The Asatru Wheel of the Year marks seasonal changes and celebrates the Norse gods and nature’s cycles. Eight key festivals shape this calendar, each tied to ancient traditions. The year begins with Yule, a twelve-day celebration of winter solstice, symbolizing the rebirth of light. The Dísablót, held in late winter, honors female spirits, ancestors, and fertility.
Ostara celebrates spring’s arrival and the renewal of life, named after the goddess of dawn. Walpurgis Night, or Valborg, comes at the end of April, a time for cleansing and protection against evil spirits. Midsummer, or Litha, marks the longest day and honors the sun’s power.
The autumn equinox, called Haustblót, acknowledges the harvest and thanks the gods for the earth’s bounty. Vetrnætr, or Winter Nights, marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter, honoring the ancestors and preparing for colder days. Lastly, Alfablot, a personal family ceremony, reveres the elves and ancestral spirits in late autumn.
These festivals connect Asatru practitioners to the land, their deities, and their heritage. The cyclical nature of the Wheel emphasizes the importance of nature’s rhythms, balance, and renewal. Each holiday brings a unique focus, offering reflection on life, death, and the turning of seasons. Celebrating these rites strengthens community bonds and keeps ancient traditions alive in modern practice.
