Norse Calendar

 

The Viking calendar was divided into Manadur or Moon phases similar to our months and also into two parts Skammdegi or Dark days the winter (Vetr) months followed by the Nottleysa or Nightless in the summer (Sumr). It was used to tell the Norse peoples the seasons so as to know when to plant and grow their crops. A persons age wasn’t told in years but how many winters (Vetr) they had lived through, so a 20 year old man was 20 Vetr or Winters.

 

Skammdegi (Dark days) - Vetr

 

Garmanudur - 14th Oct - 13th Nov (Slaughter Month)

This is the start of the winter months, a time when the norse peoples began to bring in their harvest and perform the first Blot of the calendar year.

 

Ylir - 14th Nov - 13th Dec (Yule Month)

 The Darkest of months which people would spend mostly indoors feasting on the produce they grew in that year. December 13th was celebrated as the “long night of Lussi”. Lussi, who could go by many other names, was the mother of the beings that dwell beneath the Earth. She would punish all who had not finished their work in time before the darkest winter nights.

 

Morsugur - 14th Dec - 12th Jan (Fat Sucking Month)

 Continuation of Ylir and feasting, which makes people fatter than normal. Finishing with the Winter Solstice on December 21st and on approx 12th January the Soldagen or sun day, the return of the sun.

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Thorri - 13th Jan - 11th Feb (Bore Frost)

 The mans month, every man could choose a day and if the weather was fair on that day the next year would be fortunate for him. Women were expected to look after their men. The Thorablot was also held during this period.

 

Goa - 12th Feb - 13th March (Sowing)

 This was the time of the year to plant the first seeds, it was also Womens month and a time for the men to now look after the wife. The Goablot took place in this period.

 

Einmanudur - 14th March - 13th Apr

 A time to celebrate Ostara or Easter the goddess of spring with march 21st being the spring equinox also the time of the Disablot.

 

Nottleysa (Nightless) - Sumr

 

Gaukmanudur - 14th Apr- 13th May

 April 14th was one of the three greatest feats, dedicated to Odin. It was also a time to dedicate and celebrate the female spirits of the land.

 

Skerpla - 14th May - 12th June

 Continuation of the celebrations of female spirits.

 

 Solmaudur - 13th June - 12th July (Sun Month)

 This was a time of the great Allthing or the All-Parliament, when the heads of households met up to discuss and vote about politics. It was the brightest month of year and a most popular time for weddings.

 

Ormamanudur - 13th July - 14th Aug (Hay Collecting Month)

 The month of the serpent was also a time to bring the hay in to dry out

 

Tvimanudur - 15th Aug - 14th Sep (Two Month)

 Also known as the corn cutting month it was when the harvest was collected.

 

Haustmanudur - 15th Sep - 13th Oct (Autumn Month)

 Beer brewing month for the winters supply and also the Final preparations for the winter months. September 21st was the Autumn Equinox.

 

Finally the days of the week are all connected with Norse Gods (aside from Saturday) and rituals relating to these gods can be performed on the relevant day for maximum effect.

 

Monday - Day of the Moon - Mani (Moon god)

 

Tuesday - Tyr’s Day - Tyr (Law and Justice god)

 

Wednesday - Woden’s Day - Odin (All father)

 

Thursday - Thor’s Day - Thor (Thunder and War god)

 

Friday - Freyja’s Day - Freyja (Love and Beauty goddess)

 

Saturday - Lorday - Norse Bath Day (yes really)

 

Sunday - Sunna’s Day - Sol (Sun goddess)