Halls of the Dark Muse

You can leave it to me to uncover the sinister dark side of just about anything. So I was rather excited over my discovery of Krampus. Upon hearing of this delightfully endearing little myth, I gave a cackle of wicked pleasure and danced around a bonfire (perhaps not quite, but it sure would have been fun)

So just who is Krampus you might think to yourself?

In Austrian folktale, Jolly ol' St. Nick happens to have a very endearing side kick known as Krampus, and no he is not a cute little toy making elf (because what would be the fun in that?)

Instead as it turns out Krampus is a frightful nightmarish demon who follows good old St. Nick around, dressed in furs, wrapped in rattling changes, with a frightening mask, a long red tongue, and a pair of horns. He typically carries with him a wooden stick, or switches of birch branches in which he uses to threaten to beat and thrash at children who have misbehaved.

To this day Krampus is still celebrated in Austria, in which people will don Krampus like costumes (now that sounds like a Christmas party.)

I need some Krampus Christmas cards!