Befana, Info on?

[Desert_Witch]

Hi Raven. I was wondering if you could tell us a bit about Befana, seeing as how the Solstice is soon upon us:santasmil Thanks in advance. DW

[raven grimassi]

Hi Raven. I was wondering if you could tell us a bit about Befana, seeing as how the Solstice is soon upon us:santasmil Thanks in advance. DW

I am happy to share what I can. First it must be noted that there are two versions of Befana. One is the modern version, which is Christianized, and presents Befana as a Witch who was invited to go with the Wise Men to the birth of Jesus. She did not show up in time, and it became her fate to continue to search for him throughout time. In this tradition she gives presents to children who serve as a surrogate for Jesus. January 6th is Befana's Day.

The older tradition is Pagan, and is traceable to Befana as a goddess figure (or in some casse as a fairy being). Here is link to some research on Befana done by two Italian anthropologists (includes two old engravings of Befana):

http://www.stregheria.com/Befana.htm

The modern observance of Befana's Day is much like the American Santa Claus theme. On the night of January 6th, Befana leaves presents in children's stockings hung upon the hearth. The stockings hung for Befana on the hearth are derived from ancient offerings to the goddess of Fate and Time. For such goddesses have always been associated with weaving, the loom, the spindle and distaff (of which the stockings are totems.) In old Italian folklore, Befana arrives flying on a broom, or a goat. This is symbolic of her connection to the plant and animal worlds, making her a woodland goddess as well as a goddess of annual renewal (the cycles of death and rebirth within Nature.)

Befana is also connected to ancestral spirits as a mythical ancestress who returns yearly. Through her timeless visits to the family hearth, her function is that of reaffirming the bond between the family and the ancestors through an exchange of gifts. The children receive gifts from Befana, which in ancient times were representations of ones ancestors, to whom offerings of food were set near the hearth (very much like cookies and milk are set out for Santa Claus). In Tuscany and elsewhere the Befana once appeared in street processions as a masked figure guiding a band of postulants who receive offers from families (and who, in turn, receive the gift of prosperity from Befana's blessings). There is a small revival of this custom beginning to arise.

In old Italian folk tradition an effigy of Befana is constructed of wood, depicting her holding a spindle and distaff. The effigy is stuffed with grapes, dried figs, chestnuts, pears, apples, carobs, with sapa and cotnognata. Later it is sawed open and the items are dispensed to the town folk, followed by the burning of Befana upon a pyre (thus returning the ancestral spirit to the kingdom beyond the tomb through the symbolism of the ascending fire.) The pyre is 6 to 7 meters high and has to be conical. Chopped wood is placed on the bottom of the stack. Next is placed brambles, then horse chestnuts and finally straw. Pyromancy is performed by the sparks exploding from the chestnuts as the pyre burns. The burning of Befana is also designed to return the old life to the new life, the decay of Winter feeding the soil of Spring. For the figure of Befana as a crone, is merely the reflection of her having aged by Winter. From the Autumn Equinox, Befana is born again, life renewed, and returns as Fana the woodland goddess of Spring.

I have attached two classic Befana images, and two photos of the pyre.

[Desert_Witch]

Wow Raven. That was great.:cheers: :fpraise: I know my Wife will get as much out of your post as I did(She is on here too.). The reason I asked was my Daughter. She is two this year and we wanted to start a Befana tradition for her rather than/in addition to, Santa as we are partialy of Italian heritage. My Wife and I both feel that the Sabbats and other Pagan Holidays we celebrate need to be as ...rich and meaningful to her as Grandmas explination of say...Christmas(We do the whole presents under the Tree thing on Yule). So what kind of food is apropriate for my Daughter to leave out for Befana on the night of Jan 6? Thanks in advance, again.:lol: DW

[Desert_Witch]

Raven, I almost forgot to tell you those pics were wonderful. The detail on each is terrific. What are the two figures made of? Thanks!

[raven grimassi]

The reason I asked was my Daughter. She is two this year and we wanted to start a Befana tradition for her rather than/in addition to, Santa as we are partialy of Italian heritage.

I used to play Befana for the children of my initiates. On the night of January 6th, I would leave a present on the doorstep of each home. With it I left a lighted candle (knowing the adults were home) and a small broom. I would ring the doorbell or knock on the door, and then leave quickly. It was fun for all.

The traditional method, however, is for the child to leave a stocking on the hearth or at the foot of his or her bed. Fruit is left for Befana as well as some pastry. In Italy there is a type of candy that looks like a lump of coal, and Befana leaves one for each child.

Your daughter might also like the Strega Nona books by Tomie DePaola. They are wonderful series of children's tales with a kindly old grandmother Witch. They should be easy to find in any large bookstore.


I almost forgot to tell you those pics were wonderful. The detail on each is terrific. What are the two figures made of?

They are ceramic.

On a side note, in Barga, there is actually a Befana village where children go for the celebration (it is like Santa's village). Attached are a couple of images.

[Desert_Witch]

[quote=raven grimassi;2926055]I used to play Befana for the children of my initiates. On the night of January 6th, I would leave a present on the doorstep of each home. With it I left a lighted candle (knowing the adults were home) and a small broom. I would ring the doorbell or knock on the door, and then leave quickly. It was fun for all.
That has got to be the nicest thing I haver ever heard of a HP doing :cheers:

(In their defense, My HP's did lend me their Van...That was way cool.)


The traditional method, however, is for the child to leave a stocking on the hearth or at the foot of his or her bed. Fruit is left for Befana as well as some pastry. In Italy there is a type of candy that looks like a lump of coal, and Befana leaves one for each child.

We are going to do that with her starting this year. Is it apropriate to make a small Altar/Shrine in honor of Befana?


Your daughter might also like the Strega Nona books by Tomie DePaola. They are wonderful series of children's tales with a kindly old grandmother Witch. They should be easy to find in any large bookstore.

We will check them out. My Daughter is already showing signs of being a total book junkie, just like Mom and Dad. Thanks! (and for the record, we do have quite a few of yours!)



On a side note, in Barga, there is actually a Befana village where children go for the celebration (it is like Santa's village). Attached are a couple of images.

Amazing! I would love to see it in person. Have you been there? Do they promote the Christian version or the Pagan tradition?

May the Lord and Lady smile upon you and yours Raven! Thanks again.

[raven grimassi]

Is it apropriate to make a small Altar/Shrine in honor of Befana?

I think a shrine is a good idea, as it is a connection the ancestral spirits.


Amazing! I would love to see it in person. Have you been there? Do they promote the Christian version or the Pagan tradition?

No I have not been there. I imagine that the portrayal is the Christian version, which is now a folk tradition in Italy. Common folk traditions are out of touch with the pagan lore from which they originated. The "man on the street" knows only the stereotypes, which are erroneous (but a tradition nevertheless).

[*Rasenna*]

Common folk traditions are out of touch with the pagan lore from which they originated. The "man on the street" knows only the stereotypes, which are erroneous (but a tradition nevertheless).

That's right. And the modern tradition represents the tail end of the evolution (or degradation) of its roots. That's why common folk traditions can't be the measure or the standard when comparing them with older traditions. What has not fallen away from the modern traditions has been misshapen into something only vaguely similar, if any discernable similarity remains at all. One good example is the difference between the older tradition known as Stregheria and the modern tradition known as Stregoneria.

[Vinny Mirabella]

This was forwarded to me, and I thought it could go with this thread. It's from a book called Familiar Allusions, by Charles Gardner Wheeler (J.R. Osgood & Co., 1882) and the text says that "Befana is differently represented as a saint, a fairy and the bugbear of naughty children" (different areas maybe?)

[Desert_Witch]

Hi Raven. Hope you and yours are well. We are puting Befana on the Hearth tonight. (Will be using a Crone statue until we can get a better representation) I have collected quite a few of your books over the years and I dug through them for more info on Befana. We plan to expand our Familys traditions regarding Her each year. Thanks again and Bright Blessings.

[Desert_Witch]

That's right. And the modern tradition represents the tail end of the evolution (or degradation) of its roots. That's why common folk traditions can't be the measure or the standard when comparing them with older traditions. What has not fallen away from the modern traditions has been misshapen into something only vaguely similar, if any discernable similarity remains at all. One good example is the difference between the older tradition known as Stregheria and the modern tradition known as Stregoneria.


Here here! :cheers:

[Desert_Witch]

This was forwarded to me, and I thought it could go with this thread. It's from a book called Familiar Allusions, by Charles Gardner Wheeler (J.R. Osgood & Co., 1882) and the text says that "Befana is differently represented as a saint, a fairy and the bugbear of naughty children" (different areas maybe?)


Thanks for the info! Where can we get our hands on the book? I love books! When he says Bugbear of Naughty Children, do you think that is a reference to "be good or Befana won't bring you any presents." or something more sinister?