For some reason (probably because she played such a major role in the novel currently with the copy editor) the story caused me to flash on Baba Yaga, an enormously ambiguous figure in Eastern European folktales and myth.
Most emanations of the divine feminine which present themselves as aged women are equivocal-to-negative, and have a connection with death, widowhood, and bereavement generally. La Befana is on the positive end of the spectrum of perceived good-to-evil scale as judged by people applying the Golden Rule.
In my community Baba Yaga is venerated as a powerful crone and much loved by many people, me included. But she is fearsome like Kali! I am glad you are writing about her, she likes that.
Stacey, there is an increasingly influential subgroup in the Pagan community here in the US who are reviving folkloric figures like La Befana and having someone dressed as her to give out candy. People doing this usually do it at the winter solstice, and not on Epiphany. It's nice to see Italian-American customs being re-enacted instead of only north-west European folk traditions like Morris dancing and the Mari Lwyd from Wales.
Epiphany is also hugely celebrated in Haitian Vodoun, where Three Kings Day is a major holiday. I was very surprised. There is a lot of cake. Everyone likes a holiday with a great deal of cake.
I thought of you a LOT when I wrote about La Befana, and it's no surprise you knew exactly who she was. Disappointing that (as you mention below) older women aren't associated with wisdom so much as death, widowhood, and bereavement. That's an oversight. But it's one that mythological heroes pay for over and over again. I'm guessing, MAYBE, it's time to listen?
For some reason (probably because she played such a major role in the novel currently with the copy editor) the story caused me to flash on Baba Yaga, an enormously ambiguous figure in Eastern European folktales and myth.
There's always a thread, a connection, isn't there? I love following them.
Most emanations of the divine feminine which present themselves as aged women are equivocal-to-negative, and have a connection with death, widowhood, and bereavement generally. La Befana is on the positive end of the spectrum of perceived good-to-evil scale as judged by people applying the Golden Rule.
In my community Baba Yaga is venerated as a powerful crone and much loved by many people, me included. But she is fearsome like Kali! I am glad you are writing about her, she likes that.
Blessings on your work.
Thank you! Without going into details, I believe you'll like the character I have drawn.
Stacey, there is an increasingly influential subgroup in the Pagan community here in the US who are reviving folkloric figures like La Befana and having someone dressed as her to give out candy. People doing this usually do it at the winter solstice, and not on Epiphany. It's nice to see Italian-American customs being re-enacted instead of only north-west European folk traditions like Morris dancing and the Mari Lwyd from Wales.
Epiphany is also hugely celebrated in Haitian Vodoun, where Three Kings Day is a major holiday. I was very surprised. There is a lot of cake. Everyone likes a holiday with a great deal of cake.
I thought of you a LOT when I wrote about La Befana, and it's no surprise you knew exactly who she was. Disappointing that (as you mention below) older women aren't associated with wisdom so much as death, widowhood, and bereavement. That's an oversight. But it's one that mythological heroes pay for over and over again. I'm guessing, MAYBE, it's time to listen?
Love this!