Ebullient Octopusmas!


This is some tree:

i-59d19bf7b7a02b72faa3681b2b1b216b-octopusmas.jpg

An important point of clarification. Some have objected to the diversity of terms used for this holiday: Cephalopodmas, Squidmas, Cuttlemas, Cthulhumas, Octopusmas, Nautilmas, etc. Do not be intolerant! This is a thoroughly ecumenical, non-sectarian holiday, and we gladly embrace all of our molluscan brethren. You can just call it ‘podmas for short.

Comments

  1. Sven DiMilo says

    You can just call it ‘podmas for short

    Aha! I knew it! KNEW IT!!
    You cephalopod-worshipping atheists are INTOLERANT!
    It’s a…a War On Monoplacophoranmas!!!!

  2. SEF says

    They’re adorable and menacing at the same time. That’s a tree for doing a re-make of “The Birds” …

  3. says

    I’m celebrating Formicidmas this year. I’ve dug a nest of tunnels in the backyard, and I’m tending the aphids for my famous Holiday Honeydew Nog. I’m looking forward to those long winter nights grooming antennae with my loved ones.

    And if any of the Queens on this blog wanna get together and click mandibles, I’ll be under the mistletoe.

  4. Samphire says

    As an Asquid (geddit?) I’m looking forward to celebrating irrationally with a plate of deep-fried golden brown (but not burnt) offerings of Oktapodi rings. Yum-yum

  5. BadeMart says

    As long as the -mas is there, your cryptoreligious instincts are intact! I am sure there is a Mass for all cytota which Benedict XVI will happily celebrate on request.

  6. Jsn says

    “I’m waiting for one of the ‘pods to manifest stigmata before I’m convinced.”

    Let me get my shrimp fork and some cocktail sauce…

  7. Arnaud says

    It’s a…a War On Monoplacophoranmas!!!!

    Aren’t monoplacophorans extinct?

    {leaves quietly and closes the door before the inevitable explosion…}

  8. says

    It is not asquidic to partake of calamari, and it’s even encouraged.

    This isn’t exactly worship, either. Followers of ‘podmas are supposed to keep sharp blades around; if you see tentacles reaching down your chimney on ‘podmas eve, you should feel free to attack them savagely. It is considered very good form to leave signs of a struggle and blood and strange ichor splattered on the walls for others to ponder when they discover your mysterious disappearance.

  9. David Harmon says

    PS @#15: yes, there are some advantages to worshiping a predator, they don’t need symbolic cover-ups for their meta-cannibalistic rituals….

  10. Scooty Puff Jr. says

    It’s just… so… beautiful. I find myself filled with the spirit of the season and remembering the true meaning of Squidmas. By the way, if anyone knows what that is, feel free to clue me in.

  11. Squiddly Diddly says

    “It is not asquidic to partake of calamari, and it’s even encouraged.”

    So how should I eat it? With some fava beans and a nice chianti?

  12. astrolieber says

    NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNooooo !
    It’s a WAR on STARMAS !!!!
    You’ll burn !!!
    Kidding folks,nice tree !

  13. Haakon says

    Lovecraft sez it best:

    It was the Yuletide, that men call Christmas though they know in their hearts it is older than Bethlehem and Babylon, older than Memphis and mankind. It was the Yuletide, and I had come at last to the ancient sea town where my people had dwelt and kept festival in the elder time when festival was forbidden; where also they had commanded their sons to keep festival once every century, that the memory of primal secrets might not be forgotten.

    Read the rest here.

  14. says

    Christmas Sing Along with Gnat King Cruel:

    Heretics Roasting On An Open Fire,

    Jack Ketch Stringing Up Some Jews,

    Pull The Muslim’s Tongue Out With Some Red Hot Pliers,

    ‘Cause It’s Christmas, Merry Christmas,

    And We Hate You.

    .

  15. says

    I love the smell of ichor on ‘podmas morning…

    Come on everybody… let’s all sing “Grandma Got Devoured By a Deep One”!

  16. HP says

    “The Carol of Cthulhu”

    Eldritch night, gibbous night,
    Jibb’ring madness at first sight

    ‘Round yon Elder God devotees wild
    Sacrificing both virgin and child

    Sleep in R’lyeh’s dank keep
    Sleep in R’lyeh’s dank keep.


    “Ph’nglui mglw’nafh”

    In his house in old R’lyeh
    Dead Cthulhu lies dreamin’
    Amid angles hard and bright
    And non-Euclidean.

    Gibbous waxed the moon that night
    Though the seas were choppy
    Someday when the stars are right
    Cthulhu will get stroppy.

  17. says

    For anyone who wants some great ‘podmas music, I recommend the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society’s two CDs “A Very Scary Solstice” and “An Even Scarier Solstice”. They’re simply awesome. With ‘podmas songs such as “Freddy the Red Brained Mi-Go”, ” I Saw Mommy Kissing Yog Sothoth”, ” Silent Night, Blasphemous Night” and “It’s the Most Horrible Time of the Year”. I never get tired of listening to them.

    Oh, and the link: http://www.cthulhulives.org/store/store.lasso?1=product&2=122

  18. says

    This is deeply freaky. My friends and I are set to celebrate what we call “Podmas” next weekend. (This being the Christmas celebration of the people known as the Pod.)

    And I so want that tree.

  19. ajay says

    Course they do. They’re bioluminescent.

    Followers of ‘podmas are supposed to keep sharp blades around; if you see tentacles reaching down your chimney on ‘podmas eve, you should feel free to attack them savagely. It is considered very good form to leave signs of a struggle and blood and strange ichor splattered on the walls for others to ponder when they discover your mysterious disappearance.

    “Well, I’m as confused as you are, officer. When we woke up this morning, the living room was a mess, there was soot all over the carpet and a sack of toys by the fireplace, and these reindeer were just standing around on the roof.”
    “Any sign of the intruder?”
    “No, not at all.”
    “Sir? Look at this. Beard residue on the mantelpiece. And sucker marks.”
    “Well, I guess he made it into the house…”
    “But he didn’t make it out again.”

    — CSI: Arkham

  20. says

    I think someone should create a Squidmas (‘podmas, etc) event on facebook to counter the “Christmas” event I keep getting invited to.