Tonight, Epiphany Eve, is the night when La Befana
visits. So put up your stocking and maybe she will leave a treat… if you’ve been good!
I’ve read a couple of versions of Befana’s story. One is that she was cleaning her home when the three wise men traveled by and told her about the birth of Jesus. They invited her to come along with them, but she declined because she had so much to do. They went on their way and she continued her cleaning. However, the more she thought of it, the more she thought she should go. Befana packed gifts for the baby Jesus and went to catch up with the wise men, but she couldn’t find them. She gave her gifts instead to all good little children, leaving coal for the bad ones. It is said she is still looking for the baby.
This Christmas witch, little old lady, holds a special place in my heart. A very long time ago I read that before Santa Claus, it was an old woman who delivered goodies on the Winter Solstice. I like that so I am sure to light a candle and leave a glass of wine for her on January 5th. Sometimes a goddess or spirit speaks to us and we’re not sure why. That seems to be the case for me.
Do you honor Befana? Leave a little wine as an offering tonight. Maybe she will leave some sort of treasure for you.
Befana comes at night
In tattered shoes
Dressed in Roman style
On her sage broomstick
Long live the little granny.
Long live the Befana!
The Befana comes at night
In worn-out shoes.
For the small, little children
she leaves a lot of little chocolates,
For the bad little children,
she leaves ashes and coal.
Long live the Befana!
Blessings dark and deeps!
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