Happy Winter Nights!

By Shade McCurdy

With this full moon, we begin Vetrnætr, or “Winter Nights,” which is when our heathen ancestors would have recognized the start of the winter half of the year with three nights of festivities.

According to the Ynglingasaga, Winter Nights was the first of three high blóts that Óðinn specified to take place throughout the year—the others being at Yule and Summer Day. Winter Nights is also the second most attested holiday in our lore, after Yule.

The blót at Winter Nights was said to be for a good year, most likely because this was the traditional reckoning for the new year, much like sunset was the traditional reckoning of the new day (as opposed to January 1st and midnight, respectively).

The observances associated with this holiday varied from place to place. We know of the Haustblót, Álfablót, and Dísablót, which all tend to share themes of celebrating spirits who would protect and provide for the folk throughout the cold and dark winter months.

The landvættir and Vanir would be honored for having brought fertility to the land and making the recently concluded harvest possible.

The Álfar, who are often associated with male ancestors of bright fame, who also may have dwelt in the land—especially around burial mounds—would have been praised for their blessings of fecundity and protection.

Finally, the Dísir, feminine spirits occupying diverse roles, such as Goddesses, Valkyries, and maternal ancestors, would be invoked for reasons as wide-ranging as their roles. This may be partly because the feminine powers are said to be more dominant at this time of year, as they are likened to the nighttime and things unseen—magic, divination, healing, and domestic affairs.

The similar Celtic observance of Samhain, “Summer’s End,” which influenced the development of the modern Halloween, also represents a time when the spirits of the dead may interact with the living. The practice of dressing up and trick-or-treating may have originated with a tradition that allowed spirits to pass through one’s village and receive anonymous blessings, before the folk would all gather on the edge of town and encourage them on their way.

At this time of year we are more likely to have auspicious encounters while traveling alone, and so to avoid being caught in the ghostly procession of the Wild Hunt, we are called home to kindle the hearth flame with our loved ones until Sunna’s light and might returns.

But on these Winter Nights, do take the time to give offerings to the gods, wights, and ancestors to show your gratitude for what you have cultivated in the past year.

Set a plate at the table for your departed loved ones. Light a candle beside their pictures, invite them to be present, and remark upon their deeds

Visit gravesites to do maintenance, to give offerings, and remain open to signs from beyond the veil.

By doing these deeds, let our grateful and exuberant expressions be carried on the winds to be held in safekeeping while the world goes dormant, ready to re-emerge with the promise of summer’s warmth once more.

Hail the Gods!

Hail the Álfar!

Hail the Dísir!

Happy Winter Nights from Raven Folk United!

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