E21: Vetrnætr and the Veil Between

As the long nights begin to settle over the land, we enter Vetrnætr , Winter Nights, a time when the veil between worlds thins and the living honor their ancestors, the spirits of the land, and the deities who guide the changing seasons. In this episode, we explore how the Norse marked the turning of the year, the mythic forces tied to the coming cold, and the powerful themes of gratitude, protection, and endurance that carry us through the dark half of the year.

From ancient feasts and offerings to the Dísir and Landvættir to modern ways you can celebrate, whether in a city apartment or around a rural bonfire, this episode invites you to reconnect with the cyclical rhythm of death, rest, and renewal.

Topics include:

• Historical roots of Vetrnætr and its connection to ancestor veneration

• The Vanir and the spirits who bless and protect the land

• Modern and accessible ways to honor the season, solo or with a group

• Reflections on gratitude, protection, and endurance in the face of winter

Join us as we honor the past, protect the present, and prepare for the winter ahead.

Sources:

https://thepaganjourney.weebly.com/winternights.html

https://winternightsfestival.com/about-vetrnaetr/

https://thetroth.org/resource/winter-nights/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41m9TLzv-1M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CfWPI3s1h8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxX1SZVpCd0

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/598/598-h/598-h.htm