Today is the Feast Day of Sankta Lucia, the superficially-christianized version of the Scandinavian Goddess of the Winter Solstice. I've blogged about her several times before on this date (check out my previous posts here, if you're interested).
For many years, I have been collecting statues and figurines of the Divine Feminine but have never found, or even seen, one of Sankta Lucia. But last year, my sister surprised me with a lovely, embossed, white porcelain statue of her for Christmas!
Standing about 10 inches high, Sankta Lucia is wearing her Crown of Light composed of a holly wreath and circle of lighted candles. She carries a tray bearing flowers, coffee and saffron buns (her traditional Feast Day treats).
And, fittingly, SHE LIGHTS UP!
With a flick of a switch, Sankta Lucia glowingly illuminates the embossed scene on her skirt of the Goddess surrounded by her attendant Maidens and Star Boys.
[photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2020]
BEST. PRESENT. EVER!
Thanks, Sis!
46 comments:
Any idea where I could buy light-up underpants?
Oh that's so cool!
A client of mine assured me god is a woman,
I know all about this as my partner is Swedish. You can't beat a saffron bun. :D
I had never heard of Sankta Lucia before. This is very interesting stuff.
It is so cool that your sister found the statue.
I was thinking it was hard to see what was on the skirt and then the light came on.
Very cool.
Hello Debra, What a fitting gift for you. Those saffron buns do look kind of pale--perhaps they don't get the best grade of saffron up in Scandinavia. Also, it is ironic that Lucia's body and dress light up, but not the candles on her head.
--Jim
THAT is COOL! shine the lights to dispel the darkness!
Wow she is so pretty and then lights!
That is gorgeous!
She's beautiful! Have a very festive day!
I LOVE her!!!! St Lucia♥
she's wonderful!
I like how the scene on her skirt is illuminated. Very nice. -Jenn
That is gorgeous - I love it.
It always seems such a dangerous festival to me when I see a young girl dressed completely in white and a candle lit wreath sitting on her head.
That is so cool! I bet your were in glee when you opened that up?
Your sister totally rocks! The statue is lovely. And I love how much brightness she brings you.
I remember her! I remember as a boy feeling a bit miffed the girls got to don such gay apparel.
That is so sweet. You have a wonderful sister.
@ Parnassus (Jim) -- Those slender, delicate candles are solid porcelain so they won't break but unfortunately, yes, it means they can't light up like the hollow body and head can.
@ Ur-spo -- I guess you never got to be a Star Boy then, eh? But it is true -- this is one of the very, very few religious/spiritual rituals in patriarchal Christianity where the central figure is female. And of course, it's because the ritual is utterly pagan in origin.
I love it!! Lucky you ~
Isn't there a coffee named after her?
What a thoughtful and terrific sister you have! Celebrate the light!
@ Mike -- I don't know, but there could be!
What a wonderful gift! Your sister knows you well. Another face of the Goddess in her many guises. XoxoxO
And your sister found a gem! I worked with a woman a long time ago who aggressively reminded everyone that Jesus was the reason for the season. I once tried to have a conversation about the pagan and non-Christian origins of most of the traditions and she never spoke to me again. It was the best "Christmas" gift I ever received.
I only know the Italian Santa Lucia song from old cartoons. Dig deep enough into most Christian saints and holidays and you'll find pagan roots, I suppose.
Are you kidding me? Or am I kidding you? This stuff has been around forever. My mother used to drink it.
https://www.amazon.com/Sanka-Instant-Decaf-Coffee-Ounce/dp/B003WEW9MS
Sankta Sanka, tomato tomaato.
It is a beauty all lit up!
@ Mike -- D'OH! I can't call myself the Queen of Puns anymore because that one went RIGHT OVER MY HEAD! Sheesh!
Now that's what we like to see in a Goddess: subservience. Other goddesses might be out there rabble-rousing and causing trouble, but Sankta Lucia knows her place, and serves up snacks for the dinner guests. You can bet there's no book-learning poisoning that Goddess's pretty little head.
I agree; that present sounds pretty close to perfect.
@ Old Lurker -- Ha ha, nice try, Lurkie! My buttons are a lot harder to push than THAT, my friend!
Our grandbaby girl is Lucia. And a very strong-minded young individual she is shaping up to be! If you know what I mean.
I love this so much; she is just perfect in every way. What a sweet gift!
Oh wow.. she is so beautiful.
I hadn't heard of her before.
Nice but too creepy for a night light
I have a Swedish sister who came to live with us for a year. She made saffron buns that day. We also still have a chandelier from that time.
Always worried that those little Swedish girls who wear crowns of lighted candles would have their hair catch on fire.
She's beautiful..A keepsake for sure..
I needs me one of those..google here i come
She is really beautiful!
She is truly STUNNING! What a beautiful gift! Big Hugs!
Your st. Lucia is absolutely stunning.
oh i absolutely LOVED her
enchanting lighting up wow
you have a sweet sister :)
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