Winter Nights
October 31 · Level 7 · #749 of 2238
Winter Nights is a seasonal observance rooted in Old Norse tradition, marking the close of autumn work and the arrival of the winter half of the year. Modern Norse pagan communities draw on it to honour ancestors and acknowledge the changing season.
How it is celebrated: groups share meals, make commemorative toasts and hold rituals with offerings. There is no single modern format; dates and practices vary between communities.
The Old Norse calendar divided the year into two main seasons: summer and winter. Winter's arrival was therefore a major calendar boundary, rather than simply the first spell of snowy weather.