oak and holly kings????????

[whitewater]

could someone please tell me what the battle of the oak and holly kings at every yule and litha have to do with anything? i always read about them and i never know who they are...

[raven grimassi]

could someone please tell me what the battle of the oak and holly kings at every yule and litha have to do with anything? i always read about them and i never know who they are...

In essence the Oak & Holly Kings are mythical or legendary figures that represent the waxing and waning forces of Nature in some traditions. After "Litha" the days become shorter and the year moves into Fall and Winter, which marks the waning half of the year. This is the time of the Holly King.

After Yule the days become longer as the year moves into Spring and Summer, which marks the waxing half of the year. This is the time of the Oak King.

The "battle" between each King marks the pivotal points of the year when the seasons shift in regards to the hours of sunlight. These points are the Summer Solstice (Litha) and the Winter Solstice (Yule). So, the tale of the Oak King and Holly King is a way that some people explained the "how and why" of the changing cycles of Nature.

Best regards - Raven

[whitewater]

ah...im smart now! thanx! *lightbulb over head*