Let’s Talk Easter…Or Should I Say Eostre?

Let’s Talk Easter…Or Should I Say Eostre?

All right, buckle up, fellow pagans and Heathens, because it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: Easter. You know, that holiday where Christians celebrate the resurrection of their lord and savior Jesus Christ by painting eggs, eating chocolate bunnies, and hiding baskets of treats for their kids? Yeah, that one.

Now, I’m not saying that there’s anything inherently wrong with Christians celebrating their holiday in whatever way they choose. But let’s not forget where all these trappings of Easter actually came from. That’s right, folks, they’re all stolen from pagan beliefs and customs that predate Christianity by centuries, if not millennia.

Etymology of Easter

Let’s start with the name itself: Easter. You might be surprised to learn that it’s actually named after a pagan goddess, Eostre (or Ostara), who was worshipped by the Germanic peoples of Europe. She was associated with the spring equinox, fertility, and new beginnings – which makes sense, considering that spring is the time when the world wakes up from its winter slumber and everything starts to bloom and grow again.

But when Christianity came along, it wasn’t content to let the pagans have their fun. So, it appropriated the name of Eostre’s festival and turned it into its own holiday. That’s right, Christians couldn’t even come up with their own name for this holiday – they had to steal it from a pagan deity.

Easter and Passover

Photo by Eczebulun via Wikimedia Commons. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

And let’s not forget that Easter is also tied to the Jewish holiday of Passover. Passover celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. It’s no coincidence that Jesus’s resurrection was said to have happened around the same time as Passover. The early Christians were trying to piggyback off the popularity of an already-established holiday.  And it’s not just the name and holiday that was appropriated. Many of the symbols associated with Easter have pagan roots as well.

Easter Eggs

But let’s move on to some of the more tangible trappings of Easter. Eggs, for example. The egg is a potent symbol of fertility and new life in many cultures. Eggs have been used in springtime celebrations for thousands of years.

The ancient Persians used to decorate eggs for their New Year celebrations. And the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used them as offerings to their gods. This has nothing to do with Jesus rising from the dead, and everything to do with pagan fertility symbolism. Eggs have long been associated with new life and rebirth, and were often used in pagan spring rituals.

Easter Bunny

Let’s now look at the Easter bunny. This fluffy little creature has nothing to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but everything to do with the pagan celebration of spring. In Germanic folklore, the hare was associated with the goddess Ēostre, and was seen as a symbol of fertility and new life. The tradition of the Easter bunny laying eggs (yes, you read that right) is thought to have originated in Germany, where children would make nests for the hare to lay its eggs in.

The early Christians, of course, weren’t content to let the pagans have their bunny fun – so they co-opted it as a symbol of Jesus’s resurrection. Because nothing says “He is risen” like a cute, fluffy bunny delivering candy to children.

Candy and Easter

Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay

And speaking of candy, let’s not forget about all the sweet treats that have become synonymous with Easter. Chocolate eggs, marshmallow chicks, jelly beans – these are all modern inventions, but they all have their roots in the pagan tradition of offering sweet treats to the gods as a way of ensuring a bountiful harvest. The early Christians, again, saw no problem with appropriating this tradition and turning it into a way to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection.

Timing of Easter

But it’s not just the symbols of Easter that have pagan origins – the timing of the holiday itself is suspect as well. The Christian celebration of Easter always falls on the Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. If you recall your science, the vernal equinox is when day and night are equal in length. This may sound like a purely astronomical calculation, but in fact it has its roots in pagan beliefs. The vernal equinox was a time of great importance in many pagan cultures. Pagans often associated it with the return of the sun or the god of spring.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “But Tyra, isn’t it possible that some of these traditions just developed independently in different cultures?” Sure, it’s possible. But when you look at the overwhelming evidence of how Christianity has appropriated and co-opted pagan beliefs and customs over the centuries, it’s hard to ignore the pattern.

The TL;DR

So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, for one thing, it’s important to remember that the trappings of Easter – the eggs, the bunny, the candy – all have deep roots in pagan traditions. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with Christians celebrating their holiday in this way, it’s worth acknowledging where these traditions actually come from.

So there you have it, folks. Christianity has once again appropriated our ancestral traditions and claimed it as its own. So, when you chow down on that chocolate bunny this spring, give thanks to Eostre and the gods and goddesses of Spring.

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The Viking Month of Þorri

The Viking Month of Þorri

The Viking month of Þorri, also known as Thorri, is a traditional Icelandic winter festival that is celebrated in January and February. This festival has been observed by the Icelandic people for over a thousand years and is a significant part of their cultural heritage. In this blog post, we will explore the history and significance of Þorri and its importance in modern-day Iceland.

Origins of Þorri

The origins of Þorri date back to the Viking Age, when Iceland was settled by Norse explorers. According to Norse mythology, Þorri was the god of winter and the hunt. He was revered by the Vikings for his strength and resilience during the harsh winter months. In honor of Þorri, the Vikings would hold a festival in the middle of winter to celebrate the end of the darkest period of the year and the beginning of the lengthening days.

In Norse mythology, Þorri is a personification of the winter season and the god of frost and cold. He was often depicted as an old man with a long white beard and wearing a fur cloak.

According to the Prose Edda, a medieval Icelandic text on Norse mythology, Þorri is the son of Fornjót, a giant who ruled over the northern regions of Scandinavia. Þorri is said to rule over the month of Þorri, which falls between mid-January and mid-February in the Icelandic calendar.

Þorri is also associated with the hunt, and it was believed that he would bring about the end of the darkest period of the year and the return of the lengthening days. He is often invoked during the winter months to help ensure a successful hunt and a bountiful harvest.

While Þorri is not as well-known as some of the other Norse gods such as Thor or Odin, he was an important figure in Norse mythology and played a significant role in the cultural and religious practices of the Viking Age.

Celebration of Þorri in Iceland

Some traditional Icelandic food (plate to the left: Hangikjöt, Hrútspungar, Lifrarpylsa, Blóðmör, Hákarl, Svið. plate to the right: Rúgbrauð, Flatbrauð). This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. Image by The blanz.Umm, doesn’t that look appetizing? Especially the sheep’s head…

The modern-day celebration of Þorri in Iceland is a continuation of this ancient tradition. It is a time for people to come together and enjoy traditional Icelandic food and drink, including fermented shark (hákarl), sour ram testicles (súrsaðir hrútspungar), and smoked lamb (hangikjöt). These foods were traditionally preserved during the winter months and served as a vital source of nutrition for the Icelandic people during the long, cold winter.

In addition to the food, Þorri is also a time for music, dancing, and storytelling. Many Icelandic folk songs and stories have been passed down through generations and are still performed during the festival. The traditional Icelandic instrument, the langspil, is also often played during Þorri celebrations.

Image by Doreen Sawitza from Pixabay

While Þorri is deeply rooted in Icelandic tradition, it has evolved over time to reflect modern-day Iceland. Today, many Þorri celebrations include elements of contemporary Icelandic culture, such as art exhibitions and concerts. The festival also provides an opportunity for Icelanders to connect with their heritage and celebrate their unique identity as a people.

Þorri — A Controversy?

Despite its cultural significance, Þorri is not without controversy. Some Icelanders believe that the traditional foods served during the festival are outdated and unappetizing, and have called for a reimagining of the festival to include more modern cuisine. Others argue that the preservation of traditional foods is vital to the preservation of Icelandic culture and should not be abandoned.

A Popular Festival in Iceland

In recent years, Þorri has also become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world to experience traditional Icelandic culture firsthand. Many tour companies now offer Þorri-themed excursions, where visitors can sample traditional Icelandic foods and participate in Þorri celebrations with locals.

In conclusion, Þorri is a significant part of Icelandic culture and history. This ancient winter festival has evolved over time to reflect modern-day Iceland, while still maintaining its roots in traditional Icelandic food, music, and storytelling. Whether you are a visitor to Iceland or a local, Þorri is a time to come together and celebrate the strength and resilience of the Icelandic people during the long, dark winter months.

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Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time

OMG, NO!

It’s sucking my will to live.

The Norse Gods: Freyja

The Norse Gods: Freyja

Freyja is one of the most beloved and respected gods in Norse mythology. She is a goddess of love, fertility, beauty, and war. Freyja is a complex deity, known for her wild and passionate spirit, yet also for her determination and courage.

Freyja’s Origins

Freyja is described as an incredibly beautiful and powerful goddess. She is the daughter of the sea god Njord and sister of Freyr, with whom she shares a special bond. Her husband is the god Od and their union granted her with the power to visit the other realms (the underworld, the heavens, and the realms of the gods). She, Freyr, and Njord are members of the Vanir, as opposed to the Aesir. The Aesir and Vanir once fought each other but then made a truce. Thus Freyja, Freyr, and Njord came to live with the Aesir as part of the truce.

Goddess of Love and War

In Norse mythology, Freyja is associated with fertility, beauty, and love. She rules over the realm of love, and is responsible for bringing joy and happiness to all who seek her out. Because her power is so strong, some stories say she can make even the most hardened warrior fall head over heels in love with her. Freyja is also associated with war and battle, and is the leader of the Valkyries—the shieldmaidens who chose those destined for Folksvangr and Valhalla. She gets first pick of the dead, even over Odin.

Chooser of the Slain

Freyja is a collector of souls, and accompanied the souls of the dead to her hall of Folksvangr. She weeps golden tears for the fallen. Often, she rewards a brave or loyal warrior with a necklace created from her tears. The necklace, known as “Brisingamen,” is so precious, Freyja was willing to exchange sex for it with the dwarves who created it.
Aside from her many roles, Freyja is also a protector of great wisdom and knowledge. She is often invoked during times of distress and holds a great deal of power over fate and the future. She is both compassionate and powerful; a friend and a savior.

Freyja in Modern Times

Freyja is an incredibly popular goddess in modern times, and she inspires many who seek out the Norse gods. You can learn much by studying her life and understanding what makes her such an important and powerful deity. Her bravery, passion, and determination have all been sources of solace to those in need of divine encouragement. Freyja is a wonderful example of the beauty and strength we can gain by understanding the gods of the Norse pantheon.
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The Norse Gods: Tyr

The Norse Gods: Tyr

Tyr is a Norse god who is a member of the Aesir, one of the most powerful of the gods, and the principled warriors among them. He is the namesake of the day Tuesday (Tyr’s Day) and is renowned for being the bravest of all the gods and his pursuit of justice.

Tyr is an Ancient, Powerful God

Public Domain Image of Tyr

Tyr was once a significant Norse deity, although his importance has been overshadowed by gods such as Odin and Thor. Tyr is one of the oldest of the Gods, with references to him in texts dating back to the Viking age. According to Norse mythology, he is the son of Odin and Fjorgyn (Jord) or Hymir and an unknown Jotun.

Tyr’s Domain

Tyr is the god of justice, law, and technical skill. He is a protector of the people and their rights, defending the innocent from criminals. Tyr is also a god of war, leading his warriors into battle with great courage and skill. He is frequently seen depicted with one hand missing. Tyr sacrificed his hand to Fenrir to bind the wolf and prevent any further chaos.

Tyr and Fenrir

Public Domain Image of Tyr feeding Fenrir.

The most famous story involving Tyr is the story of Fenrir, a huge and powerful wolf who is the son of Loki and Angrboda, a Jotun. A Norn prophesized that during Ragnarok Fenrir would devour Odin and much of Midgard. To avoid this, the gods decided to chain Fenrir.

But Fenrir broke any chain the gods put on him, so the gods asked the Dwarves to make an unbreakable chain. The Dwarves created it with the sound of a cat’s footfall, the beard of women, the roots of mountains, the sinews of the bear, the breath of the fish, and the spittle of the birds. The chain, Gleipnir, was very light, but nonetheless stronger than steel.

Fenrir didn’t trust the gods when he saw Gleipnir and demanded someone put their hand in his mouth as a token of honestly that they would remove it should he not be able to break it. None of the gods were willing to do so, except Tyr.

Tyr bravely stepped forward and offered to put his right hand into Fenrir’s mouth, knowing what would happen. After the gods bound Fenrir with the chains, Fenrir could not break them. Hence, Tyr lost his right hand.

The God of Truth and Law

Tyr is a god of commitment and truth. He is a symbol of loyalty and strength, and is seen to honor his word and stand by his friends or loved ones no matter the circumstances. He has strong codes of honor, seeing no shame in admitting when he is wrong or making amends when necessary.

Tyr is a deity whom people highly respect. His followers frequently invoked in both personal and legal matters. He maintains law and order among the gods and humans. He is revered for his power and his belief in justice above all else.

Tyr is an excellent example of the Norse concept of virtue. He is a representation of strength, honor, courage, and virtue. He was willing to make sacrifices and put himself at risk in order to protect others, making him a model of courage and morality.

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The Viking Month of Mörsugur, or the Bone-Sucking Month

The Viking Month of Mörsugur, or the Bone-Sucking Month

Well, it’s that time again to talk about the Viking Calendar. This month is Mörsugur, the second Yule month. Mörsugur is also known as jólmanoðr (Yule Month) and hrutmánuðr/hrutmánaðr (Ram Month). It is the third winter month. Yule proper occurs during Mörsugur.

Mörsugur: Why Bone-Sucking Month?

The name seems odd to our modern sensibilities. Mörsugur is the fat and bone-sucking month because that’s how our ancestors got their calories during this freezing time. By cracking open bones and sucking on them to get the marrow, the Northen ancestors were able to get enough nutrition to survive the cold.

Mörsugur, aptly translated to “the bone-sucking month”, is an ancient Viking month held in winter right after Yule (the winter solstice). It is the coldest, longest and darkest of all Viking months as the days near Yule are the shortest. This is because Mörsugur occurs at the end of winter and marks the point when the sun returns and the first signs of spring begin to appear.

Mörsugur ran from mid to late December into January. At this time, there weren’t any fresh vegetables or fruit. If you ate fresh food at all, it came from animals: meat, fat, eggs, milk, and products from those foods.

Bone-Sucking Tradition

The name may have originated from the traditions the Vikings practiced during Mörsugur, when the whole community would undertake a “bone-sucking” ceremony. The Norse practiced this tradition while they celebrated the longest night of the year, symbolizing the end of Yule. As part of the ceremony, everyone gathered around to “suck on bones”; they would pass around bones that had been cut up, the pieces containing marrow and fat. This practice was believed to bring good fortune for the upcoming year. Thus the Norse month of Mörsugur started. It was a month-long celebration that occurred during the winter months in Scandinavian and Baltic countries.

The month’s name may have also come from an ancient Norse practice called Haflgerðing, or “bone-worming”. Norse peoples carved a tiny hole in an animal bone using a knife, and then inserted a small object into the bone, either a piece of cloth or a tiny animal bone. They then buried the bone in the ground, and they believed that by doing this, the gods would more likely grant the wishes of the person who buried the bone.

Our Northern Ancestors Held Celebrations During Mörsugur

Mörsugur was a special month for our ancestors, as it was a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate the winter season. During Mörsugur, our Northern ancestors indulged in their traditions and ancient customs. The center of attention during the month was feasting, drinking, and games. They sang various songs and danced; families and friends enjoyed large feasts. People feasted while sitting around a fire and sipping drinks like mead. Meals included beef or pork, smoked or salted fish, legumes, vegetables, and cheeses.

Playing Games

The Viking played many games, including those played indoors and those played outdoors. Examples of outdoor ngames include rolling snowballs, skis, and sleighs. Indoor games included dice and board games and the Viking version of chess. Like today, people enjoyed parties, both indoors and out. Concerts and theatrical performances were also popular.

Religious Significance of Mörsugur

Mörsugur was also a month of religious observance. People dedicated the Mörsugur celebrations to Odin and Thor. They inscribed runes on tree branches to give luck for the new year. At midwinter, our ancestors lit sacred fires to celebrate the winter solstice. The celebrations emphasized joy over fear. People believed that a good harvest, success, and protection from natural disasters depended on the gods.

During this month, people made offerings of food and drink to the gods and wights. Our ancestors would also offer gifts of horses and weapons to their ancestors. The Vikings lived under the death’s constant threat, so this was the time to ask for prosperity from all those who could help them.

Mörsugur Today

Mörsugur was an ancient celebration, yet it still lives on today, through the culture and traditions that are celebrated throughout the Nordic region. In Finland, a special dish called Mustamakkara is prepared during this month, which consists of a black sausage. The Swedes serve a traditional drink called Glogg from Yule until Christmas. In Norway, there is still a tradition of sacrifice to the goddess Freyja during Mörsugur. This sacrifice is a small offering made by throwing coins into a bowl of water.

The month of Mörsugur is a month to celebrate the gods and ask for abundance. The ancient Norse people created these joyful celebrations which we can still enjoy today. The month of Mörsugur is just one of many special occasions in the Viking calendar.

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The Norse Gods: Thor

The Norse Gods: Thor

Thor is one of the most popular Norse gods, renowned for his superhuman strength and courage. An Aesir, Thor is the god of thunder, lightning, and storms. He is a major figure in Norse mythology, appearing in several forms, including in the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla, and the sagas of Icelanders.

Who is Thor?

Thor is a powerful and complex deity whose story has been retold throughout history. He is the son of Odin, the Allfather, and the giantess Jörð.

Thor is a fierce warrior who is strong and courageous, and the protector of the Gods, Midgard, and its inhabitants. He wields a mighty hammer, Mjöllnir, which helps him control the forces of nature, like lightning and thunder. The hammer is so powerful that nothing can withstand its force, except for the scales of the serpent, Jörmungandr.

Thor’s Role Among the Gods

In Norse mythology, Thor has several roles and responsibilities. He is the God of Thunder, the protector of Asgard and the realm of the Gods. Thor is also the guardian and protector of the humans and other creatures of Midgard. He is the god of strength and courage, and portrayed as a mighty warrior. Stories of his battles with giants and other creatures of chaos depict his mighty strength.

Thor’s chariot is pulled by two magical goats, Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnir. These magical goats pull the chariot through the sky and carry him wherever he wished. Thor would summon the goats with Mjöllnir and they would pull him and his chariot, allowing him to travel across the nine realms. According to legend, after a journey Thor would kill the goats and eat them, but the next day they would be magically restored to life.

Thor at Ragnarok

His most famous story is that of Thor and Jörmungandr, where the giant serpent challeges him.  Unfortunately, his hammer, Mjöllnir, is unable to stop Jörmungandr. To defeat the great serpent, Thor engages in a fierce battle using strength and courage and is eventually successful in killing the giant creature, losing his own life in the battle.

Modern-Day Thor

In modern times, people consider Thor as a symbol of strength, courage and resilience. He is also a popular figure in pop culture, appearing in comic books, movies and other forms of media. Of course, he is one of the gods Heathens venerate.

Nature Associations

At one point in time, our ancestors may have associated Thor with the sun and the sky, because of his control over the forces of nature. This could be one explanation for why his hammer, Mjöllnir, is depicted with a whirlwind around it, representing the wind and storm of Thor himself.

Thor is an important figure in Norse mythology, and his stories and adventures remain a part of modern culture. People often describe him as the god of thunder, strength, and courage. He is the fierce warrior and protector of the gods, Midgard, and its inhabitants. His strength and courage are legendary, and his stories will continue to be retold for generations to come.

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Happy Yule 2022!

Happy Yule 2022!

Happy Yule 2022! Welcome to the Rational Heathen’s Yule (b)Log–see what I did there? I want to wish you a happy Yule 2022.

Watch the Sunrise over Stonehenge on the Solstice!

Most of this post are roundups of past Yule posts, but I have a special treat for you! You can watch the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge live, which is way cool, thanks to the English Heritage site. The live video will happen the morning of December 22nd due to the timing of the winter solstice. Click on the link above to get access to the various channels, including their YouTube Channel. It’s all free and very cool.

The Month of Ýlir or the First Yule Month

Finally! I cover Ýlir as the first of the two Yule months. I also cover feasting and Yule.

The War on Christmas and Other Fallacies

So, this isn’t quite a post on Yule as it is on how Christians borrowed liberally from pagan celebrations to celebrate Christmas as we know it. Still, I count it with the season. Check it out.

Celebrating Yule with Non-Heathen Family Members

Yeah, everyone’s got them. And if they’re Christian, they may have a tough time with your Heathen ways (pun intended!). Here’s a way to make everyone happy.

8 Ways to Celebrate Yule for the Solitary Heathen

Yule can be a bit lonely for the solitary Heathen, so here are some cool ways to celebrate it by yourself.

What You Need to Know about Yule

Because I should be talking more about the history of Yule and how it relates to the modern Heathen.

When You Can’t Get in the Yule Spirit

Bah humbug! Are you the Scrooge around Yule? So am I. So, here are some ways to cope.

The Yule Goat Sneaks Heathen Tradition into Christmas

Heard of the Yule Goat or Yulebok? Well, if you haven’t, here’s your chance to add a little paganism to your relatives’ Christmas under the guise of Christmas.

Should a Heathen Teach Their Kids about Santa Claus?

Is Santa Claus Christian or Heathen? Should you teach your kids about him?

Yule as a Non-Event

When life intrudes and you can’t properly celebrate Yule.

Book Review: A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule

I know many Heathens want to celebrate Yule, but don’t necessarily have an idea how to do it. This is a great book, if you’re looking for ideas.

Enjoy! And have a Happy Yule 2022!

The Rational Heathen

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The Month of Ýlir or the First Yule Month

The Month of Ýlir or the First Yule Month

I had been meaning to write about Ýlir for some time, but life and everything has gotten in my way (blah, blah, blah, excuses, excuses). So, I’m looking at the end of Ýlir and wondering if I can pull off a post before Yule. well, here goes very little.

The Norse divided the year into two seasons: winter and summer. Ýlir is the second month of winter in the Old Norse calendar. It is also the first Yule month. It generally started late November and ran until late December, usually ending on the Winter Solstice. The Viking calendar was flexible because it was set to the lunar phases. So, the actual dates varied when compared to our own calendar.

Let’s Talk Yule and Ýlir

It seems a number of websites have different opinions on Ýlir and Yule. Some sources claim that Ýlir gets its name from Yule, which is named after Jólnir from the word Jól. Jólnir is one of Odin’s many names, so it stands to reason that Ýlir is a reference to Odin.

The problem with this is that an Icelandic site points out that this is debatable because in 8th century Old English, géol, means Christmas festival. England was in the middle of conversion to Christianity by the 7th century and was mostly converted by the 8th century. That being said, there were still holdouts and pockets of paganism, so it’s likely that géol is what was carried over from the pagan winter celebration.

The word géol is the Anglo-Saxon word for Yule. We know that Norse pagans celebrated Jul — the old name for Yule and the Saxons were Germanic tribes with the same gods as the Norse. Now whether Ýlir references Yule is arguable, but I suspect it does.

Feasting during Ýlir

Now that we’ve beaten a dead etymological horse, let’s look at Yule. In many cases Norse and Germanic pagans held feasts that lasted twelve days and included the solstice. As I mentioned in my last post, land owners and nobles frequently used winter celebrations as a way of displaying their wealth and power. After all, what gave you more cred than hosting big feasts that had foods people normally didn’t have this time of year? The commoners loved it because it meant more food and celebrations. The nobles loved it because it was a good time, all around.

Not everything was about war during the Viking era, but even in the winter months, noblest tried to outdo each other. What better way to strengthen your people’s loyalty than show how generous you were?

What Yule was All About

December in Reykjavík, Iceland. Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland, photographer. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. No, the Vikings didn’t have airplanes.

Yule was a twelve day celebration of the return of the sun. Even if you lived where you wouldn’t see the sun above the horizon, the winter solstice marked the last day of the year where the darkness was at its longest. After winter solstice, you could guarantee the days would start growing longer again.

In many ways, Yule signified the return of Baldr, the god of the summer sun. Just as summer solstice was the longest day before the northern hemisphere retreated into darkness, Yule marked the cycle of return to the light. So if Yule is Baldr’s return, summer solstice was the death of Baldr by Hodr’s hand.

I cover the history of Yule in this post, so I’m not really inclined to do so again. I also cover the Yule Goat and other Yule celebrations in previous posts, so check them out.

Have a wonderful Yule!

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Viking Winter Preparations and Activities

Viking Winter Preparations and Activities

Image by adriankirby from Pixabay

I thought I’d talk about Viking winter preparations and activities since we’re in December. Preparing for winter isn’t something we modern Heathens have to worry about much. I mean, maybe you get your car serviced or make sure that you’ve got snow tires on your car, but actual winter preparations isn’t usually something most people in modern, developed countries really have to worry about.

I often ponder how our ancestors coped with their hard lives in the context of the seasons. While many of us are worried about preparing for back-to-school and the holidays, our Northern ancestors were engaged in surviving another winter with brutal cold and an unforgiving landscape. Little wonder that they turned to the gods to aid them when they could.

Viking Winter Preparations and Activities: Food for Thought

Image by Jalyn Bryce from Pixabay

So what were the Viking winter preparations and activities? Most of our ancestors were farmers until modern times. Farming, in most cases, was how people supported themselves, their families, and their communities. They might have been required to pay their lord a certain percentage of food they grew, but in many cases, what people grew was necessary for survival during the winter months.

Most of what people ate were foods that they grew, raised, gathered, or hunted. Sure you might trade with your fellow landowner for something they grew, or occasionally bought exotic foods or spices from traders, but for the most part, your food was what you could produce.

If you had need of work such as a blacksmith, you might employ one, have a slave who could do the work, or do it yourself. You might pay in barter, such as food or products the smith might need, or if you obtained silver from raiding or trade, you might use that as payment.

Winter Celebrations

No doubt winter was a time for celebrating, since the farm work was pretty much done, especially if the harvest was good. After slaughtering the animals you weren’t going to keep through the winter, you had an abundance of meat, which meant preserving it or feasting on it.

Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay

I was listening to a podcast the other day where the expert pointed out that feasts in the Middle Ages were often used to show status. The lord would often have feasts to show off his wealth by offering foods that perhaps others didn’t have. This gave them a higher status in the community, or more cred.

Using feasts to show off one’s generousity and wealth makes sense. Cred, even back then, was vitally important in small communities. So, even our Viking ancestors probably showed off their wealth by providing feasts. What better time than after harvest and at solstice?

Winter Fun and Games

So, with all this time, what did our ancestors do? Sure, they hunted, tended to their animals and equipment, and preserved food, but they had free time. Much of it was spend playing games and doing outdoor activities.

tafl Games

Apparently, Northern peoples were gamers and played a lot of “tafl games” or table games. We know they played Hnefatafl, which died out when chess became popular. We only know the play rules because the Sami played a variation of it that is called Tablut. Tablut was still played in the 18th century and a clever botanist wrote down the rules during an expedition to Lapland.

There’s a lengthy explanation why Hnefatafl is a reconstucted game, including poor translations of the botanist’s writings and that’s it’s a variant and probably not the actual game.

Anyway, you can play it online, if you want to experience Hnefatafl. I’ve just downloaded an app to play, so feel free to search for it in the playstore. It’s also available as boardgames, so check out the links below.

Kubb or Viking Chess

Kubb is an outside game that some people in Norway call “Viking Chess.” It’s played with wooden blocks. It’s considered more of an summer game than one in the winter, and its dubious whether the Vikings actually played it, but what the Hel? You can have fun playing it anyway.  The instructions for playing are in the link above. You can also get some nifty Kubb Games HERE.


Kubb took off in the 1990s, and from the resource mentioned above, there’s no mention of it beyond a century ago. However, since our religion is largely a reconstruction with debatably accurate sources, adding Kubb to your family’s and friends’ game list isn’t like Thor or Odin is going to smite you for introducing an anachronism. Besides the game sounds like something a bunch of drunk Vikings could have made up.

Viking Winter Preparations and Activities: Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Ice Skating

I suppose one can’t talk about northern peoples without mentioning skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Our Northern ancestors didn’t invent any of those modes of transportation, but they sure did make them popular.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoes. Licensed through the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Snowshoeing was invented at least 8000 years ago in central Asia, according to Snowshoe Magazine. The first snowshoe artifacts archaeologists have uncovered date to 4000 BCE, and archaeologists believe humans used them well before that. It’s assumed that snowshoes existed before skis although there have been skis uncovered in Russia that date to 8000 BCE. Archaeologists hypothesize that people looked at the feet of animals who could walk on snow and mimicked their pads by creating a snowshoe that could spread their own weight over a wider surface area.

We know that the ancestors used snowshoes as their primary transportation when crossing the Bering Land Bridge to North America. How do we know this? Archaeologists have discovered that indigenous peoples still used snowshoes, but not skis. European ancestors tend to favor skis as they traveled west, which is why we see skiing as a popular sport originating in Europe.

Skis

Painting by Knud Bergslien. Public Domain.Skis came about as people looked for faster ways to move over snow. According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, skis were invented at least 10,000 years ago. Apparently archaeologists found skis in Russia dating to 7500 to 8000 BCE. We know that there’s a rock carving depicting skis and skiing in Norway that was carved 4000 BCE and pieces of skis from a Swedish bog date to around 3500 BCE.

As an aside, I expect the discrepancy in time between snowshoes and skis has to do with what is considered a ski and a snowshoe in the past. Skis often resembled snowshoes, and snowshoes might have resembled skis at one point, leaving it all to conjecture.

Although the Vikings didn’t invent skiing, the Norse actually gave the name to skis. We got the words ski and skiing from skríða á skíðum—“to stride on skis.” How awesome is that? Anyway, in 1274 the Norse had to outlaw hunting moose while the hunter was on skis because moose were in danger of becoming extinct. Wow. That’s really bizarre. Who would’ve thought skis would be a huge advantage when it came to hunting moose?

Ice Skating

Bone Ice Skates. Photo by Steven G. Johnson, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0.

Skate like a Viking! Seriously, our Norse ancestors strapped shin bones of deer or oxen to their feet to skate on the ice. They even used animal fat to make them slipperier. Some Norse used iron, but those who used bone skates tended to be faster. Probably had to do with the smoothness and the friction. Unlike skating blades people use nowadays, these were large, flat surfaces.

The Norse even held speed skating competitions where winners would receive prizes in the form of silver spoons, copper pots, swords, and young horses.

I think this blog post is long enough when it comes to Viking winter preparations and activities. Let me know what you think.

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