Listen for the Hounds

Did you hear chains rattling last night, traveler?  If you did, I hope the Krampus wasn’t too rough with you...

You must not have been too awfully misfortunate or you wouldn’t be here right now, would you?

This time of year is full of things that go bump in the night. It shouldn’t be all that surprising, really. The nights are getting longer. The weather is getting cold and harsh. Winter quickly approaches. Soon we will see the longest night of the year on the winter solstice. The deepest dark is yet to come.

So, traveler, you have survived Krampusnacht, but I assure you, there is more to fear.

It is important to recognize that you may not know the proper name of the entity I am about to mention, as there are many titles for The Hunter across various cultures. He may appear to you differently than to someone else. It is best to just recognize what is happening and remember my words:

As we are traveling on these increasingly bitter cold winter nights, take note of a fierce wind that slowly transforms to the sound of hounds baying in the distance. Take a moment, and you can discern if you are dealing with an entire pack or just a couple. If there are only two, you will hear one loud howl followed by a much quieter call. Perhaps you won’t hear canine sounds at all but rather a commotion in the distance. A din that draws closer until you recognize the sound of rushing horses. The cacophony will get louder and louder...at first you may not see what is approaching. The sound will emanate from a direction but yet nothing will be visible. It is waiting to show itself. It is possible that the first inkling that the sound is not simply in your mind will be a rolling cloud or mist barreling toward you.

Then...then you may see them...or it...or both.

The Hunter will appear riding on a horse that may have more legs that any equine creature you have seen. Sometimes it is seen on a great horned goat. Sometimes it will be accompanied by white wolves. Other times black. Regardless of their fur, their fiery eyes will burn into your memory.
This entity has been called by many names. Depending on how it chooses to reveal itself to you, you may see Odin, Woden, Cernunnos, Herne, Gwyn ap Nudd, or another manifestation more relevant to you. You can simply call him The Hunter, if you wish. 

This, dear traveler, is known as The Wild Hunt. If you are with us in the Caravan, rest assured we have seen this before and know how to respond. We will make sure we are at a safe distance as we watch the chase. What The Hunter is tracking changes just as much as the visage of The Hunter itself.

If you are alone, though, there are a few things for which you must prepare.

During solo travels this time of year, keep with you some bread and a piece of steel. Should the hounds reach you before The Hunter does, give them bread to appease them. If The Hunter arrives first, place the steel in front of you. If you are without steel, fall to the ground and stay on your stomach or back. Remain perfectly still. When you take the time to observe this procession, you will see that the Hunt never physically touches the ground. If you are unlucky enough to be in The Hunter’s path, by making yourself as small as physically possible, the entire spectacle will pass right over you. You see, The Hunter has a path it must follow. As long as you are not the one being hunted, you should not worry too much. Just be sure to stay out of the way or risk being swept up in the cavalcade. 

Regardless of how you attempt to avoid being in The Hunter’s path, you must not interfere with The Wild Hunt. It must play out as is designed. One day, when you have more experience, traveler, you can choose a side in The Hunt.

This year, however, is not the time. First you must learn to recognize The Wild Hunt. Then you must take time to observe it. Does it manifest to you in a different way from year to year?

Why don’t you continue to ride along in the Caravan for a little while longer, traveler? I am sure we will see The Wild Hunt soon enough. Maybe this year, we will choose to follow it!

Until next time,
Heather


Further reading: 
https://mythology.net/norse/norse-concepts/the-wild-hunt/
http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/hunt.htm
https://www.melissasnark.com/asgardsreien/
http://vermontdeadline.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-wild-hunt.html