This is one of those strange ones, of what should perhaps be festive thoughts and ideas, but which took a rather dark turn. Thinking of times past, and how once people used to decorate a tree at Christmas to ward off evil spirits, only since the 1600’s they say, it can’t really be traced to before then. Leading me to thoughts of fireplaces, and recently have seen talk of the more elaborate ones found in grand settings, possibly being portals. So I wondered, about the open fireplace being a portal into the home, protected maybe only by the intention of those within, with charms and spells featuring throughout folklore and mythological history.

So, the thought moved on from Christmas, to the idea of vampires – and how they needed to be invited over the threshold they say, not able to gain access until you give them permission. You might see where this is going, but I will go there anyway. What if in the past, with people understanding more about evil and entities, could guard themselves against these things, and not be affected or infiltrated as much. But then time drifts on and people forget if they do not see, and a new time moves in. Of commercialism and consumerism, surely an opportunity to resurrect something that once was? Where you can take the blood red and turn it into clothing, and surround it with a story of something that will come into your house while you sleep, but only if you put out the decorations, and milk and cookies. Inviting it through the portal. And even one step further, with the ritual of presents and writing a letter to santa, signifying an exchange, and a contract for that exchange. Selling your soul for presents. A rather cynical look at it of course, as it could just as easily be said it is a ‘good’ contract, for worthy behaviour to be rewarded. But when it appears to be for grooming purposes in reality, to encourage greed and consumerism under the guise of kindness and family, I can’t help but think that it has been hijacked for a darker purpose than it appears.

And generally children are told not to talk to strangers, or accept presents from them, but when it comes to santa and Christmas, that goes out the window. I have never been comfortable with the whole thing, and clearly it has become a commercial enterprise over the last 100 years, but as with much, it seems to be a cover for a set ritual, and one the western world has been captured by. And as others have also pointed out over the years, santa just happens to be an anagram of a well know demon, an entity “that seduces humans into sin or falsehood“. Sometimes they say if there are a number of coincidences, then it is not a coincidence at all. But then again, it could just be seeing what we want to see they say. Although personally until recently, I very much enjoyed celebrating Christmas for the food, presents, decorations and as they call it ‘feeling festive’. But it has waned of late somewhat, and I do not feel that my energy should be directed towards it anymore, maybe that’s just a normal thing, growing out of the set routine that you can see is set for businesses making money and controlling peoples time, not about creating a genuine feeling. If there ever was such a thing for that time of year, we shall never know, but for what it has become I think I am happy to leave it behind…

(c) K Wicks