OUT OF THE BROOM CLOSET
Now we enter the season of venerable traditions; soon, Rudolph will carry Baby Jesus to visit Santa, while Charlie Brown searches for a tree by the light of a menorah, dreidels twinkling in the snow. Frosty stands guard by Grandmother’s house. Read what you will into the above sentence; it is not meant as a criticism. There are no “pure” traditions, we collect interesting bits and pieces and arrange them in pleasing shapes; the kaleidoscope is tilted, and other patterns form.
Magical practices and traditions form the same way. As has been said many times, many ways, any concept not moving too quickly may be pounced upon and appropriated to a new use. The important thing is to not let the seams show, or at least if they show, it is to the best advantage.
