Winter Nights

This is a celebration steeped in many Germanic, Celtic and Norse Folk traditions. From leaving ‘snacks’ out for the household spirits to lighting bonfires to guide the good spirits of ancestors and heroes to their kin, this is a holiday not to be missed.

The Family Altar

The focal point for the Odinist home is the Family Altar. It provides an order among the chaos of everyday life. The Altar allows the whole family to honor the Gods and Goddesses, house and land wights, and our ancestors. Although very personal…

Yule (French Canada): Playing the Spoons!

French Canadians are well known for their joie de vivre, this includes playing and dancing to fine jigs and reels during the Yuletide season. And what better way to add to the merriment, than to play the traditional French Canadian percussion instrument: the spoons!

Yule (Canada): Sucre à la Crème (Fudge)

Although Yule here is celebrated pretty much as in all other countries belonging to our Northern Indo-European folk organism, the cultural differences between the French and English settlers in the celebration of this great holiday period have continued to this day.

Yule (Switzerland): Toblerone Chocolate Fondue

Of course, one may think of the many things that make Switzerland so very famous: its mountains, the pastures, its cheeses, among many other things. But that which it is very, very famous for is its chocolate! And how best to celebrate Yule than by celebrating with a chocolate fondue!

Yule (Germany): Legend of the Silver Pinecones

There once lived a poor family without enough food to eat or enough wood for their fire. The mother decided to go into the forest to search for pine cones.....

Yule (Germany): Legend of the Bird Nest

According to an old German legend, if you find a bird nest in the tree you harvest for Yule, you will have an entire year of health and happiness.

Yule (Germany): Legend of the Acorn

In Germany, where oak trees are considered sacred, acorns are thought to bring good luck. The German saying “from little acorns, come mighty oaks” shows the protective nature of a mother’s belief that when one provides a nurturing and care, one can anticipate great results.

Yule (France): Twelfth Night Cake

A traditional French Yuletide recipe, Galette des Rois is a cake with a special surprise inside! Whoever finds the surprise in their slice is crowned King or Queen for the day!

Yule (France): Yule Log Cake

A traditional Yule Log Cake, or Buche de Noel, is made with chocolate and nuts. This is a simplified version made with raspberry preserves.

Yule (Scandinavia): How to make a Julbock

The Julbock is a universal Scandinavian symbol of Jul. It is believed that the Julbock is accompanied either by a God, such as Thor or in contemporary times, Santa Claus. A “Tomten”, “Nissen”, or Jul Elves also frequently accompany him.

Yule (Belgium): Speculoos

Speculoos are probably the oldest cookies Belgians have in their repitoire. Speculoos are spice cookies traditionally eaten in Belgium during the Yule season. They are said to go back to pre-Christian time, when they were small animal cakes in the shapes of animals or humans, that were offered to the gods.