The fight of the Two Kings is found in many different mythologies. Magicians, psychologists, anthropologists, have all studied the contest as young challenges and replaces old. In my own Celtic way there is a particularly rich heritage of two lords or kings fighting in a cycle of waxing and waning power. The well known cycle of Arthur, whose queen chose another in his place is a late example. In Welsh myth Llew Llaw Gyffes won the lovely Blodeuedd, but lost her to Gronw Pedr, and died the sacred triple death.
Celtic traditions are famous for their triads - almost everything goes in threes.
It did not surprise me then when my Welsh aunt brought me a callenig at this season. A callenig is traditionally an apple, the sacred fruit of life, spiked on a tripod of three sticks. Or perhaps it is the Two Kings and the Goddess they love, and lose, in an endless cycle. Perhaps it is both, for that's the delight of symbols. They can mean different things all at the same time.