The Cherusker Hold Holiday Calendar
(Formally "The Little Viking Heathen Holiday Calendar", updated for 2023!)
The Asatru Celebrations
I feel I must comment that the manner in which these holidays listed are the manner in which we ourselves celebrate, and may or may not reflect other Heathen groups or individuals, and may or may not be completely historical in origins. Historically speaking, these holidays may have been celebrated at different times or in different ways based on the local tribes or customs. Some of the practices mentioned are of historical or cultural origin and can be found in lore that ranges from mythological to historical origins , others are modern or personal inventions. Ultimately, how we celebrate is a very personal decision. Having said that, this is how the Radcliffs celebrate.
Yule
Tomte, by Jenny Nystrom (1854-1946)
Yule, also called Jul, midvinterblot, Julblot, jólablót, and julofferfest, can be traced to early in the history of the Germanic peoples. It is celebrated on the Winter Solstice and is a time to blót to Odin for a good harvest in the coming year. The celebration officially begins on Mōdraniht, or Mothers Night, at sunset on the longest night of the year (winter solstice) , and ends 12 days later, on Twelfth Night. On Mothers Night, prayers and offerings are made to Frigga while all electronics are turned off and a candle is lit and taken through the home, lighting a candle or candles in each room as we go.
We celebrate by decorating a Yule tree with lights and ornaments, exchanging gifts, feasting with kith and kin, and if possible, not engaging in unnecessary labor. If possible, the Yule tree is, after Twelfth Night, stripped of all of it's branches so that only a Yule Log remains. This log is kept through the year, and burned on the following Twelfth Night celebration with blessings and prayers attached.
We celebrate by decorating a Yule tree with lights and ornaments, exchanging gifts, feasting with kith and kin, and if possible, not engaging in unnecessary labor. If possible, the Yule tree is, after Twelfth Night, stripped of all of it's branches so that only a Yule Log remains. This log is kept through the year, and burned on the following Twelfth Night celebration with blessings and prayers attached.
Þorrablót
Þorrablót, pronounced "Thor-a-bloat," means "Feast of Thor." It is celebrated on the first Friday in January after the 19th day of the month, the first day of the Icelandic month of Þorri. To Heathens, Þorrablót is a feast in the face of starvation, when many foods that were eaten were foods that were preserved, and endured, and to most westerners, are not considered necessarily tasty. They are foods that developed out of necessity and are mostly an acquired taste.
It originated in Iceland in the 14th century, and went through a nationalistic renewal in the latter half of the 19th century by Icelandic associations. It was not, and still is not, a holiday celebrated only by Heathens for heathen reasons.
Many Icelandic historians say that the earliest extant reference to the word Þorrablót can be found in a 14th century Old Icelandic collection of manuscript. According to the book, King Torri held a festival every late Winter to ask the gods to spare his kingdom from the harshness of a northern winter. Many people believe that Icelandic Winter's fourth month, Thorri, when the season is at its mildest, was named after the king who started the festival.
It originated in Iceland in the 14th century, and went through a nationalistic renewal in the latter half of the 19th century by Icelandic associations. It was not, and still is not, a holiday celebrated only by Heathens for heathen reasons.
Many Icelandic historians say that the earliest extant reference to the word Þorrablót can be found in a 14th century Old Icelandic collection of manuscript. According to the book, King Torri held a festival every late Winter to ask the gods to spare his kingdom from the harshness of a northern winter. Many people believe that Icelandic Winter's fourth month, Thorri, when the season is at its mildest, was named after the king who started the festival.
Landsegen
Landsegen, or Charming of the Plow, is sometimes also called "Barri." It is celebrated in late February to early March and is characterized by spring cleaning, or maybe more accurately, by preparing farm equipment to be put back into service after the winter break. This is the day we celebrate Freyr and the wooing of the maiden Gerd. It also celebrates the dísir, or female spirits. Snorri Sturluson wrote in the Heimskringla (1225):
In Svithjod it was the old custom, as long as heathenism prevailed, that the chief sacrifice took place in Goe month at Upsala. Then sacrifice was offered for peace, and victory to the king; and thither came people from all parts of Svithjod. All the Things of the Swedes, also, were held there, and markets, and meetings for buying, which continued for a week.
In Svithjod it was the old custom, as long as heathenism prevailed, that the chief sacrifice took place in Goe month at Upsala. Then sacrifice was offered for peace, and victory to the king; and thither came people from all parts of Svithjod. All the Things of the Swedes, also, were held there, and markets, and meetings for buying, which continued for a week.
Ēostre
Image by Thorskegga (on Flickr)
Ēostre, or Ostara, is celebrated on the Spring Equinox, around March 21. This feast marks the beginning of the summer half of the year, and takes its name from Ēostre, the goddess of spring and the dawn. In northern lands, this is the time for planting crops. Ēostre celebrations are primarily to the fertility of the crops.
Vappu
Also called Valborgsmassoafton,Valborg, Walpurgisnacht, and Waluburgisnacht. This is a time to celebrate life and abundance. The harsh periods are officially over as our ancestors started feeling the warmth of the sun and abundance. This is a festival of passion, love, creation, and community. The maypole, as we know it today with the ribbons, was a creation of 19th century theatrics. The traditional maypoles were erected with wreaths and decorations of all varieties that varied by region. Folks gathered around the pole singing and dancing. Eventually the pole was burned in the celebrations, not wrapped in ribbons. This is a most appropriate time for courting!
Sigrblót
The first day of Summer is a time to blót to Odin for victory in battle. After the cold of the long winter, come spring, the warriors would take up their arms and head off to resume the wars that had been halted for the harsh season.
According to the Ynglinga Saga, found in Heimskringla, this blót is held on the first day of Summer, and by the old Icelandic calender, this falls on the first Thursday after the 18th of April, the first day of Harpa. In many northern areas, particularly in areas like Iceland and Scandinavia, there Spring and Fall seasons are virtually non-existent. This is why the beginning of Summer and the start of winter at Winterfinding in September seem to be out of season.
Snorri Sturluson wrote in the Heimskringla : On winter day there should be blood-sacrifice for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good crop; and the third sacrifice should be on summer day, for victory in battle.
According to the Ynglinga Saga, found in Heimskringla, this blót is held on the first day of Summer, and by the old Icelandic calender, this falls on the first Thursday after the 18th of April, the first day of Harpa. In many northern areas, particularly in areas like Iceland and Scandinavia, there Spring and Fall seasons are virtually non-existent. This is why the beginning of Summer and the start of winter at Winterfinding in September seem to be out of season.
Snorri Sturluson wrote in the Heimskringla : On winter day there should be blood-sacrifice for a good year, and in the middle of winter for a good crop; and the third sacrifice should be on summer day, for victory in battle.
Midsummer
Midsummer takes place on the summer solstice and is the highest point of the year, when the crops have been sown and all that is left is to wait for them to ripen. In the past, this has been the time to set out on adventure in foreign lands to explore, trade, fish, or raid. Like Vappu, Midsummer is often celebrated with a large bonfire. For our northern ancestors, this was the height of summer, not the beginning. This holiday is much like the May day celebrations of the European countries south of Scandinavia. This was the time of year for fertility, especially for humans, not just animals! Should a woman become pregnant at this time of year, her pregnancy is considered to be at a perfect time. She would come to term in colder months, where heavy outdoor labor was not as necessary. Much of the magic at this time was for these young ladies for fertility and love. Midsummer falls on the summer solstice.
Freyfaxi
Also called Freyfax, Hlafmaest, Lammas, or Lughnasadh, this is one of two harvest festivals. It celebrates the beginning of the harvest season, when warriors or merchants would return home to harvest the crops that had ripened while away fighting or trading. It is a holiday that was passed from the ancient heathens to the Christians and back again, and no known ancient name has survived. The name Freyfaxi comes from an Icelandic champion horse of the sport of Horse Fighting. It's possible that a sacrificial horse was chosen through Horse Fighting competitions around this time. Today, it is commonly celebrated on or around August 1st, but any time that the local harvest begins is appropriate. This is an excellent time to give thanks to Freyr and to Thor, particularly by making an offering out of the first of the crop and sacrificing it.
Winterfinding
Winterfinding, Vetur Finna, Haust blót, or sometimes called by it's Anglo Saxon name, Harvest Home, is held on the autumn equinox. This is an Asatru Thanksgiving celebration and the second harvest festival. In northern lands, Winterfinding celebrates the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is appropriate to celebrate by feasting, particularly with a meal heavy on fruits, vegetables, and grains or bread.
WinterNights
Vetrnætr, or Winter Nights, is one of the three most important festivals. This festival is held in mid October, on the Saturday before the first day of Gormánuðr, or between October 12th and 18th. and is thought to be a Northern-wide festival. The winter begins, and the Wild Hunt starts to ride. It is a time to celebrate. On Vetrnætr, blót to Odin for a good year to come.