Month: December 2023

Okay, I know you’re probably why I’m curious about what’s the difference between an ogre and a troll. Although I’m pretty good on mythical or cryptid creatures, but for my next post I really wanted to get more information before I wrote it.

So here we are on a side quest to gain more knowledge of what really sets these two creatures a part. Two of the most fascinating and terrifying creatures in the vast tapestry of mythology and folklore are ogres and trolls. Even though they have some things in common, like their hideous looks and frequently antagonistic roles, they also differ from one another in unique ways due to their unique histories and traits. This post explores the distinctions between trolls and ogres by looking at their histories, characteristics, cultural significance, and roles in literature and other media.

Ogres

European folklore, especially French and Italian customs, is the source of ogres. The word “ogre” may have originated from the Latin “Orcus,” a god of the underworld in Roman mythology, and is thought to have gained popularity in the 17th century. Ogres are frequently portrayed as big, vicious animals that enjoy eating human flesh. These are frequently encountered as antagonists or villains in myths and fairy tales.

Trolls are in the same avenue, however they are worse than ogres in the fact they are dumber and lesser beings. But are in the same big and dumb category. Although, for Trolls they can appear as human in the Scandinavian stories. Sometimes, they will turn into stone when the sun hits them (Lord of the Rings).

I go on this rant to say this, remember the Yule Cat? Well, there is an ogress called, Gryla whom he accompanies. Gryla, is one character that sticks out for her menacing presence in the icy, dark realm of Icelandic mythology. One of the most enduring and notorious characters in Nordic folklore, Gryla is well-known for her terrifying demeanor, her association with the harshness of winter, and her horrifyingly macabre actions. Although she has evolved into a Christmas-related character over time, her roots are in older, darker times.

The story of Gryla has its origins in Iceland’s medieval traditions, where she is most frequently referred to as a giantess who is said to reside in the mountains with her many children and her cunning friend, the Yule Cat. As an ogre, she stands for the fears of the wild forces of nature, hunger, and cold. Gryla is frequently portrayed as a monstrous, enormous woman who is obsessed with having children, which gives her a very unnerving aura.

Gryla has traditionally been depicted as a terrifying character who prowls the countryside and gathers misbehaving kids. The stories said that she would capture mischievous children, take them to her cave, and cook them in a big cauldron for her meals. Her gory personality was probably a tactic used by parents to scare kids into acting in a certain way over the long winter (still a thing parents do in this current fucking day and age).

R.R. Martin said it best in his books, “the night is dark and full of terrors,” and with Gryla, the Yule cat and Yule Boys it can still hold a terrifying existence.

As Always Keep On Brewin!

What is the Yule Log? What does it mean, as I dive deeper into the pagan stories, this is my first step into the traditions, although having new clothes seems to be a thing I’ll be gifting to friends and family for futures to come. But what IS the Yule log and why is it so important?

The Yule log is a representation of coziness, celebration, and tradition. The Yule log, which has its roots in old pagan rituals and has developed through Christian customs, is now a treasured part of holiday celebrations, particularly around Christmas and in the winter. The Yule log’s symbolic meaning, historical development, and contemporary incarnations are all covered in this article.

The origins of the Yule log can be found in pre-Christian pagan customs in Northern Europe. The Old Norse word “jól,” which denotes the winter solstice celebration observed by the Norse and other Germanic peoples, is where the word “Yule” originates. A large log was ceremoniously brought into the home during these ancient celebrations, where it was placed in the hearth and burned as a symbol of warmth and light during the shortest time of the year. A common decoration for the Yule log was holly, ivy, and other seasonal foliage. This custom was thought to ward off bad spirits and bring good fortune for the upcoming year, so it was more than just a festive display. Families would huddle around the burning log to take advantage of its warmth.

The Yule Log Cake: The “Bûche de Noël,” a festive cake shaped like a log, is one of the most well-liked modern variations of the Yule log. Usually, a sponge cake rolled with cream or mousse and decorated to resemble a log is used to make this cake. It is now a traditional dish in many holiday meals across the globe.

The Yule Log Fireplace: A new variation of the Yule log has emerged with the introduction of television and digital media. The television show “Yule Log,” which debuted in the 1960s, shows a burning log in a fireplace on repeat while holiday music plays. This has gained popularity as a backdrop for holiday parties because it offers all the coziness and warmth of a real fire without requiring a conventional hearth.

The Yule log has multiple levels of meaning. It stands for the victory of light over darkness, rebirth hope, and the coziness of family and community. Its historical ties to prehistoric solstice festivities serve as a reminder of the seasons’ cyclical nature as well as the universal human desire to celebrate life and light in the midst of the bitter cold of winter.

Whether in its traditional form or with contemporary modifications, the Yule log is still a representation of joy and community during the winter months. The Yule log, with roots in pagan rituals and a place in modern holiday customs, is a symbol of the resilience of the human spirit and the value of finding warmth and light during the year’s darkest months. The Yule log serves as a reminder of the warmth and joy of the holiday season, whether it is consumed as a customary cake, a festive scene around the fireplace, or a ceremonial log.

As Always Keep On Brewin!!!

Alright like, I said in the previous post I’m going all out on the folklore and Yule traditions. The setting is now moving towards the Icelandic, it’s time to talk about the Yule lads, thirteen unruly troll boys.

Now, unlike Yule Cat who pounces and gobbles children whom aren’t outfitted with new clothes, this gang of 13 lads prank naughty children, but if you’re good you’re given a gift aka they remind me of the SourPatch Kids ( The American version.). Evidently, parents were banned back in the 1700’s for telling cruel benevolent stories of the Lads coming on Christmas Eve.

Honestly, I think the parents were tired of their kids being a pain in the ass and decided to scare the hell out of them so they stayed in line. Nowadays the lads are told in a way that they appear to be benign at best so as not to frighten children, sounds bit like a Disney bit, right? Although in my previous post,New Clothes? Death By Cat!! one of the Lads( smallest of the 13) was able not only to calm said feral beast, but ride him.

All and all I’d rather be pranked by 13 troll boys than be eaten by a giant feline fashionista or the the Yule Lads mother, whom strolls alongside said giant feline, nomming on naughty children in her wake. I don’t know about you but an “ogress troll” and gargantuan cat feasting on children would make me sure to mind my P’s and Q’s.

Morale of the story today is to be good, be kind to others and,

As Always Keep On Brewin!

Welcome to the month of Yule! for this month I’ll be covering nothing but Yule traditions and folklore. I practically rubbed my hands together in fiendish delight about the idea of covering pagan traditions and stories.

One that caught my eye was the Yule Cat. There isn’t a lot about this particular folklore only that there was a story about a monstrous beast that would come and eat you if you didn’t receive or get new clothes. Oh yeah, the title is pretty much self explanatory well, more of straight to the point. Evidently the Yule Cat, whom is said to be big as large homes, stalks the streets on Christmas Eve nights in search of children that don’t have new clothes for Christmas. If any child is found not to have new clothes they were gobbled down without remorse.

NOW, at first I thought what a dapper hungry fashion beast! But my face went from the look of mock disgust to realization, I did that every Christmas Eve. Infact, my family did that with me and my sister for as long as I could remember. Every Christmas Eve, we opened a single gift on Christmas Eve, normal, right? That’s a shelfer, nothing cooky or out of the norm there. But here is the kicker, we got new clothes. Every year was a new pair of pajamas. I was dumbfounded.

Like, wait …my family has been following a German folklore tradition?! And unbeknownst to me I found it to be normal, even my parents were shrugs* yeah this is the norm. My mind was instantly blown where the Yule Cat and our family tradition runs parallel. I do have Germanic background, but other than the new clothes aka pjs and German potato salad the buck stops there. I’m sure if I did, I’d find more parallels.

Now, it’s said the birth of the Yule Cat was to make sure the farmers made sure the yarn was done so that clothes could be made or they wouldn’t get paid, kind of a shit move don’t you think? Pushing people who work from sun up to sun down and then, feeding them this tale of, if you don’t do this your kids get eaten by the biggest feral feline known to man.

Side note, who wouldn’t want a giant cat coming cruising your house, as long as you have new clothes of course. Who wouldn’t want a giant cat if not ride it through a cold winter’s night, that’s a hint. One last tidbit of persnickety Yule Cat known as Jólakötturinn, doesn’t hunt alone, he prowls the streets with a troll ogress, but that is a story for another day.

Until Then, Keep On Brewin!