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Rock carving located in Södermanland, Sweden with inscription from the 1000s A.D. of the younger futhark:

ᚠᚢᚦᚬᚱᚴ   ᚼᚿᛁᛅᛋ   ᛏᛒᛉᛚᛣ
× fuþąrk × hnias × tbmlʀ ×

The runes is carved directly on the surface of a steep mountain wall and is located on the former property of the now-disapered village of ‘Berga’. Rune stones was often carved in memorial of a fallen family member, but also in memory of a road, a bridge building or after seafaring Vikings.

The inscription of what is left of the runes through all these years of eroding decipher the following:
ku… —kuna × li…u × hakua × stain × thina × auk × buru × th…a × — …sinn
“… (and) Gunna had this stone carved and (made) this bridge …”

This particular rock carving is telling us that right in this place it once was a bridge. A couple of meters from the petroglyph there is a creek and some stones that probably are remnants of the bridge described in the runes. Judging by the style of the carving, the runes is most certainly done by Halvdan, who was the carver of many rune stones in Sweden. Our ancestors carved and raised the stones for us – take you time to visit them and honor your forefathers 🌲

🎄 Julen är en mycket gammal Skandinavisk tradition som ursprungligen har sina rötter i våra germanska förfäders firande av Juólblot/Midvinterblot. I fornnordisk tradition har ingen annan högtid haft lika stor betydelse och de äldsta skriftliga källorna finns i det så kallade Haraldskvädet från 900-talet. Där talas det om att kungen velat: “Drikku Juól/Jólnir – som kan refereras till att dricka för de nordiska gudarna, (främst Frej och Oden) samt önska för välmående och ett gott nytt år – vilket är det ursprungliga uttrycket för julfirande. Dock infaller den ursprungliga tiden för julen egentligen lite senare, mer om det i ett kommande inlägg!

🧙‍♂️ Under julnatten ansågs förfäderna komma tillbaka till gården och därför lämnade man mat och dryck framme. Den viktigaste gestalten denna tid på året och långt in på 1900-talet var vår hedniska tomte – “Den Lille Grå”. Hustomten var gårdens beskyddare och välgörare men han krävde också motprestationer. Av de som bodde på gården krävde han att de arbetade hårt och tog väl hand om djuren. Om man misskötte detta kunde tomten bli rasande vilket kunde gå riktigt illa. På själva julaftons morgon eller natten innan julafton skulle man ställa ut en tallrik med gröt med smör till tomten. Gröten skall serveras tillsammans med en träsked.

🥨 Att baka till julen var en viktig del – att baka så kallat bildbröd är en tradition som levt kvar ända tills idag som återfinns i lussekatter – julbröd med olika symboler som solkors, årshjul och gullvagnar. Just “drikku juól” är en gammal sed och är en av våra äldsta traditioner kopplade till vikingatida midvinterfester, där kärnan var en stor måltidsfest av dimensioner som än idag lever kvar i hur vi skandinaver firar vid jul. Allt från julskinka, Janssons frästelse, köttbullar, sill, potatis, korv, gröt, brytbröd, glögg… listan med mat och dryck kan göras lång!

🌾 Nordiska halmpynt är vanligt förekommande under julen och symboliserar friden som råder under denna tid. Även dekorerade grankvistar och kransar som symboliserar pånyttfödelse och trädet Yggdrasil. Julkärven symboliserar fruktsamhet och sätts upp på en käpp utomhus och man hoppades att den skulle ge goda skördar till kommande år. Halmbockar är även vanligt förekommande och bocken har haft en betydande roll i vår forna jultradition i Skandinavien. Om man bjöd Tors bockar på halm skulle man skyddas från blixtnedslag kommande året.

🐐 Våra Skandinaviska och Germanska förfäder och vi skandinaver är kända för vår stora kärlek och respekt för djur. Under julen var det därför viktigt att ta extra väl hand om sitt boskap och se till att de hade det bra och ge extra foder. Även för skogens djur under denna kalla årstid.

🎁 Seden att byta gåvor vid jul är mycket gammal och ordet “julklapp” fick sitt namn på ett dramatiskt sätt. Först hördes det hårda slag på dörren som sedan hastigt öppnades upp och en träbit (vedklapp) kastades in i rummet. Själva klappen på dörren och att det just oftast var en vedklapp som kastades in – myntade själva ordet julklapp, och på det man kastade in var det fäst en liten text eller vers till mottagaren. Julklapparna delades också sedermera ut av en julbock.

❤️ I här i Skandinavien har vi alltid sagt och säger forfarande Jul, själva ordet kan refereras till Jólnir och “hjul” – solhjulet. Men i vissa andra delar av Europa kallar man istället julen för Kristmässa/Christmas efter kristnandet och Jesus födelse, vilket inte fick tillräckligt fäste här uppe i norr. Julen är en tid att skänka en tanke till tidigare generationer, den var och är familjens stilla högtid med värme och glädje. Man värderade sina förfäder högt och som en hyllning till de bortgångna – att återknyta relationen till sina förfäder.

Önskar Er en riktigt God Jul!

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↟ ↟ ↟ GOD JUL ↟ ↟ ↟
🎄 Jul/Yule is a very old Scandinavian tradition that originally has its roots in the old germanic celebrations of Midwinterblót/Juólblót. In Old Norse tradition – no other tradition has been as important, and the oldest written sources are in the so-called Harald poem from the 10th century, where it is said that the king wanted: “Drikku Juól/Jólnir” – which can be referred as toast for the Nordic gods, (mainly to Freyj and Odin) as well as wish for prosperity and a happy new year – which is the original expression of the Yule/christmas celebration. However, the original time for Jul/Yule actually occurs later on, more about that in an upcoming post, stay tuned!

🧙‍♂️ During Yule night, the ancestors were considered to return to the farm and therefore food and drink were left on the table. The most important figure at this time of year and well into the 19th century is our pagan gnome – “the little gray”. The house-gnome was the farm’s patron and benefactor, but he also demanded compensation. Of those who lived on the farm, he demand that they work hard and take good care of the animals. If you mismanaged this, the gnome could get furious, which could go really bad. The night before Yule or in the Yule morning, a plate of porridge with butter would be given to the house-gnome. The porridge must be served with a wooden spoon.

🥨 Baking for Yule was an important part, a tradition that has survived to this day. Yule bread with various symbols such as solarcrosses, year wheels and gold carts. “Drikku Juól” is an old custom and is one of our oldest traditions linked to Viking pagan  midwinter feasts, where the core was a drinking and eating feast of dimensions that still remains in how we Scandinavians still do it today. Everything from Yule ham, Jansson’s temptation, meatballs, fermented herring, potatoes, sausages, porridge, mulled wine… the list of food is never ending!

🌾 Nordic straw decorations are common during Yule and symbolize the peace that prevails during this time. Also decorated spruce twigs and wreaths that symbolize rebirth and the tree Yggdrasil. Yule sheaf symbolizes fertility and is put upon a stick outdoors …-to bring good harvest for the coming year. Yule Goats made of straw and fir are also common and has a significant role in our ancient Yule-tradition in Scandinavia. If you offered Thor’s goats straw, you would be protected from lightning next year.

🐐 Our Scandinavian and Germanic ancestors and we Scandinavians — are specifically known for our great care and respect for animals. During Yule time, it was therefore important to take extra good care of the cattle and make sure that they were well and provide with extra food. Even for the animals in the forests during this cold season.

🎁 Exchanging gifts at Yule is very old and the word “Julklapp” (christmas present) got its name in a dramatic way. First there was a loud knock on the door which was then quickly opened and a piece of wood (wood flap) was thrown into the room. The knock on the door and that it was usually a wooden flap that was thrown in – is where the word Yule present (Julklapp in Swedish) comes from. A small text or verse was attached to the present. The Julklapp were/is also handed out by a Yule goat.

❤️ Here in Scandinavia, we still call this major tradition for Jul. The word itself can refer to Jólnir and “wheel” – the sun wheel. But in some other parts in Europe, Jul/Yule is instead called Christmas after the Christianization, which did not gain enough traction up here in the North. Jul/Yule is a time to give a thought to previous generations, it was and is the family’s calm holiday with warmth and joy. We value our ancestors highly, and as a tribute to the deceased – to reconnect with our ancestors.

God Jul and a Happy New Year!

Today, on December 21st around 16:00, the Winter Solstice occur and we acknowledge the return of the light here in Scandinavia. Today marks the shortest and darkest day of the year, the sun has the lowest noon height and the earth’s axis of rotation leans furthest from the sun. The days are from now on slowly turning brighter – hope is again kindled 🕯

Many tries to tie the Winter Solstice with Yule, which is incorrect. The Germanic people in the North have always celebrated the original ‘Jul’ at the first full moon after the Winter Solstice. We have ancient traditions based on our different seasons and the position of the sun and the moon, like the Summer Solstice (Midsummer), The Winter Solstice (Ljóssi) and the first full moon, after the new moon after the Winter Solstice (Jul), which was established long before the Christianization of Scandinavia. Much of the origin of the Old Norse roots still exists today in our current traditions – as our pagan ancestors once celebrated them.

May this Solstice and turning of the wheel bring you enlightenment, wisdom and good fortune in the coming year!

Julbockarna är vanligt förekommande under julen och har en stark betydande roll i vår forna jultradition här i Skandinavien och norra Europa. De härleder med stor sannolikhet från den fornnordiska guden Tor, vars bockar som drar hans vagn över himlavalvet i jakten på jättar. Tor har två bockar vid namn Tanngnjóstr och Tanngrisnir.

Målningen ‘Tors strid med jättarna’ av den svenske konstnären Mårten Eskil Winge år 1872, är en känd målning som även den svenske författaren August Strindberg recensierade och beskrev enligt följande: “En skildring av sanningens strid mot lögnen”.

Den forna jultraditionen lever kvar och än idag dekorerar vi med julbockarna som oftast är gjorda i halm eller granris och som vackert får pryda våra hem nu i juletider. På 1700-talet i Skandinavien var det även en julbock som kom och lämnade julklapparna. Om barnen varit stygga tog julbocken istället med sig dem i sin säck – en tradition som fortfarande lever kvar på vissa ställen. Den fornnordiska guden Tor brukade vanligtvis ej äras så mycket under julen, men en gammal sed är att om man bjuder Tors bockar på halm skulle man skyddas från blixtnedslag kommande året! 🐐

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The famous Yule Goats is very common now during Yule/Christmas, and they have an important role in our ancient Old Norse Yule-tradition here in Scandinavia and in the northern parts of Europe. The Yule Goats do most likely originate from the Old Norse god Thor, whose goats pull his chariot across the sky in pursuit of giants. Thor has two goats named Tanngnjóstr and Tanngrisnir.

The painting ‘Thor’s battle with the giants’ by the Swedish artist Mårten Eskil Winge year 1872, is a famous painting that the Swedish writer August Strindberg also reviewed and described as follows: “A depiction of the battle of the truth against the lie”.

Our ancient Yule-tradition still holds strong and even today we decorate with the Yule Goats, which are usually made of straw or spruce which beautifully decorates our homes now at Yule-time. In the 18th century in Scandinavia, there was also a Yule Goat that came and delivered the Yule presents. If the children have been naughty, the Yule Goat instead took them in it’s sack – a tradition that still holds in some places. The Old Norse god Thor was not usually honored during Yule, but an old custom is that if you offer straw to Thor’s goats, you will be protected from lightnings in the coming year!

❄️ Today, on December 13th, we celebrate a very old tradition here in Scandinavia originally called Ljóssi or “Lussi/Lucia” as many call it today. At the darkest time of the year here in our pre-Christian North (The Winter Solstice) we had a tradition that was linked to light, darkness and the course of the year. ‘Ljóssi’ means ‘the light’ and symbolize the bringer of light in the dark. The tradition was also often called “Mother Night”, and is today celebrated just a few days before the wheel is turning – The Winter Solstice.

❄️ Lucia is a tradition held to welcome the return of the light, and is a symbol of a light-bringing female. Earlier back in the days, women of each tribe climbed the highest hill or mountain in the area dressed in white and light to watch the horizon for a sign of the light returning. This has its original origins from the pagan light-goddesses Frigg, Freja and Sól – Sunna. The red belt around the waist of Lucia symbolize fertility.

❄️ During the 12th and 13th centuries when the christianization of Scandinavia started to take place “to civilize the Northmen”, the christians made Ljóssi (Lucia) into a witch and a monster, it’s unfortunately the folklore version that we sometimes can read about. But that didn’t work for our heathen Scandinavian ancestors, we kept celebrating and therefore the church instead made her into a saint and claimed she was an all christian tradition. A saint that Rome has never acknowledged, and not even recognised by the Vatican as legit. So therefore, the tradition today is a mixture of both Pagan and Christian beliefs.

❄️ The celebration of Lucia is nowadays the most common in Sweden, because here the pre-christian belifes held out the longest. But today the tradition is celebrated in all of Scandinavia – all from schools to workplaces! To get through this dark midwinter night, both humans and cattle required extra food which was used to be called “lusse-bit”. According to a pre-Christian Swedish tradition, a chosen woman walked around and knocked on the door to offer “lusse-bread” as a sign that we would now move towards brighter times. It is also from here that the Swedish traditional pastry ‘Lussekatter’ comes from. The pastry is originally shaped in the traditional way like year wheels, solarcrosses and gold carts. Ljóssi has been with us since the dawn of time, and she has always brought new hope and light in our darkest of times 🕯

🥀 Alvablot är en uråldrig fornnordisk högtid som har firats långt innan kristnandet av Skandinavien. Vi visar tacksamhet och vördnad till jorden för den skörd vi fått och hedrar våra förfäder – de som inte finns med vid vår sida längre. Alvablot är en tradition i sann förfädersdyrkan och infaller idag detta år – alltid två fullmånar innan den ursprungliga hedniska Julen. Högtiden brukar dock vanligtvis uppmärksammas som mest under Allahelgonahelgen i Skandinavien och enligt källorna är detta ett privat blot för familj och släkt. Det finns främst två isländska källor om Alvablot; Austrfararvisur och Olof den heliges Saga, där båda sagorna bygger på varandra.

🥀 Varför heter det Alvablot?
“Alv” heter det vita skiktet av mineralrik jordmån som finns under matjordskiktet. Den har bildats av inlandsisens framfart och har samma ursprung som “albis” eller “vit” på latin. Därifrån kommer själva begynnelsen till Alvablot. Eddan talar därför mycket om Äringsguden Frej som råder över grödan och som boende i Alvheim – Vanernas gudasläkte, kallades “alferna/alverna”. De ansågs vara förfädernas andar som bodde nere i jorden, alldeles intill de levandes bostäder på de gamla gårdsgravfälten och det kändes tryggt att ha sina döda alldeles intill, därför offrar vi också till alverna vid Alvablotet.

🥀 I Norden fanns det även en tradition som hävdade att de döda levde i sina gravar samtidigt som de var hos gudinnan Hel. Under vissa dagar på året som vid just Alvablotet, anses de vara som mest närvarande, då väven är som tunnast mellan världarna. Dagarna blir kortare och mörkare nu när vi har gått in i vintertid, en tid av stillhet och vila inför en ny kommande säsong av återfödelse. Trevligt & hederligt Alvablot 🕯

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🥀 Alvablot is an acient Old Norse tradition that has been held long before the christianization of Scandinavia. During Alvablot we show our gratitude and reverence to the soil for the harvest we received, and honoring our ancestors, those who are no longer with us. Alvablot is a tradition in true ancestral worship …-and occurs today, 5th of December this year – always two full moons before the original heathen Jul. However, the Alvablot celebration is usually taking place during All Hallows’ Eve in Scandinavia, and according to the sources, this is a private blót: a closed practice kept among family. There are mainly two Icelandic sources about Alvablot: Austrfararvisur and Olof the holy Saga, where both sagas build on each other.

🥀 Why is it called Alvablot?
“Alv/Álf” is a soil type formed during the advance of the ice sheet in the North, and has the same origin as “albis” or “white” in Latin. From there comes the very beginning of Alvablot. The Edda therefore talks alot about the God of soil Frej, who rules over the crop and lives in Alfheim – whose kin was called “the álfs/elves”. They were considered to be the spirits of the ancestors who lived down in the soil, right next to the dwellings of the living in the old courtyard fields. It felt safe to have their dead right next to them. Alvablot is therefore also a sacrifice to the Elves.

🥀 In Old folk lore here in the North, it was claimed that the dead lived in their graves with the goddess Hel. During certain days of the year, such when Alvablot takes place – they are considered to be the most present, as the veil is as its thinnest between the worlds. The days are turning shorter and darker now when we have entered winter time. A time of stillness and rest for a new upcoming season of rebirth. Honor your ancestors, you owe them everything. Pleasant and honourable Alvablot 🕯

Föll tappert i främsta linjen, för folk och fädernäsland av en kula i tinningen vid belägringen av Fredrikshald i Norge 30 november år 1718. Karl XII är uppmärksammad som Sveriges krigarkonung och huvuddelen av sin tid som regerande konung i Sverige (1697 – 1718) tillbringade han ute i fält under det stora Nordiska kriget. Med sitt ledarskap och sina strategiska skickligheter bidrog han inledningsvis till stora framgångar för Sverige med sin Karolinska armé, som då attackerades på tre fronter. Detta bara tre år efter sin kröning, då han endast var 18 år gammal. Ett av dem kändaste slagen är segern vid Narva i Ryssland år 1700, med sin armé av 5 000 Karoliner som vann mot 25 000 – 30 000 ryska soldater.

Karoliner av Carolus, är den latiniserade formen av namnet Karl, som var soldaterna i den svenska armén under Karl XI och Karl XII vid Sveriges tid som stormakt. Karolinerna var klädda i blå rockar med gult foder. De betraktades som en av Europas främsta arméer, som just Karl XII ledde till många segrar.

Vid Karl XII kröning till konung år 1697 placerade han konungakronan själv på sitt huvud, som vanligtvis utfördes utav en ärkebiskop från kyrkan. Karl XII var självbehärskad, säker och beslutsam och menade att hans kröning inte kom från kyrkan – utan den kom direkt från Gud. Denna dag, den 30 november, minns och ärar vi en av Sveriges främsta konungar som var älskad utav sitt folk och som höll Sverige frihetligt 🇸🇪

CAROLUS REX – NÄRVARANDE!

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The Swedish King Carl XII fell bravely in the front line, for folk and fatherland from a bullet in his head during the siege of Fredrikshald in Norway on the 30th of November in 1718. Carl XII is recognized as the warrior king of Sweden, and most of his time as reigning king (from 1697 to 1718) he was out in the field during the Great Nordic War. With his leadership and tactical skills, he initially contributed to great success for Sweden with his Carolinian army, who was attacked by three alliances at the same time. This, only three years after his coronation. Carl XII was then only 18 years old. One of the most famous battles is the victory at Narva in Russia in year 1700, with his Carolinian army of 5 000 men, against 25 000  – 30 000 russian soldiers.

Carolines from Carolus, is the Latinized form of the name ‘Karl’, who were the soldiers in the Swedish army under Carl XI and Carl XII during Sweden’s time as a great power. The Carolinians were dressed in blue coats with yellow lining. They were considered to be one of Europe’s foremost armies, which Carl XII led to many victories.

At Carl XII’s coronation as king in 1697, he placed the royal crown himself on his head, which was usually performed by an archbishop from the church. Carl XII was self-controlled, confident and determined, and believed that his coronation did not come from the Church – but it came directly from God. On this day, the 30th of November, we honor and remember one of Sweden’s foremost Kings, who was loved by his folk and kept the freedom of Sweden 🇸🇪

With only a month left to The Winter Solstice, which occurs on Sunday 21st of December in Scandinavia this year, the days will be even darker here in the North. Winter Solstice marks the shortest and darkest day of the year, the sun has the lowest noon height and the earth’s axis of rotation leans furthest from the sun. Right now the sun sets at 03:07 PM in Svealand, Sweden.

Many tries to tie the Winter Solstice with Yule, which is incorrect. The Germanic people in the North have always celebrated the original ‘Jul’ at the first full moon, after the new moon after the Winter Solstice. We have ancient traditions based on our different seasons, and the position of the sun and the moon like the Summer Solstice (Midsummer) and the first full moon, after the new moon after the Winter Solstice (Jul), that were established long before the Christianization of Scandinavia. Much of the origin of the Old Norse roots still exists today in our current traditions, as our pagan ancestors once celebrated them.

Happy Scandinavian Fathers Day. Native Scandinavian father and child from Sweden 🇸🇪

Föll tappert i främsta linjen, för folk och fädernäsland i slaget vid Lützen 6 november år 1632. Denna dag är känd som Gustav Adolfs-dagen och att äta just Gustav Adolfsbakelser. Men framför allt för att minnas och ära Sveriges hjältekonung.

Gravinskriptionen i Riddarholmskyrkan:

“I trångmål begynte han sin bana.
Fromheten älskade han,
Fienderna nedslog han,
Riket utvidgade han,
Svenskarna upphöjde han,
De förtryckta befriade han,
I döden triumferande han.”

~ GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS ~ NÄRVARANDE!

🇬🇧 The Lion of the North.
The Swedish king Gustaf Adolph the Great, fell bravely in the front line, for folk and fatherland in the battle of Lützen the 6th of November year 1632. This day is known as Gustaf Adolph’s day in Sweden, and to eat Gustaf Adolph’s pastries. But most important – to remember and honor a heroic King of Sweden 🇸🇪

The epitaph inscription at Riddarholmskyrkan in Sweden:

“In adversity, he began his journey.
Piety he cherished,
Enemies he vanquished,
The realm he expanded,
The Swedes he elevated,
The oppressed he liberated,
In death, triumphant he.”