I don’t have an example of my own anymore of a bell pull using this stitch, but I have an example I pulled off the internet from Nordic Needle.
I used a large plastic canvas so the stitches would show up more distinctly.
The major thing to remember is to have stitch 7 to 8 be horizontal.
The Double cross stitch and Goblin stitch
Instructions are reproduced and copied from the Readers Digest needlework book.
These are the three stitches i will refer to for the bell pulls.
References:
https://digitaltmuseum.no/021096496670/broderimonster-klostersom
Has a variety of patterns using klostersøm.
https://digitaltmuseum.org/search/?q=klokkestreng
In the museum’s search box, try also “klostersøm”.
https://viltogvakkert.blogspot.com/2013/02/norsk-kultur-broderi.html
From https://snl.no/klokkestreng
Klokkestreng var opprinnelig en snor, et bånd eller en tøyremse som sto i forbindelse med en ringeklokke. Klokkestrengen hadde håndtak eller ring nederst, og ved å trekke i den fikk man klokken til å klemte. En rekke broderte klokkestrenger til innendørs bruk er bevart fra andre halvdel av 1800-tallet.
I nyere tid er navnet klokkestreng overført til en dekorativ, langsmal veggtekstil uten praktisk funksjon. Å brodere klokkestrenger har vært populært håndarbeid.
Andersson, Aron. (1970). The Art of Scandinavia.” Vol. 2. New York: The Hamlyn Publishing Group. Originally published 1968 as “L’Art Scandinave 2”, France.
Dillmont, Th. de. (1972). The complete Encyclopedia of Needelwork.” Philadelphia: Running Press.
Heron, Addie E. (1894). Fancy Work for Pleasure and Profit. Chicago: Thompson & Thomas.
Nielsen, Edith. (1978). “Scandinavian Embroidery – Past and Present”. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. Non-academic review with lots of current (70’s) patterns in different techniques.
Troels-Lund, T.F. (1903). “Dagligt Liv i Norden i det Sekstende Aarhundrede”. Fjerde Udgave. København: Gyldendalske Boghandel Nordisk Forlag.
Here is info for tvistsom….one of the three stitches I’m going to demonstrate. I thought I’d just send you info as I get it together and have you do your wizardry in organizing it.
This particular info can be cut and pasted as is since there is an authorization at the end to do so.
It looks like the stitches didn’t show up but no worries since I’m going to do a larger diagram that is easier to follow.
Tvistsom is a folk art technique that originated in Sweden during the 17th and 18th centuries. It has had a long history throughout all the Scandinavian countries with the best known examples coming from the province of Skane in the southern part of Sweden. Traditionally it was stitched on a canvas with a “tvist” weave, a loose tabby weave. Because of the durability of the stitching, many examples survived such as sleigh rugs, cushions and household furnishings. Today a wider array of materials are available and the prjojects can be done on ground fabrics ranging from 7-count to 25-count evenweave. The principle stitch is the long arm cross stitch.
Tvistsöm
The National Day of Sweden (sveriges nationaldag) had been called the Swedish Flag Day (svenska flaggans dag). Sweden does not celebrate an “independence day” because it has never been conquered or ruled by another country. June 6th was chosen as the appropriate date because Gustav Vasa was elected the King of Sweden on this date in 1523 and was considered the beginning of modern Sweden. Tvistsöm is a very Scandinavian needlework technique. In the Norweave article, the stitch for Tvistsöm was introduced.
The cross-stitch stitch morphed into a unique stitch in Scandinavian needlework. This stitch actually became more popular than a cross-stitch in some areas and is called the long-armed cross stitch. The stitcher used a loose weave fabric called tvistur which does not have a good translation into English. This fabric along with the long-armed cross-stitch evolved into a technique known as: Tvistsöm (Swedish) and Twistsøm (Norwegian) embroidery. Loosely translated this means twisted seam (stitch).
This technique created very sturdy pieces when done on canvas, so it was used for cushions and wall hangings. Many of the remaining examples were found in the Skåne region of Sweden where it was also used for ecumenical items. Here is a modern day example of Tvistsöm from Angelhom which is in the Skåne province.
This translates literally to “Welcome to us” but means “Welcome to our home”. This piece is completely covered in long-arm cross stitches on Penelope canvas and measures 11″ x 15″.
As with many other ethnic needleart forms, the original designs were more geometric and reflected nature and the Tree of Life. Mythology played a big part in Swedish life so there are also creatures and gods. The fiber colors varied by region depending on what materials were available for the dyes. Some common color combinations are seen still today such as red and blue on white; light blue and yellow on natural; blue, gold, yellow and white. Earth tones were also very popular like the example, Välkommen.
What is interesting about the example is it appeared at first glance the stitcher used variegated threads, but that is not the case. This is actually accomplished with two different colored threads being stitched together. This was a very common practice which added more color and depth to the project when the thread choices were limited.
Another way the stitcher added interest is by turning the work 90 degrees to stitch a section. Look closely at this section of leaves to see how the different colors and direction of stitching make the leaves stand out.
Your workbasket is going to contain the items you would have for a cross-stitch project. To learn more about the basic supplies required, you can refer to the this cross-stitch article.
Let’s get to the technical part of this technique. The design is done almost entirely with the long-armed cross-stitch. This stitch has also been known by other names such as the plait stitch, plaited Algerian stitch, Portuguese cross, Greek stitch (which appears to have a line stitched between the two worked rows of long stitch. old Icelandic cross stitch.
Resources show the stitch starting and stopping differently. The American Needlepoint Guild (ANG) shows starting with a normal cross stitch. The A-Z of Embroidery Stitches and The Embroidery Stitch Book shows it starting with the long armed stitch and no compensating beginning stitch. The Stitch Sampler seems to indicate the compensating stitch in their pictures as does several websites.
Long-Arm Cross Stitch »
Option 3 with a compensating stitch at the beginning and at the end of the row or column gives a fuller stitch and doesn’t allow the fabric to show through the stitch.
Tips and Tricks
Tvistsöm should be worked in hand and not in a frame because you are consistently turning your work so you stitch from left to right. As you get used to this stitch, you can learn how to stitch the next row from right to left without turning your work!
If you are turning your work, be sure to mark the top of your piece somehow. You can make a stitch and tie it off in the far upper right hand corner.
When the stitch is worked correctly, the back of your piece will have all vertical stitches and be very neat! Note that if you purposely change the direction of your stitch, your back will change also! Here is a diagram of how two rows are worked showing the stitch on the back side.
You can do the Tvistsöm stitch using any cross stitch or counted canvas type pattern.
Here is how counting the stitches would look on a graph and how that translates into the actual stitch.
When figuring how much fabric you need, it is important that each stitch is actually 2 fabric threads wide and 2 fabric threads tall. To figure the fabric, the formula is:
The number of stitches multiplied by 2 (each stitch is two fabric threads) divided by your fabric count
So, if you had a design that was 100 stitches wide by 250 stitches tall and you wanted to use 18-count fabric, here is how you figure that out.
WIDTH: 100 x 2 / 18 = 11.11″ HEIGTH: 250 x 2 / 18 = 27.77″
Remember, this is just the design area so you need to add at least 2 inches to each side for stitching and finishing.
Swedish Hearts – Svenska Hjärtan
In honor of the National Day of Sweden, here is a free pattern, Swedish Hearts, which can be done in Tvistsöm, counted cross stitch or counted canvas. The entire design should actually be worked so that all the fabric is covered, but only the blue and yellow sections have been stitched in the example.
This is stitched on 18-count fabric with DMC Floss in colors 798 and 725 using 3 strands of floss.
In addition to the large chart, each section has been graphed showing the Tvistsöm stitch.
Download the FREE PATTERN »
Hopefully you have enjoyed this look at Tvistsöm.
We hope this guide makes your stitching easier and more enjoyable!
For those interested in using this article or others published by Nordic Needle, Inc., please use this copy when referencing the information:
“The following article was published by Nordic Needle in their weekly e-mail newsletter. Permission was granted to share this article in (name of your publication). For information on subscribing to their newsletter, visit www.nordicneedle.com.”
Tvistsöm
We hope this site helps in your endeavors to Handmake something great.™
Before you begin a project, it would be a good idea to get out your graph paper and draw out the pattern. It doesn’t matter which of the three stitches you use. The difference will be the number of holes in a square of your fabric canvas you need to use.
If you choose to do different colors, you can assign each color with a different symbol.
The uff da bell pull has solid squares , circles, and Xs to designate colors. The background is all white.
On the other 2 graphed designs, I hadn’t designated colors yet.
Or, as in another example, just color the squares. (I find that is less confusing.)
Finally, attaching the photo next to the symboled graphed design is the best of both worlds.
The most important direction is to always BEGIN IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR DESIGN.
Always begin in the middle of your design.
In general, None of my books on textiles talk about klokkestrenger before the late 1800’s-early 1900’s (and really, much later!) when there was a resurgence of interest in handwork – weaving, embroidery, and Hulda Garborg’s promotion of bunad development. A Norwegian dictionary (see references) says the oldest preserved one is from the late 1800s, so not an old tradition.
The embroidery technique grows out of more detailed tapestry works that were adopted from Europe and became particularly popular in the 15-1600s, first in the wealthiest homes to cover traditionally cold, bare walls. The small size, faster-to-embroider coarse stitches of klokkestrenger eventually made them a popular item around the mid 20th century long after heavily decorated walls were no longer fashionable and houses weren’t as susceptible to the cold.
Often hung as a mini-tapestry, the addition of an attached bell may have been suggested by (primarily) the English use of decorated pulls to call servants (a bell hung on the other end of the line in servant’s quarters -see Downton Abbey:-), but decorating objects has been a common past-time of humans since pre-history. As such, the techniques, size, materials and socio-economic status of owners was highly subject to fads.
More geographically isolated than Sweden and Denmark – especially given the trade routes south more open to them, Norway shows a slower adoption of trends from Europe, often retaining old patterns while using more ‘modern’ materials such as colored yarns, gold threads, or silk, and use of cotton over traditional linen.
Common klokkestreng stitchery is also called ‘gobelin’, ‘klostersøm’, ‘satin stitch’, and is most often done in a geometric pattern. It derives from its likeness to the much finer and colorful gobelin tapestries that became the rage in up-scale households in the 1500s. There are dozens of tapestry stitches, all with the characteristic of covering a backing material. The klokkestreng uses just one of these styles, using an upright gobelin stitch which is worked on congress canvas over 1 vertical thread and 2 horizontal threads. It uses colored wool yarns, similar to traditional Norwegian sweater wools, not the finer, shiny (silk, polyester, etc.) embroidery yarns usually seen now. (Note: Scandinavians have traditionally preferred counted stitch embroidery over screen-printed patterns – although for uniformity, bunad materials are screened.) Patterns often include 8-pointed stars, rectangles, and staircase elements.
Per recent posts in Norway, it is no longer an active hobby pursuit but hasn’t entirely disappeared. See “http://www.klokkestreng.dk/historien.html“… My ambition is to reintroduce klokkestreng as a modern design element… Oprindelig var klokkestrengene for det meste broderede og hang i de velhavende hjem som kommunikationsforbindelse mellem herskab og tjenestefolk. Når man trak i klokkestrengen ringede en klokke et andet sted i huset, og den ønskede hjælp dukkede op. Senere fik klokkestrengen udelukkende dekorativ funktion. Kommunikationen blev til en fortælling i broderede ord og billeder om forskellige temaer som f.eks. udvalgte bygninger, planter, dyr, redskaber o.s.v. Ofte er klokken bevaret som et pyntende vedhæng på det nederste beslag.
We are posting here all the pieces you may want to refer to for the service, in advance. We hope to see you “live” on Zoom!
Here’s a link to the program for the service.
Here is the message in Norwegian and English:
The songs, in Norwegian, are in order, here. The words in Norwegian and English are in the program, above:
Many of the web pages are illustrated and also provide links to other illustrations. The symbols I’ve used in this article were mostly sketched from the first two printed references and the second and third internet references.
Printed Material:
Internet Pages: The first four of these were the most informative.
Other references:
Features of the Primstav
The year contains the regular Julian number of 365 days.
It is divided into Quarters:
The first two quarters consist of 13 weeks each. There are 14 weeks in the third quarter and 12 weeks in the fourth.
Summer (14 April – 13 October) The traditional symbol is the tree
Summer divisions: (working seasons):
Winter (14 October – 13 April) October 14th traditional symbol is the mitten.
SUMMER (14 April – 13 October)
April 14- FIRST DAY OF SUMMER Symbol: evergreen tree.
This day honored two martyrs, the brothers St. Tiburtius and St. Valerianus, who died in 229.
The symbol is a tree, signifying the renewal of life. If it snowed this day, it would snow nine times before summer came. Soil was thrown onto the fields to make the snow melt faster. All milking vessels should be thoroughly scrubbed. In many parts of Norway, servants were hired on this day. Shepherds abstained from meat on this day, believing that if they are meat, it would harm their herd, lest wolves and bears devour the cattle.
This is a special day in which is inherited from the time before Christianity. Right up until recent times, work was prohibited on this day. In other regions, it was considered half holy. In the area of Ostlandet, they ate
Summer porridge. In Valdres, the livestock was supposed to have been brought forth, and everywhere they would prepare for Summer in the mountains (bu=seter). In Hordaland, close to the coast, it was the first day of seeding.
As the weather was on the first day of Summer, so it would be for three weeks (Verdal) or for seven weeks (Beistad). Throughout the country, frost and snow predicted a cold and poor Spring, while warm weather predicted a good Summer. As the weather was the first day of Summer, the crop would be in the Fall (Gudbrandsdalen). A clear Summer day meant that the year would be good (Seljord). If it snowed on the first day of Summer, there would be nine days extra with snow before the Summer really came. Other names for the day: Summer Night, Summer Measure, The Day of Summer Measure.
April 16 -ST. MAGNUS’ DAY
Symbol: a slanting arrow or axe (the saint’s attribute) or a hoe (the beginning of spring work).
This day Commemorate the Earl, Magnus, from the Orkney Islands. St. Magnus was murdered by his cousin Earl Haakon Paalson in 1115. In the year 1135, he was canonized. A cathedral built in his honor at Kirkwall by his nephew, Earl Ragnvald, is still standing.
His symbol was an arrow or an axe, but here it has been changed to a spade, scythe or a hoe. That was probably in line with the lore that this was the day to begin cultivating the fields.
April 25- ST. MARK’S DAY (Markusdagen) Old Summer Nights (Gamle Sommernet)
Symbol: quill pen or a lion
It was a memorial day for the evangelist (St. Mark the Evangelist) Marcus who was martyred in Alexandria. On this day, pagan people would make sacrifices to the Norse gods for their victory over Tjasse, the evil spirit of winter. The people and their priest walked in procession with crosses and relics across the fields while the priests sprinkled holly water to ward off evil spirits and calling for the blessing of God on the fields and the summer crop.
Although Mark’s symbol is a lion, the symbol in this case may be a quill pen in reference to Mark’s writing one of the gospels. This is another example of how the Church took pagan customs and gave them a different meaning. Another interpretation of the symbol is that of a spikelet (or a field) with a road around it.
According to the Old Style (Julian) Calendar, this was the opening day of summer. Bells should be fastened on the cows; the making of butter and cheese could begin.
May 1-*CUCKOO MASS / GAUKSMESS
Symbol: A Tree with a Cuckoo
This day has possibly been given the name after the first month of Summer in Old Norse – the cuckoo month as it is called in Snorre’s Edda. The marker on the calendar stick is a cuckoo bird or, as on some calendar sticks, a double cross. In the church calendar it was a memorial day for the Apostles Philip and Jacob. One may also find the name Valborg’s Mass – in memory of the holy Walpurgis. In southern Scandinavia ad on the continent the night before Cuckoo Mass connected with the tradition relating to the travel of witches and witches’ Sabbath with the result that Walpurgis might play the same role there as Midsummer Night here. In pre-Christina times, one would have good or bad luck depending upon the direction from which they hear the first Cuckoo call in the spring. North: die or become ill. South: good year, West: success East: love
Legend advised that a woman who wished to marry soon should run around a tree three [?] times. No ordinary tree would do; there had to be a gauk, a cuckoo, in the tree. For this to work properly, the woman had to be nude. [ No doubt this custom caused many cases of pneumonia among young, aspiring maidens, as May was not necessarily free of winter ice and cold in higher parts of the country! The custom made normally sensible girls act “cuckoo,” or crazy??
This day is widely celebrated as May Day and seems to be based on pagan rather than Christian customs. A good day to sow.
May 3-MASS OF THE HOLY CROSS / Korsmess
Symbol: Cross
The church celebrated the finding of the cross on which Christ was crucified in Jerusalem by Helena, mother of Emperor Konstantin in approximately 330.
This day the cattle were to be let out to pasture, fences were to be mended. It was time to shear the sheep, and all gates to have been installed. Cattle should get their last feeding in the barn.
Known also as Spring or Great Cross Mass to distinguish it from the one on September 14.
May 15-ST. HALLVARD’S WAKE Symbol: Millstone
Hallvard, the patron saint of Oslo, rescued a pregnant woman from three pursuers as he was crossing the Oslo Fjord and was himself killed by an arrow and thrown into Drammensfjord with a millstone around his neck in 1043 AD. The corps with the millstone floated to the surface and there was a burial service for Hallvaard in Oslo Cathedral and he was canonized.
On some calendar sticks, the day is marked with some dots representing grain. The time around St. Hallvard’s Wake as thought to be the best time for seeding. It was commonly understood that around St. Hallvard’s Wake, there would be a cold snap the reindeer calf snap, because the female reindeers were calving at this time and the calving was thought to happen during a cold snap. There should be enough hay in the barn to keep the cattle to this day.
The millstone and the arrows are represented in the coat of arms of the City of Oslo.
May 22-BEARS WAKE
Symbol: Bear’s paw
This was the time when the bear woke up from his long sleep and left his den. Feasting began the night before, hence the “wake.”
All seed should now be in the ground.
May 27 – FRIGGA BLOT MERRYMOON
Today we rejoice in the warmth and splendor of Spring. A traditional time for a kindred campout, a blot to honor the AllMother and thank her for the health and vitality of the Family, Kindred and Tribe.
June 8- LINDISFARNE DAY Midyear
On this day in the year 793 CE three Viking ships raided the isle of Lindisfarne and sacked a monastery there, officially opening the Viking Age. Toast those brave warriors who struck out against the enemies of Asatru.
June 15 –ST. VITUS’S DAY
Symbol: a seed
The day was also called “cleaning day,” since on this day the chimneys were cleaned in the outbuildings used for curing meat and fish. Unreliable legend has Vitus the only son of a senator in Sicily, become a Christian when he was twelve. When his conversions and miracles became widely known to the administrator of Sicily, (Valerian) he had Vitus brought before him, to shake his faith. He was unsuccessful.
June 17-ST. BOTOLPH’S WAKE
Symbol: a cross on a bishop’s pastoral staff
This was a day of celebration in memory of St. Botolph, who according to a chronicle, build a monastery in England in 654 AD at Boston in Lincolnshire and gave the town his name (“Botulph’s town”).
This is an important day in Norway because in 1276, it was decided that the Norwegian Lagting (division of the Norwegian Storting = Parliament) was to open on this day.
As late as in 1850, St. Botolph’s Day was celebrated as a holy day in Valle. In the area of Hedmark, the days around St. Botolph’s Day were called “the week of the loosening of the roots” because it was the time to plow and harrow the fields that had been left fallow in order to get rid of the roots of the weeks. In Valdres, the livestock was supposed to be in full production by the time St. Botolph’s Day came. This day was set aside to harrow fields that were to be left fallow.
June 21- Midsommer/SUMMER SOLSTICE
Symbol: the sun
This is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Now Suna begins its long decline, sliding into the darkness which will culminate six months from now at Yule. Midsummer is particularly a time to make blessings to Baldur. The holiday is considered the time of the death of the Fair God of sunshine, Baldur and thus the turning point at which summer reaches its height and the Sun shines longest, but at the same time it is when the days will soon begin to shorten and the Earth is beginning its slow descent into winter again. For that reason, some groups prefer to honor the Goddess Sunna for she is the Sun that shines on crops during the summer months. It is important to note that midsummer is actually the first day of summer and not the middle.
This was the traditional time for holding the Allthing in ancient times. During this time, many people from all over the world would celebrate the summer solstice, being the longest day of the year. This was a time of merriment, celebration, trade, prosperity, and for Vikings, a time for raiding. Model Viking ships are also sometimes made from thin wood, filled with small flammable offerings, and burned.
Due to the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, there were 2 midsummer’s days. (see below)
June 24-ST. JOHN’S WAKE Jonsok
Symbol: a church or a stylized version of the sun
A day dedicated to John the Baptist. In Norse mythology fire descended from heaven and so fire was believed in some way to protect the cattle herd from illness. On farms, it was time to move the cattle to summer pasture.
The symbol is a stylized version of the sun which now was at its highest point.
This is the true “Midsummer’s Day” and has always been an important festival in Scandinavia. And though the symbol is a church and the day is dedicated to John (Hans) the Baptist, most of the legend surroundingt is from pre-Christian times. On the eve of this day, witches were believed to have met with the devil, and planned their mischief for the following year. All trolls and demons were out on this night. In Norse mythology, fire descended from heaven and so it was believed in some way to protect cattle from illness.
On this night, also, it was believed that the dead would rise. If one was to go to the graveyard at midnight with the Lutheran Hymnal held closely to your chest and sod on your head (to symbolize your closeness to those- under the sod) you could visit with them for a short time. Several traditions are connected with the celebration of Mid-summer. The tradition which is most widely spread and best preserved is the lighting of the bonfire; a custom still observed in some areas. In the middle was placed a pole, called “the old man” or “the old hag”. This may have signified the new season replacing the old. On the west coast, mid-summer weddings are celebrated. Also they celebrate make-believe weddings of adults or children. The fire was thought to protect the cattle from evil powers.Rain on this day meant a wet fall.
In the old days, people would go on a pilgrimage to churches and holy places on mid-summer night. Especially known is the pilgrimage to the church in Rodal. At the time of mid-summer, one was supposed to gather healing herbs and the so-called grass of Mid-summer (modurt = meadow sweet) which would strengthen the livestock. Young people could by way of a dream find out who they were to marry, as for example by sleeping on top of an underground brook or by putting nine kinds of mid-summer flowers under their pillow and the next day – wearing no clothes – looked at her reflection in a pail of water, she could see the man she would marry..
June 29- ST. PETER’S WAKE Symbol: a key
Legend has St. Peter as the keeper of the door of heaven. St. Paul is venerated as an incomparable missionary and author of the earliest New Testament writings.This day is dedicated to both St. Peter and St. Paul, who were martyred for their faith in the year 67.
Medicinal herbs should be picked on this day.
July 2- ST. SWITHIN’S WAKE (Syftesok)
Symbol: a bishop
St. Swithun is honored as the patron saint of the Norwegian town of Stavanger. He was an English bishop of the 9th century in Winchester, England (d. 863). He was widely revered in southwest Norway. The cathedral at Stavanger was dedicated to him, and his cult was especially prominent in this bishopric.
The weather on this day would prevail through the rest of the month. On this day, weeding of the fields was to begin. Place two twigs crosswise in the fields and recite this verse “Now I’ll clean the weeks from the
July 8- ST. SUNNIVA’S DAY (Gjaaen)
Symbol: a sythe
An Irish Christian princess, Sunniva and her company were killed at Selja near Stadt in Norway. She was attempting to escape the unwanted attention of a heathen chief by fleeing across the sea with a number of devoted followers. The vessel had neither rudder, sail, or oars. They reached the island of Selje on Norway’s coast. These refugees were suspected of stealing cattle, but when an armed party was sent to investigate, they found that Sunniva and her party had been entombed in a cave by a landslide. Sometime later, passers-by noticed a strange light streaming from the cave where the strangers had been buried. The cave was excavated and Sunnivas body was found intact and uncorrupted and those of her companions emitted a supernatural light. King Olav Trygveson had a church build on this site and her body enshrined there. A hundred years later the body was moved to Bergen, and Sunniva became the patron saint of that city.
In Telemark, her day was understood in a practical sense: it was the beginning of haying.
July 10-ST. CANUTE’S DAY Symbol: a rake
Canute of Denmark, king and martyr, died on this date in 1086. His symbol is usually a scythe to be followed by “Catherine with a rake” on July 12. Another interpretation is that the sig started out as Knut’s crown and royal orb. A verse was associated with the day: King Knut and Kjell the Bailiff (i.e. St. Kilian) will drive the farmer out with his scythe. However, on this stick, the symbols have been advanced by two days, the scythe appearing on the 8th and the rake on the 10th. A local interpretation is unknown.
July 14- MIDSUMMER DAY (Christian) Midt paa sommeren
Symbol: a tree or a stalk of oats or a halfway point
Now, the oats should start forming heads. One saying was “If the oats don’t form before St. Olaf’s Wake (July 29), the corn will not be good.”
While not exactly another midsummer celebration, this was the halfway point of the summer. (between April 14 and October 14)
July 18-ST. SARAH’S DAY
Symbol: a half cross
St. Sarah’s day is really July 19th but on this stick, the half cross symbol has been placed on the 18th.
This is Saint Sarah. Her original name was Sarai. According to the book of Genesis, God changed her name to Sarah as a part of a covenant. Her husband, Abram, his name changed too. His was changed to Abraham.
Sarah is the patron saint of laughter. She was born during the Old Testament. Sarah’s birthplace is unknown. She was 127 years old when she died. She is the wife of Abraham. Sarah’s feast day is August 19th.
July 20- ST. MARGARET’S DAY Symbol: a cross with a halo or a dipper
Commonly known as Margaret the Dipper. The sig is probably a reinterpretation of her usual attribute, a cross encircled by a halo. Margaret was a virgin martyr said to have preferred death to marriage with a pagan in 275 A.D.
This was a day for rain, and farmers should not touch their fields, for no good would come of it. The day came to be nicknamed “Margaret Waterscoop” because rain could now be expected.
July 22-ST. MAGDALENE’S DAY Symbol: a woman with a halo or a jar of ointment.
Another name for this da was “good weather prayer day” because it was not time for putting up the hay and good weather was urgently needed.
The jar of ointment is the one she used to anoint the feet of Christ (Luke 7:37-39)
July 25-JAMES WET HAT DAY Symbol: a drippy hat with a cross.
The cross on his sign refers to his pilgrim’s hat with a scallop shell on it; later, a hat with drops of water falling from it. James “The Greater” was beheaded by Herod Agrippa in 42 AD after spreading the gospel as a pilgrim in Spain.
This was a rainy season (hence the “wet Hat”) If the hops are wet now, it will be a wet fall. (Rain on this day was a sign of a wet autumn.)
July 26-ST. ANNE’S DAY
Symbol: an “A”
A fest day for St. Anne, grandmother of Jesus.
July 29-ST. OLAF’S WAKE Symbol: an axe
A Christian Norwegian king who was killed on this day in 1030 at the hands of his enemies. King Olaf Haraldsson was the founder of the Christian Church in Norway and its leading saint. The cathedral of Trondheim was built over his grave and attracted pilgrims from all parts of Europe.
Weather on this day was said to be a harbinger of the weather through the rest of the autumn. Floods were likely to occur, bringing with them the first spawning fish.
August 3-LESSER ST. OLAF’S WAKE
Symbol: small axe
The transfer of St. Olaf’s body to St. Clement’s Church in Trondheim.
Rain coming up!
August 7-ST. DONATUS’ DAY Symbol: hilt of a sword
St. Donatus was at mass one day when heathens broke the chalice. He prayed over the pieces and the chalice became whole again except for one piece which the Devil had taken.
August 10-ST. LAWRENCE’S WAKE Symbol: a grate
The symbol represents a gridiron, the one on which he was roasted alive in 258 AD. Lawrence was treasurer to Pope Sixtus II and was put to death because he refused to turn over the treasury to the heathen. When he had lain on the gridiron a while, he said, “Now I am roasted enough o one side; turn me over on the other”
On this day the sap returned to the roots of trees and the gnats disappeared. All hay must be stored by this day if one wants milk in the winter.
August 15- ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Symbol: a framed cross or a tree
A time for feast, honoring Mary’s reception into heaven. People prayed to Mary asking for protection of the harvest against early night frosts. The tree symbol is also commonly used as an attribute of Mary because of her association with the fertility of the soil. This day is known in the Church Calendar as the Assumption of Mary.
It was a good omen if the grain had headed by this time; frost could be expected.
August 24-ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S WAKE
Symbol: a knife
This was the day the rams of the flock were slaughtered. A spell of bad weather was likely to injure the crops.
St. Bartholomew, one of the apostles, was skinned by the King of Armenia after he had won a great part of the people for Christianity.
September 1 – ST. EGEDIUS DAY, KVERNKNARREN (Millstopper), YRJANSMESSE: (ST. EGIDIUS ( = ST. GILES) DAY)
Symbols: millstone, half cross, cross, leaf, branch, or a trap. —
The saint of this day, Aegidius, seems to have been forgotten.
his day predicted the availability of millstream water for the winter. If the stream was frozen, it boded ill for being able to grind the grain from that harvest. (Kvernknarren is the growling sound a mill (kvern) makes.) It was a good sign if it rained that day. If this day was dry, the whole month would be so, and there would not be enough water to keep the mills running.
St. Egedius, who founded a cloister in Provence, was the patron saint of archers, and against drought. One of many (supposed) days that bears collect bedding for their dens.
September 5 – “GAMLE BARSOK” (OLD BARSOK)
Symbol: a little cross.
Some areas celebrated this day on Sept. 2nd, and called it “3rd barsok.” There are two other barsoks in the year; one is on Aug 24th, for St. Bartholemew. (Most of my sources say there are three barsoks in all, but I could find no date listing a third one! Evidently it wasn’t too important.) All cattle should be home from the summer pastures by this day, because this was when the huldrefolk would move onto the mountain farms. You wouldn’t want for them to use your cattle, nor would you want to interfere in their lives.
September 8 – MARIMESSE SIARE, MARIMESSE OM HAUSTEN, VÅR FRUES DAG (Mary’s later mass, Mary’s mass in the fall, our Lady’s day)
Symbols: a tree
This day celebrates Mary’s birth. Sheep should be sheared on this day.
Good weather was a promising omen for the fall.
September 12– Fingergullmesse (Goldfinger mass)
Symbol: a half sun.
In honor of a relic — some drops of Christ’s blood — which was taken to Christ Church in Nidaros (now Trondheim) in 1165. The reliquary was in the form of a finger of gold. This holiday was fairly local to the Trondheim area. In other areas it was the day to shear sheep.
September 14– Krossmesse om hausten, Opphøginga av krossen (Mass of the Cross, or Raising of the Cross)
Symbols: a large cross or a peg-leg.
In memory of Emperor Herakleios, who returned Christ’s cross to Golgotha in 629 after it was stolen(!) the year before. Known in tge Church Calendar as “The Elevation of the Cross,” it was instituted in memory of the return to Palestine of the Cross in 614 AD.
All fences should be taken down and gates put away for the winter. Livestock should be inside by now. This day marked the beginning of fall. All crops should have been harvested;
September 21 – Matteusmesse, Mattismesse om hausten (St. Matthew’s mass in the fall) Symbols: an axe, a ram, a fish, or a running horse.
St. Matthew — the tax collector (Publican) became an apostle and the author of the first Gospel; he was said to have been beheaded in Ethiopia.
In Romerike, the day is called “Mattias lauvriver” (Matthew’s leaf-tearer/ripper), since it was often windy enough to get the last of the leaves off the trees. Leaf fodder should be gathered for the winter. And on this day, bears are (again!) engaged in the work of gathering moss and grass for their winter dens.
The axe reminded all that foliage should now be chopped and stored away to supplement the animal’s fodder in the winter.
September 29 (or 24th or 30th) – Mikkelsmesse or Mikeli (Michaelmass) — symbols: scales, lur (long horn), a haloed head, an archangel’s trombone, or wings —
This day honors the archangel Michael, who leads the angels to fight the forces of evil. Michael was said to weigh the worth of one’s soul with his scales. This is an important holiday.
Michael cakes and other special foods are eaten, and harvest is finished. Many places had market day today — a folk interpretation of the scales symbol. It was the day to
change employers, move, and pay off loans. Today may also have been a pre-Christian harvest/thanksgiving feast.
On this night, all farm animals should be under a roof, otherwise “they’ll see what will happen to them during the next year. This is craziness.” After this day, one cannot be safe from snow.
The Milky Way was an open of the winter weather to come; on the eve of this day many evil creatures were abroad.
October 4 — contains the last half of the old harvest month, and in mid month (the 14th) the old “gormånad” (butchering-month; gor meant blood in old Norse) begins, and with it, the winter side of the primstav.St. F(St. Francis of Assisi Day) — symbols: half cross, cross and tower; in Sweden: a fish, cloister, or a cross and book. St. Francis created the Franciscan order around the year 200.
October 7 – ST . BIRGITTA’S MASS (Birgitmess) Symbol: a cross
Birgitta, Swedish woman of noble family who had visions and (d. 1373) founded an important monastic order. In 1373 she died on a pilgrimage to Rome.
In Telemark and Setesdal the symbol was sometimes a tree, a bush, or heather twigs. People in those parts believed this was the day when bears dig out their dens and gather heather for it.
It was also called Kåldagen (Cabbage Day); cabbage should be harvested and stored for the winter now. Around this time often comes a stretch of warm weather called Brittesommar in some places.
October 9 On this day too, the bear was said to get his den ready, lining it with dried heather for his hibernation so the weather is likely to be good.
October 9 – Dinesmesse (St. Dionysos, or St Dennis) — symbols: bishop’s staff, a fish, or flag.
St. Dennis, the first bishop of Paris, was martyred in 286. One can expect a strong wind on this day, so that leaves are blown from the trees.
WINTER SIDE (14 October – 13 April) The symbol on the handle: A winter mitten
October 14 Vinternatt/Vettradagen, Calixtusdag (Winternight/day, St Callistus day)
Symbols: mitten, glove, leafless tree, papal hat.
St. Callistus was pope from 217 to 222. St. Caliztus, whose day this is, does not seem to have any bearing on it; this is a pagan fall festival.
This was the first day of the old Norse new year, the first day of winter, and the first of three days celebrating the beginning of winter. It marked the start of the “winter side” of the primstav. In pagan times, offerings held on this day welcomed winter and insured a good year. A variety of housecleaning jobs were done today for good luck and health.
The symbol of the mitten depicts that cold weather takes hold now, and the day’s weather predicts weather for the coming year (or winter). In some places, hired hands changed employers on this day. After today, horses should wear sleigh bells. (Actually the sign may be due to a confusion of the word for winter (vetr) and that for mittens (vettir).
October 18 – Lukosmesse (St. Luke’s mass)
Symbols: an ox, a butcher’s bench, a cross, or a picture of Mary.
St. Luke is patron saint of doctors and painters. In Christian art, he’s often depicted with a winged ox. So, accordingly, this was cattle butchering day in some places. Now it begins to rain a lot, and people believed that Noah’s flood occurred at this time of year. In Västergötland, Sweden, this day was called Kål-Lukas (Cabbage-Luke). All root and other vegetables should be gathered in by today.
October 21 – Ursulamesse, 11000 Virgins, Maiden’s Day, St Mogen’s Day
Symbols: a boat on land, an arrow, palm branch, women, ring, or a crown.
In memory of St. Ursula and the 11,000 virgins who were killed outside of Cologne when they returned from a pilgrimage to Rome. The Huns, who killed them, were hunted down by the heavenly hosts, and St. Ursula became he patron saint of Cologne. The number of virgins is misrecorded, and should be merely eleven. The misunderstanding came about when an M for martyr and a V for virgo were added to the Roman numeral for11 (XI) – yielding “XI.M.V.” in the records.
On this day, ships should be drawn into their winter berths. One should not work with anything that goes around — like spinning wheels, millstones, etc. today. (The ring symbol is a reminder of this!) The St. Mogen’s day bit seems to be derived from Magnus, an earl of Orkney. He has several days named for him on the calendar.
October 28-29 – Simonsmesse, Førebod (Forwarning)— (St. Simon’s mass, Preparation)
Symbols an unidentified figure of either a saw or the spear of the martyred saints Simon and Jude.
Today honors the apostles Simon and Judas, who were missionaries in Persia. Simon was martyred under Trajan in 107, by being “sawed to death.” He became patron saint of woodcutters. He’s always mentioned with Judas Thaddeus (Jude in English — the patron saint of lost causes), and they share a saint’s day. This was once called “the two apostles’ mass.”
The animals should now be given winter food rather than let to graze. They were now to be moved indoors for the winter. Snow was expected after this day, and one could travel by sleigh.
November is the rest of the old Norse butchering month and about two thirds of Ylir, the next of the old months.
November 1 – Helgemesse, Allehelgensdag (Saints’ mass, All-Saints-Day),
Symbol: a church or a ship
In the 4th century there is a first mention of a feast in memory the saints of the whole world to include all holy ones in heaven.
A flood or heavy rains mixed with snow was expected either now or in the spring. Rain now means it will continue till Christmas. On this day, the winter bread supply should be baked.
This holiday was established by Pope Gregory IV in the 8th century. It was retracted during a holiday reduction in 1770, but folk still celebrate it.
One can dream true dreams on this night. Go to a room where you’ve never slept before. Sweep it out with a new broom, made before Jonsok (June 24th) by somebody you didn’t talk with during its making. You can take a little cheese, rutabaga, and a set of scales. Lie down, sleep, and try to remember any dreams when you wake. To ensure good dreams, put a hunk of meat, a broom, and a rutabaga under your head when you lie down! (Perhaps you can lie on them a few minutes, but remove them before actually trying to sleep?!)
As for the symbols, the ship is said to symbolize the Christian church, but was understood to mean that travel by ship was over for the season. (Perhaps the ship had something to do with those flood Nov 11 predictions, too.)
November 2 – Alle Sjelers Dag (All Souls’ Day)
Symbols: picture of several people, church.
In memory of all those in purgatory which the living should be praying for. One should neither spin nor weave on this day, because the thread will tangle, and the fabric will be faulty.
November 5 – ST. PLACID’S DAY
Symbol: two handled saw
Only the name of the saint is known about this day.
November 11 – Mortensmesse, Bjørnekvelden (St. Martin’s mass, bear-evening)
Symbols: a goose, a pig, a bishop’s miter, a bishop’s staff.
In memory of St. Martin, bishop of Tours (d. 397), patron saint of France in the 4th century. He was extraordinarily modest to the point that when he was elected bishop, he hid in a flock of geese in an attempt to avoid election. The geese made a big to-do, and he was found and the goose became one of his attributes. Therefore, folk eat goose on this day. Geese weren’t a common farm animal on the Scandinavian peninsula, so pork was usually eaten instead. Martin is patron saint of livestock, the poor, the sick, and close friends.
On this day one slaughtered all livestock which would not be fed for the winter. No “honorable miller” would grind grain on this day. Bears went to their dens. One should be well prepared, because “winter takes revenge with jaw and big belly.” If it snowed on this day, there would be rain or snow for the next 50 days in a row.
November 21. Marimesse, Maria offer — (Mary’s mass, Mary’s presentation at the temple)
Symbols: cross with rays, crowned head with halo.
When she was three years old, Mary was brought to the temple in Jerusalem by her parents. Hosebands (to hold up one’s socks) were doled out to the young, and linen, thread, and hosebands were brought with a tithe
of wool to the priest’s women. One assumes these ladies were housekeepers, or keepers of the parish supplies. Before the advent of government care, parishes kept stores of food, cloth, and other necessities for the poor and for famine times. This custom of communal storage for hard times predates Christianity.
November 23 – Klementsmesse, Båtsok, (St. Clement’s mass, boat watch)
Symbols: anchor, church, papal crown.
St. Clement I (pope, 92 — 101AD) was the third bishop of Rome. St. Clement is remembered for a long letter written in the year 95 reprimanding the church at Corinth for its quarrels and jealousies. St. Clement was martyred, He was exiled from Rome, and sent to the Crimea to a working punishment. Together with other exiles, he tore down heathen temples and built churches. When Trajan found out, he ordered Clement killed. A legend tells that he was drowned in the Black Sea with an anchor around his neck. In church art he is often pictured with an anchor.
Nov 25 An anchor often represents this day to signify that now all ships should lie at anchor.
One should not give children very much food today so they’ll learn to value the Jul season.
Now winter storms will come, and one can expect hard frosts. Clement is patron saint of seamen.
November 25 Karimesse, Kari med rokken, Sancta Katharine, Mass mjøbinge (Catharine’s mass, Kari with a spinning wheel)
Symbols: spinning wheel
Feast day of St. Catharine of Alexandria. A popular saint who had converted many pagans, including fifty philosophers at one crack. According to legend, in 306 AD she was put on a wheel and tortured under the emperor Maximinus. A miracle occurred, and the wheel broke into pieces. So instead she was decapitated. She is usually depicted with a destroyed wheel. In folk tradition the wheel is most often thought of as a spinning wheel, as this was the season for spinning. A folk saying tells that she spins a road of light to Jul
November 30 If there’s clear weather on this day, there will be beautiful Jul candles, but the weather was likely to be bad.
November 30 – Andreasmesse (St. Andrew’s mass)
Symbols: cross of St. Andrew (i.e., X-formed cross), a fishhook with a cross, or a fox trap.
The day was also called “Andreas Fiskar,” (”Andrew the fisherman” — he was patron saint of fisherman). Traditio has it that Andrew evangelized Russia north of the Black Sea.
Folk should catch fish today for Christmas eating.
Wood for carving should be set aside to season for evening work during the next winter. In Beiarn (in Nordland, Norway) the day was called Jul-Anders day, and folk went “jul-ander-ing.” People dressed up and went around to other farms during evening meal time. This meal was traditionally (in Beiarn, anyway) sheep’s head and feet, and the visitors got to eat a foot! But first they were asked where they came from. They’d claim to be from a neighboring valley. If they didn’t like what was served, a teasing rhyme was recited.
December 4 – ST BARBARA’S DAY
Symbol: A Tower or the letter B
Barbara was confined in a tower by her father, who wished to protect her beauty from all suitors. She was nevertheless converted to Christianity, and when this was discovered, her pagan father gave her over to the executioner himself.
Christmas weaving should begin now; on this day the sun goes away and come back on St. Lucia’s day (December 13).
December 6 ST. NICHOLAS’ DAY / JULE
Symbol: A bishop’s crozier or a symbol of an N with a cross
St. Nicholas was a bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who won his first reputation for saintliness when he saved three girls from a life of shame by throwing three lumps of gold into their father’s house; he died around 350 AD. Another legend has it that St. Nicholas freed three unjustly imprisoned officers and saved innocent youths who were condemned to death. In Norway he is called “Julenissen”.
A good day for feasting and drinking.
December 5th ,- St. Nicholas’s Day Eve, is observed by many children especially in Northern Europe.
The Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson tells us that the pagan Norsemen celebrated three great sacrifices in the year: one on October 14 at the beginning of winter, one on January 14 at midwinter, and one on April 14 at the beginning of summer. The second of these was called jul or Yule and was clearly the pagan forerunner of Christmas; but even after their conversion the Norsemen continued to call it by this name. We even know when they changed the date. King Haakon the Good, who tried to make Christians out of them as early as the tenth century, “made it a law that they should keep Yule at the same time as the Christian men that every man should then hold a guest feast with ale made of one measure of malt and keep it holy as long as the ale lasted or else pay a fine.”
December 8 – THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Symbol: flag with a cross
This was the day when pregnant women should pray for a safe and timely birth.
December 9-ST. ANNE
Symbol: an unidentified figure, possibly a woman’s head dress.
Anne was the supposed mother of the Virgin Mary.
December 13 – SANTA LUCIA’S DAY
Symbol: a flame
This was the day when all heavy chores to be done before Christmas had to be finished.
Norwegian belief considered this the longest night of the year.
The Swedish custom of the Lucia-bride and the selection of a local Lucia princess is a new invention. The symbol of the flame is an illusion to the fire from which she emerged unharmed. Pagans had discovered her Christian faith, but even six oxen could not force her into a house of ill fame; at length she was stabbed ab. 304 AD.
In the fifteenth century, the Winter Solstice fell on this date, and ever since the tradition remained that this was the longest night of the year. Even the livestock in the barn complained at its length in a conversation that ran as follows: the cow said, “Lucy’s night is long”; the ram replied, “She’s as long as two”; the goat said, “Devil take her that she is!” Many evil creatures were abroad this night, so it was advisable not to be out. Lucy’s flame was interpreted to refer to the light of the returning sun.
The eve of December 13 is Mother’s Night. Frau Holda, also known as Holde, Holl, Hulda, and Hulle, is the ancient Mother Goddess known in Folktales in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Denmark and other parts of Europe. Her name means “the kind one” and in early lore was a Sky goddess riging on the wind. As leader of the Wild Hung on Earth, Frau Holda is accompanied by a grand procession of spirits including babies and children not baptized Christian. As they passed over during the Wild Hunt, they would double bless the fields and husbandry for abundancy. During Yule Night (Winter Solstice) them most sacred oaths are given. The Eldest stay up all night to protect the faily. The House Mother, carrying all of the keys, is in charge of locking up and bolting the doors till the sunlight reappears. There is much feasting and merriment.
n some traditions, the eve of December 13 is the beginning of Yulerites (Twelfth Nights) and in some traditions it’s St. Lucia’s Day.
December 21 – ST. THOMAS’S DAY Symbol: St. Thomas’s hand
In Norway, this is the time to brew the Christmas ale and fill up the beer barrels. In fact, Thomas the Brewer was a more common name for the day.
The hand which doubting Thomas laid in Christ’s would became his most common attribute.
The weather was an omen of the remaining winter weather.
December 22 – WINTER SOLSTICE Symbol: the sun
According to the Gregorian calendar, this was the shortest day of the year, but also heralded the beginning of the lengthening of the days.
December 25 – YULE
Symbol: the drinking horn
This was the most important feast day of the whole year. No visiting was allowed on this day; everyone was to stay quietly at home, reflecting on the significance of Christ’s birth. This symbolof conviviality has been shown to be a misinterpretation of a figure representing the infant Jesus; but its association with Christmas is in fact older than that of the Christ Child, since it continues the old winter solstice feast of the pagans.
Old pagan traditions died hard and the symbol is a drinking horn. For in pagan times, this had been the season of drinking and feasting to celebrate the return of the sun to the world.
January 1 – NEW YEAR’S DAY-
Symbol: a cross with a three-armed candlestick
The three-armed candlestick possibly represents the Trinity (or the Magi).
Omens were now taken for the entire year.
The feast commemorated the circumcision of Jesus.
January 6-THIRTEENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Symbol: a threefold figure representing the three Magi
Christmas festivities were brought to an end with the young people going around in costume and singing songs about the three Magi (cf. English Twelfth Night).
In Norway, it became customary to commemorate the Three Wise Men on this day.
January 11 – ST. BRICTIVA’S DAY Symbol: a horse
Whatever was left of the Christmas ale or Christmas feast was to be drunk and eaten on this day. The feasting was over.
This mysterious lady is unknown in the Church Calendar, unless she should be derived from one of the Irish Bridgets; yet she occurs in the earliest Norwegian church laws. Nor is there any evident reason for the horse; a story about a man whose horse broke its leg because he went out to fetch some hay on this day sounds suspiciously as if it were made up to explain the symbol.
January 13-TWENTIETH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Symbol: a broken line marking the middle of winter or an axe
This day was the definitive end of all Christmas celebration and a return to everyday work. Sometimes Christmas was formally chased out with birch twigs on this day.
If it snows, there will be twenty more snowstorms before the end of winter.
January 25 – ST. PAUL’S DAY-Symbol: a bow and arrow
This day marked the conversion of the Apostle Paul. In popular belief, Paul was a great fighter. The symbol may be a substitute for Paul’s regular attribute, the sword. But to explain the bow and arow, a story grew up about a Paul who was a great huntsman: he went warring in the morning, but kept the afternoon sacred.
If the weather is clear long enough to saddle horse, there will be good crops this year.
February 2 – CANDLEMAS-Symbol: candlestick or a tree
This was a day for blessing the wax candles that had been made during the winter. Half of the winter’s supply of hay had to be left by now or it would not last the winter.
This was the day of Mary’s purification (Luke 2:22); hence the tree. The day had its name from the dedication of new candles which took place in all the churches. There were great processions of laity and clergy bearing burning candles.
Half the fodder stored for the winter should still be left; on this day the bear turns over in his lair and comes out to see how cold it is – the colder it is, the shorter the winter will be (cf. our ground-hop); this was the severest part of the winter.
February 3 – BLOWING MASS OR ST. BLASIUS’ MASS
Symbol: a snake or bishop’s cozier
If the winds were strong, they would be strong the rest of the year.
Blasius was a bishop at Sebaste in Armenia who was beheaded about 320 AD. Because the name sounded like the Norwegian word blaasa “blow”, the day was associated with the wind; new life is blown into all hibernating creatures; if there is too much wind, there will be an excess of snakes toads and other nuisances; no living thing must go out in the open without being singed by a Christmas New Year’s or Epiphany candle.
February 5-ST. AGATHA’S DAY Symbol: a mouse
This symbol comes from a woman named Agatha. Mice ate her nose and ears. When she prayed and promised God she would observe this day as a holy day, the mice left her alone.
Agatha was a chaste young lady from Sicilia who was tortured to death for her faith in 251 AD. Her usual attributes (a pair of breasts) were forgotten in Norway; new legends arose about her having been brushed to death, or eaten by mice; so young girls were not supposed to brush their hair on this day.
February 22 – ST. PETER’S DAY Symbol: Key
This day commemorated Peter’s elevation to the bishopric of Antiochia. It was called “Hotstone” in Norway because of a belief that on this date, St. Peter throws hot stones into the water so that the ice begins to melt; no ice is wholly safe after this time.
Sailors begin to get their boats ready; the weather is predictive of the next forty days.
February 24 – ST. MATTHIAS’ DAY / LEAP YEAR MASS
Symbol: a tree with a cross for approaching spring
The cross may be an axe for St. Matthias, whose day it is. The name on our list is due to the fact that in Leap Year this day was counted twice
A ram that gets its horns on this day will do well during the year; cattle must not be mated before this time, for if it should be Leap Year, they would lose their calves; “Matthias breaks the ice but if there is none, he makes ice.”
March 12-ST GREGORY’S DAY Symbol: a crow or a dove
Up in the mountains villagers said that if the crows returned on this day spring would be early. If the weather was mild on this day, it was a good omen for the year’
The symbol of a dove is an allusion to the Holy Ghost which enlightened him in his writing. Gregory was a famous pope (590 – 604), who gained the surname “The Great” for his writings and his administration.
In Norway, the bird was thought to be the crow which puts in its appearance about this time; manure should now be spread on the fields; poor children were decked out as “Gregory’s brides” and sent around to beg for alms.
March 17 – PETER PICK IN WATER Symbol: a stick
St. Gertrude, whose day this was, seems to have been forgotten in favor of a tradition about St. Peter: on this day, he came with a stick and poked at the ice to see if it was strong enough.
March 21 -THE HOE
Symbol: a hoe
Although this name does not appear in any available printed source, it clearly refers to the hoe that was used to dig up soil and spread it on the snow so that the snow would melt faster. The first part of the word, aat, means “soil spread on snow” (acc. To Wille and Aasen). It was originally St. Benedict’s day.
March 25 – THE FEAST OF THE ANNUCIATION OR THE SPRING LADY’S DAY
Symbol: a tree
Usually known as “Mary’s Mas in Spring” and commemorating the Annuciation of Mary.
On this day the bear comes out of hibernation; but brooks should not be running, for then they are likely to freeze up again and remain frozen as many days after Mary’s Mass as they had been unfrozen before it.
The Old Norwegian laws make a distinction between the saints’ days that were sacred from the afternoon of the previous day and those that were not. This practice was taken over, as were so many religious forms, from the English Church, whose missionaries introduced Christianity into Norway.
Interesting side notes about Wake Dates
The Norwegian church added its own special saints Hallvard, Olaf, Sunniva and some others. Such days were called a vigilia in Latin, which became vake in Norwegian. This is the reason for the ending – vake or ok on some of the saints’ days, contrasting with others in – mess “mass.” A number of the symbols are preceded by small notches on the day before. They are intended to be reminders of the fasts that preceded some of the holy days.
The Old Norwegian laws make a distinction between the saints’ days that were sacred from the afternoon of the previous day and those that were not. This practice was taken over, as were so many religious forms, from the English Church, whose missionaries introduced Christianity into Norway.
Clog: A word for a worked piece of wood. Some Primstav had 4 sides rather than 2.
Merkedager: Marked important dates. These dates charted out the year with a mix of Christian, pre-Christian, and pictographic symbols
Metonic cycle:A period of 19 years (235 lunar months), after which the new and full moons return to the same days of the year. It was the basis of the ancient Greek calendar and is still used for calculating movable feasts such as Easter.
Asatru: Ásatrú is an Old Norse word consisting of Ása, referring to the Norse gods, and trú, “troth” or “faith”. Thus, Ásatrú means “religion of the Æsir.” The term was coined by Edvard Grieg in his 1870 opera Olaf Trygvason, in the context of 19th century romantic nationalism.
Ásatrú is one of the native expressions of belief of the Indigenous European peoples. Thousands of years before Christianity, Ásatrú (in some form or another) was practiced by the peoples whom passed over the Caucus Mountains into Europe; spreading their religion, culture and beliefs. As the years passed and the peoples spread further west, they diversified, and names changed. Example: Óðinn began Wotan, Wodan, Othin, and Thor began: Thunnar, Thonar, Thorr. All representing the same divine beings, and systems of beliefs.
Blot: Sacrifice and ritual from pre-Christian times.
Asatru has a general calendar of the chief blessings. This is not a re-creation of the feasts held at any given time by any one particular tribe, but instead is a compilation of those which seem to have been most important through most of the Northern world. In the ancient times, some tribes may have keep certain feasts and not others, or hold them at different times or in different ways: what matters is not precise time or ritual, but that our Gods, Goddesses and ancestors are hailed together with the turning of the Earth and the worlds around us.
Charming of the Plow (Disting) – First new moon in February. Festival of the Idises, when the effects of Winter are beginning to lessen and the world prepares itself for Spring. There has been an association of women and ploughing since time immemorial. Folk traditions in some areas of Russia (where the Vikings settled as Rus) call for women to plough the borders of a community to ward off sickness or calamity. Anglo-Saxons held the Æcerbot or ‘field remedy’ ritual, to heal land that was yielding poorly and return it to full productivity. The ritual called for anointing the plow with herbs and oils, for cakes to be placed in the fresh furrows, and for daylong incantations and songs. Disting is characterized by preparing the land for planting. In ancient times, Disting was the time when the cattle were counted and one’s wealth was tallied; thus making it a festival of finance as well. It was said that new calves born during Disting were a sign of great prosperity for the coming year.
Festival of Ostara March 20 -21 (Eostre), the Spring Goddess. This is a festival of renewal, rejoicing and fertility, although for most of the Northern People, the forces of Winter are still at full sway. In ancient times, the gift of colored eggs to one’s friends and loved ones was a way of wishing them well for the coming season; a magical ritual of prosperity and fecundity. The rabbit was the symbol of this festival as well because of it’s re-emergence during this season, and for its reproductive ability. These two rituals have survived into the modern holiday of Easter (which derives its name from Eostre) as Easter eggs and the Easter bunny. Like most ancient heathen rituals, they are relegated into the world of children; held for naught among adults, but our generational memory lingers on.
May Eve and May Day (Valpurgis) 22 April – 1 May The festival of Walpurgis, is a night both of revelry and darkness. The nine nights of April 22 (interestingly enough, the modern festival of Earth Day) to April 30 are venerated as remembrance of the AllFather’s self-sacrifice upon the World Tree Yggdrasil. It was on the ninth night (April 30, Walpurgisnacht) that he beheld the Runes, grasped them, and ritually died for an instant. At that moment, all the Light in the 9 worlds is extinguished, and utter Chaos reigns. At the final stroke of midnight, the Light returns in dazzling brilliance, and the bale-fires are lit. On Walpurgisnacht, the dead have full sway upon the earth; it is the ending night of the Wild Hunt. Viking fertility celebrations took place around April 30 and due to Valborg being declared a saint at that time of year, her name became associated with the celebrations. Valborg was worshipped in the same way that Vikings had celebrated spring and as they spread throughout Europe the two dates became mixed together and created the Valborg celebration.
Midsommer (Midsommarsblot) June 20-21 Celebration of the Summer Solstice, when the power of the Sun is at its height. It was at this time that most foreign trade was conducted, as well as shipping, fishing expeditions, and raiding. Thus, Midsummer was the festival of power and activity. It was not without its dark side as well. Midsummer was recognized as the longest day of the year; thus, the year began to age after this time and the days grow progressively shorter. The god Baldur is said to have been sacrificed at this time, but is reborn at Jul; the hero Sigurd was also said to have been slain by treachery at Midsummer by his blood-brothers Hagan and Gunthur (Gundahar).
Freysfest (Freysblot) July 31 also known as Lammas The harvest festival; giving thanks to Urda (Ertha) for her bounty. Often alms are given to the unfortunate at this time, or loaves in the shape of the fylfot (the Sun-wheel, which fell into regrettable disrepute during the dark times of the second World War when the symbol was perverted as a symbol of chaos and darkeness). Interestingly, Lithasblot 1941 was allegedly the time when the magical lodges of England performed rituals to keep the Nazi forces from invading their country; which may have worked, since Hitler eventually abandoned plans to invade Great Britain. Lithasblot has long been associated with ceremonial magic and magical workings.
Fallfests (Haustblot) September 22 Fallfest of is another joyous festival in the Asatru holy calendar, and falls on the Autumn Equinox, and is the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere: the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading southward; the equinox occurs around September 22 – 24, varying slightly each year according to the 400-year cycle of leap years in the Gregorian Calendar. Fallfest represents the second harvest of the season.
Bonfires, feasting and dancing played a large part in the festivities. Even into Christian times, villagers cast the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames, cattle having a prominent place in the pre-Christian Germanic world. (Though folk etymology derives the English word “bonfire” from these “bone fires,”) With the bonfire ablaze, the villagers extinguished all other fires. Each family then solemnly lit their hearth from the common flame, thus bonding the families of the village together.
Materially speaking it marked the beginning of the gathering of food for the long winter months ahead, bringing people and their livestock in to their winter quarters. To be alone and missing at this dangerous time was to expose yourself and your spirit to the perils of imminent winter. In present times the importance of this part of the festival has diminished for most people. From the point of view of an agricultural people, for whom a bad season meant facing a long winter of famine in which many would not survive to the spring, it was paramount.
At the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. In the northern hemisphere, before the autumnal equinox, the sun rises and sets more and more to the north, and afterwards, it rises and sets more and more to the south.
In ancient times, our European ancestors celebrated their Harvest Feast, where they have found many reasons to be thankful and to celebrate. Our people have done this for as long as we can trace our history. Although what our people have felt thankful for has certainly changed over the many years, remember you sit down this year with your family, you’re participating in an ancient tradition. And it’s a great time to figure out what you’re thankful for.
Winternights (Vetrnaetr) 29 October – 2 November Winternights is held the 31st of October. Winternights marked the final end of harvest and the time when the animals that were not expected to make it through the winter were butchered and smoked or made into sausage. The festival is also called “Elf-Blessing”, “Dis-Blessing”, or “Frey-Blessing”, which tells us that it was especially a time of honouring the ancestral spirits, the spirits of the land, the Vanir, and the powers of fruitfulness, wisdom, and death. It marks the turning of the year from summer to winter, the turning of our awareness from outside to inside. Among the Norse, the ritual was often led by the woman of a family – the ruler of the house and all within. One of the commonest harvest customs of the Germanic people was the hallowing and leaving of the “Last Sheaf” in the field, often for Odin and/or his host of the dead, though the specifics of the custom vary considerably over its wide range. The Wild Hunt begins to ride after Winternights, and the roads and fields no longer belong to humans, but to ghosts and trolls. The Winternights feast is also especially seen as a time to celebrate our kinship and friendship with both the living and our earlier forebears. It marks the beginning of the long dark wintertime at which memory becomes more important than foresight, at which old tales are told and great deeds are toasted as we ready ourselves for the spring to come. It is a time to think of accomplishments achieved and those which have yet to be made. Winternights also marks the beginning of a time of indoor work, thought and craftsmanship.
These festival and feast celebrated the accessibility, veneration, awe, and respect of the dead. This was also a time for contemplation. To the ancient Germanic peoples death was never very far away, and it viewed as a natural and necessary part of life. To die was not as much of a surprise or tragedy it is in modern times and death as not viewed as something “scary” or “evil”. Of higher importance to the Germanic people was to live & die with honour and thereby live on in the memory of the tribe and be honoured at this great feast.
Starting on this night, the great divisions between the worlds was somewhat diminished which can allow the forces of chaos to invade the realms of order, the material world conjoining with the world of the dead. At this time began the Wild hunt in which the restless spirits of the dead and those yet to be born walked amongst the living. The dead could return to the places where they had lived and food and entertainment were provided in their honour. In this way the tribes were at one with its past, present and future.
Again, the Christians forcefully subverted the sacred Germanic Heathen calendar to honour Christianity, Winter nights on October 31 became “All Hallows Eve” and November 1st was declared “All Saint’s Day”. among the Norse people.
Yule (Jul) December 20-31 Celebration of the Norse New Year; a festival of 12 nights. This is the most important of all the Norse holidays. On the night of December 20, the god Freyr rides over the earth on the back of his shining boar, bringing Light and Love back into the World. In later years, after the influence of Christianity, the god Baldur, then Jesus, was reborn at this festival. Jul signifies the beginning and end of all things; the darkest time (shortest hour of daylight) during the year and the brightest hope re-entering the world. During this festival, the Wild Hunt is at its greatest fervor, and the dead are said to range the Earth in its retinue. The god Odin (Wotan) is the leader of this Wild Ride; charging across the sky on his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir; a very awe-inspiring vision. In ancient times, Germanic and Norse children would leave their boots out by the hearth on Solstice Eve, filled with hay and sugar, for Sleipnir’s journey. In return, Wotan would leave them a gift for their kindness. In modern times, Sleipnir was changed to a reindeer and the grey-bearded Wotan became the kindly Santa Claus (Father Christmas).
LESSER FEASTS: Days of Remembrance There are a number of lesser feasts or holy days that Heathens of modern time keep, as well as holding the traditional ones. Most of these are “Days of Remembrance” for great heroes and heroines of Germanic Heathenry.
January 9 – Remembrance for Raud the Strong (a Norwegian chieftain whom Olaf Tryggvason killed for refusing to convert. The end of a metal horn was put down Raud’s throat; a poisonous snake was then put into the horn and the other end heated to drive it along…).
February 9 – Remembrance for Eyvind kinnrifi (whom Olaf Tryggvason tortured to death when he refused to convert, by putting a metal brazier filled with burning coals on his belly).
February 14 – Folk etymology has led to this day being called ‘Feast of Vali’ in modern Asatru. Actually, St. Valentine has no demonstrable associations with Vali, nor to the thinly disguised heathen Lupercalia rites which take place on this day. Nevertheless, many Heathens make blessing to this god at this time.
March 28 – Ragnar Lodbrok’s day, when we celebrate this famous Viking’s sack of Paris.
April 9 – Remembrance for Haakon Sigurdsson (Haakon the Great), one of the Jarls of Hladhir, a great defender of Heathenism in Norway during the brutal period of forced conversion to Christianity.
May 9 – Remembrance for Gudrod of Gudbrandsdal, whose tongue was cut out by the Norwegian king ‘St. Olaf’ (not to be confused with Olaf Tryggvason despite the similarity of names and methods. St. Olaf, otherwise known as ‘Olaf the Fat’ or ‘Olaf the Big-Mouthed’, was canonized for his efforts to convert Norway by fear, murder and torture).
This Norwegian martyr spoke out against the tyranny of the Christian fanatic Tryggvason, and urged others to resist him. For this, the king had his tongue cut out.
June 9 – Remembrance for Sigurd the Dragonslayer (known in German versions of the story as Siegfried).
July 9 – Remembrance for Unn the Deep-Minded, a woman who was one of the great chieftains of the Icelandic settlement.
July 29 – death-date of Olaf the Fat.
August 9 – Remembrance for King Radbod of Frisia, who, standing at the baptismal font, changed his mind and refused conversion when told that his place in the Christian Heaven would mean his separation from the souls of his ancestors.
September 9 – Remembrance for Hermann the Cheruscan, embodiment of German freedom, who kept Germany from being over run by the Romans and suffering destruction of their culture and language such as was experienced by occupied Celtic Gaul.
October 9 – Leif Eriksson Day – Remembrance for Leif Eriksson and his sister Freydis Eriksdottir, leaders of the earliest known European settlement in America.
October 28 – Remembrance for Erik the Red.
November 9 – Remembrance for Queen Sigrid of Sweden. Wooed by Olaf Tryggvason, the relationship ended sharply when she told him that she had no intention of leaving the gods of her fathers and he slapped her across the face. She was the chief arranger of the alliance that brought him down.
November 11th – Feast of the Einherjar, in which the fallen heroes in Valhalla, and in the halls of the other Gods and Goddesses are remembered.
November 27 – Feast of Ullr and Skadi, Weyland Smith’s Day celebrating the greatest of Germanic craftsmen.
December 9 – Remembrance for Egill Skallagrimsson, great Viking Age poet, warrior and rune magician.
