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Today is the first day of winter! Happy Solstice!!![]()
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Each year, we put on a play portraying the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King, depicting an Ancient Celtic myth about the changing seasons.![]()
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The Holly King and the Oak King represent two sides to the Green Man, a symbol of rebirth and the cycle of life and death. In some tellings of this tale, the kings battle twice a year, at Winter Solstice (Yule) and at Midsummer (Litha), to see who will rule over the next half of the year. ![]()
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At Yule, the Holly King wins and rules over winter and the rebirth of spring; at Litha, the Oak King is victorious, ushering in summer and the harvest season. Folklore explaining the changes from light to dark and dark to light, representing the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, are common themes found in many ancient traditions. ![]()
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Since it is the Winter Solstice, it is the Holly King’s turn to rule. This play depicts him winning the battle with his brother and tucking the Oak King in bed, ready to sleep for the next six months. ![]()
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Video: Kira Breitlow, Aldo Leopold Nature Center![]()
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#PhenologyUpdate #Solstice #Winter #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside
