Ever wonder about the story behind Santa? I’m pulling back the curtain on what many don’t know about Santa and the Goddess of Winter Solstice in this episode of the Breathe Love & Magic podcast.

The jolly man in a red suit flying through the sky and dropping gifts isn’t quite what he seems. In fact, his story has deep roots intertwined with myths, folklore, and the winter solstice—dating way back before Christmas as we know it today.

Did you know that Santa’s tale is borrowed from a myriad of myths and legends, particularly those that were female-oriented? That’s right! Our beloved Santa owes his origin to the ancient Goddess of Winter. These goddesses were believed to bring back the sun after the long, dark days of winter.

One enlightening discovery was about reindeer. Contrary to the tales of Rudolph and his male companions, the female reindeer actually lead the herds during the harsh winter months. In fact, the males lose their antlers for winter!

These insights come from Danielle Proham Olson’s wonderfully researched blog, GatherVictoria.com. Her holiday posts paint a vivid picture of winter traditions linked to sacred goddesses and the solstice. Listen to the first podcast I did about Santa being a woman, relying on her research

Let’s delve into some fascinating winter solstice myths from around the globe. This year, a legend from Italy came to my attention on Instagram. Two Italian men were telling the tale of La Befana, a witch who would swoop through the sky on her broom to drop gifts down chimneys.

This tradition is celebrated on the Christian holiday of Epiphany, January 6th, and was when people exchanged gifts before World War ll, instead of on Christmas as others do.

Take the Nordic goddess Beavi, a sun deity associated with fertility who traveled in a sleigh made of reindeer bones. In Lapland, ceremonial hats from medicine women were discovered, adorned in the familiar red and white that Santa sports today.

Across different cultures living close to the Arctic Circle, the Deer Mother was revered for bringing the sun back on the Winter Solstice, and taking care of the herds, vital for any tribe’s survival.

Japan’s Amaterasu is the Sun Goddess, aligned with the winter solstice. Her retreat into a cave for winter was the reason for darkness and the sun’s return happened as she came out of the cave.

In Germany, the Goddess of Winter was Perchta, who rewarded good children just like LeBefana, by dropping treats down hte chimney.

Another Norse Goddess of Winter is Frigg, who influenecd the length and severity of winter. She was often shown holding a spindle which is used for weaving as she was in charging of weaving the wheel of the year, emphasizing the cyclical return of light and life.

From Celtic lands, the Goddess of Winter is Cailleach, also called the Winter Hag. She was the one who brought the snow and cold, symbolizing transformation and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Last but not least, is the North American Hopi tribe with the Creator Goddess, Spider Woman. She was the focus of the annual Soyal Festival for the winter solstice, which celebrated the sun’s victory over winter’s darkness. She spun a web that connected everyone.

I was struck by how these narratives echo a shared understanding of light, renewal, and connection to the earth. These myths feel like threads tying us to our ancestors, revealing their ways of relating to the natural world.

As Christianity spread, many of the pagan traditions were absorbed, reshaped, and sometimes suppressed by new religious narratives and authorities. Yet, they persist today, whispering the original tales of light-bringing goddesses through history and culture.

There are more Goddesses of Winter which you can hear about in the podcast including Isis, Tonantzin, Lutzelfrau, Lusse, and Skadi!

The winter solstice is also a potent day for setting intentions and manifesting! This day marks the beginning of growing daylight, providing a six-month period to nurture your dreams and aspirations.

There’s a favorite manifesting technique I share at the end of the podcast, so listen till the end to discover what to try on your own.

From the resonant wisdom of winter goddesses to the empowering energy of manifestation, this journey is an exciting exploration of your spiritual heritage. As you rediscover these ancient stories, you not only learn about the world but also about your shared journey with it. These tales, buried and uncovered like ancient artifacts, help illuminate the path forward.

If you’re as fascinated by these myths and spiritual teachings as I am, check out the full episode and explore more about the winter solstice’s lesser-known secrets. You never know, these ancient whispers might just spark the manifestation of your dreams!

Happy holidays, and be sure to breathe in all the love and magic the season has to offer.

The post The Goddess of Winter Solstice or Santa’s Naughty Little Secret appeared first on Intuitive Edge.