This episode traces the age-old European origins of many of the Winter Solstice traditions we enjoy today, from mother goddess worship through stories of the wizard child Jesus, to Christmas fortune telling with bones.

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Music:

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” by the Ballycastle Players

“Miri it is While Sumer Ilast” by Ensemble Belladonna

“O Frondens Virga” by Augsburg Early Music Ensemble

“Podblyadnye Song” by byAgrafena Glinkin

“Ancient Gates” by Olga Glazova

“Podblyadnye Songs” by Ensemble Joy

“Persephone” by Stellamara

“Tec, Peleite, Zernju Zogtu” by Kitka

“The Holly She Bears a Berry” by the Voice Squad

“Haugebonden” by Tiriltunga

“Oi Linksta Suolaliai” by Keisto Folkloro Grupė”

“Et Lite Barn Så Lystelig” by Julestemmer

“The Bitter Withy” by the Valley Folk

“Cherry Tree Carol” by Shirley Collins

“Mari Lwyd (The Grey Mare)” by Carreg Lafar

“Ecco donne la befana / Ninna nanna ninna oh (Filastrocche e canto natalizio Bologna)” by Stefano Zuffi & Pneumatica Emiliano Romagnola

“Fum, Fum, Fum” by Winter Harp Ensemble

“Frau Holle, Frau Holle, die Schüttelt ihre Betten aus” by Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden & Blockflötengruppe Bautzen

“Bring Us In Good Ale” by Maddy Prior & Tim Hart