by esprit libre

Created on: May 26, 2007

Similarly to many Neopagan religions, Asatru (Norse pagan) holidays centre around the seasons, but the religion also observes many dates in rememberance of those who were put to death for their unwavering loyalty to the faith. The four main holidays are as follows:

THE HIGH FEAST OF OSTARA (March 21) takes place on the Spring equinox, and marks the end of Winter and the beginning of the season of rebirth. Frigga, Freya and Nerthus are honoured with feasts.

MIDSUMMER (June 21) takes place on the Summer solstice and is an observation of the decline of Sunna as the year slips into Winter. The Sun, and Baldur, are worshipped.

THE WINTER FINDING (September 21) takes place on the fall equinox as Summer and Winter balance.

YULE/MOTHER NIGHT (December 21) is the most important holiday, starting from the winter solstice and lasting for 12 days. Each day represents a month of the preceding year in miniature.

In addition to these, Asatru also observes many other key dates throughout the year.

SNOWMOON (January)

CHARMING OF THE PLOUGH (Snowmoon 3) is an ancient Northern European agricultural ritual. Grains and cakes are offered and the Sky Father and Earth Mother invoked, to ensure the soil's fertility. Meditation is also common, as is crumbling a piece of bread onto the Earth and calling upon Odin, Frigga and the land spirits, to keep the Earth from harm.

DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR RAUD THE STRONG (Snowmoon 9) is dedicated to Raud, a Norwegian landowner who was put to death for his loyalty to Asatru by means of a snake forced down his throat. On this holiday, a horn is raised in honour of Raud.

THORRABLOT (Snowmoon 14) is a feast dedicated to Thorr.

HORNING (February)

BARRI (Horning 2) is a celebration of Ingvi Freyr's wooing of the maiden Gerd, which symbolises the marriage between the Vanir God of Fertility and Mother Earth.

DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR EYVIND KINNRIFI (Horning 9) is another rememberance of a kinsman put to death for his loyalty to Nordic Gods.

FEAST OF VALI (Horning 14) celebrates the death of Hothr, and represents the triumphant return of the sun and its light after the darkness of winter. In more modern times, it is also a celebration of the family. It is traditional to marry or renew marriage vows at this time.

LENTING (March)

DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR OLIVER THE MARTYR (Lenting 9) remembers Oliver, an adherent of Asatru betrayed by an informant and killed for his sacrifices to the Nordic Gods and Goddesses.

RAGNAR LODBROK DAY (Lenting 28) coincidentally falls on Easter

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