<p>December 26th is known by many names, including “Wren Day.” Named after an ancient ritual known as Hunting the Wren, its roots lie in sun-worship and symbolic sacrifice; the death of the old year and the birth of the new. “The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,” the chant begins; and on Wren Day that king, a tiny bird, was hunted, killed and laid to rest, only to sing again with the rising sun. The king is dead; long live the king.</p>

December 26th is known by many names, including “Wren Day.” Named after an ancient ritual known as Hunting the Wren, its roots lie in sun-worship and symbolic sacrifice; the death of the old year and the birth of the new. “The wren, the wren, the king of all birds,” the chant begins; and on Wren Day that king, a tiny bird, was hunted, killed and laid to rest, only to sing again with the rising sun. The king is dead; long live the king.

Hunting the Wren

<p>Gather around as poet MJ Millington tells remarkable tales from the history of poetry. Wizard battles, time capsules, opium dreams, prophecies, witches and wombats—you name it, there’s a poem about it, and a good story to go with it.</p>

History

Gather around as poet MJ Millington tells remarkable tales from the history of poetry. Wizard battles, time capsules, opium dreams, prophecies, witches and wombats—you name it, there’s a poem about it, and a good story to go with it.

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Hunting the Wren

Hunting the Wren