Happy solstice (subheading: Rudolph story inaccuracies)

[Claire]

In the spirit of the season, I share this story of reindeer, the Deer Mother of old, Nordic folklore (which should appeal to the aspiring Vikings in our midst) and pagan celebration.

"Long before Santa charioted his flying steeds across our mythical skies, it was the female reindeer who drew the sleigh of the sun goddess at winter solstice. It was when we “Christianized” the pagan traditions of winter, that the white bearded man i.e. “Father Christmas” was born.

"Today it is her beloved image that adorns Christmas cards and Yule decorations – not Rudolph. Because unlike the male reindeer who sheds his antlers in winter, it is the larger and stronger doe, who retains her antlers. And it is she who leads the herds in winter.

"So this season, when we gather by the fire to tell children bedtime stories of Santa and his flying reindeer – why not tell the story of the ancient Deer Mother of old? It was she who once flew through winter’s longest darkest night with the life-giving light of the sun in her horns.

"Ever since the early Neolithic, when the earth was much colder and reindeer more widespread, the female reindeer was venerated by northern people. She was the “life-giving mother”, the leader of the herds upon which they depended for survival, and they followed the reindeer migrations for milk, food, clothing and shelter."

There's more. Complete with illustrative imagery.

[Rolf]

So those strong, admirable female leaders were fictionally subordinated to pull a fat man around the sky? Bloody 19th and 20th centuries, eh?

Not to wade into further discussions of ambiguous sex, but Rolf is a contraction of Rudolf.