Vetrnætr/Winter Nights Altar 2026

Winter Nights begins on the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and lasts three days, during which three blots, or sacrifices, occurred: Alfablót, Disablót, and Haustblót. Depending on your schedule, time zone, or personal preference, Winter Nights may have started Sunday night or Monday night for many Heathens/Norse pagans. I decided to go with Monday night as the first night, since the full moon technically didn't reach peak until after 12am EST on Monday and I didn't feel up to it on Sunday.

Winter Nights is marked by ancestral, land, and deity veneration and punctuated by a seasonal celebration, a one last hurrah before the cold sets in and the earth withers. The themes and symbols represented by this holy tide are the harvest, abundance, cycles, family, heritage, and sacrifice. This is a time to give thanks, celebrate the fruits of our labors, and request continued protection and abundance. With these themes in mind, I created the base altar featured below. 

Please know that this is the base, not the complete altar. Each night, I added new items and conducted short spells and rituals not featured for privacy reasons. I've included an expanded note about this at the end of the post to give you a better idea of what you won't see pictured and why.

1. Harvest Candle Holder with Green Candle- This harvest candle holder has graced my altars for many years now, and it should come as no surprise that it is on my Winter Nights altar again this year. Winter Nights is a time to celebrate the end of summer and the harvests collected and stored during this time. As such, this harvest candle holder and green candle pay homage to these traditional themes, as they represent the bounty of the season with its pears, apples, grapes, and berries. The earthen tones and colorful leaves represent autumn and the changing of the seasons as the Wheel turns yet again toward winter. Like most years, I placed a green candle in the holder to represent abundance, specifically agricultural abundance, as green is associated with plants, luck, and wealth. Green also represents the Earth and the gracious gifts She bestows upon us during the harvest, for without Her nurturing soils, we would not have nutrient-rich foods. (Where did I get it: Goodwill & Dollar Tree; Cost: $3)

2. Incense Holder with Cone Incense- Incense has been used across cultures to communicate with the gods and send messages to the Otherworld for centuries. It is also one of the best ways to trigger a magical response in your brain and let it know it's time for ritual. I picked a scent that resonated with me, that felt 'right' for the season. Each night of Vetrnætr I light new incense to carry my prayers, stories, and thoughts to those I was speaking to. I use it to cleanse and clear the space around my altar and to summon the spirits of those I wished to honor each night. (Where did I get it: Five Below; Cost: $3)

3. Silver Picture Frame- For the sake of these photos, I have left the silver frame empty, as my ancestors are not something I wish to share with the public. While I have shared photos of some of them in the past, several of my more recent losses are not something I want the world to see. Alfablót and Disablót both include ancestral veneration, and this picture frame is there to represent my ancestors. I add more photos depending on the night and who I have lost, which can make things a little crowded. (Where did I get it: Goodwill; Cost: $3)

4. Thor's Hammer, Mjölnir- Mjölnir primarily represents strength, protection, and divine order against the forces of chaos. As the Wheel turns toward winter, the nights grow long, and unseen forces are believed to come out to play. Traditionally, winter was a very unsafe time, with many people not surviving to see spring. Mjölnir is here to protect against these forces, but also to connect with the Æsir, or deities of Norse myth. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

5. Autumn Leaf Candle Holders with White Candles- The leaf candle holders are an ode to the season and the changing leaves that herald autumn. Their orange color represents attraction. In this case, it is used to attract the Sun and keep Him burning bright within the sky for a little while longer so the rest of the crops may ripen. In conjunction with the candles, which represent the Sun, who is slowly waning in the sky, they work together as a sympathetic form of magic to give the Sun continued strength. Candles are also traditionally used to light the way so souls may find their way home. I included these extra candles to call forth my ancestors and my spiritual guides so I may thank them and regale them with tales of my life. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree; Cost: $2.50)

6. Petrified Wood and Amethyst- This is the first time I have placed crystals on my Winter Nights altar, and it took me a minute to figure out which ones I would like to include. I settled on petrified wood and amethyst. This also marks the first time I have used a fossil on my altar, which is surprising considering my background in paleontology. Petrified wood is deeply associated with our ancestors and heritage because it carries the history of ancient trees spanning millions of years. It is frequently used to access ancestral knowledge, heal generational trauma, and explore past lives, making it perfect for Alfablót and Disablót. Amethyst, on the other hand, is used to open your mind and increase psychic awareness. It is also calming, helping to reduce overall stress that may be associated with the holidays as well as help to ease one into an altered state of consciousness. I spent a great deal of Winter Nights communing with spirits, and amethyst is an old, trusted friend during this type of work. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

7. Offering Bowl and Honey- Blót means sacrifice, and that is exactly what is to occur during Winter Nights. Each night I made a sacrifice and offering to say thank you to those who have helped me. What I sacrificed each night was different, dependent upon the spirits I was thanking, but it was made nonetheless. I have also included the gratitude honey I made earlier, which I now give as an offering to my ancestors, spirit guides, and other spirits and deities I work with. (Where did I get it: Goodwill/Made; Cost: ~$2.00)

8. Ansuz, Othala, and Mannaz Runes- Since this is a Nordic holiday, no altar would be complete without some runes. This year I included a nontraditional rune: Ansuz. Ansuz is associated with divine communication. As all the blóts of Winter Nights involve otherworldly communication, I felt it was the perfect rune to include. Ansuz will help open the door to communicate with those beyond. Othala is the rune of heritage, inheritance, and home. It represents your family roots, your genetics, and your spiritual heritage. This is incredibly important during Winter Nights, as both Alfablót and Disablót are celebrations of our ancestors and heritage. Finally, I included Mannaz, also a new rune this year. Mannaz represents community, which is incredibly important during Winter Nights, especially during Haustblót, in which the community shared the fruits of their combined efforts. (Where did I get it: Won; Cost: Free)

9. Fox Skull- The fox skull represents my animal guide or otherworldly familiar. She has been a staunch companion and ally for many years, and this skull is used as a spirit home for her during my magical workings and spirit flights. She is honored here during Vetrnætr as one of the feminine spirits I celebrated during Disablót. She took center stage on my altar each night, as she is an important part of my practice. I honestly couldn't do what I do without her. Not pictured are her offerings, which shall remain private. Not only does she act as my guide, but she also aids me in communicating with other spirits. She helps to ferry my ancestors into our realm for communication and is present on this altar for the same task.  (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

TOTAL COST: ~$13.50

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. This altar is more expensive than some of my previous altars because I wanted to include some new items I purchased this year. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget!

It's important to note that this is not my full altar for Winter Nights. Each night, I added new things, the majority of which are very private. This includes pictures of my ancestors, notes, letters, and personal belongings. It also includes some of my ritual tools, sacrifices, and offerings I gave. These are private and between me and the spirits I work with, hence their absence from these pictures. I encourage you to do the same with your altar. Remember, part of witchcraft is "to remain silent." This doesn't mean not sharing your knowledge and craft, but being wise in what and how you share. Not everyone has your best interests in mind.

I hope everyone has a blessed winter and that it is nothing but light in the darkness.

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