Thanks to MeanerSchnitzel for sending this one in -- it's a tradition in Austria that I had never heard of, but seems really cool. Apparently there's an event called the Mullerlauf held every February near Innsbruck, and it includes men and boys dressing up in elaborate masks, rattling bells and banging sticks together. Brass bands play, thousands of people turn out to watch the procession, and it's all done with the intent of driving away winter. Oh, and there's Schnapps, too!
Witches use brooms to sweep away winter, a Kloetzler clacks together bits of wood to scare off evil spirits, Melchers invoke Spring by dancing a waltz, and the Spiegeltuxer wears a giant wooden mask representing the Summer. It's all very steeped in pre-Christian fertility rites, and sounds like wonderful fun.
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Witches use brooms to sweep away winter, a Kloetzler clacks together bits of wood to scare off evil spirits, Melchers invoke Spring by dancing a waltz, and the Spiegeltuxer wears a giant wooden mask representing the Summer. It's all very steeped in pre-Christian fertility rites, and sounds like wonderful fun.
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I love learning about things like this. It shows me that pagans are everywhere…yay!!!
I love hearing about these types of celebrations. It is so very fascinating to learn about other cultures traditions, rituals and festivals…and how their Pagan roots still live on.