The year
The Norse calendar reflected the environment they lived in, and the work they did. The year was divided int two halves – summer and winter. The darkest days were called skammdegi (the dark days), and the lightest were called nóttleysa (nightless). The year was also divided into 12 moons.
The six moons of winter were called gormánuður, ýlir, mörsugur, þorri, góa and einmánuður and the six moons of summer were harpa, skerpla, sólmánuður, heyannir, tvímánuður og haustmánuður.
Gormánuður (Slaughter Month) October 14 – November 13
Gormánuður is the first winter month. October 14th is the first day of winter. On this day, some celebrate Winter Blót, some celebrate Díseblot. The period around this day is also called Vetrnætr (Winter Nights). You welcome winter and give thanks for a good year. Some choose to celebrate Alvablót in stead of Díseblót. This seems to have been the order of things in Sweden. This blót may be a thanksgiving and/or a celebration of your ancestors. No one really knows.
Ýlir (Yule Month) November 14 – December 13
Ýlir is the second winter month. The name has connectionis with Jól through one of Odin’s names: Jólnir. Researchers haven’t been able to agree on exactly when the Norse Jól was celebrated. Many sources point to a varied timing and length, even all the way from the solstice to Hoggunótt (January 12). Most of the older sources say the Midwinter Blót was celebrated on Hoggunótt.
Mörsugur December 14 – January 12
Mörsugur is the third winter month. The word mörsugur actually means something like lard-sucker. This paints a picture of people being well fed at this time of year, after a couple of months on a meat rich diet. The Winter Solstice falls within this month (around December 21-22). This day is by some modern heathens celebrated as Jól/Midwinter Blót. Some choose this day to celebrate according to the old dates.
Þorri January 13 – February 11
Þorri is the fourth winter month. According to the Sagas, Þorrablot – a celebration for the winter character Þorri – should be held during this month. During this month, the women should take extra good care of their men.
Gói February 12 – March 13
Gói is the fifth winter month. Gói is a West Norse character we know little about. Some say she’s the daughter of Þorri. During this month, it’s the men’s turn to take extra good care of their women.
Einmánuður March 14 – April 13
Einmánuður is the sixth, and last, winter month. The name simply means ‘one month’. The Vernal Equinox falls around the 21st of March, and it was considered appropriate to celebrate a fertility blót. Einmánuður is the boy’s month and Harpa is the girl’s month, in the same way as Þorri and Gói are dedicated to men and women.
Harpa April 14 – May 13
Harpa is the first month of summer. Harpa is probably a vettr we no longer know anything about, but must have had some significance, since it gave name to a month. Some celebrate summer with a blót on the first day of this month, others celebrate a fertility blót on the last day of April.
Skerpla May 14 – June 12
Skerpla is the second summer month. Skerpla is another woman’s name which we know little or nothing about, but it’s probably a vettr.
Sólmánuður June 13 – July 12
Sólmánuður is the third summer month. The name means ‘sun month’, and it’s the brightest period here up North. Summer Solstice falls around June 21. The Icelandic Allþingi was gathered around this day. Some modern Heathens choose to hold a celebration on this day.
Heyannir July 13 – August 14
Heyannir is the fourth month of summer, and its name means the period for gathering and drying hay. Some places in Scandinavia, this month was called Ormamánuður (snake month).
Tvímánuður August 15 – September 14
Tvímánuður is the fifth summer moth, and its name means ‘two month’. But the origin of the name is unclear. This month was also called Kornskurðarmánuður (grain cutting month).
Haustmánuður September 15 – October 13
Haustmánuður is the sixth, and last, summer month. Its name means autumn month. The Autumnal Equinox falls around the 21st of September.
Blót
In the old days, the practice varied, but we think they held between four and eight blóts a year. These days most of us settle for less, mainly equinoxes and solstices, because of work and other circumstances. I personally celebrate Alvablót, Jól, Várblót, something or other on the last day of April, and Sommerblót on Midsummer’s Eve. If I have the time and energy, I may throw in Vetrnætr, Hoggunótt and a couple of Esbats as well.
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