Holidays

When it comes to religious festivals there is very little information surviving, either because chroniclers took them for granted, but more likely that later Christian scholars (most of whom were monks after all) tried to eliminate the pagan influence. Despite this virtually all we celebrate today originates from these ancient rites, and we can use these traditional observances that have been passed down as a guide. It is clear that the ancients were more 'in tune' with nature than we are today as these ceremonies clearly show. Their festivals & rituals reflect this reverence to 'Mother Earth' & 'Father Sky' (Mother Earth gives birth to everything & Father Sky fertilizes her). They were ruled by the changing seasons and it's effect on their surroundings, not the alarm clock and train timetable.
Geol

(Yule) Without doubt the most familiar festival among the 'Germanic' peoples. It's name appears in nearly every Germanic language, even Latin sources mention it. Many of Géol's customs have survived to this day as part of the Christian celebration of 'Christmas' (they stole a lot of pagan festivals, due to the fact they could not stamp them out, therefore adapted them to suit their purpose). Bede tells us of the Anglo-Saxon celebration of Géol. Stating their year began on the night of December 24th and the morning of December 25th (what a coincidence that someone called Jesus was born then), in the modern calendar this now falls on 20th/21st December, the Winter Solstice. They referred to this night as Móðra Níht or "Mothers' Night". He notes that they observed the ceremony all through the night, (so you trying to stay awake all night on "Christmas Eve" is a ancient custom, again coincidentally the Christians have their 'Midnight Mass'). Many of the traditions of today associated with "Christmas" are somewhat consistent among the descendants of the 'Germanic' peoples, from Scandinavia to Germany to England, houses decorated with holly and evergreens (to represent the Cosmic Tree Yggdrasil), the decorated tree (baubles representing the sun to scare aware creatures such as dark elves & dwarfs, as well as the enemies of the Gods and Man, the Frost Giants), the giving of presents (something shared with the Roman worship of Mithrus, a god born of a virgin, who dies and rises to save mankind, sound familiar?). The Yule log is also a tradition found in many of these countries (an Oak log kindled in honour of Þunor, to protect against fire and lighting), and, of course, drinking and feasting is done in abundance. On 'Twelfth Night' oaths were made whilst touching the sacred boar, which was then sacrificed to Frea to ensure prosperity (hence twelve days of Christmas, New Year resolutions, the parade of the Boar's head at feasts, and toasts to prosperity).

Eowomeoluc

Now mostly known as 'Candlemas', this was the time of year when the ewes came into milk (hence the name), and sacrifices to Earth-Mother and Sky-Father were made. Bede tells us that special cakes were baked and offered to the Gods in this month, and that a custom, which is still performed on various dates from late January to mid February in parts of England, called the 'blessing of the plough' took place. This ceremony has it's origins in rites described in the Englisc charm Æcer Bót, and was meant to bring fertility to the land (the Christians often perform this ritual in small churches through out English villages to this day, unaware that they are really worshiping our Earth-Mother & Sky-Father). The sacrifice of cakes to the Gods (they were buried in ploughed fields), was also to ensure fertility of the land, in the hope of a bountiful crop in the summer.

Éostron

Like Géol, this is an ancient 'Germanic' festival (the Anglo-Saxon Éostron is the plural of Éastre). Bede states the Anglo-Saxons named April Éostermonað (after the Goddess Éastre, for whom they held festivals during that month). Her worship and festival was not restricted to the Anglo-Saxons, the modern German word for the holiday, Ostran, (which also derived from the Goddess's name) is proof of this. (Christians have stolen it and defame the Goddess, but her name lives on as Easter. Coincidently, the god Mithrus, worshiped in the East and by the Romans, also returned from death, as does the God Bealdor after Ragnarok). Decorated eggs were used to adorn the house, or rolled down hills representing the turning sun, a practice still carried out in many parts of England. The 'Easter egg' is of course well known all over the world (Russia's elegantly designed eggs are superb examples). Buns decorated with the sun wheel, (that's right, 'Hot Cross Buns', the cross not being the cross of Christ, but the spokes of a wheel), which were symbols of good luck, were carried, eaten, or hung from objects in the home. And finally, the hare (Easter Bunny), which was a sacred animal representing fertility (also sacred to the Celts).

Ðrimeolce

Long celebrated in England, it takes its modern name (May Day) from the month of May (a Latin borrowing). The Anglo Saxons would not of called it May Day, in some countries it's known as 'Walpurgis Day' (some sources say named after the Anglo-Saxon St. Walburga, although more likely it is after the local name for Fréo, Walburga, and therefore St. Walburga was attached to a festival originally held in honour of this Goddess by later Christians). It's possible the Anglo-Saxons knew the festival as Ðrimeolce (the name they gave the month of May). Bede tell us Ðrimeolce was so named because the cows could be milked three times a day. Ðrimeolce is an ancient name and celebration, and the present May Day is a heathen survival of this festival, unfortunately, it is now ruined in most places by political zealots, who like the orgainised religions, seem intent on spoiling things for the rest of us. In England May Day Eve was celebrated with bonfires, by gathering flowers and, in some areas, a 'battle' between individuals dressed as "Winter" and "Summer". The maypole which was erected, which also has origins with the Celts, was used by lots of Germanic tribes. Others seem to celebrate May Day Eve as the main part of the festival. The German Walpurgisnacht is celebrated with bonfires and high spirits, and is supposedly a time for witches. No doubt originally an honour to Wiccas that has been corrupted by Christians as witches. Wiccas were respected as those who had the power to influence the fates, not some ugly hag you visualise when you hear the word 'witch'.

Líþa

To the 'Germanic' peoples, Midsummer was the summer equivalent of Géol. In England on Midsummer's Eve, huge bonfires were lit with men leaping through the flames, this is still practiced in some parts today. It was also a perfect time for divination, a young woman could learn whom she would marry on Midsummer's Eve. On Midsummer's Day the gathering of flowers and dancing and drinking took place. As to it's name, the Anglo-Saxons may well of called it Midsumer, but, Anglo-Saxon chroniclers sometimes refer to June and July as ærra Líþa and æftera Líþa (before Líþa and after Líþa), this mirrors the names for December and January, ærra Géola and æftera Géola (before Yule and after Yule). This ceremony has possible roots in the Sun and Moon and their cycles. The Christians selected the summer solstice for St. John's Day, possibly because it marked the date of one of the heathens' biggest celebrations.

Hlæfmæst

(Hlæfmæsse or, Lammas) The first loaves of the season were baked and offered to the Gods in thanks. Clues that this was a heathen festival are the date on which 'Lammas' occurs. Lands privately held from spring to 'Lammas', were open to common pasturage until the next spring. Anglo Saxon sources mention Lammas (in Englisc Hlæfmæsse) as a Christian festival, when the first new loaves of bread were blessed, but, seeing as Christian festivals never concerned themselves with the first fruits of the season, yet again they steal a pagan ceremony. It should be pointed out here that the heathen ceremony would not of been called "Hlæfmæsse", as mæsse means mass, and originates from Latin. Some scholars suggest the festival may have been called Hlæfmæst (feast of loaves) named after the loaves of bread that were baked at this time, the start of harvest.

Hærfest

(Harvest) The Englisc word hærfest meant 'the reaping of grain' or 'the season of fall'. It's seems that the Anglo-Saxons held a harvest festival in September, by the name they gave that month Haligmonað (holy month). Suggesting a sacred deed going with the September harvest, this festival has survived in many parts as 'Harvest Home', or 'Harvest Festival' (again the Christians have 'borrowed' this one as well).

Winterfylleð

(Winter Nights or, Vetrnætt) One of the best documented holidays among the 'Germanic' peoples. The ancient Scandinavians considered Vetrnætt to be the official beginning of winter (and still is in Iceland and Norway). A festival where sacrificing to the Ælfs took place, this would of been conducted in private, with only close friends and family. The Englisc name for the month of October was Winterfylleð (winter full moon), signifying they may have considered it the beginning of winter as well.

Blótfest

Winterfylleð is followed by Blótmonað on the Anglo-Saxon calendar. Bede says Blótmonað was named because the ancient Anglo-Saxons gave a portion of their slaughtered livestock to the Gods as sacrifice. This was driven by practicality, combining two things, honouring the Gods, but also culling the herd. This way only enough livestock was kept that the stored fodder could cope with. The slaughtered animals would of been preserved for use during the long winter days.

Other sacred places, practices (see Symbols & Customs for more details on these) are briefly mentioned here.

Temples

The worship of the Gods probably took place in sacred places such as temples and groves (although open aired groves were possibly the main locations). The Englisc word for such places are Ealh (Temple), Heargh (Hill-Sancuary), Weoh (Idol/Shrine), Hlaw (Mound), and Leah (Wood/Woodland clearing). There are still places today that contain the name of a God, indeed, most Christian churches were built upon these sacred sites. As part of their ruthless purge against the old Gods they would often defile these sacred places. This purge was not only against the Gods of the Anglo Saxons, but also the Celtic Gods. Trees and wells were also venerated by the Anglo Saxons, especially the oak tree (which was associated with the god Þunor), and, like the Celts, deposited objects in wells as offerings (how many of you throw money into wells and fountains and then make a wish? A pagan ritual still widely practiced). They celebrated certain festivals like the winter and summer solstices with huge bonfires in the open atop hills, burnt the Geol log, and would sacrifice animals such as oxen and bullocks. Ceremonial dancing seems to of taken place a lot (it would seem the 'open-air' festival is an ancient custom), paticularly with weapons or dressed as animals (still practiced in some English villages). Ceremonial processions to venerate the Earth-Mother took place (May Day procession or Carnival, the May Queen was originally a female selected to represent Earth-Mother, there would also of been a May King, to represent Sky-Father), after which it's possible that slaves were drowned in sacrifice to her. We have remnants of these processions still today, the May Day processions in paticular. Bread with symbols and runes were baked (hot cross buns), and of course charms and runes, these were all used in ceremonies.

Burial

The two most common forms of burial were cremation and interment. Interment would include grave goods, objects associated with the individual, a man with his sword, helmet, spear and shield, a wicce (where the word Witch orignates from) with her herbs and charms used for healing etc, and a woman with her household goods and keys. Items were also included in cremation urns as well, items such as combs etc. Food and drink has been found to accompany the dead on the journey to the 'Great Halls' (Valhöll). Some really important individuals (i.e. the Sutton Hoo Burial) included longboats in their grave goods, or their horses. And of course we all know about the 'Viking' burial, the burning long boat. The boat shape grave is common among Anglo Saxon burials.

Sacred Cyning

(Sacred Kingship) A central part of the 'Germanic' people's religion, the King was the high priest of the tribe, its protector and guardian, as the King's luck went, so too did the tribes.

Bards

The importance of the Gleomen (Minstrels) & Scops (Poets, 'Shapers of verse') cannot be overstated, they were the custodians of the history not only of the tribe, but the Gods as well. Highly regarded & revered (not like today's musicians or actors, who's popularity is more to do with personal publicity), they and their profession were an integral part of 'Germanic' culture. They were the keepers of the folc's history, religion and heritage (folk lore). They were magical with their ability to recall everything, one who followed this profession was special.

Seid

A form of magic associated with the Vanir and nature, an ancient belief in the ability to manipulate the natural surroundings and elements (earth, wind, water, fire).

Symbel