What is Midsommar?

Unlike the other holidays on my Heathen calendar, Midsommar is the only one not specifically mentioned by name in the Ynglinga Saga by Snorri Sturluson. In fact, there is very little evidence suggesting Midsommar is based on ancient pagan customs from Germany and Scandinavia, an idea largely put forward by J. G. Frazer in The Golden Bough, where he states that "Midsummer Day" was Christianized into St. John's Day and that the pagans celebrated this holiday by creating sun charms and holding "...magical ceremonies intended to ensure a proper supply of sunshine for men, animals, and plants." This belief has been further perpetuated throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries with authors adding more and more details to their claims, such as bonfire rituals, sympathetic magic, and the existence of large sun cults. While Frazer's idea that medieval Summer Solstice traditions arose from more ancient Germanic and Scandinavian practices seems plausible, there is simply no evidence to support this. So where did it come from?

Jacob Grimm describes two distinct summer seasons in which fires were lit in his book Deutsche Mythologie. The first took place in the north around Easter, while the second took place in the south around midsummer and included sunnenwende games. Based on the differences between the two festivals, Grimm concluded that the northern tradition was likely older, while the southern tradition was most likely adopted from the church and Italy. Some speculate that the southern tradition arose from Caesar's move north during pre-Christian Rome, while others suggest it arose from Germanic legions returning home from service. Nordic and Germanic literature and mythology seem to support Grimm's claim, as neither tradition has any deities associated specifically with summer nor its solstice. However, there is ample evidence to suggest that winter's defeat was the most important moment of summer, as seen with the other three festivals or blóts. So does this mean the Norse didn't care about the sun? Quite the contrary!

Surviving winter was their paramount concern, as at least 40 days were spent in perpetual night in the high northern latitudes. The sun's return was strongly encouraged and hailed by the three other blóts celebrated by the Norse. Winter Nights or Vetrnætr was a time to celebrate family, ancestors, and the bountiful harvest, a way to give thanks and ensure survival through the winter months. Yule, on the other hand, was a celebration of the days growing longer and the rebirth that was soon to come, while Sígrblót celebrates the actual defeat of winter.

Apart from the known blóts, archaeologists have found sun-disc carvings across Scandinavia, including one featuring a large disc being held over a person's head in apparent triumph (Figure 1) and another depicting a sun wagon (Figure 2). These findings further suggest that the sun's return was important to the Nordic people.

Figure 1: Petroglyph from Stora Bracka, Brastad, Bohuslan

Figure 2: Sun Wagon from Stora Bracka, Brastad, Bohuslan

According to Olaus Magnus, the people of the Arctic regions welcomed "the returning radiance of the sun with special dances" and feasts. His description emphasizes not the abstract significance of summer, however, but the practical significance-- that life becomes easier because food is more plentiful. However, there was no set day for this sort of celebration. Grimm says the day was chosen based on signs such as "the opening of flowers" or "the arrival of birds." This places celebrations most likely in June, when the Vikings returned from their voyages, which would also explain why there would be a large community gathering.

It's not until the late 10th century that these sorts of summer celebrations are given an exact date of June 24th. King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway, in his attempt to remove paganism, set all celebrations to occur on St. John's Eve, thus uniting pagans and Christians into one midsummer festival. This is also the only time we see a midsumarsblót (midsummer sacrifice) mentioned in historical texts. According to Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar 65, this mention of a midsummer sacrifice was not an actual holiday but a threat, as Olaf states he will not sacrifice animals, but instead nobles, if the pagans do not convert. It worked, at least for a time, and Olaf was able to shift the political climate without bloodshed.

As southern traditions continued to travel north, we continue to see evidence of Midsommar-like festivals being held across Scandinavia. These celebrations were marked by the well-known bonfires, communal feasts, games, dancing, drinking, and general revelry. Magnus described such a celebration in Sweden in the 1500s:

". . . the whole people, of both sexes and all ages, regularly gather in crowds in the public open spaces of cities, or on a flat stretch of ground in the fields, and everywhere light great fires for round dances and skipping dances. They repeatedly sing and simulate in dancing the glorious feats of ancient heroes, performed at home, abroad, or anywhere in the world, and also the deeds which famous women, to gain everlasting praise, accomplished from a desire to preserve their chastity. Moreover, in traditional ballads, to the accompaniment of harps and pipes played alternately, they unfold the actions of idle, degenerate noblemen, cruel oppressors, and crude women who have cast out virtue."

Grimm also tells of large wheels being set on fire and rolled down a hill into the Moselle River, which was used to predict future wine harvests. A wheel landing in the water while still burning foretold of a good wine harvest. All in all, the holiday grew into what most modern pagans and witches are familiar with today. Unfortunately, it's not some ancient Viking holiday as some would have you believe, but one that evolved over time through human interactions and cultural exchanges, and our desire to celebrate and hold community.

So if it's not some ancient Nordic holiday, why did I include it in my celebrations? Because my ancestors celebrated it. Not only can my family trace distinct bloodlines back to Vikings who colonized Scotland, but we can also trace more recent ancestors back to Sweden. Modern Swedes celebrate midsummer festivals. While my immediate family didn't hold any specific celebrations growing up, we usually attended festivals held during this time and often had a bonfire and large meal to celebrate summer and the fruits of the earth. Being able to connect with my ancestors in a meaningful way is an important part of my practice, and Midsommar allows me to do just that. Our modern celebrations are just as valid as those celebrated in the ancient past and are often more powerful because they hold more significance to us.

This year (2025), Midsommar takes place on June 20th/21st in the Northern Hemisphere. Keep an eye out for my upcoming post on ways to celebrate Midsommar, my sacrifice suggestions, feast recipes, and altar inspiration! Until then!

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How to Celebrate Sígrblót for Modern Heathens

Sígrblót begins on the fourth full moon after the Winter Solstice. This places Sígrblót on April 12, 2025. Using the Eddas, archeological research, and historical records, Sígrblót included a blot, or sacrifice, to celebrate the beginning of summer and the triumph of light over darkness. This was also a time to celebrate one's own victories and future victories as it was the beginning of the "raiding" season. Sacrifices were made to celebrate kings and their triumphs and to ensure future successes in the kingdom.

Modern Heathens can celebrate Sígrblót in various ways that honor both traditional Norse customs and contemporary pagan practices. As with any celebration, your rituals, feasts, and sacrifices should be personal. If you are unable to have a bonfire, light a candle or turn on a video of a fireplace burning. Don't eat meat (like myself) or drink alcohol, and therefore don't feel comfortable buying it as a sacrifice? Offer a hearty mushroom and root vegetable stew or grape juice instead. Your celebration methods are valid, even if they aren't "historically" accurate. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

With that said, how can you celebrate Sígrblót?

Sígrblót

Celebrating Victories & the Triumph of Light Over Darkness

1. Perform a Sun Blessing Ritual

Since Sigrblót welcomes summer, honor Sól (the sun goddess) with a sunrise or midday ritual. Light a candle or bonfire, give thanks for the returning warmth, and meditate on the sun’s power.

Blessing Idea: Hail to Sól, golden rider of the sky, Flame of life, eye of the heavens. With your light, drive shadows from my path. With your fire, awaken strength within me. May your radiant wheel turn fortune to me, May I walk with purpose, bold and clear. Shine upon me, guide me, bless me with victory. Hail Sól!

2. Light a Sacred Fire or Candle 

Light a fire or candles to represent the transition from darkness to light as the days grow longer. Sit around the fire for storytelling, sharing tales of victories or myths from Norse sagas. 

Alternative Ideas: If you cannot light a fire or candle, use an oil warmer or pull up a video of a fireplace.

3. Hold an Oath-Making Ceremony

Oath-making ceremonies were common during Sígrblót as a way of proving one's loyalty to the gods and community. Making an oath during Sigrblót would have felt extra potent because you’re invoking divine attention while aligning with the energy of the season. This was the beginning of the campaigning and raiding season—a time when warriors and ships would prepare for action, so making oaths would have been customary. As with all oath, be careful of the words you choose, as any oath made during this time will turn the wheels of fate. You don't want to promise something you cannot uphold. This is a surefire way to ensure your own future upheaval. In modern Norse paganism and heathenry, many practitioners revive the practice of oath-taking during Sigrblót to set personal goals, swear to change habits or complete projects, dedicate the season to a deity or cause, or seek spiritual alignment with the path of victory and strength. It becomes a powerful ritual of self-binding and commitment, much like a sacred contract with the divine and oneself.

Ritual Idea: You will need a symbolic weapon showing strength and an offering. Raise your hands or weapon toward the sky and speak: "Hail to Odin, wise and victorious, Hail to Thor, mighty and unwavering, Hail to Freyja, fierce in battle and love, Hail to the spirits who watch over me! As the sun rises higher and victory calls, I stand before you, ready to swear my oath!" Hold your weapon up and declare your oath aloud. "I, [your name], stand before the gods and spirits, With fire in my heart and steel in my soul. I swear upon my honor and my blood that I will [state your oath: e.g., conquer a challenge, defend a cause, grow in strength, uphold your values, etc.]. May Odin guide my mind, May Thor lend me strength, May Freyja grant me courage, And may my ancestors stand behind me! Should I keep this oath, may fortune favor me! Should I break it, may the gods judge me! So I swear it!" Raise your weapon again and touch it to your chest, sealing your promise. Place or pour your offering on the ground or into a bowl as a gift. Finish by saying "The gods have heard me, the land has witnessed me. I go forth with victory in my step and honor in my hands. Hail and farewell!" This is just a guide, and I highly encourage you to write your own oath and speak from the heart.

4. Host a Mock Battle between Summer and Winter

Relying on sources from Germanic regions, which shared a lot of similar customs to Nordic countries, some have suggested Sígrblót may have included ritual mock combats between Summer and Winter to showcase Summer's victory over Winter. Celebrate the turning of the seasons with a spirited mock battle between the forces of Winter and Summer. This playful ritual honors the ancient struggle between frost and fire, reminding us that with every thaw, new life and strength return.

5. Create a Sun Wheel

The sun wheel is a sacred symbol of Sól, who rides her chariot across the sky, chased by the wolf Sköll. As Sigrblót celebrates the return of summer and victory, crafting a sun wheel is a way to honor her light, warmth, and life-giving power. A sun wheel ritualistically represents the triumph of the sun over winter’s grip, aligning perfectly with the theme of seasonal victory. I created one back in 2018 and shared my tutorial, which can be found in my post DIY Summer Solstice Sun Wheel.

6. Perform a Sacred Bathing or Cleansing Ritual

Because Sígrblót marks the beginning of summer on the Norse calendar, this is the perfect time to cleanse the past in preparation for the future. Wash away the stale chill of winter and bask in the beautiful rays of sunlight. If you can, cleanse yourself in a natural body of water, like a river or the ocean, to symbolize purification and preparation for the coming season, but performing a rituals in your bathtub, shower, or even in a foot or hand bath is valid as well.

Ritual Idea: You will need mugwort, rosemary, chamomile, birch leaves (if possible), salt, a white candle, and a ritual offering. Cleanse your space and remove any distractions. Light the candle and say: "With this flame, I call the light of Sól to guide me through the waters of change and victory." Place your herbs and salt into the water. Stir clockwise and say: "Spirits of water and earth, cleanse me. Freyja, Frigg, and the sacred river goddesses, Wash away the weight of winter and awaken my will." As you step in or begin to bathe your hands/feet, visualize the water glowing with golden light. Say: "I am reborn in the waters of the old ways, The past flows from me, and strength rises within me." Take time to breathe deeply. Let your thoughts drift away. Focus on what you want to leave behind—and what you want to call in. Before ending, raise your offering and say: "To the gods and spirits who walk with me, I give thanks." "May this offering carry my gratitude and my will." Pour it outside or into the earth when finished. If performing outside in fresh water, forgo the herbs and salt.

7. Seasonal Feast with Family & Friends

Prepare a feast with seasonal foods, particularly lighter dishes like fish, salads, and grains. Traditionally, this time marked the end of winter and the beginning of summer, so incorporating spring themes into the meal is symbolic. Invite family, friends, or members of your kindred to share in the meal, fostering community, strength, and gratitude. This would also be the perfect time to celebrate family victories and share upcoming plans for the future. Plan a trip together or discuss ways to better serve your community.

8. Set New Goals

Because this was historically the beginning of the raiding season, it was a time to prepare for the battles ahead. Today, those battles are metaphorical but prominent just the same. Winter is never the time to begin setting new goals for the upcoming year, as it's a time of rest, relaxation, and reflection. Spring, and the "beginning" of summer, however, is the perfect time to plant new seeds for the future. Sit down and come up with a few SMART goals to get you through the next couple of months, and see where it takes you!

9. Hold Competitive Games with Friends and Family

Since Sigrblót is linked to victory, engage in friendly competitions like wrestling, archery, axe throwing, strength challenges (such as lifting stones, running, or weapon drills), or board games. If you're into historical combat, this could be a great time for sparring or battle reenactments. Remember to have fun. This isn't necessarily about harming others but instead is meant to build community. Have fun with it. You could also hold a giving competition by holding a canned food drive or seeing who can collect the most used clothing items to donate to your nearest shelter. While Sígrblót was the beginning of the raiding season, today you can view it as a time to support your community and strengthen it.

10. Write a Victory Prayer or Poem

Compose a prayer or poem that calls on the gods, ancestors, or land spirits for strength, courage, and success or that celebrates your triumphs and victories. It could be a fierce invocation to Odin, a blessing from Freyja, or a personal affirmation of triumph. Speak or sing it during your blót as a personal offering.

Prayer Idea: “Steel in my hand, fire in my chest, The winds of summer stir in my breath. The frost cracks and flees, As the golden wheel climbs the sky— Summer takes the field. Odin, wise wanderer, stir my will, Freyja, fierce queen, lend me flame, Thor, storm-bearer, break my fear. I will not fall while fire runs in me, Nor yield while breath still finds my tongue."

11. Set up a Seasonal Altar 

Design an altar for Sígrblót that incorporates symbols of summer, the sun, triumph, and victory. Use candles, sun wheels, seasonal herbs like dandelions, buttercups, and marigolds, and animal totems associated with the season (like bees, deer, rabbits, wolves, and bears). Add offerings to the gods or even your ancestors. You may also wish to include evidence of your successes over the past year as well as your goals for the future.

12. Tell Stories of Your Victories or Share the Sagas

According to historical documents, Sígrblót was a time to celebrate the past and present victories of individuals and kings. Gather around a fire and share stories from the Poetic Edda or sagas about victory, strength, and perseverance. Stories of Sigurd, Thor’s battles, or Odin’s quest for wisdom are particularly fitting. If you celebrate alone, why not read a book or watch a movie showing such triumphs?

14. Hold a Sumbel or Symbel

A sumbel is a drinking ritual in which a horn or goblet of mead or other alcoholic drink is passed around. A series of toasts are made, usually to the gods, ancestors, or heroes, followed by boasts of great deeds performed throughout the year and oath-making for the future. As with all things, be careful of the words you choose, as any oath made during this time will turn the wheels of fate. While a sumbel is generally a ritual that celebrates and strengthens the community, it can also include a blot or sacrifice to the gods. Considering Sígrblót is a time to celebrate victories and make sacrifices to the future, this is the perfect time to hold a sumbel! (I plan to post a complete guide to symbels/sumbels in the future, so keep an eye out for it!)

Other drink suggestions: Beer, ale, wine, cider, juice, sweetened milk, or tea

15. Hail the Gods and Goddesses with a Ritual Sacrifice

During Sígrblót, you can honor specific gods or goddesses who are associated with the season, such as Odin, Freyr, Thor, Sól, or Týr. Include offerings and prayers in their honor during your ritual. This sacrifice can be an offering of blood (fresh meat, prick your finger, etc) or a sacrifice of something of value to you, such as food, money, or your time.

***

Again, how you celebrate Sígrblót is entirely up to you. Remember, plan early and thoroughly so you don't feel rushed and out of sorts when it comes to celebrating. This does not have to be an elaborate or over-the-top sort of celebration. Quiet and thoughtful is just as powerful as loud and raucous.

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What is Sígrblót?

The Norse, like all peoples, celebrated seasonal and astrological changes. What these celebrations were and how they were celebrated has been largely up for interpretation, relying on the Sagas, archeology, and surviving traditions to inform scholars and modern Norse pagans. In Chapter 8 of the Ynglinga Saga by Snorri Sturluson, three great sacrifices are mentioned.

Þá skyldi blóta í móti vetri til árs, 

en at miðjum vetri blóta til gróðrar, hit þriðja at 

sumri, þat var sigrblót.

There should be a sacrifice at the beginning of winter for a good year, 

and in the middle of winter for a good crop, the 

third in summer day, that was the sacrifice for victory.

Of these mentioned festivals, Sígrblót is mentioned by name as a "sacrifice for victory" on "the third in summer day." Unlike Vetrnætr and Yule, Sígrblót is the only mentioned celebration to occur during the summer months, so what exactly happened during this festival, and when exactly would it have been celebrated?

Winter passing would have been a significant turning point for the Nordic people as it meant food and plenty were on their way. For a few months, the people would have to struggle less, as their pantries and storehouses overflowed with abundance. We know from Chapter 8 of the Ynglinga Saga that Sígrblót was celebrated during summer or Náttleysi ("nightless days"), but the exact day is not mentioned. 

In the Heimskringla in the Saga of St. Olaf, there is mention of a feast taking place in Uppsala in the month of Góa.

Í Svíþjóðu var þat forn landssiðr, meðan heiðni var þar, at höfuðblót skyldi vera at Uppsölum at gói. Skyldi þá blóta til friðar ok sigrs konungi sínum, ok skyldu menn þangat soekja um alt Svíaveldi. Skyldi þar þá ok vera þing allra Svía. Þar var ok þá markaðr ok kaupstefna ok stóð viku. En er kristni var í Svíþjóð, þá hélzt þar þó lögþing ok markaðr. En nú síðan er kristni var alsiða í Svíþjóð, en konungar afroektust at sitja at Uppsölum, þá var foerðr markaðrinn ok hafðr kyndilmessu. Hefir þat haldizk alla stund síðan, ok er nú hafðr eigi meiri en stendr þrjá daga. Er þar þing Svía, ok soekja þeir þar til um allt land.

In Sweden it was the old custom, while Heathenry was there, that the most important sacrifice haed to be held at Uppsala in the month of Gói. Sacrifices had to be offered for frith and for the victory of their king, and people had to come there from the entire Swedish realm. There also had to be an assembly of all Swedes, and there was also a market and fair there, and it lasted a week. When Christianity was in Sweden, the legal assembly and market were still held. Now, ever since Christianity became the custom in Sweden, and the kings refused to stay at Uppsala, the market was moved and held at Candlemas. It has been held ever since then, and now it lasts no more than three days. The assembly of the Swedes is there, and they come there from all over the country.

While not mentioned by name, most historians believe this feast would have been Sígrblót as it specifically mentions "victory" despite it occurring during the month of Gói. This is further supported in the Ynglinga saga, Egils saga, and Vatnsdæla saga, which all mention a blót held at the beginning of summer. In the Ynglinga saga, it says,

Eftir um vorið fór Granmar konungur til Uppsala að blóta sem siðvenja var til móti sumri að friður væri. Féll honum þá svo spánn sem hann mundi eigi lengi lifa. Fór hann þá heim í ríki sitt.

In the spring, King Granmar went to Uppsala to make a vow, as was the custom, to the summer for peace. Then he was so struck with the fear that he would not live long. He then returned home to his kingdom.

As mentioned earlier, the Egils saga also mentions a "great summer sacrifice" at Gaular, while Vatnsdæla saga speaks of the witch Ljót and her half son preparing to hold a "blót í mót sumri," “at the beginning of summer.” Combined, these sagas strongly suggest Sígrblót occurred during April or Góa and was a sacrifice for victory, most likely a celebration of the victory of summer's warmth and light over winter's cold and darkness. How Sígrblót was celebrated, however, is largely left up to the interpretation of rather incomplete records.

Unlike other blóts, there are not many references to the celebratory practices of Sígrblót in the sagas, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly what happened during these feasts. Heimskringla contains the only definitive reference from the sagas detailing what would have happened during Sígrblót. The aforementioned passage suggests that a sacrifice was made for peace and victory to their king and that people traveled from all over to be present. We know from other passages in the sagas how these blóts or sacrifices were carried out, which you can read more about in my post What is Vetrnætr or Winter Nights?

Modern scholars, however, question whether or not Chapter 8 of the Ynglinga Saga reflects actual religious practices. In Rudolf Simek's Dictionary of Northern Mythology, Simek asserts that Sígrblót's sacrifice "probably does not correspond to reality as the Spring sacrifice was undoubtedly a sacrifice of fertility." These reservations are echoed in Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs by John Lindow, who writes, "the summer ceremony, if it was for victory, would coincide with the departure of ships on raiding (and, more mundanely, trading) voyages." While some modern practitioners have suggested the "victory" mentioned during this sacrifice is related to war and battle, many more believe the victory being celebrated is the victory of life over death, summer over winter, or new beginnings over stagnation.

Relying on sources from Germanic regions, which shared a lot of similar customs to Nordic countries, some have suggested Sígrblót may have included ritual mock combats between Summer and Winter to showcase Summer's victory over Winter. This practice is most clearly outlined in Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus by Olaus Magnus from 1555, where Magnus details this staged combat between personifications of Summer and Winter that took place during "Summer Finding":

"On the first of May, when the sun is passing through Taurus, the magistrates of the cities commission two squadrons, or cohorts, of riders, consisting of tough young men who make a show as if they are about to advance to some hard battle. Of these the one is commanded by a leader appointed by lot; he bears the name and costume of Winter and, clad in various pelts and armed with pokers, scattering snowballs and chunks of ice to prolong the cold, he rides about as if he has won a victory...

The leader of the troop of riders on the other side, representing summer, is called Count Floral. He is garbed in the green boughs of trees, together with leaves and flowers, which have been found with difficulty, and wears summery clothes that afford little protection. Like Duke Winter, he comes into the city from the countryside, though each from a different place and with different arrangements. Contesting with their lances, they give a public entertainment to demonstrate that summer overcomes winter.

...the favourable opinion of the bystanders, who refuse to tolerate any longer the harsh reign of Winter, confirms the result by a just and proper decision, and to everyone’s joy the victory is awarded."

These battles are further recorded in Grimm's Teutonic Mythology. A traditional song from the Middle Rhine region says:

Der Winter hast verloren;

der Winter liegt gefangen;

und wer nicht dazu kommt,

den schlangen wir mit stangen.

Winter has lost,

Winter lies a prisoner,

and whomever doesn’t agree

we’ll beat with staves.

This, too, shows that these ritual mock battles were commonplace, but unfortunately, we cannot be sure these mock battles would have been performed during Sígrblót. Despite this, many modern practitioners include such mock battles in their celebrations, along with a number of other fun customs such as maypole dancing, sumbles, and the sharing of victories.

This year (2025), Sígrblót falls on April 12th, the fourth full moon after the winter solstice. Keep an eye out for my upcoming post on ways to celebrate Sígrblót, my sacrifice suggestions, feast recipes, and altar inspiration! Until then!

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Vetrnætr/Winter Nights Altar 2024

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.

Alfablót and Disablót were believed to be celebrated more privately while Haustblót was a community event. There is some suggestion that Disablót was also celebrated publically, and in some parts of the world, it still is. I, however, have chosen to make this a private celebration. Alfablót and Disablót are both celebrations of our ancestors, local spirits, and deities, each focusing on a different group. Alfablót celebrates our male ancestors, spirits, and Álfar, while Disablót celebrates our female ancestors, spirits, and Dísir. Haustblót, on the other hand, is more of a thanksgiving to celebrate the abundance of the final harvests, give thanks, and honor the spirits and deities that made such a bountiful harvest possible. 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 candleholder has previously graced my Mabon altar for many, many years, but I now find it fitting for my Winter Nights altar, as this is also a time of thanksgiving and celebration of the harvest. It represents 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. Nestled around the candleholder are grapes, which are currently finishing up their growing season. These grapes represent abundance and prosperity, as well as merriment and good tidings, as they would traditionally be turned into wine, especially mulled wine. (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 one of the best ways to trigger a magical response in your brain and let it know it's time for ritual. Furthermore, incense is commonly used as an offering, a gift to those we wish to commune with. For all these reasons I have incense on my Winter Nights altar. I picked a scent that resonated with me, that felt 'right' for the season. Each night of Vetrnætr I lit new incense to carry my prayers, stories, and thoughts to those I was speaking to. I used 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. 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)

4. Jera, Othala, and Algiz Runes- Since this is a Nordic holiday, no altar would be complete without some runes. Jera is the rune of the harvest, representing reward, fruition, commitment, and fertility. It signifies the cycle of life, from birth to death, and abundance to come. As Winter Nights is a celebration of the final harvest, it only makes sense to pay tribute to the harvest through Jera. Othala, however, 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, Algiz is the stag rune. It represents hunting, as well as honor, nobility, and, maybe most importantly, protection. As the Wheel turns, our ancestors would have relied more heavily on hunting as a source of food and would have called upon their ancestors and gods for protection through the harsh winter months. With this rune, I invoke the same protection upon my home, calling for those within to be protected and never go without, even if times are hard and the weather is harsh. (Where did I get it: Won; Cost: Free)

5. 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)

6. Offering Bowl- 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. The bowl I used is an earthen bowl gifted to me by my best friend on my birthday last year. What better way to use it than to give thanks? (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

TOTAL COST: ~$8.50

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 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 and 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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How to Celebrate Vetrnætr/Winter Nights for Modern Heathens

Winter Nights begins on the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and lasts three days. This places Winter Nights starting on October 17th and ending on October 19th, 2024. Using the Eddas, archeological research, and historical records, Winter Nights included three blots, or sacrifices: Alfablót, Disablót, and Haustblót. 

Alfablót and Disablót were believed to be celebrated more privately while Haustblót was a community event. There is some suggestion that Disablót was also celebrated publically, and in some parts of the world, it still is. I, however, have chosen to make this a private celebration. Alfablót and Disablót are both celebrations of our ancestors, local spirits, and deities, each focusing on a different group. Alfablót celebrates our male ancestors, spirits, and Álfar, while Disablót celebrates our female ancestors, spirits, and Dísir. Haustblót, on the other hand, is more of a thanksgiving to celebrate the abundance of the final harvests, give thanks, and honor the spirits and deities that made such a bountiful harvest possible. One last hurrah before the cold sets in and the earth withers.

Modern Heathens can celebrate Winter Nights (Vetrnætr) in various ways that honor both traditional Norse customs and contemporary pagan practices. As with any celebration, your rituals, feasts, and sacrifices should be personal. If there is an ancestor you do not wish to work with and celebrate, don't. You are not required to include problematic ancestors in your rites and rituals. If you are unable to have a bonfire, light a candle or turn on a video of a fireplace burning. Don't eat meat (like myself) or drink alcohol, and therefore don't feel comfortable buying it as a sacrifice? Offer a hearty mushroom and root vegetable stew or grape juice instead. Your celebration methods are valid, even if they aren't "historically" accurate. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

With that said, how can you celebrate Winter Nights? I have broken this list down into what you can do each night, starting with Alfablót and ending with Haustblót. There is significant overlap between Alfablót and Disablót as they are very similar holy tides, so I have grouped them up for this list and made a note if an idea is better suited for one or the other.

Alfablót and Disablót

Honoring the Álfar and Dísir

1. Honor Your Male & Female Ancestors with Offerings 

Honor your ancestors by preparing a special meal and offering food and drink to them. You can create a small altar with photos or symbols of your ancestors and leave offerings such as mead, bread, or seasonal foods. Hold a blót (sacrificial rite), symbolically offering food or drink to the gods, spirits, and ancestors, and share a portion with them. 

Offering Ideas: Mead, bread, smoked meats, hearty vegetable stew, or honningkaker (honey cake/cookie)

2. Light a Sacred Fire or Candle 

Light a fire or candles to represent the transition from light to darkness as the days grow shorter. Fire is symbolic of protection and warmth, driving away the cold and spirits of the dark season. Sit around the fire for storytelling, sharing tales of ancestors or myths from Norse sagas. 

Alternative Ideas: If you cannot light a fire or candle, use an oil warmer or space heater, or pull up a video of a fireplace.

3. Peform Rituals for the Álfar & Dísir 

Honor the Álfar, protective male spirits or ancestors, and the Dísir, protective female spirits or ancestors. This was traditionally done with offerings of food, drink, or symbols of respect. A quiet, reflective ritual for each can be held to seek their guidance and protection throughout the winter months.

Ritual suggestion: Cleanse and clear a space for your working. Set up a simple altar with images of your ancestors, spirit guides, and deities. Light a candle and invite your ancestors to join you in your ritual. Ask them for guidance and protection and to send you messages through the flame of your candle. Focus on the candle flame and record any visions or insights you receive. Leave an offering of thanks for their assistance and guidance.

4. Cast Runes during Disablót

Practice divination by casting runes to gain insight into the coming winter or to seek guidance for the season ahead. Ask questions about your future, challenges, or personal growth during the dark season. Divination is particularly powerful during Disablót because such a practice was considered "women's work" and because the Dísir include the Norns (the Fates) and Freya (goddess of divination and magic).

Runic Spread Suggestions: Three Norns Spread (Past Actions, What Will Likely Happen, Influencing You Now) or Runic V (7 rune spread).

5. Meditation and Quiet Reflection 

Set aside time for meditation or quiet reflection on the shifting seasons, your connection to nature, and your place in the cycle of life and death. This can be done outdoors or at an altar, focusing on the themes of transformation, survival, and rebirth.

6. Reflect on Cycles of Death and Rebirth 

Use Vetrnætr as a time to reflect on personal transformation. As winter symbolizes death and renewal, consider meditative rituals focused on releasing old habits, behaviors, or aspects of your life that no longer serve you, and setting intentions for growth.

Ritual Idea: To break a bad habit, combine chili powder, ginger, ground cinnamon, and rosemary to create an incense. Light a black candle and a charcoal disk. Add your incense to the charcoal disk. Take a flammable image or other flammable representative of your bad habit (such as a written description or cigarette) and tear it up. As you do so, visualize the bad habit leaving you for good. See yourself happy and healthy without the habit. Place the destroyed habit on top of your charcoal disk and incense and say, "I release this my bad habit of [insert habit name here]. I banish it from me to be rid of it forever and always. I am transformed and free, so it shall be." End your ritual by cleansing yourself with smoke or water. Allow the candle and charcoal to burn out completely. Bury the spell remains away from your home or throw it in the trash away from your home.

Haustblót

Celebrating the Final Harvest

7. Seasonal Feast with Family & Friends

Prepare a feast with seasonal foods, particularly hearty dishes like meat, root vegetables, and grains. Traditionally, this time marked the end of the harvest, so incorporating harvest themes into the meal is symbolic. Invite family, friends, or members of your kindred to share in the meal, fostering community, warmth, and gratitude.

8. Perform a Group Ritual Outdoors

If you have access to natural settings, consider hosting an outdoor ritual. Offer libations (such as mead or ale) and seasonal fruits or grains to the land spirits (landvættir), asking for their blessings during the winter months. Make a group sacrifice to say thanks to the land and gods for providing you and yours with such abundance and ask for their blessing and protection in the coming harsh, winter months.

Offering Ideas: Mead, ale, smoked meat, honey, apples, stew, bread, grains

9. Seasonal and Ancestral Crafting

Engage in seasonal crafting as part of your celebration. Making handmade items like rune sets, wool garments, or seasonal decorations can connect you to the traditions of your ancestors, who prepared for the harsh winter with practical and creative work. This is the perfect time to can, smoke, and otherwise prepare foods to store through the winter months.

Craft ideas: Make runes, can seasonal vegetables, prep freezer meals, tan hides, dry apples and oranges to make a garland, or decorate pinecones with peanut butter and seeds for wildlife.

10. Craft Seasonal Charms or Wards 

Create protective charms or wards to safeguard your home and family during the darker half of the year. These can be made from autumn herbs, plants, or natural materials gathered during the season, such as dried leaves, acorns, or pinecones. This is also a great time to redo any protection wards you may already have. Take them down, perform a cleansing ritual, then put them back in place. Remember, wards trap things inside so you want to occasionally take them down to let any built of negativity or unwanted energy leave.

Charm Ideas: Create protective bind runes and draw them in protection oil on your doors and windows or create them out of sticks and hang around your home.

11. Set up a Seasonal Altar 

Design an altar for Vetrnætr that incorporates symbols of autumn and the coming winter. Use candles, seasonal herbs like mugwort or yarrow, and animal totems associated with the season (like ravens or wolves). Add offerings to the gods or ancestors. 

12. Storytelling and Saga Share

Storytelling is a way to pass on wisdom, entertain, and bond with others during the long nights. You can gather with loved ones or your kindred and take turns reading or telling stories from the Eddas or other mythic tales. This is also a great time to just talk and visit, sharing stories from your life and learning about the lives of others. If you are celebrating alone, why not read a book or watch a movie?

14. Hold a Sumbel or Symbel

A sumbel is a drinking ritual in which a horn or goblet of mead or other alcoholic drink is passed around. A series of toasts are made, usually to the gods, ancestors, or heroes followed by boasts of great deeds performed throughout the year, and oath-making for the future year. As with all things, be careful of the words you choose, as any oath made during this time will turn the wheels of fate. A sumbel is a ritual that celebrates and strengthens the community but can also include a blot or sacrifice to the gods if a sacrifice of mead is also made to them. (I plan to post a complete guide to symbels/sumbels in the future so keep an eye out for it!)

Other drink suggestions: Beer, ale, wine, cider, juice, sweetened milk, or tea

15. Hail the Gods and Goddesses with a Ritual Sacrifice

During Vetrnætr, you can honor specific gods or goddesses who are associated with the season, such as Freyr (for fertility and harvest), Hel (goddess of the underworld), or the Norns (weavers of fate). Include offerings and prayers in their honor during your ritual. Winter Nights is composed of three blots, or sacrifices. This sacrifice can be an offering of blood (fresh meat, prick your finger, etc) or a sacrifice of something of value to you, such as food, money, or your time.

Again, how you celebrate Winter Nights is entirely up to you, but it should honor those you have loved and lost and give thanks for the blessings you have received. I am excited to celebrate my first Winter Nights this year (which happens to fall right at my birthday, ha!). Remember, plan early and thoroughly so you don't feel rushed and out of sorts when it comes to celebrating. This does not have to be an elaborate or over-the-top sort of celebration. Quiet and thoughtful is just as powerful as loud and raucous.

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What is Vetrnætr or Winter Nights?

The Norse, like all peoples, celebrated seasonal and astrological changes. What these celebrations were and how they were celebrated has been largely up for interpretation, relying on the Sagas, archeology, and surviving traditions to inform scholars and modern Norse pagans. In Chapter 8 of the Ynglinga Saga by Snorri Sturluson, three great sacrifices are mentioned.

Þá skyldi blóta í móti vetri til árs, 

en at miðjum vetri blóta til gróðrar, hit þriðja at 

sumri, þat var sigrblót.

There should be a sacrifice at the beginning of winter for a good year, 

and in the middle of winter for a good crop, the 

third in summer day, that was the sacrifice for victory.

While not mentioned specifically by names like Sigrblót, the beginning of winter sacrifice is believed it be Vetrnætr or Winter Nights, while the mid-winter sacrifice is Yule. While most modern pagans are familiar with the lore and traditions of Yule, Winter Nights is less well known, especially by those practicing a Wiccan-inspired Wheel of the Year. So, what exactly is it?

Northern latitude countries, such as Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, experience much harsher winters that tend to come sooner rather than later compared to more southern latitudes like the United States. This pushes their slaughter season forward to mid-October instead of mid-November. The final three days of Haustmánuðr (Autumn Month) and the beginning of Gormánuðr (Slaughter Month), often marked as the first full moon of October or 28 days after the autumn equinox, were dedicated to celebrating the beginning of slaughter season and the final harvests.

We know Winter Nights lasted three days and what happened during these three days by analyzing the Sagas. In Valla-Ljóts saga 3 there is mention of hinar þriðju vetrnætur, “the third Winter Night,” suggesting that Winter Nights lasted at least three days. While further literature is contradictory, there are plenty of references to Haustblót occurring during Winter Nights. In Eyrbyggja saga 37 we see the following passage:

"Annað haust eftir að veturnóttum hafði Snorri goði haustboð mikið og bauð til vinum sínum. Þar var öldrykkja og fast drukkið."

...at winter-nights, Snorri the Priest had a great autumn-feast, and bade his friends thereto. Ale drinking they had thereat, and folk drank fast and were very merry with ale.

Gisla saga 15 further supports Haustblót being part of Winter Nights in its description of Thorgrim's Haustblót celebration.

Þorgrímr ætlaði at hafa haustboð at vetrnóttum ok fagna vetri ok blóta Frey ok býðr þangat Berki, bróður sínum ok Eyjólfi Þórðarsyni ok mǫrgu ǫðru stórmenni. Gísli býr ok til veizlu ok býðr til sín mágum sínum ór Arnarfirði ok Þorkǫtlum tveimr, ok skorti eigi hálft hundrað manna at Gísla. Drykkja skyldi vera at hvárratveggja, ok var strát gólf á Sæbóli af sefinu af Seftjǫrn.

Thorgrim intended to have an autumn gathering at Winternights and welcome winter and sacrifice to Freyr, and he invited his brother Bork and Eyjolf Thordarson and many other prominent men. Gisli also prepared a feast and invited his kin from Arnarfjord and the two Thorketills. There were no fewer than half a hundred men at Gisli’s home. There was to be drinking at both houses, and the floor at Sæbol was strewn with sedges from Seftjorn.

Here we not only see Haustblót 's inclusion in Winter Nights but also get a glimpse into how the holiday would have been celebrated. These celebratory practices are further discussed in Óláfs saga helga 107:

Þat haust váru sǫgð Óláfi konungi þau tiðendi innan ór Þrándheimi, at boendur hefði þar haft veizlur fjǫlmennar at veturnóttum. Váru þar drykkjur miklar. Var konungi svá sagt, at þar væri minni ǫll signuð Ásum at fornum sið. Þat fylgdi ok þeiri sǫgn, at þar væri drepit naut ok hross og roðnir stallar af blóði ok framið blót ok veittr sá formáli, at þat skyldi vera til árbótar.

That fall, the tidings were told to King Olaf at Thrandheim that the freeholders had held a feast attended by many at Winternights. There was much drinking there. The king was told that there was minni-ale blessed to the Æsir according to the old custom. The story continued that cattle and horses were killed and the altars reddened with blood, and a blót carried out, and the prayer performed that had to be made for better seasons.

Here we see that not only was Haustblót celebrated with communal feasting, drinking, a toast to the gods (sumbel), and general merriment, but also marked by a ritual sacrifice, in this case of cattle and horses. Prayers were performed over these sacrifices in hopes of ensuring a quick winter and a bountiful harvest in the coming year. I have said it before and I will say it again, our ancestors relied heavily on their harvests to ensure they survived through the winter. A failed crop or loss of livestock ensured a family's demise, especially if their community didn't come to the rescue. These sacrifices were made to the gods as a thank-you for the abundance they had received and to ensure they wouldn't go without in the coming year.

There are also indications that sporting contests were also held during Winter Nights. Both Eyrbyggja saga 43 and Hallfreðar saga vandræðaskálds 2 mention annual leikmóts or sporting contests being held at or around the time of Winter Nights, suggesting that not only did the community celebrate with feasts, drinking, merriment, and sacrifices, but also with contests and games. The most commonly mentioned game in the sagas is knáttleikr, a game similar to hurling or shinty that could be played on either land or ice.

But what about Disablót and Alfablót? Again, there are contradictions in the texts, but in general, most agree both of these celebrations and sacrifices occur on or around Winter Nights. In Víga-Glúms saga 6 it says:

Þar var veisla búin að veturnóttum og gert dísablót og allir skulu þessa minning gera. Glúmur situr í rúmi sínu og gengur eigi til. Og er á leið kveldið er menn voru komnir þá var eigi svo mikil gleði sem líklegt mundi þykja fyrir fagnaðar sakir og vina fundar er þar voru margir saman komnir. Og þann dag er menn höfðu komið til boðsins hafði Glúmur eigi út gengið í móti mönnum og bauð engum að sitja hjá sér eða í hans rúmi.

A party was held there on a winter's night and an oath was taken, and everyone should remember this. Glúmur sits in his bed and does not move. And as the evening wore on, when the men had arrived, there was not so much joy as might be thought for the sake of rejoicing and the meeting of friends, where many had gathered. And on the day when the men had come to the invitation, Glúmur had not gone out to meet the men and did not invite anyone to sit with him or in his bed.

Egils saga 44 further corroborates that Disablót was held near winter's beginning with "much drink." Most famously, however, is Disablót's mention in the Heiðreks saga. In this story, King Álfr of Álfheimr holds a great Disablót celebration where his daughter, Álfhildr conducts the rites. Álfhildr is kidnapped while she is "reddening a horgr with blood" which suggests the ritual sacrifice during Disablót was performed by women. Other passages, such as the Ynglinga saga suggest men were capable of performing these rites as well, but disa is often connected to Disir making it a time to celebrate feminine spirits, deities, and ancestors. Whether or not women performed the rite is not particularly important as long as the Disir are being honored and celebrated.

By August Malmström - Alf Henrikson (1985) Ända Från Vendelkråka. p. 23, Public Domain

Alfablót, like Disablót is mentioned as being in the autumn in Austfararvísur, where Sigvat, a traveling poet, is denied hospitality as the family is holding Alfablót:

'Gakkat inn,’ kvað ekkja, 

‘armi drengr, en lengra; 

hræðumk ek við Óðins 

— erum heiðin vér — reiði.’ 

Rýgr kvazk inni eiga 

óþekk, sús mér hnekkði, 

alfablót, sem ulfi 

ótvín, í bœ sínum.

Do not come any farther in, wretched fellow’, said 

the woman; ‘I fear the wrath of Óðinn; we are 

heathen.’ The disagreeable female, who drove me 

away like a wolf without hesitation, said they were 

holding a sacrifice to the elves inside her farmhouse.

This passage also gives us a glimpse into what Alfablót was, "a sacrifice to the elves." Alfar translated to "elves" but is also believed to be deceased ancestors, as Frey/Freyr, who is also mentioned in Gísla saga 15 is the lord of Álfheimr, aka lord of the dead in their mounds. Furthermore, in the district of Geirstaðir, harvest sacrifices were made at the burial mound of the Norwegian king, Olaf, in hopes of bringing prosperity and good harvests. This further suggests Alfablót's connection with celebrating and honoring the dead. Today, some modern Norse pagans honor protective land spirits during Alfablót while others choose to honor their male ancestors. The sagas suggest both are accurate so it's entirely up to you what to honor during this time. The same is true of Disablót, but Disablót's clear connection with the disir suggests it is both a celebration of female ancestors and feminine spirits and goddesses alike.

Not only do these above passages suggest that Disablót and Alfablót were held during Winter Nights, but they also suggest both of these sacrifices were held privately with family and close friends, unlike Haustblót which was celebrated by the community at large. Neither Disablót nor Alfablót was necessarily a celebration, but something that you did during Winter Nights to honor ancestors, gods, and land spirits. Being a blot, we know a sacrifice of blood would have been made and perhaps followed by a small family dinner with drink. Some have suggested Alfablót is similar to Samhain, but there are very limited similarities between the two. While both celebrate the dead, there were no carved gourds, costumes, or such rituals during Alfablót.

The Stentoften Stone, bearing a runic inscription that likely describes a blót of nine he-goats and nine male horses bringing fertility to the land. By Henrik Sendelbach, CC BY-SA 3.0

This year (2024) Winter Nights begins on October 17th and concludes on October 19th. The order in which you celebrate these three blots is entirely up to you, as nothing suggests their order in the sagas. I have chosen to celebrate Alfablót on the first night followed by Disablót then Haustblót. Much like our forefathers, I plan to spend the first two nights privately celebrating those we have loved and lost while simultaneously celebrating and thanking the spirits of the land for their continued protection and support. All of this will crescendo on Saturday with a larger celebration and feast with family and friends. Keep an eye out for my upcoming post on ways to celebrate Winter Nights, my sacrifice suggestions, feast recipes, and altar inspiration! Until then!

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Yule/Winter Solstice Altar 2023

Yes, I know this post is incredibly late, but if you follow me on Instagram, you know why. Between having to administer end-of-semester finals and state testing, dental surgery (which went incredibly well, by the way), the holidays, traveling, and getting engaged, the last thing I have had time for recently is blogging, or anything exceptionally witchy. Heck, we didn't even exchange gifts this year! Yule and Christmas felt a bit off without the gift exchange, but we just couldn't justify spending money on items we didn't really need when we knew we would be traveling. Besides, I think my engagement ring is the best gift I could have ever received. I haven't talked about my now fiancé on my blog, but just know he is an absolute treasure, and I am so thankful I found my person. But I digress!

Despite being busy, I did set up a simple Yule altar using some of my favorite items and some new ones as well. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, marking the final day of lasting darkness and the return of the Sun. The Winter Solstice has been celebrated by a variety of cultures for thousands of years as it marked an important transition in the Wheel of the Year. With it being the longest night, folklore sprung up around what happened in the dark, the most prominent of these European myths being the Wild Hunt. Candles were lit to drive away the darkness, keep out the demons, and encourage the Sun's return so that life would flourish once more. And in the darkness, a god was born. Depending on the tradition, this included such deities as Horus, Dionysus, Apollo, and the infamous Oak King. With these themes in mind, I created this year's Yule altar to brighten my spirits and bring prosperity and light into the new year.

1. Goat Skull- Goats are associated with fertility, virility, and lust (all themes associated with Yule), as well as independence, ambition, and persistence. Even against all odds, goats will give everything they have, reminding us to persevere even in the face of darkness. Goats also represent the Horned God who is reborn on the solstice. In Sweden, large straw goats, known as Yule goats or Julbock, are built on the first day of Advent. This may be a nod to Thor, whose chariot was pulled by two goats, or possibly the remnants of an old harvest tradition. Either way, the Yule goat has become a symbol of Yule in many Scandinavian countries and is said to watch over holiday preparations and even bring gifts, much like Santa. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

2. Evergreen Greenery- Nestled around the goat skill is evergreen greenery, which is a traditional symbol of Yule, representing the Holly King, everlasting life, regeneration, vitality, and protection. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves during the winter months, evergreen trees keep their leaves, remaining perpetually green and full of life, even during the darkest, coldest time of the year. Boughs of evergreen were commonly hung above doorways and placed on altars to prevent evil from entering the home, especially on the longest night of the year. It was also believed such greenery would promote health and wellness by warding away sickness. This may have something to do with the natural scent of pine and other evergreen plants, or the antiseptic nature of the tree's sap. (Where did I get it: Target 2016; Cost: $5)

3. Bottle Brush Tree Lights- For those of you who don't know, I am absolutely obsessed with bottle brush trees. My current collection numbers well over 100 and when I saw these battery-powered lights in the checkout line at Home Goods, I knew I needed them in my life. Each light contains a miniature bottle brush tree, representing immortality, fertility, and protection. Evergreen trees were often brought into the home and decorated with candles, lights, and shiny objects to bring joy to those within while also warding away ghosts, witches, and other evil spirits during the Winter Solstice. The snowy scene within is also associated with purity and new beginnings, while the light represents the Sun who is reborn during Yule. (Where did I get it: Home Goods 2023; Cost: $10)

4. Bloodstone and Orange Calcite- Bloodstone was known as heliotrope by the Ancients which comes from the Greek helios meaning "sun" and trepein meaning "to attract." As such, bloodstone or heliotrope signifies "sun-turning" and is said to attract the rays of the Sun. Like the candles, this is a form of sympathetic magic to bring forth the rebirth of the Sun and ward off the neverending night. Orange calcite, on the other hand, encourages personal power, enhances creativity, and increases positivity. It's most commonly used to dispel depression, which is extremely common this time of year due to the lack of sunlight. (Where did I get it: Various Subscription Boxes and Gifted; Cost: ~$3)

5. White Candles & Green Candle Sticks- The ward off the darkness, candles were lit to protect those within on the Winter Solstice from dangerous spirits and the Wild Hunt while simultaneously ushering in the return of the Sun. For this reason, I have placed two white candles, which represent the Sun, purity, and renewal, on my altar. Furthermore, the Sun is reborn on the Winter Solstice, the candles being an offering to His return. I went with green candle holders, a common color associated with Yule, to promote health, fertility, growth, abundance, and the Holly King. (Where did I get it: Candles- Dollar Tree; Cost: $1, Candle Holders- Home Goods 2023; Cost: $16, $8 each)

6. Wooden Acorns- One of my favorite myths is the tale of the Oak and Holly Kings. The Holly King is at his peak during the Winter Solstice, but his power begins to weaken as the Oak King, who is reborn on the Winter Solstice, regains power. The two wooden acorns flanking each side of my altar are an ode to the Oak King. They also represent strength, new life, and rebirth, a promise of what is to come once the darkness passes. Oaks are well known for their protective nature, which is needed on the longest night of the year. The acorns not only represent the Oak King and the strength He provides but also provide my home with protection from wayward spirits and the Wild Hunt. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

TOTAL COST: ~$35

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!

To each and every one of you, I hope you had a wonderful Winter Solstice, a festive Yule, and a happy New Year!

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