I love reading about different traditions around Yule, and particularly the Nordic/ Swedish as my ancestry was originally from that part of the world.
The House brownies that we have spoken about on site in the past occur in other cultures too and in different forms. The “elf” reputed to live under the floorboards and who looked after the family and their livestock was honoured at Yule in Sweden. On Christmas eve the tomte would pay a visit to the family, and latterly was credited with the handing out of presents!

Here’s a wee extract from a site I found:



THE NORDIC FATHER CHRISTMAS
According to Nordic folklore there were ”tomtar” – brownies or goblins – on every farmstead, invisible beings who looked after and guarded the farm.

THE ”TOMTE” AND THE CHURCH
When Sweden was Christianized in the 11th century the clergy attempted to eradicate anything that might constitute a threat to the true faith. The Church did not give up the campaign against the ”tomte” until the 19th century.

TODAY’S ”TOMTE” OR SANTA
Our concept of what a ”tomte” should look like is based on artist Jenny Nyström who painted a ”tomte” as an illustration to Viktor Rydberg’s poem ”Tomten” in 1875.

THE ”TOMTE” (SANTA) AND GIFTS
Santa is supposed to arrive with gifts on Christmas Eve, December 24th. A friend or acquaintance of the family has then been persuaded to act the part of Santa, arriving with a great sack with Christmas presents in the evening. Giving presents at Christmas is a tradition harking back to Catholic St. Nicholas. Following the Reformation in Sweden it then became the task of the”tomte” to deal with the handing out of presents at Christmas.

http://www.linnevaveriet.se/uk/info/m_lucia.html

So anyone got another house brownies etc that they know of in other traditions and the associations that go with them? Do you honour your house brownie, land wight? And If so how and when?

Far too good for the Snug Rhi

I leave food out for the land sometimes here, though I should definately do more. I've said before that my home is surrounded by the woods but that the energy of the woods is found in my home and garden, an energy so strong that it can be felt by non-pagans too. An energy so strong that one night I opened the back door with the intention of a spot of fresh air and star gazing, and the atmosphere outside the door told me quite clearly to go back indoors, my presence in my own garden was not wanted. I obeyed without question

It neither hob nor wight but the energy, the being of the woods themselves, I honour them by doing my best to look after their land without interfering

Perhaps there's a case for a new forum - Myth, Folklore and Tradition?

That used to just be within general really, since folklore and myth are such a normal part of pagan ways.

Rhi said,

Anyone else got anything to add?

I have an interesting relationship with the spirits of my hearth and home. They seem to enjoy playing hunt the thimble (or glasses, packet of biscuits, pen, key, cutlery etc..) with me and me mum being doing the hunting.

They do return what they take though (often where you have already looked 5 times) and I have taught me mum how to ask for things to be given back when we need them (works to; knife is missing from drawer, not on work top, not in sink, not in fridge, not in shopping bag etc... ask 'them' to give it back, go out of the room, come back and its on the work top!!!)

As such I tend to include them in my rituals (well they are there so I might as well invite them) and each midwinter leave them a little bowl of something warming and alcoholic. What they leave is then given to the land.

Of course me mum says its evaporation....

Kev

Anyone else or am I alone in seeing the flash of energy, sense of presence and am willing to have a chat with my house wights?
Evaporation love it!! then again it could be the cat

In the Black Country the local equivalent of a housewight was known as "Lob Lie by the Fire" and he was helpful to those who made an effort and were respectful but if you were lazy or insulted him he took off - often after having a total hissy fit.

Housewights are traditionally given a day off on a Thursday so that's when I leave an offering for ours. He likes brown spirits - whisky, brandy, rum - and chocolate or cake. I've only seen him once and he appeared as an elderly man in 20th century dress.

More info on wights

House Ghosts

Wights

Wassail

Karen

Fascinating ta hon

Oh, are you debating our tomtar?
The tomte was origninally a little (often a bit grumpy) man that lives in the stable and looked after the animals and the people at the farm. He was small and had grey clothes. It was important to stay friends with him, too treat him with respect. At jul evening a bowl of food where placed in the stable for him, in respect for him and to thank him for looking after the farm.
The next day the food was gone and nobody ever thought about cat, mice or other creatures... it was eaten by tomten.

We still carry the image of tomten ( father christmas) as an older man in grey clothes, with a lantern in his hand.




Blessed be

Deerheart

oh that's lovely info Deerheart and Karen