the Yule bannock was made between noon and six o’clock before being baked over the Cailleach Nollaig (the Scottish Yule log). Its edges were indented to depict the rays of the sun, and each person in the house was expected to turn the bannock sunwise as it cooked to ensure that bad luck would not befall the family. It was also common for divination charms to be dropped into the batter.
This is the day to make or indulge in saffron buns for St Lucia Day as enjoyed in several Scandinavian countries. These buns - (Lussekatter) are supposed to resemble cats tails wrapped around each other. St Lucia is celebrated as a symbol of light in the dark of the year, with processions of girls in white dresses, the leader with a candle headdress.
Lutzelfrau, a German folkloric figure who could appear at your door and check your household for cleanliness on 13 December. If your house met inspection and the children appeared to be well behaved she would not abduct any children but instead before she went, gave her skirts a shake, letting fall sweets, fruits, and nuts interspersed with turnips and potatoes which may or may not contain coins inside. #Folklore@folklore@folklorethursday#festive
Have you seen a pickle ornament hanging on a Christmas tree? It has amazing circular folklore, originally believed by Americans to be a German tradition to hang the pickle as the last ornament & hidden in the branches. The first child to spot it would have good luck. Apparently few German’s have ever heard this and these are now sold in Germany with the suggestion that this is an American tradition!
As well as being naturally dressed in festive colours, it is believed to bring good luck if you eat an apple on Christmas Eve. Also If you slice an apple in 1/2 on Xmas day and it reveals a star, you will have health & happiness for the year ahead. Some also believe you can use the pips on St Thomas Eve to foretell a wedding.
It used to be considered unlucky to cut either the Christmas cheese or Christmas cake before Christmas Eve. They must then last through the 12 days of Christmas but be eaten by 12th Night. I’m struggling to not eat all the lebkuchen by next weekend.
A single girl wanting to know about her marriage prospects could approach the door of the henhouse on Christmas Eve, tap it smartly, and wait. If a hen cackled first, the chances for marriage during the coming year were poor. If a cock crowed, the future was bright and she should take an egg from the henhouse to use to determine his profession.
This year I also have an advent calendar! It is loosely linked to the folklore & food facts that I will be sending out via social media but enriched with added extras like vintage folklore related footage & festive short stories.