January 2008

The Legend of the Oak King and the Holly King
by Heather Maureen Millott

Why are we fascinated with it all...Winter?

There's a certain magic about it; the snow everywhere, the crisp air, snowmen with our dad's old hat and mom's kitchen broom standing guard in the back yard. Then there is that smell, the tall coned pines with their unique scent of mint. I love the delicate snowflakes gently falling from the sky above as if someone just shook us all inside a snow globe.

I attribute most of my fascination with life's simple pleasures to my mother and her Irish ways. They have always given me a respect for all living things, and the changes of the seasons. Because of her, I have a deep-rooted passion for mythology & folklore. Winter is a time of reflection in my household. My children learn of our heritage by the interesting stories told around the hearth-side. A classic my children are most fond of is the traditional Celtic story of the oak king and the holly king.

The Oak King & the Holly King were brothers, both in battle with each other every year at the Winter Solstice and again at the Summer solstice. They fight for dominating the season. In all actuality, the two are part of the cycles of all life on earth.

The Holly King rules the waning year from Midsummer to Yule, and the Oak King rules the waxing year from Yule to Midsummer. The Holly King represents darkness, decay and destruction, he also represents inner knowledge and mysteries. The Oak King, on the other hand, represents light, growth and expansion. These two mighty kings fight a symbolic battle to win the Crown of the year, at Yule when the Oak King wins, and at Midsummer when the Holly King wins. Thus the year is divided; the tides of Holly and Oak, ebb and flow, wax and wane. We often see images of the Greenman which is said to represent both brothers.

Why Oak & Holly?
To early Celts, trees were considered very sacred. Oak trees are deciduous, they lie dormant during the winter months. Holly trees are evergreen, and keep their foliage year round. As winter approached the Oak trees lost their foliage while the Holly trees, which had been hidden among the leafy Oaks, now stood out on the barren landscape.

At Midwinter, it seems that the Holly King has won and his brother, the mighty Oak King now stands naked in defeat. But the Holly King does not really win the battle, because as the sun begins to return once again, ending winter's days, the Oak King regenerates and re-establishes his reign. By Midsummer the oak trees will once again be green and lush with foliage.

The battle continues at Midsummer when the Oak King is in his splendor, but once again appearances are deceptive. As the sun begins to leave, the Holly King grows stronger once more. Interestingly enough, it is at the time when each King is in his full strength and splendor that he is defeated by his opponent. We learn from this tale that things in nature are constant but yet ever changing too. It is the perfect balance of life.

I love the story of the Holly King and the Oak King. It represents the constant struggle which we endure in our lives. Darkness and death are as much a part of our lives as light and birth. As the seasons change and the vegetation on the earth withers and dies only to become alive and vibrant once again, it is a constant cycle of life, growth, death and rebirth.

Till next time,
Heather

About the Author:
Heather Millott is a Halloween artist who admits to being shamelessly addicted to primitive folk and vintage Halloween art. Each month she plans to bring us another "Curious Good.." column. If you have a story suggestion for her, feel free to email her. Visit Heather here on HalloweenArtists.com or on her website at www.witchhollowprimitives.com.