Festivals and Celebrations

Overview Midsummerblót (pronounced MID-suh-mur-bloht) refers to an ancient Norse pagan ritual held around the summer solstice. The word blót (pronounced bloht) means “sacrifice” or “offering.” Midsummerblót honors the height of […]

Walpurgis Night Walpurgis (pronounced VAHL-poor-gis (Germanic) or VAL-pur-jis (English)) is also called Walpurgisnacht (VAHL-poor-gis-nahkt) or Hexennacht (HEK-sen-nahkt, “Witches’ Night”). It takes place on the night of April 30th. The date

Spring Equinox Ostara (pronounced, OH-stah-rah) is a spring festival that celebrates renewal, fertility, and light. People honor it during the spring equinox, around March 20th or 21st in the Northern

Iceland’s Midwinter Feast Thorrablót (pronounced, “THOR-ra-blowt”) is a traditional Icelandic feast. It happens during the coldest part of winter, usually in late January or early February. The event celebrates the

The Autumn Sacrifice The Haustblót (pronounced howst-bloht) marks the start of winter in Norse tradition. The word combines haust (“autumn”) and blót (“sacrifice” or “ritual offering”). It honors gods and

History and Mythology Yule, also spelled Jól (pronounced “yohl“), was a winter festival celebrated by Norse and Germanic peoples. The festival honored gods, spirits, and ancestors. It lasted multiple days,

History and Meaning Alfablót is a significant Norse ritual that focuses on honoring the elves (álfar) and ancestral spirits. It takes place in late autumn, around the time of the

Vetrnætr (VET-ur-nyte-er) marked the shift from summer to winter in ancient Norse culture. This significant time honored gods, ancestors, and spirits. People also called it Winter Nights or Winter Finding.

Dísablót (DEE-sah-bloht) was a sacred offering to the dísir (DEE-seer), powerful female spirits tied to fate, family, and protection. These beings included ancestral mothers, valkyries, and goddesses who watched over