Frau Holle, or Holda, is the personification of the changes wrought when winter seizes the land: she rides the chill winds in her chariot, shaking out her featherbeds in order to precipitate snowfall. The rolling fog is the smoke from her hearth fire, and thunder claps when she reels her flax. Holda is a goddess of matrons, who governs spinning, domestic chores, witchcraft and witches, and the Wild Hunt. She presides over the transition of souls, both to and from this world. Though she is childless, she watches over children, and the spirits of newborns spring forth from her sacred pool. Her festival falls during midwinter, when the dead roam free. She holds court in Hörselberg, from which the Wild Hunt is issued, and all the beasts in the land heed her call.

BPAL Description - Snow-covered pines, witches herbs, bestial musk, flax, and ethereal flowers that represent both birth and death.

Initial sniff from bottle - Warm, fresh cedar and juniper.

Wet on skin - Still cedar and juniper, but it mellows quickly into a warm undertone that the other notes build upon. Musky, but not overpowering, compliments the cedar nicely.

Dry on skin - The cedar and juniper are pleasant undertones. The musk comes and goes along with hints of the floral. The floral notes emerge more if my skin is warmer, as does the green herbal smell. It's a good herbal scent, not medicinal at all, and adds to the overall clean, earthy smell.

Staying Power & Throw - Good on both counts. This is a nice subtle scent that slowly wafts outward and doesn't overwhelm the wearer, although it is one of the scents that gets stronger with elevated body temperature.

Overall Opinion - Very nice. While not what I'd think of as a Yule scent, it is definitely a winter scent and I can't wait to see what it smells like on in January and February when the weather is absolutely beastly.