Magical Giftbringers of Yule: Rozhanitsa

Somehow, the only Yuletide Giftbringer our dominant culture seems to know about is Santa Claus. But there are so many more Giftbringers to be found in myths and legends around the world! And many of them are female.

Each week from now until Solstice, I’ll share a different “Magical Giftbringer of Yule” with you.  The first one is the Russian goddess Rozanitsa. I first learned about her from Helen Farias, who discovered her in Mary B. Kelly’s book “Goddess Embroideries of Eastern Europe.” The “voice” below has been used as a script for someone playing the role of Rozanitsa in our Winter Solstice rituals or at our Lucia Parties.

Look to me, my children, to keep you safe, warm, and well-fed throughout the bitter winter. For I am the oldest goddess of the Russian plains, the ancient Mother of the Deer. I ran with the herds in the Paleolithic age when the first hunter took aim. I danced through the stars too, with my sisters the Sky Deer.

I am Rozhanitsa, the Birth-Giver. At this season, I bring forth a child who is sometimes a daughter and sometimes a deer. The reindeer of the far north, you know, are the only species of deer in which the female has antlers. The folksongs say that my daughters bear golden antlers — just another way of saying they are born on the sun’s birthday, don’t you think?

For centuries my women have honored me by creating their rich embroidered towels, aprons, and curtains. I love the bright red threads lovingly and laboriously sewn into the crisp white linens. Yes, that’s right — weave my protective magic into each stitch. I will keep your daughters safe as they labor to birth their own children. Give these cloths to each other on my birthday, December 26 — and bake the white-iced cookies I love so much, cut in the shape of a deer.

Ssssh. The night is frozen and the midnight black, but I carry my torch aloft for you, my children. I will keep you warm. I will fill your bellies. I will stay beside you till it is spring once more.

(This is an excerpt from my eBook,  A Crown of Candles: How to Throw a Fabulous Lucia Party. You can hear a clip of the song “Rozhanitsa” on the Midwinter Moon website. I created this portrait of Her back in 1998 in pen & ink and watercolor.)

Related posts:

1. Advent-of-the-Sun Calendar: Day 5
2. Gaian Children