According to Norse legend, mistletoe was involved in the death of Baldur, a beloved god. His mother, Frigg, declared that mistletoe should no longer bring sorrow but instead spread joy and love, leading to the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.
The Yule Log originated as a ritual in Viking celebrations of Yule, where a specially selected tree was burned to ensure warmth throughout the longest night of the year, symbolizing the return of the sun.
Many Viking Yule traditions, such as the Yule Log, evergreen trees, and the celebration of the winter solstice, were integrated into Christmas celebrations as Christianity spread across Europe. The festival of Yule and Christmas became synonymous, blending their traditions.
Oliver Lurch disappeared under mysterious circumstances while fetching water from a well. His screams were heard from the sky, and his footprints in the snow suddenly stopped, leaving no trace of his whereabouts.
The Bodach is a Gaelic figure described as a ghost or trickster who enters homes through chimneys to kidnap naughty children. Stories of the Bodach are often told to frighten children into good behavior.
A fire broke out during a Christmas program, killing 36 people, including several entire families. The fire spread quickly due to open flames and blocked exits, leaving many trapped inside the schoolhouse.
Pioneers celebrated Christmas with homemade decorations, modest feasts, and handmade gifts. They often decorated with evergreens, baked festive foods, and exchanged simple, heartfelt presents among family and neighbors.
Telling ghost stories at Christmas dates back to ancient pagan traditions and was popularized by Victorian authors like Charles Dickens. It was a way to entertain during long winter nights and evoke a sense of fear and wonder.
Many people report seeing Santa Claus, often at the age of seven, due to vivid memories or genuine experiences. Some sightings involve hearing sleigh bells or seeing a red light, suggesting a mix of psychological and possibly paranormal phenomena.
Odin, known as Jolnar during Yule, was a central figure in Viking celebrations. He led the Wild Hunt across the night sky, and rituals were held to appease him and other gods through sacrifices and festivities.
Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version. https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate)Info on the next LIVE SCREAM event. https://weirddarkness.com/LiveScream)Info on the next WEIRDO WATCH PARTY event. https://weirddarkness.com/TV)IN THIS EPISODE: Earlier this month I shared some true reports of people seeing Kris Kringle – or what appeared to be Kris Kringle – in real life. But there are many more of those strange sightings to share! (More Real Santa Sightings) *** Christmas has been celebrated for centuries, and gift-giving has been around in America since well before the Civil War. But how we celebrate and what we give changes depending on the time. We’ll take a look at what Christmas was like for American pioneers in the 1800s. (Christmas in The Old West) *** At a Christmas party the revelers heard a horrifying scream from outside. They rushed out to hear the screams were coming from the sky, at least above the rooftops. But how could that be? It was then that they learned Oliver Lerch had disappeared – never to be seen again. (The Christmas Disappearance of Oliver Lerch) *** Nothing says Christmas like a poisonous weed! Well… you explain mistletoe! We’ll look at why we’re supposed to kiss under this deadly plant during the holidays. (A Kiss Under the Mistletoe) *** A horrible fire breaks out at an Oklahoma school during the holidays of 1924 – and the ghosts of the children still linger at the site. (Ghosts of the Babbs Switch School Christmas Fire) *** You might be celebrating Christmas like a viking and not even realize it. From the holiday ham to the evergreen in your living room, we’ll look at how the pagan celebration of Yule influenced modern Christmas traditions. (How To Celebrate Christmas Like a Viking) *** Kids in America anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus bounding down the chimney with gifts and candy for the good little boys and girls. But that’s America. What comes down the chimney of Irish and Scottish kids may not be so jolly, plump, and loving. Some Gaelic children have to watch out for the Bodach. (Beware the Bodach at Christmas) *** It’s something we’re trying to revive here on Weird Darkness… the lost tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas. (The Lost Tradition of Telling Ghost Stories) *** (Originally aired December 16, 2021)SOURCES AND ESSENTIAL WEB LINKS…“The Lost Tradition of Christmas Ghost Stories” from Conspiracy Journal: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/36dxj4kt), Sally O’Reilly for Ancient Pages: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2mfh29mk), YourGhostStories.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p93r34c), LiveAbout.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/539cmfv6)“The Christmas Disappearance of Oliver Lerch” from AnomalyInfo.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/59t2mysv)“How To Celebrate Christmas Like a Viking” by Morgan Dunn for All That’s Interesting: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p88mev7)“More Real Santa Sightings” by Rob Schwarz for Stranger Dimensions: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yvdt2ww6)“Ghosts of the Babbs Switch School Christmas Fire” by Troy Taylor: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/dnmhehha)“Beware the Bodach at Christmas” by Ellen Lloyd for Ancient Pages: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p85afxx)“Christmas in The Old West” by Kathy Weiser for Legends of America: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bddzbyfk)“A Kiss Under the Mistletoe” by Troy Taylor: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2jv3u98a)Visit our Sponsors & Friends: https://weirddarkness.com/sponsors)Join the Weird Darkness Syndicate: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicate)Advertise in the Weird Darkness podcast or syndicated radio show: https://weirddarkness.com/advertise)= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. 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