Solstice Door Yuletide Card by Christopher Bell

The Holly King is an archetype of modern studies of folklore and  mythology which has been popularized in some Neopagan religions. In his book The White Goddess, the author Robert Graves proposed that the mythological figure of the Holly King represents one half of the year, while the other is personified by his counterpart and adversary the Oak King: the two battle endlessly as the seasons turn. At Midsummer the Oak King is at the height of his strength, while the Holly King is at his weakest. The Holly King begins to regain his power, and at the Autumn Equinox, the tables finally turn in the Holly King's favor; his strength peaks at Midwinter. These pairs are seen as the dual aspects of the male Earth deity, one ruling the waxing year, the other ruling the waning year.