Winter Solstice

December 21st is the shortest day and longest night of this year here in the North. Winter solstice is a celebration of the turning of the sun that falls on the 20th, 21st, 22nd or the 23rd of December. This particular celebration goes way back; The pagan Scandinavian people celebrated a twelve-day “midwinter” (winter solstice) holiday called Yule (or rather – “Jól” in old norse or “Jul” in Norwegian). Winter solstice has a deep, personal meaning to me because it marks a spiritual energy increase with new hope for the future. Indeed, Winter Solstice is a “funeral” where I bury the darkness of the past, but it is also a celebration where I focus on the light of the future. Urd, Skuld and Verdande are significant to my celebration, and I do not base that particular part on any sources. Little does man know about the Viking Ways – so much of The Heathen traditions were lost in the awful Christianization of Norway.

However you celebrate this season, and whatever your religion or lifestyle might be; I wish you peace, blessings, hopes and visions this Winter Solstice night. 

Viking bear hugs,
Sól Geirsdóttir

-Yule outfit, 2015-

Gleðileg jól! I have celebrated yule for days now with my nearest and dearest. Ale, mead and meat was on the menu. Ah, it was glorious! As you can see, there is no snow in the Northern realms. My parents live in the south even though my whole family comes from the north of Norway. This time of year makes me miss the northern light and the cold, clear air a little extra.

Winter solstice and the “return”of the sun is worth celebrating. I wandered deep into the woods to commune with spirits of olde, to worship the moon and the sun. To me, Yuletide is about keeping the ancient norse traditions alive. Year after year, after year.

The Outfit: is hand sewn, made by me (100% linen, and 100% wool) The tablet weave is Oseberg style. The pelt is 100% wolf(!) – vintage and smelly. Haha! Seriously, though…It is kind of smelly. When buying vintage pelts you may have to hang them outside for some time to make the smell go away.

How do you celebrate this time of year? I hope you’re having a blast whatever you are doing. Stay close to those you hold dear, and honor those that have passed. Be kind to others, maybe even more than usual this time of year…You never know what people might be going through.
❤

– Sól Geirsdóttir