Holly-King Oak-King, a Solstice Hearth and two little elves...!

A slightly belated Happy Solstice to you all, and I hope the turning of the year brings you good health and happiness!
Our Green Man watching over our hearth is wearing a holly crown in his Holly King guise... perhaps I should hang some pressed oak leaves or acorns there now as traditionally we pass back into the light half of the year and the reign of the Oak King.
I really like this myth in its various forms and have often thought I'd like to re-tell it as a picture book for children... definately a future project I think!


I strayed upon this image below a couple of years ago by an artist called Raven Willowhawk which I really, really like. I haven't been able to track her down to link back to her, but I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it in the spirit of appreciation of such an evocative image and her considerable talent. I just think its a really nice depiction of this myth and it struck a note with me.

By Raven Willowhawk

This also makes me think of the tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which I must find a good translation of to read again. The copy I have is all in Olde English and very hard to decipher! But I love the story and the language full of rich description and symbolisms...


So, I'll leave you now with a couple of very funny videos we did with our little elfin ones which really help to get into the festive spirit!
Hope it puts a smile on your face - it did for us! Take it away Elora and Elswyth...! Hope you enjoy them!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/AwzsnqeCYJ2jGweYGI5e

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/veW3FXdtWhxGqXIpLjoD

The Holly King and the Oak King, not quite as you've seen them before!

Yes, I'm doing the proud mother bit...! Helping my elder daughter finish her christmas holiday homework - yes homework at 6 years old, she did such a fantastic picture of the Holly King handing over his crown to the Oak King, I thought I'd show it off! The Oak King is complete with green beard and squirrals after the acorns in his pockets...
I know traditionally in some versions at least each brother King slays the other to gain the crown, although in other versions the Oak King is newborn at Midwinter, his strength waxing as the Holly King's power wanes, but for now my children know a slightly less in depth version of the myth which I think is fine and they seem to enjoy.
I think my daughter's fine picture may have have inspired me to do a version of my own sooner or later, squirrals and all!