On the thirteenth night before Yule, the wind carries more than snow.

This episode features an original short story inspired by Icelandic folklore surrounding Grýla and her thirteen sons, the Yule Lads. In the old legends, the Yule Lads descend from the mountains one by one, bringing mischief into the homes below. Their mother follows after, listening for the sound of children in the dark.

Told from the perspective of a mother weathering a brutal winter night, The Thirteenth Night explores fear, isolation, and the quiet terror of waiting while something ancient draws closer. As the storm builds and the fire burns low, the line between legend and reality begins to blur.

Settle in, keep warm, and listen closely. Some stories are best told on the darkest nights.

Long before stockings, sleigh bells, and reindeer, winter folklore spoke of a wandering figure who traveled from door to door during Yule. In Norse and Scandinavian tradition, this traveler was Odin himself, walking the human world in disguise to observe generosity, test hospitality, and reward kindness.

This episode explores the Yule Wanderer as an early ancestor of the modern Santa Claus figure. It traces how stories of a winter traveler offering blessings and judgment slowly transformed over time into the gift-bringer we recognize today. A fireside folklore retelling rooted in older traditions and winter belief.

In this episode, we explore the legend of the Yule Cat, a figure from Icelandic winter folklore said to roam the countryside during Yule. Known for watching who has earned new clothing for the season, the Yule Cat was not just a creature of fear, but a reminder of shared labor, preparation, and survival during the darkest months of the year. This is a winter tale rooted in responsibility, community, and the quiet tension of midwinter nights.

This episode is part of the winter story series and is told as a memory passed down through generations. It is the story of Frau Perchta, a winter figure said to walk during the Twelve Nights, watching what has been finished and what has been left undone. Told through the voice of a grandmother recalling her childhood, this tale speaks of spinning wheels, careful hands, and the difference between effort and avoidance. It is a warning wrapped in memory, and a reminder that some winters are watching more closely than others.

When winter storms rise and the nights stretch long, old Northern folklore speaks of the Wild Hunt. A roaring procession of spirits, hounds, and the dead said to thunder across the sky during midwinter. In many of the oldest traditions, the Hunt is led by Odin, riding his great horse through wind and cloud.

This episode is a folklore retelling drawn from Norse and Germanic sources. It explores the signs of the Hunt, what it meant to witness it, and why people were warned to bar their doors when the storm came. A winter tale of omens, wandering souls, and the power believed to move through the darkest nights of the year.

In this winter folklore episode, we explore the legend of Mari Lwyd through the older belief in pale horses of Celtic mythology. Traditionally, Mari Lwyd appears at the door during midwinter, demanding riddles and rhymes in exchange for entry. This story imagines a darker version of that encounter, where a pale winter mare arrives not only for song and wit, but to test what a person is willing to risk at the threshold.

Pale horses appear throughout Celtic folklore as boundary-crossers, messengers, and guides between worlds, often arriving at dusk, during winter, or at moments of transition. Drawing from these older traditions, this short story weaves Mari Lwyd’s riddling customs with the cautionary role of the pale horse, where clever answers may bring protection and failure may carry a dangerous cost.

This episode is part of a winter folklore series exploring seasonal myths, old traditions, and the stories that surface when the nights grow long.

Tonight’s episode explores Yuki-onna, the Snow Woman, from the writings of Lafcadio Hearn. A winter spirit who appears in blizzards and frozen mountain paths, she is both beautiful and deadly, merciful and merciless.

This quiet and haunting tale follows two travelers caught in a storm and the promise that shapes everything that comes after. Less about sudden fear and more about what lingers long after the snow has melted, this story sits in the space between love, secrecy, and consequences.

Next week, three more winter folklore stories arrive. Stay close to the fire and listen carefully.

Step into a quiet, snow-covered farm in this classic piece of Scandinavian winter folklore. In this episode, we explore the legend of the tomte, a small guardian spirit said to protect homes, barns, and animals through the darkest nights of winter. After a brief look at the tradition behind the tomte, I share the full public-domain poem The Tomten by Viktor Rydberg, translated by Charles Wharton Stork.

This gentle, wintry tale reflects the watchful presence of the tomte as he makes his nightly rounds through a frozen farm, caring for animals and guarding the household while the world sleeps.

This episode is part of our December winter folklore series featuring stories, legends, and spirits from the coldest corners of the world. Come back tomorrow for another winter tale.