Upon the realisation that today is the 6 January thought it was appropriate to make this post as a means to celebrate this Last Day of Magic in retrospect of what my family has been through over the past 6 months. As a means donning a positive outlook for the new year and the coming future may it be full of wonder and hope fulfilled. Today, 6 January, is the Twelfth Day of Christmas also known as the “Day of the Epiphany”. Most of the Eastern Churches, including the Orthodox, Armenian, Coptics (Egyptian) and Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on this day of 6 January. The reason for the different dates between the Western and Eastern churches is rather lengthy and complex to explain. However, in saying that, the number of days following Christmas to Epiphany is 12; hence the “Twelve Days of Christmas”. It is also prudent to point out, there have been two methods of counting the 12 days of Christmas. In Medieval times, it was measured in terms of sunrise and sunset; thus Christmas Day was counted as zero and from the sunset of Christmas you counted the 12 days. However, during Elizabethan times in England it was counted to included Christmas Day as one therefore the 5 January became the Twelfth Night. Afterwards, it was at the discretion of the reigning monarch to decide which date to be the Twelfth Night. This added to the confusion which has continued today in Britain for some centres celebrate it on the 5th while others on the 6th when others it has fallen into obscurity. There is some confusion about the custom of the “Lord of Misrule”. This is not a custom associated with “Twelfth Night”. It is a custom that is associated with the “Feast of Saint Stephen” or “Boxing Day” being the 26 December and nothing to do with 6 January, “Epiphany”. The ‘Twelve Days’ was also known as the ‘Feast of the Nativity’, as it was in honour of the coming of Christ to Earth, and both the first and last days of the feast were held very sacred. On the last day, being the twelfth day of night, special honour was given to the ‘Three Kings’ who are spoken of in the New Testament as believed was when the ‘Magi’ – the three wise kings – presented themselves before the Christ child offering gifts as led by a star in the North. The star guided these ‘Three Kings’ to Bethlehem where they saw the young infant, Jesus, and as folklore would have it ‘Magic’ came to rest upon this newborn child. (Please note the word ‘magic’ is derived from ‘Magi’) Therefore, this period of time become known to be a magical time. It was believed that angels would come to Earth disguised as beggars or people in need. They did this to seek those who were good and charitable thus rewarding them, therefore punishing those who were wicked and mean. It was also believed all living things would reveal themselves to those in the grace of God. This included animals possessing the ability of human speech, an aspect of Christmas folklore which Beatrix Potter would use in one of her books, “The Tailor of Gloucester”. This led to creation of many stories concerning angels, faeries and beasts coming to aid, to protect or reunite humble families. After all Christmas is the ‘Festival of the Family’. This also saw the customary celebration known as the ‘Twelfth Night’; a night of fun and enjoyment with family and friends and good people in honour of the Christ child and the waning of the magic of Christmas. This was done in the manner of a ‘Masquerade’. In Europe, there are many festivals that are masquerades, ‘Twelfth Night’ is one of the oldest of these but has fallen into obscurity due to New Year Celebrations superseding this ancient feast. Why a masquerade? This was due to the stories about the angels in disguise and the magic of Christmas. This was when nothing could be taken for what it was. By the late 17th century, long hooded capes with elaborate full facial masks had become the custom. The wearer would not reveal oneself until Midnight of the Twelfth Night and seal the blessings of the Night with a kiss or handshake with whomever they were with at the moment of the passing of magic. The more common practice as described as a time of merry making by one and all. As by common English and French custom, the ‘Twelfth-cake’ was baked to contain a bean, so that those who received the slices containing the bean should be designated as the king or queen of the nights festivities. This did evolve into several variations as a means when the members of ‘Twelfth Night Royal Court’ or of a melodrama were chosen~ - If a clove was found would become the Stewart or the Lady-in-Waiting. - If a nut or twig was he or she would become the Jester. - If a leaf or small rag or piece of ribbon would become the Royal consort or Wench. Sometimes the gender of the receiver of these would be ignored and would be expected to don the clothes of the designated character. For example, if a woman found the bean she still would be crowned as “King”. If a man found the leaf he still would be dressed as the “Wench” or “Consort” complete with wig and skirt. When all been ‘found’ they are lead to the head table and the ‘Twelfth Night Court’ is presented to all the guests to everyone’s amusement. “Mummers”, costumed performers, are regular features of ‘Twelfth Night’ festivities as well and are important to the Twelfth Night Royal Court. These festivities developed into grand public events with many customs and protocols attached to when staging such an event. One such custom peculiar to the “Twelfth Night” was the ‘En Travesti’, cross dressing. The host was referred to as the “First Dame” or “Grand Dame” who was a male ‘Master of Ceremonies’ dressed as a ‘Grand Lady’. The ‘First Dame’ was accompanied by a trusted page or squire called the “Best Boy” who was in reality a pretty young woman dressed a male youth. These ‘Twelfth Night’ masquerades were acquire Royal favour in many of the European Courts with highlights of the night, the ‘Crowning of the Queen of the Star or Night’ and the ‘Procession of the Kings’. These are described as followed. The ‘Queen’ was usually chosen by a process of the popular vote among the guests as chosen from candidates of young unattached ladies who offered themselves to the vote. However, another method was by a game of ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’, well a variation of it. All the candidates were blind folded and then encouraged to seek out the ‘First Dame’ by the sound of his ‘falsetto’ voice. The successful huntress was then proclaimed the ‘Queen’. In her honour, special cakes brought forth. The candidates of men were each given a cake. Upon eating these, three of the men would discover a key or coin inside. They in turn present these to the Queen and she would then charge them to go forth and follow the light that will guide them to the Christ child. They then lead away by the ‘Best Boy’. Just before midnight, they were lead back dressed as the ‘Three Kings’ by the ‘Best Boy’ who is now an ‘Angel’ carrying a tall staff surmounted by a gold or silver star symbolising the guiding light that leads them. They are lead around the hall, sometimes stopping to ask a guest do they know of the newborn King. The customary response was Follow the star for it will guide yeand thus the procession continued. When they are brought before the manger, they present the gifts. It is at this moment just before the night ends. a toast is offered by the patron of the ball, “As the brilliance of the North Star wanes and the magic of Christmas shall come to rest at the final hour of this Twelfth Night; May the memory of its power keeps us all in good stead and merry of heart! Warm Regards to All!
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 05:57:11 +0000
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