The Season of Misrule
“It was the beginning of the greatest Christmas ever. Little food. No presents. But there was a snowman in their basement.”
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
"But different things can often blend together," said the pine tree. "Let me tell you a funny story about pagan rituals.”
― Lemony Snicket, The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story
Christmas approaches, indeed as I write this it is Christmas eve. Tomorrow my family will converge and I’ll wonder why I put myself through this every year, all of the work that goes into this day, the cleaning and cooking.
Humbug.
I enjoy this time of year though, for the most part. I tell my partner I just like to moan, but those few hours of being with family in the warm house with good food and better drink seem to make up for the hours spent in preparation. But still, here now, I enjoy the solitude, the calm before the storm.
I’m not Christian and for me tomorrow (or, as you read this, today) is an extension of Yule. At this time of year everyone or nearly everyone is in good spirits, hope, joy and merriment fill the air, and I wonder of what could be achieved if only we could stretch it out. If only the feelings of goodwill towards others would extend into the new year and beyond. But even if they did, feelings can only get us so far.
As regular readers will know, I am something of a folklore nerd and of course, there’s a fair bit of folklore and folk practice to do with this time of year. But one aspect I can’t seem to shake this year is the Lord of Misrule. I keep seeing it everywhere and if I was one for signs or omens then I might take it as a, well, a sign.
Mumming and guising is a tradition noted in the history of most of the UK at this time of year and involved people dressing up and acting out plays, rhymes and songs, usually for a few coins, drink or food. The Lord of Misrule can be put in this category as well and involved a king or other noble person selecting and anointing a Lord of Misrule, a servant or low paid person who would rule for a select period of time in an inversion of societal norms. This was popular in Tudor times though some historians argue it has older, more ancient roots, perhaps with links to the Roman festival of Saturnalia and the Feast of Fools.
Either way, whatever the truth of the Lord of Misrule, I say we take inspiration from this (possibly) ancient tradition.
As the new year becomes something more real and tangible, I say we take the feelings of goodwill, merriment and joy that is plentiful at this time and take it into the future. I say we become Lords of Misrule, taking that which does not serve us, that which oppresses us and strangles us all and smash it to pieces. I say we become as the Lord of Misrule and seize back the power that we all have.
The solstice has been and gone and I’m all about taking our cues from nature. At this time, when nature and the land rests, growing in its power, I say we do the same. This might look like forging those community links, helping others who are in need, teaching, growing together, participating in mutual aid and solidarity. A lot of this work at the beginning isn’t so visible, but that’s okay, it’s the beginning of our reign of misrule after all and it might take a while for our works to bear fruit. Trees do not fruit in the spring, after all.
This is my Christmas message to you all. I’d say it’s better than the Queen’s Speech (shorter, that’s for sure), perhaps the beginning of my own misrule, eh?
But for now, I’m going to spend some time in the garden, away from the glow of fairy lights and the excess of the season. It’s cold outside, dark, damp and quiet. It’s what I need right now, before the hard work begins in earnest.
Whatever you celebrate this festive season, have a good one. Enjoy your feast of fools and let it sustain you into the new year so that you too can become your own Lord of Misrule.
“They are Man's and they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance and this girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
EMMA KATHRYN
Emma Kathryn, practises traditional British witchcraft, Vodou and Obeah, a mixture representing her heritage. She lives in the sticks with her family where she reads tarot, practises witchcraft and drink copious amounts of coffee.
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