Birch Grove

For those of you not on, or new to the Pagan path, the Norse calendar/holidays are somewhat different from the Celtic/Wiccan sabbats. The main shift occurs with the Celtic holiday of Samhain, which is the Celtic/Wiccan new year and a celebration of ancestors, and an awareness of death. In the Norse calendar, Yule is the new year and is associated with death and rebirth through the Wild Hunt and the winter solstice. Also, in the Celtic/Wiccan calendar, Imbolc, Beltaine, Lammas/Lughnasad, and Samhain are the major festivals. In the Nordic year, the solstices, Yule and Midsommar are the major festivals, along with Ostara (aka Summer Finding, the vernal equinox) and Mabon (aka Winter Finding, the autumnal equinox). The major festivals of the Celtic/Wiccan calendar are lesser ones in the North. There are also other festivals, both ancient and new, that are not in the Celtic/Wiccan calendar.

For those of you unfamiliar with the tradition and/or wanting just some cursory info, here is a very basic list with even more basic explanations. Keep in mind that the Norse peoples celebrated mainly the solstices, with equinoxes as secondary festivals, and that I have not found any concrete evidence that they celebrated Sabbats such as Samhain and Beltaine, which are derived from the ancient Celtic calendar.

Yule – This is the primary festival and the first day of the Norse year. It is held on the winter solstice and celebrates the return of light to the land, which when you’re dealing with Scandinavia is very dark.

Summer Finding – Alternately the time period between Yule and Midsummer as well as the vernal (or spring) equinox. Celebrating the return of light and warmth to the land, as well as the return of fresh food.

Midsummer – Held on the summer solstice (or as in modern Scandinavia, on Sankthans afton, or June 26th, instead of the 21st or 22nd, when the solstice usually falls) and celebrates the Goddess Sunna (presumably, she is the sun Goddess). Lots of fun lore associated with this one and drinking and bonfires usually take place.

Winter Finding – Alternately the time between Midsummer and Yule as well as the autumnal equinox. Generally a harvest festival.

Other Festivals:
- Feast of the Einherjar, a modern adaptation, which falls on November 11th, which is Veteran’s/Armistice Day and pays homage to fallen warriors.
- Disablot, celebrates the disir or female ancestors/family spirits. Also called Winter Nights. Generally falls sometime during Winter Finding, though not necessarily on Halloween. Celebrate Halloween separately, if you want to dress up and/or contact the dead.