This print is 8 1/2 x 11 inches, fitting perfectly in a document sized frame.
This print was made on a professional quality Konica Minolta printer on quality card stock, and is hand checked for color by the artist this is an open edition print run and packaged in an acid free crystal clear bag for protection, with a recycled acid free backing board. This item ships in a sturdy chip board envelope to arrive safely into your hands.
The actual print will not have the © Mickie Mueller watermark on it.
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*Disclaimer: Owning Mickie Mueller's magical artwork may bring the energies of fairies, spiritual guides and magic into your life!
About La Befana:
La Befana is also known as "Giver of Gifts" or the "Christmas Witch," but her roots go far back before Christmas as an example of how the Old Ways never really died out in Italy. She is one of the many magical gift giving spirits and is iconic in Italy as she flies on her broomstick or sometimes rides on her donkey delivering gifts of figs, dates, nuts, candy, and toys to children on her day of January 6. Family traditions and connections are the realm of this wise and magical woman, an ancestral spirit of sorts. For many families of Italian ancestry La Befana is at least as important if not more so than Santa Claus/St. Nicholas during the winter holidays.
Some scholars suggest that La Befana may be a modern manifestation of an old Italian Goddess or even the compilation of more than one, Strenua who is a Sabine Goddess of wellbeing, ancestors, the forest, nature, protection of the family and especially children, and she was a Goddess of the New Year as the spirit of time itself as it moves ever forward but looking back. La Befana's descriptions and gifts match those of Strenua and the two figures have so much in common that it's likely that this was a Goddess that was shifted into the Christian church as the areas she was originally venerated in were converted just as ancient Pagan sites become consecrated to the Christian religion. This gift giving Strega has also been suggested to possibly have ties with the Goddess Hecate, Queen of the Night, possibly due to her connection with the ancestors also known in Rome as Lares.
The Christianized story of La Befana tells us of a witch sweeping the porch of her home. The three wise men on their way to pay homage to the new born Messiah stopped to rest at her cottage while on their way to Bethlehem. La Befana gave the travelers food and shelter for the night in true kitchen witch style. Recognizing a fellow wise person the Magi invited her to join them. La Befana kindly explained that she was quite busy but that she would finish up her duties around the house and catch up to them. By the time she had hopped on her broom and set out to follow she couldn't find them. According to the legend she travels on her broom delivering presents to the stockings of all good children (coal or garlic to those who misbehave) on the eve of the Epiphany, Jan. 6 in search of the Christ Child.
Other associations of La Befana include two branches of Bay Laurel with seven leaves each tied together with red yarn, and branches of verbena. Bonfires were once built to honor her and to banish negative energy. Water can be set out on Jan 5 for Befana to bless; the water can then be used in purification rites for the family throughout the year.
Work magic with La Befana to bless your home, bring wellbeing and health into your life, offer support for your family, and to welcome hope in dark times.
Befana, Befana flying through the night,
Bless this home as you pass on your flight.
Befana, Befana whisk troubles away,
Leave your blessings and good luck we pray.
***A NOTE ON THE SHIPPING CHARGE: We do combine shipping, if the shipping that you're charged when you check out is more than the actual shipping and handling cost when we ship your order, we will reimburse you for the extra asap. Due to the shape, prints usually have to ship in a separate container from other items in our shop.***
Special Orders:
Do you love this art? Have it pressed onto any item in our collection! Copy the code below and add it to the "Note to Shop" field when you order ANY item from our "Make a Special Request" section http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio?section_id=6605720 We'll make your specially requested item and ship it within 3-4 days after you place your order. It's an easy way to get exactly what you want, we'll make it up fresh just for you!
For this art on any item, copy this code: LABEFA
