January Æfterra Geola

Introduction to January (Æfterra Geola = after Yule) Updated

Popular Anglo-Saxon pass times included singing, poetry and storytelling on these long dark nights. Ploughing and sowing were possible during the month but miserable!

Live stock was gathered close to the settlement in order to protect from wolves and facilitate easier feeding in the cold.

Animal guising on the Kalends of January was also popular but banned by Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 690. (Liber Poenitentialis)

If anyone on the Kalends of January goes about as a stag or a bull; that is making himself into a wild animal and dressing in the skin of a herd animal, and putting on the head of beasts; those who in such wise transform themselves into the appearance of a wild animal,penance for three years because this is devilish.

Similar festivals are also mentioned on the continent. Compare with the Bulgarian early spring festival of Kukeri and the Germanic winter festival of Krampuslauf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WLnl5ZWG4tg#!

In these surviving versions of this festival the object of the scary guising is to chase off winter.

Hagtesse were supernatural females that rode out in groups and caused harm.

January (Æfterra Geola)

Beware demon, of winter fear,

First Kalends of, frozen new year.

With just two legs, guised as a stag,

Clad in beast skins, or as a hag.

Beware darkness, for it is here,

Mirror on pond, cut crisp and clear.

Winter wonder, spell of dark cast,

Wassailing feast, feels for long passed.

Beware winter, cold crisp and cruel,

Feasting finished, month after Yule.

First frozen month, of year art here,

Light days wilt soon, be drawing near.

Beware of men, animal heads atop,

Dressed in skins, they jump and hop.

As old woman, Hagtesse guised,

Beware of men, with scary eyes.

Beware of work, in yon hard meads,

Our winter food, must serve our needs.

Wild winter wind, bloweth severe,

Sat around fire, brings us some cheer.

Beware white wolves, we have to guard,

Bring back the beasts, into the yard.

Frosty fields be, firm frozen hard,

Let's make merry, with singing bard.

Beware antlers, on head of man,

Beware the beast, with head of ram.

Beware weapon men, with their head gear,

Beware of death, let's face our fear!

Copyright Andrew Rea 2009 December 2012