The children all know that it’s time to dread, when in place of “sugarplums” it’s Krampus instead.

Last updated on: December 5, 2018 at 4:17 pm by Raven Wood

The children all know that it’s time to dread, when in place of “sugarplums” it’s Krampus instead. 2018-12-05T16:17:05+00:00 Raven Wood

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The children all know it is time to dread, when in place of “sugarplums” it’s Krampus instead.

Krampus traditionally in folklore is a half goat, half horned demon. With black tufty hair, sharp claws, and a forked tongue, hissing wildly….

His beginnings predate Christianity, thought to be of Alpine and Norse traditions, as well as Germanic roots. Krampus, or “krampen,” in German meaning claw..

Krampus is said to be the son of Hel, she herself being the daughter of Loki, a well known trickster deity.

Krampus’s arrival on the night of ‪December 5th‬, is called “Krampusnacht,” or Night of Krampus. The hooved demon visiting the bad children in Saint Nick’s stead. Some of the lore and artwork depicting the two arriving together, other times Krampus’s appearance being a solitary one.

This dark enity can be heard within the dead of night by the sound of his demon like cloven hooves, his bells and chains thrashing about in the night.
He carries with him birch sticks or ruten, to swat naughty children with, and has a wicker basket strapped upon his back. Using this to transport the children later to Hell….
How wonderfully wicked!

In 1958, Maurice Bruce wrote this of Krampus ~ There seems to be little doubt as to his true identity for, in no other form is the full regalia of the Horned God of the Witches so well preserved. The birch – apart from its phallic significance – may have a connection with the initiation rites of certain witch-covens; rites which entailed binding and scourging as a form of mock-death. The chains could have been introduced in a Christian attempt to ‘bind the Devil’ but again they could be a remnant of pagan initiation rites.

In the 12th Century, the Catholic Church made it’s attempt to do away with the folklore of Krampus, in time artwork changing Krampus’s darkness to red, and a closer resemblance of the devil.
The Austrian government trying again in the 1930’s, neither being successful in their tasks.

Krampuskarten, a European custom of exchanging greeting cards, has been a tradition since the 1800’s. Words of “Gruß vom Krampus” written upon them, translating to Greetings from Krampus. The demon is usually pictured tongue wagging, and eagerly collecting the bad children, but has also been pictured pursuing more curvaceous women as well..

Over time, the representation of Krampus in these European cards has changed. The older versions having a more demonic looking Krampus, while modern versions having a less threatening, almost red cherub type vibe.
So much for progress….

Traditionally it is said to offer Krampus a libation of strong distilled fruit brandy, or schnapps, although I have offered him birch beer as well. I burn offerings of birch and pine resin, and I offer him blackened berries of belladonna.

Recent times and movies have brought this dark demon to a whole new light, his folklore and customs living on for generations to come.

So enjoy the night, and go straight to bed, listen for his bells, and cover your head!
Be well, and be good!!!

About Raven Wood

Raven is a traditional witch of Celtic and Germanic roots, who lives and practices her craft in the wood. She has currently collaborated with dark occult and horror author Sarah England, in her shadowy thrillers ~ The Soprano, The Owlmen, and Hidden Company. Giving a bit of traditional witchcraft darkness and spell crafting. She is also an author at Patheos Pagan, where she writes the blog "Witch of the Wood with Raven Wood."A blog about magickal folklore, wisewoman herbalism, and traditional witchcraft within the wildwood. Her first book is in the works. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

October 31, 2018

Spirit Conjuring for Samhain

Next Post

February 22, 2019 Bewitching Birch... A Tree of Many Magicks, and the Devil

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Haunted Road trip Autumn Equinox Conjurer Green Witch Hekate Hexing and cursing Lughnasadh Magickal Folklore Mirror Magick out of the broom closet Plant Folklore poisonous plants seer shadow work Shamanism Spring magick in the wood. Summer solstice The Fae Traditional Witch Traditional Witchcraft Uncategorized witch craft Witchcraft Spellwork witches fetch

Select a Month August 2026 March 2026 December 2025 November 2025 August 2025 March 2025 December 2024 October 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 December 2023 November 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 June 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 September 2021 June 2021 April 2021 January 2021 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 February 2019 December 2018 October 2018 September 2018 July 2018 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz