Long ago, two brothers, both kings, lived in one and the same kingdom. The brothers lived in a different corner of the country. The King of Holly had his residence in the North: where it was cold and dark, but where there was always snow. This King Hulst was the older and wiser brother of the two. He was shrouded in a thick winter cloak with on his crown of holly leaves on his head and a rod of holly in his hand. His wife, Elder, also wore a thick soft fur coat, a crown made of elderflower and in her hand an elderwood staff. Because of the constant darkness in the territory of the Holly King, he taught his subjects to rest and be sparing with the things they had to eat. He also taught them to think carefully about life and to deal with all the struggles that life in the cold part of the country brought with it. His younger brother King Oak, lived in the South of the country together with his wife Hedera. This king only wore a wreath made of oak leaves, while on his wife's head there was a wreath of ivy leaves. After all, there was no need for more because in the south of the country it was always warm and the sun was shining. King Oak allowed his people to enjoy life and celebration. Fertility was also high on his priority list, and he surrounded himself with frigid and dancing young life. The battle between King Oak and King Holly But despite all this, King Oak was not happy, for winter had made its entry, as in the north with his brother Hulst. So it was cold, dark and the people in the south were no longer happy and happy. They simply didn't know how to deal with that situation. Only in the North did the people have the knowledge to survive under these conditions. That is why King Oak decided that it was time to visit his brother and to make sure that the weather would get warm, there would be enough food, new lives would come and again could be feast. King Oak's journey lasted a month and only on 21 December did he arrive in the kingdom of King Hulst. He entered his brother's palace and was impressed by all the beauty he saw there. The palace was built in white, with ice and beautiful decoration in red and green. His brother King Hulst sat on his throne, along with his wife Elder. And King Oak went up to them and said, “My dear brother, my people are unhappy. We would like the light and the sun back in our country. Please help us to get the sun back.” King Hulst laughed at him, and replied: “Your people must first learn to be sparing with everything they have, and also observe a time of reflection in which they can make new plans. Without plans, your people will not get anywhere.” King Oak was aware that there was no time for all this and so he took action. He said to his brother: “If I have to fight for the return of light, I am prepared to do so”. He then went to King Hulst, but he had now risen and attacked his brother without hesitation. King Oak was, however, the weaker of the two brothers, but nevertheless persevered, thinking of his people, who so desperately needed him. That thought gave him strength, and before his mind's eye he saw the sun shine. He managed to defeat King Holly in one fell swoop, who was wounded on the ground. King Oak ordered him to return the sun, and so did. By the way, King Oak said to his brother: “If you want the dark days back, come to the south of our kingdom on 21 June, where we can measure our powers again. But I will already give you the knowledge of how you can survive with light and warmth, for you are and will remain my brother, whom I do not despise.” King Hulst replied: “I will be there my brother on June 21, you can look out for me from the highest mountain, and if I win the fight, I will also give you and your subjects all the wisdom to survive and rest in the dark days of the year”. From that moment on, King Holly and King Oak would meet each other during the solstice to claim their share of the year. The whole country celebrated in the light months, accompanied by abundance, healing and fertility, while in the dark months there was time for rest, contemplation and planning new plans. Everyone was completely happy, because both peoples now had the knowledge of light and dark! #Yule #KoningEik #KoningHulst


Loading full article...