The Erulian Year
So I decided a long time ago that I would try my best to recreate the year as the Norse would have lived it. From what I have gathered and pieced together of the fragmented history of the clans and folk, these were probably some of the celebrations held. This also includes other celebrations that I have thought very important for my own worship. Please take into account this information while reading over these celebrations.

The Months
It was said that there was a total of 13 months to their calender year. If that is so, to make the calender compatible with the Gragorian calendar, the months must be cut up into 28 days in counting. Traditionally, the months would have fallen between the rising and falling of the full moon, however this process allows more stability for those looking for structure.
There where only two seasons to the Norse people, Summer and Winter. This calender seperates these seasons into two “years” or “cycles”. The new cycle started after harvest and the hunt with the dark half of the year in Fogmoon just after the celebration of Winternights. The second cycle is when the dark ends and the light begins in Ingfar just after the celebration of Valborgnacht.

Days and their Meanings
The Calender days that we now follow in the Gregorian calender year are based after the Norse gods. The following list describes this in better detail.

Sunnudagr - Sunday (Suns Day)
Manadagr - Monday (Moons Day)
Tyrsdagr - Teusday (Tyr’s Day)
Odinsdagr - Wednesday (Woden’s Day)
Thorsdagr - Thursday (Thor’s Day)
Freyjadagr - Friday (Freyja’s Day)
Lodersdagr - Saturday (Loki’s Day)

Also, it made a lot of sense that there were seven days in a week if their was roughly 28 days in a calendar month. Seven days to a week, 4 weeks to progress through its cycle.

“Dokk Dagr”, or Dark Days of the Year

“Fog Moon” (November 1st – November 28th)
November 17th: Ullrsblot
The Feast of Ullr is to celebrate the Hunt and to gain personal luck needed for success. Weapons are dedicated on this day to Ullr, God of the Bow. If your hunting arms were blessed by the luck of the God of the Hunt, your family and tribe shared the bounty with a Blot and Feast to Ullr.

Yilr or “Yule” (November 29th – December 26th)
December 9th: Egils Symbel
Odin was his God, and the blood of berserks and shape-shifters ran in his family. His lust for gold and for fames was insatiable. Yet the same man was passionately moved by the love of his friends and generously opened handed to those who found his favor. The same brain that seethed with war-fury also composed skaldic poetry capable of calming angry kings. Can it be by accident that Egil Skallagrimsson worshiped Odin, the great solver of paradoxes and riddles? Indeed all Asafolk – but especially those who follow the one-eyed God of battle and magic – can learn much from the life of this amazing man.
December 15th – December 26th: Twóld Nachtblot or “Twelfth Night”
But today I will be speaking of our Twelfth Night Celebration! Also known as the Wild Hunt. This is a festival of twelve nights that traditionally began on the full moon in Ylir (the month of Yule). This year is particularly special since we will be having a blue moon before the month is out. But I digress…
This holiday is a very serious holiday at which ends with the sun beginning its rise to power once more. Yule itself signifies the height of the darkest time (shortest hour of daylight) during the year and the brightest hope re-entering the world.
At this time, Wodhannaz (or Odin or Woden if you prefer) is the leader of this Wild Hunt, charging across the sky on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir; a very awe inspiring vision. Adding to that awe is the the one who rides along side him is the wild-eyed maiden dressed in pure black that is said to follow him, the ravens banner held high in her hand as a host of dead follow the wake of their charge. This woman is the goddess Helja and takes on the name of the ancient earth mother Holda Bertha.
Finally, on the twelfth night of this celebration, the god Engnus (or Freyr if you prefer) rides down into Erudinor on the back of his shinning boar, baring Balder the beautiful, god of Light, back into the world once more from his stay within the lands of the dead since Vitrablot.

Now many have wondered at this, considering in the ancient story Balder stays within the lands of the dead until Ragnarok. To explain that, I will draw your attention to another such story of Loki (representing fire and heat) when he cuts off Sif’s hair (representing plowing the soil) and then having to go to the dwarves (the earth spirits) and makes hair of gold (planting wheat). This is a yearly cycle, a representation of the need to till the land and plant crops, something that is on-going.

The story of Balder dying and being reborn is another such story. It is the death of light, having it slip past us in the dark half of the year, and then having him return to us at the end of the Wild Hunt, ever so slowly with the help of Egnus (the earth father), to renew the world.

Tradition: Yule
In ancient times, Germanic and Norse children would leave their boots out by the hearth on Solstice Eve, filled with hay and sugar, for Sleipnir’s journey. In return, Woden would leave them a gift for their kindness. In modern times, Sleipnir was changed to a reindeer and the grey-bearded Woden became the kindly Santa Claus (Father Christmas).

As of today I acknowledge the celebration of a mixture of traditions. I place my boots out by the door in case any wight wishes to leave me a gift; I leave out cookies and milk for both friends and spirits who may find their way to my doorstep; I knit a wreath together and place it upon my door to represent the cycle of the world coming to a whole; I gather with my friends and my family and give gifts upon Solstice as a reminder that in this time of cold we have little, and yet give to each other all that we may in hopes to be more “open handed” in the years to come; and most importantly I give thanks and gifts to the gods and ghosts in the coldest of times – for if we do not remember them, then who will?

“Hel’s Moon” (December 27th – January 23rd)
Jan 21st: Thurseblot (Thorrablot)

The Thursblot is a sacrificial feast is held at the end of Hel’s Moon and is, for the Erulian, a powerful holiday indeed. While many other Asatru will raise a glass to Thor and his power on this day as to drive the Rime Thurs (frost giants) back from the land so that spring may return quickly, the Erulian understands the balance of the worlds. As stated before, we hold both Thurs and Aesir in our hearts, worshiping both with the respect that those powerful forces deserve.
For the Erulian today it is a reminder of respect to the Thurs, and to give sacrifices in respect of their awesome power. The Erulian respects change and knows that without such a force the world would grow stagnant. While the Aesir protect the laws and its people, the Thurs shove things in motion.
Today we raise a glass to both great powers.

“Snow Moon” (January 24th – February 20th)
Feb 2nd: Disting
Festival of the Idises, when the effects of Winter are beginning to lessen and the world prepares itself for Spring. Corresponds to the pagan holiday of Imbolc. Disting is characterized by preparing the land for planting with many sacrifices and gifts given to Freyja, the great Dis herself. This is also the day we celebrate the wooing by Lord Egnus (Freyr) of the maiden Gerd, a symbolic marriage of the Vanir God of Fertility with the Mother Earth itself. In ancient times, Disting was the time when the cattle were counted and one’s wealth was tallied; thus making it a festival of finance as well. It was said that new calves born during Disting were a sign of great prosperity for the coming year.

“Horning” (February 21st – March 20th)
March 9th: All-þing Symbel or Tyr’s Blot
The þing, or Thing, was the governing assembly in Germanic societies, made up of the free people of the community and presided by lawspeakers. At the ting, disputes are solved and political decisions were made. The place for the ting is often also a place for public religious rites and for commerce to be held. This celebration is in honor of the god Tyr and his “even handed” justice.

“Ostara” (March 21st – April 18th)
March 21st: Indun Symbel
Festival of Indun, the Spring Goddess and maiden of youth and immortality, also known as Spring Feast. This is a festival of renewal, rejoicing and fertility, although for most of the Northern People, the forces of Winter are still at full sway.
April 15th: Sigrblot
Today we celebrate the first day of Summer in the Old Icelandic calendar. In Iceland it had strong agricultural overtones, but elsewhere in the Nordic world, it was a time to sacrifice to Odinn for victory in the summer voyages and battles.

“Merry Moon” (April 19th – May 16th)
April 22nd – April 30th: Valborgnacht (commonly Walpurgisnacht)
The festival of Valborgnacht, a night both of revelry and darkness. The nine nights of April 22 (interestingly enough, the modern festival of Earth Day) to April 30 are venerated as remembrance of the All Father’s self-sacrifice upon the World Tree Yggdrasil. It was on the ninth night (April 30, Valborgnacht) that he beheld the Runes, grasped them, and ritually died for an instant. At that moment, all the Light in the 9 worlds is extinguished, and utter Chaos reigns. At the final mornings lightt, the Light returns in dazzling brilliance, and the bale-fires are lit. On Valborgnacht, the dead have full sway upon the earth for one night much like at Vitrablot and Twold Nacht Blot. To ward off the horrors of the Trolls and other myrk-wights that await men in the dark, we light the bale-fires and hold close to our faith in the power of Rune. At the final moment of twilight, and as Sunna rises high into the sky with the Light returning in dazzling brilliance, we know that the Gods are victorious.
During the time of Valborgnacht it is wise to remember ones Ancestors, to give good blessings and sacrifices to all gods and ghosts, and to revel in the power of Rune.

“Ljot Dagr”, or Light Days of the Year

Ingfar or “Seeding” (May 17th – June 13th)
May 17th: Thrimilci
The first full moon in Ingfar is the festival of Thrimilci; the beginning of the light half of the year. Thrimilci is a festival of joy and fertility, much like Ostara and Beltaine; a time to make joy and love to bring in the brightness of the second half of the year. Sacrifices are made to Balder during these times as he sits proudly amongst the gods, and Freya turns her kindly face to us after the night of Walburg. Truly a time to make joy and love to bring in the brightness of the second half of the seasons. Make many blessings during this time, find love and sensual nature, and remember the ties to the Middle Garth.
May 30th: Einherjar Symbel
Drinking Feast to the Einherjar and Walkyrja; is a modern Erulian holiday roughly corresponding in time and intent with the United States Memorial day. Toasts and sometimes a feast honor those who fall during battle and ascend to Valhalla. It is the most commonly celebrated of several minor holidays honoring specific heroes. Some specific hero’s include Sigfrith the dragon slayer, Svenfjotli son of Sigfrith, and Beowulf.Toast loudly and drink well to those who have fallen in battle. Boast of great deeds done by better men then most who have done all they can as soldiers and warriors. Make great Oaths with those men still standing, and bless them for protection in far away lands when the need comes. Remember too the heroes of the past as well as present. Tell stories of Sigfrith Wyrmsbane – Son of Sigmund, Svenfjotli – son of Sigfrith, and Beowulf.

“Mid Year” (June 14th – July 11th)
June 21st: Sunna Symbel
This is a celebration of the Summer Solstice, when the power of the Sun is at its height. It was at this time that most foreign trade was conducted, as well as shipping, fishing expeditions, and raiding (go a Viking!!!). Thus, Midsummer was the festival of power and activity. It was not without its dark side as well. Midsummer was recognized as the longest day of the year; thus, the year began to age after this time and the days grow progressively shorter. The hero Sigfrith was also said to have been slain by treachery at Midsummer by his blood-brothers Hagan and Gundahari.
This is a time to remember that all our works are for the betterment of tomorrow; that what we do in life echoes throughout the years to those whom love us dearly.
Go forth and do something worth while. Make an effort to change something. Forge something great.
And if that cannot be accomplished, then just make sure you let your loved ones know that you are there, and that they in turn have worth to you.

Hermana or “Hay Moon” (July 12th – Aug 8th)
July 29th: Stikklestad Symbel
Olaf the Lawbreaker (“St. Olaf”) was killed at the battle of Stikklestad on this date in approximately the year of 1000 C.E. Olaf acquired a reputation for killing, maiming, and exiling his fellow Norwegians who would not convert to Christianity, and for carrying an army with him in violation of the law to help him accomplish his oppression. Today honor the Asatru martyrs who died rather then submit to gray slavery. Also honor the warriors who brought justice to the Lawbreaker.

“Harvest” (Aug 9th – Sept 5th)
August 9th: Lithasblot
The harvest festival; giving thanks to Urda (Earth) for her bounty. Often alms are given to the unfortunate at this time, or loaves in the shape of the fylfot (the Sun-wheel, which fell into regrettable disrepute during the dark times of the second World War when the symbol was perverted as a symbol of chaos and darkness). At this time it is wise to give sacrifices to the earth mother (in all her forms) of milk, honey, and grain (or beer). These are things the Vana take life and energy from, along with our blessings for a fertile earth come spring. Interestingly, Lithasblot 1941 was allegedly the time when the magical lodges of England performed rituals to keep the Nazi forces from invading their country; which may have worked, since Hitler eventually abandoned plans to invade Great Britain. Lithasblot has long been associated with ceremonial magic and magical workings.

Donnarfisk: At this holiday we have a tradition of an “apple bob” in which we take a trough and throw apples and ice within and call it Donnarfisk (or Thor’s Fishing). Two apples have symbols. One is that of Moljnir (the Thors Hammer), and the other is that of Jormungundr (the Midgard Serpent). We take turns, each individual bobbing for an apple until the two special apples are retrieved from the trough. After these two apples are retrieved, the one who got the Thor’s Hammer is given the title of Hammer Thane, and the one who retried the Serpent is named Veltwyrm, and we take these to our hallow stone. The Hammer Thane smashs the wyrm apple with a hammer that has been blessed as Moljnir for the celebration; while the Veltwyrm eats the apple with the Moljnir symbol.
The Explanation: First, the trough has the same representation as a well in that it is a connection to the land of the dead (this is why we put ice into it. This ice also preserves the apples and the symbols on the Moljnir and Wyrm symbols). Second, the apples represent two distinct idea’s. The hammer is our faith and the action of drawing the hammer from the well is a symbol of us as Erulians (or Asatru if you prefer) taking back our faith from the river of the dead into which Olaf threw it. The wyrm is a representation and acknowledgment of the inevitable cycle into which all things must pass. Even the gods were knowledgeable of their fates and did nothing to prevent them, except simply to live as brightly and with as much might as any Skald could afford them.

“Shedding” (Sept 6th – Oct 3rd)
September 21st: Modar Symbel (Autumn Equinox)
A minor festival of thanksgiving at the end of the harvest. It is rather more celebrated in modern Norse heathenism than it was originally, when the urgency of getting the harvest in before winter was predominant; and celebrations tended to be held off until the beginning of the Winternights ceremonies.

“Mead Moon” (Oct 4th – Oct 31st)
October 9th: Eriksons Symbel
Praise the stalwart founder of Greenland, and father of Leif, the founder of Vinland. Erik remained loyal to Thor even when his wife left the Gods and refused to sleep with her Heathen husband. Pause in memory of Erik today; drink a toast to his honor. No doubt he gets enough warmth in Har’s Hall to make up for his wife’s coldness.
Also, this is a day that even the U.S. Government admits who should dedicate to the man who beat Columbus to the shores of Vinland by over 500 years. Don’t let it slide quietly – write your local newspapers and share the word of Leif and the Norse colonies with neighbors and friends.

October 28th – November 1st: Vitrablot or Winternights
The celebration of Vitrablot is an interesting celebration as it observes both life and death. It comes at the end of our harvest season and at the end of our calender year. The “ljot dagr” (light days) are over as we enter the “dokk dagr” (dark days) of the new year. We prepare to face the cold nights of winter and have (hopefully) stored up reserves to last through the frozen months where the hunting will be more and more difficult.
Thus Vitrablot (also called Winternights), in observing all of these things, is the last real celebration for a long time in the Erulian traditions. With life leaving the land, and the dark days ahead, we see the stark dichotomy personified in the world around us of life and death. This is why this celebration is commonly a respectful observance (or worship in the case of the Erulian) of the goddess Halja.
In common day, Vitrablot is celebrated as All Hollows, or Halloween. The simple practices of handing out candy and dressing in costumes all come from much more ancient traditions: placing food out in respect of the dead should they come to visit, placing other treats to ward away the bad spirits as well, dressing like the dead to blend into the other wights so they do not notice you and take you away, etc.
Tonight is a night to observe the dead and the living together, the inexorable wheel that turns our life like a plough turning the soil that our bodies inevitably must fall into. This is not a matter for worry and sadness, this is a matter for celebration and a true reminder that life is a matter worth living for and that our joys must come even in the face of death.

TRADITION: Balder’s Arvel
All things begin in darkness, and so too does the new year. This is also the day in which the Erulians attribute to being the time in which Balder was slain by Loki (once again an example of the light leaving, and dark being present). One tradition we have created is Balder’s Arvel (Arvel meaning many things such as: remembrance, celebration, funeral, wake, etc.)
There are a few chief participants beyond the celebrants. Before the actual celebration the High Priestess and Priest for the event will take on the rolls of Lady Halja (goddess of the underworld) and Lord Hermod (the herald and messenger of the gods).
All those who come to the celebration are painted or in outfits that depict the land of the dead (thus we dress as heroes, ancestors, or even the darker spirits such as goblins, ghasts, or any Wight). The celebrants will act as the host of the dead in Erudinor (the halls of the dead).
To pick “Balder” we have an archery contest (sometimes its darts) and the one who wins ithe competition gets to wear a wooden arm band that has been blessed as the embodiment of “Draupnir” (Odin’s ring given to his son at death) and an arrow scepter. The winner of the archery contest will then be washed clean of any makeup or simply change out of costume and should have extra clothing to change into, clean and beautiful aka Feast Gear.
This is when the real Feast begins as those who are not of the land of the dead should not eat of the food laid out for the dead least they stay there in Erudinors Halls. As we must remember, Hel keeps what she has. This feast is our way of both morning Balders death in the lands of the living and welcoming him in celebration to the lands of the dead.
After the feast we light candles all around or light one large bonfire as a representation of Balders funeral pyre as we hold forth our own lights and warmth as Balders must now depart.
This is where the true ceremony begins. As Balder and Halja sit at the head of the table anointed as the Lord and Lady of the Dead, the Herald then announces the completion and Balders true ascension amongst the dead. Hermod steps forth as he has traveled nine nights to the land of the dead to retrieve Balder at the behest of Odin. Hermod carries with him a small necklace of a horse with eight legs representing Sliepnir.
He then beseeches Halja to give back Balder to the Gods and to the world of the living. Balder interjects and replies only with:

“Let Halja keep what she has.”

Heimdall is then given Draupnir to carry away from the table and thrown into the funeral pyre to give back to the Gods.
The celebration ends soon after with Balder reciting a poem to Hermod that promises his return and the renewal of the world:

“I know friend that the flowers in the middle Garth, that bloomed where ere I walked; Balder bright in the living lands hang lifeless on the stalk.
The folk I loved and who loved me, woeful weep in the lands of light; from the Aethling Aesir of Asgards hall, I am sundered by the night.
But I shall rise to walk again, and where I stand the flowers bloom, when baring wisdom whence I have been, and the world-wyrd finds its doom.”