Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon, my Darlings. For the last Femme Fatale Friday of December, I have decided to write about La Befana, the Italian Christmas Witch! Now, La Befana is not quite like the other Christmas and Yuletide Witches I have covered, as she is not seen as a malevolent or scary figure in any way. La Befana is depicted much like traditional fairytale witches, only a much nicer version. She is shown most often as an old woman with a scarf around her head and riding on her broom, like a kindly grandmotherly figure. La Befana’s story is tied to Christianity, as is common with most European folklore originating in the medieval period, and her nature as a Good Witch makes her so fascinating to me. After all, La Befana has such a warm and soothing energy that is very comforting in the darkness and cold of Winter!
Much like Santa Claus, she is still celebrated each year in Italy, with children leaving out their stockings on January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany, for La Befana. Also, much like Santa Claus does on Christmas Eve, Le Befana gives treats to good children and coal to naughty children, only she comes two weeks later! As La Befana is a Witch, she rides on her broom from house to house to give these gifts to good children!
The origins of her tale have a very Christian setting, with a story of the Three Wise Men approaching her on their way to see the newborn Jesus, asking for directions, as they had seen the star in the sky above her house. However, she was unable to provide directions. Of course, La Befana was a kind woman and welcomed them to stay in her home overnight. The next day, they even invited her to come with them to see the baby Jesus, but she declined as she had much too much housework to do. Later on, she regretted not going and went to search out the Magi and baby Jesus, but could not find them. This is why she is said to ride through the night sky each Epiphany Eve (as the Epiphany commemorates the Magi reaching Bethlehem) to deliver treats and small toys to good children.
Now, I want to briefly go over the custom of what is done in individual homes to celebrate La Befana. Apparently, while Santa is traditionally left out milk and cookies, La Befana is left out a glass of wine and a plate of sausage and broccoli as a thank you in Italy by those who celebrate her tradition on Ephiany Eve! La Befana is a unique and interesting figure, as her folklore story is very tied with Christianity, but her magickal nature and reputation as a Witch hint at a possible earlier folkloric origin. Yet, we cannot be sure of this, given that her story, as it has been passed down, is so intertwined with Christian overtones.
Finally, I want to finish this post by discussing her nature of sweeping out the old energy to make room for the new, as I find that to be part of her tale the most in line with pre-Christian folklore. Her reputation as an incredible housekeeper leads to versions of her folklore where she will tidy up the home for the parents as well. It is in this tidying up that she uses her broom to sweep the house of old and unwanted energy to welcome in new energy for the New Year! I find the story of La Befana to be an interesting one, so I am glad that I decided to share a more uplifting Wintery Witch folklore for the last Femme Fatale Friday of December.
I hope you have liked this little post about La Befana. Have you heard of the Italian Christmas Witch before? Do you find her story comforting? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is a lovely painting of La Befana. I found the picture on http://www.grandvoyageitaly.com/piazza/la-befana-the-christmas-witch-italian-children-love.
LINK TO AVALONIAN ROSE FAERY MYSTERIES PATREON: patreon.com/AvalonianRoseFaeryMysteries
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I will be doing my first-ever Herbal Tea Blending Class on December 29, 2024! This is a live event hosted at the shop Phoenix Lane. Here is the link to the event on Facebook if you are interested in learning from me in person: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19hU6vdFm3/
Further Reading
- https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/la-befana-an-italian-christmas-tradition.html
- https://sites.udel.edu/globalblog/2017/01/italy-la-befana/
- https://www.italiarail.com/culture/legend-la-befana
- https://www.romaexperience.com/post/italian-traditions-holidays-befana