The Northern Way

Over the last twelve months, I have posted liturgies for some of the traditional ways to celebrate the changing seasons of the year, marking the turning points of the eternal cycle. This post offers an alternative to that, and is based on the feasts of the Northern people, the ancestors of many of we north Europeans. The pivotal points of the year are not based on calendar dates as such, but on an awareness of and connection with what is happening in the natural world - and even those of us who live in cities can surely find those essential links and be blessed by them. Another difference is that I am not here offering liturgies for the festivals, but things to do. I hope you may enjoy doing them... Put them in your diary or on your calendar, so you don't forget.

To start off with, here are the names of the months of the year, according to Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Frankish, and Norse traditions:

January, After-Yule, Winter month, Snow-moon

February, Mud month, Short month, Horning

March, Noise month, Lengthening month, Lenting

April, Eostre's month, Ostara's month, Ostara

May, Three Milkings, Joy month, Merry-moon

June, Dry month, Plough month, Midyear

July, Meadow month, Hay month, Hay-moon

August, Weed month, Harvest month, Harvest

September, Holy/Harvest month, Wood month, Shedding

October, Winter full moon, Grape harvest moon, Hunting

November, Sacrifice month, Harvest month, Fog-moon

December, Fore-Yule, Holy month, Yule

Below is a 'Viking Calendar'

For the people of the North, the year did not begin in what we know as January, but at the end of autumn. However, since I am posting this at the beginning of our Advent, I am choosing to begin at the end of the dark and cold Winter months, with the first of the Rites of Spring: Summer Finding. This could occur either around the Spring Equinox (around the third week of March) or any time during the first half of what we know as April. The significant 'findings' were the first flower of Spring, such as the violet, and/or the return of certain birds, such as the cuckoo, stork, or swallow, from their winter roosts. The later practices of both Easter and May Day derive from this festival time: for example, the hare, sacred to the goddess Ostara/Eostre, became the "Easter Bunny", and Hot Cross Buns derive from the ritual bread marked with the image of the horns of the ox sacrificed at the feast. The very word 'bun' derives from the Saxon word 'boun' meaning 'sacred ox'.

What to do: Keep a keen look out for the first signs of Spring - and, if it's a flower, don't pick it! Take a photo and put it up somewhere you'll see it every day.

Walpurgisnacht, the end of the period of the Wild Hunt (see Winter Nights, below) occurred around the end of April. Once a nine night festival, it was a remembrance of Odin's self-sacrifice on the World Tree, Yggdrasil. It was on the ninth night that he beheld the Runes, grasped them, and ritually died for an instant, during which all the Light in the Nine Worlds was extinguished and Chaos reigned before the Light returned (on the last stroke of mid-night) - marked by the lighting of bale fires.

What to do: Remind your self of something you've wanted to do or learn or see, and set whatever is needed in motion so that you get to do it - not necessarily hanging from a tree :-)

The Sun's Wending or Summer Solstice, like Walpurgisnacht, also contains an element of the commemoration of the dead, in this instance Odin and Frigg's son Baldr ('Beloved'), killed by Loki ('Knot'/'Tangle'), and of the hero Sigurd, whose story is thought to derive in part from the history of one of the Merovingian kings of the Franks, Sigebert. Despite this, the festival was kept with dancing, feasting, burning wheels, and bonfires, into which were cast garlands, herbs and blue flowers, such as larkspur, as a sign of throwing off an ill-fortune. Cattle were sometimes driven through the smoke of the fires, to cleanse or purify them.

What to do: Watch the sun set, and either stay up all night or get up early enough to see it rise. And treat your self to a really nice break-fast!

Þing-tide was celebrated around the third week of August. The þing (pronounced 'thing') also known as Alþing, was an assembly or meeting, held, unsurprisingly, at the þingstede. In Anglo-Saxon terms, it was a folk-moot, or folk meeting, during which legislation was laid down, chieftains and kings elected (one person, one vote), and legal judgments made. The annual public assembly of the Isle of Man, during which new Max laws are read out and petitions delivered, derives its name, Tynwald, from the þingvellir. Elsewhere, it became known as the wapentake.

What to do: Send a card (yes, a real one, not an e- one) to someone you regret losing touch with, just to say you're thinking of them, and including your current contact details.

The Feast of the Wains (wagons) takes place around the time of the Autumn Equinox (known in some circles as 'Mabon') and the Harvest Moon, and was in honour of those gods associated with fertility, wisdom, and the future. One custom which survived the Christian conversion was the leaving of some of the harvest for the gods and/or spirits, for example, the last clump of corn, or the last five or six apples. The reserved crops were decorated with ribbons, and from this arose the tradition of the Corn Maiden and the making of corn dollies.

What to do: If you have anything that you can harvest - herbs, fruit, veg, flowers - then harvest it, but leave a small portion, and decorate it with a ribbon.

Winter Nights occurs about a (lunar) month later, and was regarded as the start of winter. In the old days, this was celebrated with a feast and with prayers for a good winter, and both the spirits of the land and the ancestral guardian spirits were honoured, along with the remembrance of the dead and of one's ancestors. This festival was incorporated by the Christians as All Souls Day - the 'Commemoration of the Faithful Departed'. Winter Nights also marked the beginning of the Wild Hunt, which would continue until Walpurgisnacht (1st May) - a procession of the dead led by Odin (also revered as Wotan) on his eight-legged horse Sleipnir ('Slippy'), accompanied by dogs and horses, riding through the winter storms.

What to do: Plant something in memory of the people you love who have died, and, as you tend it and watch it grow, remember them with thankfulness.

Modraniht, Mother Night, is held on the night before the start of Jol - corresponding to Christmas Eve - in honour, of course, of mothers. Food was left out for the departed mothers and other ancestors, as well as for the álfar (elves) and for the Wild Hunt, and children would hope to receive a gift in return for this kindness - another link with Santa Claus and his elvish assistants.

What to do: Take time to appreciate your own mother and grandmothers, and, if you have them, your daughters. Do something  today to show that appreciation and love.

Jól (Yule) starts around the time of the Winter Solstice. The title of the feast may derive from Jólnir - one of the names of Odin (Óðinn), the All-Father (Alfaðir), the vital force of the vital forces which were personified as the gods, the breath of life, will, and power. According to legend, Odin played a part in the creation of the world, by the slaying of the primordial being Ymir, and granting the gift of life to the first two human beings, Ask and Embla, who were also given Midgard (Middle Earth) for their dwelling, and who were the father and mother of all people.

Some of our current Christmas customs find their roots in Jól: the lighting of the Yule Log (somewhat down graded to a chocolate cake!), singing, visiting one another's houses, Father Christmas/Santa Claus, riding across the sky in his sleigh drawn by reindeer - a gentle version of the Wild Hunt - and, of course, feasting.

The original feast centred around the boar (hence that mysterious Boar's Head Carol!), a creature associated with Freyr, the god of sacral kingship, over which solemn, holy oaths for the coming year would be made - which have dwindled down to our often desultory New Year Resolutions. According to some legends, the eve of the Solstice was when Freyr himself rode over the world on the back of his shining boar, bringing back Light and Love. Later the same eve was celebrated as the birth-night of the god Baldur... and, of course, it is when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. So it is at this darkest time of the year when the brightest hope re-enters the world.

What to do: Light a candle, and let it burn out naturally (and safely please!)

A liturgy for any time

An ordinary liturgy of Creatureliness, Incarnation, and Immanence

The outline offered below is a template only.

Please incorporate any other elements, such as readings or music,

as appropriate to your gathering.

It is not, however, designed to be a eucharistic rite,

nor is it exclusively Christian, although in this version it honours Jesus.

The liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am always glad to hear from people who have used them.

Opening Responses and Call to Worship:

In the beginning, when it was very dark, God said: “Let there be light”       
       And there was light.

A candle on a central table is lit

In the beginning, when there were no forms, God spoke,

and all things came into being:

       Human-kind are the care-takers of creation.

In the beginning,

we knew that God walked with us in the garden that is our world:

       God walks here with us still.

All through history, we have known that God is involved in our lives:

       People wrote down their experiences, their doubts, and their faith.

An open copy of the Scriptures is placed on the table

We value what we learn from experience, from history, from scripture:

       and we value those who are prophets, poets, and teachers,

       of all faiths and cultures.

Their wisdom helps us as we try to follow the way that they taught us:

       the way of loving God, our neighbours, and our selves.

We are confident that God is with us always:

       God is here, God is now.

God is every where and every when:

       Let us worship God here and now and together.

Prayers of thanksgiving, penitence, and resolve:

Holy God, so far beyond us, so close to us

we thank you that you are always with us;

we thank you for the wonders and beauty

of the universe and of the world which is our home;

we thank you that you have entrusted your creation to our care:

       God, we thank you!

For your love for us, for providing for us,

for every thing and every one we learn from,

and for all the ways in which we can grow

and know at last what it means to be human:

       God, we thank you!

For showing us through Jesus that you call us all to you,

whoever we are, whatever we have thought and said and done,

and for challenging us to serve you and each other better:

       God, we thank you!

We are sorry that so often we forget you;

we are sorry that so often we forget our neighbours;

we are sorry that so often we remember only our selves:

       Forgive us.

We are sorry for the selfish things we have said and done and thought;

we are sorry for the loving things we have not said or done or thought.

       Forgive us,

       and help us to forgive our selves.

Help us to do better in the future,

and to become the best we can be:

       Help us to leave behind us

       everything we no longer need to carry.

       Turn our lives around, turn our vision outwards,

       and open our hearts to welcome friend and stranger.

Greetings and announcements:

If you do not know the person next or near to you, say hello to each other, and share your names, now.

Any important notices are now given, at the end of which the reading for the day is announced.

Scripture reading and exposition:

Discussion and reflection:

Time is allowed now for discussion on the theme of the scripture reading and the exposition of it. Questions can be asked – but don't necessarily expect pat answers! Then time is given for private reflection, especially to consider the impact of the message on your daily life, and perhaps privately to jot down some thoughts for future action.

Prayers for others:

We now take the opportunity to express to God, to each other, and to our selves, the things that concern us deeply, and which need change or resolution. We acknowledge that, while we resolve to do all we can, this cannot be accomplished by our efforts alone. We have faith that prayer will make a difference – to situations, to others, and to our selves.

Our prayers focus on three main areas of concern: topics in the international and national news, concerns in our community, and those individuals we know personally.

We bring to God our concerns for...

       May we be aware of your presence and your strong love

       working with us as we seek justice/peace/... in this situation

Act of unity and openness: (e.g. the Peace; the sharing of a Loving Cup.)

Closing Words:

Blessed are the paths on which we travel.
       Blessed are the bodies that carry us upon them.
Blessed are our hearts that have heard the calls to follow.
       Blessed are our minds that discern the ways.
Blessed are the gifts that we will receive by going.
       Blessed is the gift that each of us will become on our journey.

May we go forth in peace.

       May the Spirit of Love be a living flame before us,
       a guiding star above us, a firm path below us,
       and a gentle presence within us. Amen

The Winter Solstice: Friday 21st December 2018

Many of us experience a sense of awe at the natural world, and want to mark our connectedness with nature, and express our thanks for its sustaining goodness. Different points in the turning year may be understood as corresponding with different stages of our lives – which may help us to make some sense of our life experiences, and to go onwards more cheerfully and trustingly.

The Winter Solstice occurs around 21 December in the Northern Hemisphere, and 21 June in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the time when, even though the sun appears to be abandoning us and daylight is at its briefest, the year is reborn and a new cycle begins. On this longest night of winter, and even in the dark nights of our souls, there springs the spark of hope that light will return and balance will be restored, so we gather to await that new light as the year and the earth turn again towards the sun.

The short responsive liturgy, below, is appropriate for use by any group of people, especially before sharing a meal together. If possible, sit in a circle. You will need a large candle, a piece of paper, a pen, and a length of string or ribbon for each person present, a sparge (small leafy twig), a taper, a large glass or cup of wine, matches, and a Yule log. The Yule log is a small branch or log, set in a place where it may burn safely. If you do not have an open fireplace, you could do this outside - please exercise common sense when lighting the candle and the log, and do not allow there to be any risk of fire: stay safe! Everyone is invited to join in saying the responsive words in bold type. There may be one leader to say the biddings, or you can take it in turns, round the circle.

I'm posting this well ahead of time, to allow for preparations to be made. This is the last of my liturgies for the traditional annual festivals. In my next-but-one post you will find suggestions for alternative celebrations, based on the practices of the ancient Northern people. 

The liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am always pleased to hear from people who have used them.

The Welcome and Invocation (said as a candle is lit):

Welcome to you all, as we gather today to celebrate the Winter Solstice.

We light this light to honour the life that comes from death:

       We light this light to honour

       the warmth that comes from cold,

       the light that shines in darkness,

       and the balance of the turning year,

       which we seek in our own lives.

The Setting of Intentions:

Yuletide is the end of the old solar year,

and the beginning of the new one:

       This is a time to look back & reflect,

       a time to look ahead, to make plans and set goals,

       and a time to re-align our selves with our true self.

Each person takes a piece of paper,

writes down something they hope to accomplish during the coming year,

folds the paper and ties it to the Yule log.

The Consecration of the Yule Log:

We toast the coming of the new year, and, in token of its promise,

we consecrate this wood.

May it be a focus for the energies

through which we accomplish our tasks,

and manifest our true selves, our potential, and our unity

during the coming year.

       We toast the Yule Log!

       We toast the coming year!

Wine is sprinkled from the cup/glass onto the Yule Log using the sparge.

The wine is then passed round the circle for all to drink.

When everyone has had a sip of wine, the Yule Log is lit,

using the taper to light it from the candle flame.

The Closing Thanksgiving:

We offer thanks for the light given to us this night:

       May we carry it in our hearts and our actions

       throughout the coming year.

For home and hearth, for warmth and shelter,

for food and drink, for companionship, and for reasons to celebrate:

       We offer thanks!

For the sun which enables life, for the reflected light of the moon,

and for the stars which shine upon us:

       We offer thanks!

And that the light endures, even through the dark times,

and that the balance is restored:

       We offer thanks!

The candle is now extinguished.

If it is safe to do so, the Yule log may be left to burn out.

Otherwise extinguish it with sand or soil.

Food for the Feast:

Warming winter food is good for the soul as well as the body! This year our Winter Solstice Feast includes mushroom soup, parsnip roulade, Brussels sprouts stir fried with chestnuts, roast potatoes, chocolate log, and mince pies.

Decorative details:

Green, red and gold are my colours of choice for this season, and a wreath for the front door is a must, including at least some of the traditional evergreens: rosemary, bay, laurel, holly, ivy, and mistletoe. One of The William's ancestors was called 'Miseltoe' - and I think the name, however it's spelt, should be revived.

The most important Christmas tree for me is the one we do for the birds, laden with edible treats: feeders full of nuts and seeds, fat balls, small apples, pine cones liberally spread with natural peanut butter and seeds - but this year without the strings of popped corn, that went soggy and messy last year!

Down the centre of our dining table, placed safely on a chunky plank of wood, will be the Advent candles we've enjoyed lighting through the month, bedded into small terracotta flower pots with moss and berries.

And flowers? It has to be a pot of early hyacinths, planted back in September, kept in a cool dark place for 10 weeks, and then gradually brought into lighter and warmer conditions. It may sound a bit twee, but for me, with their fresh fragrance, they really do bring the promise of spring into the middle of winter.