#winter deity

[vintagenews]

Source and details.

#vintage headline #blizzard #old man winter #storm king #weather deity #winter deity #snow #headline

[aleck-le-mec]

“Where are your pagan gods now?”

Gardening

Comforting your abandoned dead

Reclaiming

Rerooting

#paganism #pagan #pagan witch #pagan deities #druid #pagan Druid #druidism #nature #rebirth #imbolc #fantastical February #spring #spring equinox #winter solstice #wizard #witchy #witch #witchcraft

[broomsick]

Self-care & connecting with nature deities during the wintertime

Is it still possible to connect with harvest and nature deities such as Freyr during the cold season?

Long answer short, yes. Obviously, absolutely. But you all saw that answer coming, right? So I’m here to give you some ideas, as the person who’s favorite season is winter and who made it their mission to help everybody like winter just a little more. And since I feel especially close to Yngvi-Freyr when it comes to the Gods, I will use him as an example throughout this post, though a lot of the following could apply to most nature deities.

Let us first examine a common misconception before we get to the bottom of this topic: the fields don’t die when the sun sets on the 31st of October. The earth still lives under thick layers of snow. The process of dormancy is absolutely crucial to the cycles of nature. And if, like me, you find Freyr to be a sort of guardian of these cycles, then you’ll know he manifests himself in so many ways, even where you might not think to look.

Have you heard about the holly and ivy tradition? It was common during the European Medieval times to decorate houses and halls using holly and ivy, because they were the two plants with leaves that stayed green, even in the dark and cold of winter. This type of practice is often referred to as "bringing the outside in", and it's something I'm quite fond of. I've no doubt it could be a great help if you're the type to feel depressed during the winter time. It's a way to remind oneself of how everpresent nature actually is. Lots of greenery remains despite the snow! And to ackowledge this fact and to work with it is such a great way to connect with nature Gods in general! It goes to show that you appreciate their blessings all year round, not just during spring and summer. While it's true that in many cases, the presence of deities such as Freyr may feel somehow "dimmed" during the winter time, I assure you, they don't disappear once the first snow falls! On the contrary, they are every bit as present and active as when spring comes! They simply manifest themselves in a different manner.

When winter comes, I love to work with evergreen spirits. I incorporate spruce, fir and cedar into my practice and in my offerings. I won't go into too much detail for this topic however, because I've written posts that pertained to it in the past (namely, this post on tree work and this one on land spirits). Since I don't have easy access to holly or ivy, I make due with evergreen! Not with any actual branches, except when I'm lucky enough to find some that were torn away by the wind. But rather, using representations of it. In the same manner, and in the spirit of "bringing the outside in", it's also possible to decorate using representations of the sun! Harvest deities such as Freyr are often associated with it due to its crucial role in the cycles of plant growth. Candles also make for great solar symbols, and to place them around the home is like lighting a handful of little suns to bring much needed light and warmth inside. What's more, lighting candles on the winter solstice night is a widespread practice among pagans today! It serves to symbolize the return of the sun, as the days start to grow longer again. Until then however, it can be soothing for one to light a candle every morning before school or work, and to call upon any harvest, nature or solar deity of their choice to ask for strength and motivation throught the day. Even when it's difficult for us to feel their presence, they always hear us.

Now, how to actually feel more connected to nature? Oftentimes, connecting with nature and connecting with Yngvi-Freyr are one and the same. And on a more personal note, a lot of the advice I received from him pertained exactly to that: I believe he's often urged me to go spend more time in nature when I am going through rough patches. I know the cold and the cloudy weather can make it depressing for a lot of people to go out. My advice on this is to take it step by step: no need to go on long, four-hour long hikes right away! After all, there is already much beauty to be seen close to home. And I can't put enough emphasis on that: dress warmly! Also, as a tool for motivation, prepare a treat for yourself to enjoy after you've gone out. Part of what makes me enjoy winter so much is the thought of the warmth and light which await inside after I’ve gone out into the cold. The home is as sacred as the outside world! So why not buy, or prepare a batch of cookies, a cup of hot chocolate or a spicy dinner! It's something I love to do as a way to motivate myself to go out more often. And I like to offer part of these to local land spirits and to the Vanir, to show my appreciation for the beauty of this season. Just as an aside, I find snow water to be a great such offering as well!

I know that I’m not revolutionizing the pagan scene with this post, as there’s only so many ways to connect with nature during winter. I think it’s important to keep in mind that the snow, rain and cold that this season brings is just as much part of nature as the greens and lively colors of spring and summer. For this reason, they are just as much a part of nature deities and what they represent. Deities have so many facets and depth, and it can be so fulfilling to explore these different aspects, and the way we perceive them. While it’s true that spiritually speaking, it often feels to us heathens as if Skaði is somehow “taking” Freyr’s place in the order of things for the time being— much like the Holly King takes the Oak King’s place in Celtic folklore. This doesn’t make it so he disappears! In my experience, he presides over the cycle of seasons as a whole, and he is every bit as present for his followers as he is during the winter. I can connect with Skaði during the summer in a similar manner. And I’m sure that the same can be said for so many other harvest deities.

#my ideas #yule #winter solstice #paganism #witchcraft #pagan #norse paganism #polytheism #rituals #heathenry #norse polytheism #deity work #norse gods #spirituality #deities

[shewithbloodofdevotion]

Gifts from my sister that she found at an antique store! This has got to be my new favorite décor. It says its handmade in Greece.

I hope everyone has had a good holidays so far, I'm very excited for celebrating the New Year which is when I celebrate Rural Dionysia.

#hellenic polytheism #Apollo #greek mythology #greek art #hellenic pagan #apollo deity #apollodeity #pottery #winter solstice #rural dionysia #helpol #greek pottery

[ravenandmoon]

Artemis Moodboard

#helpol #hellenic pagan #hellenic worship #hellenic polytheist #artemis deity #artemis worship #artemis #winter

[tears-of-amber]

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER TO SKADI:

Listen to the howl of the wind, and embrace the brisk air lovingly.

Laugh when things look grim, under the twinkling Eyes of Thiazi.

So let Her be hailed the snow-haired Goddess Skadi.

Who hunts the rugged mountains on trusty skis.

May I honor You in these darker months, but also when day is bright.

May Your strength guide me when dim is the sun, and the ice and frost glitter white.

Hail Skadi!

I am the original writer of this devotional prayer, so feel free to reblog and use in your practice but don’t post anywhere without credit! -Velvet Rose

#norse paganism #pagan #paganism #heathenism #norse heathenry #skadi goddess #skadi deity #skaði #norse goddesses #Norse gods #winter #prayers #devotionals

[30fury]

winter comes in brief breathes. like the world is gasping, on the edge of crying, waiting for the noise of the aether to put a hand over its mouth. winter comes in brief breaths, until it doesn't.

artemis is cold. not in speech nor visage but feeling. she is the cold that you can feel even through all your layers. she's snowbanks on the side of the river, crystalline and fragile alone but solid ice who's underbelly coalesces to pronged points all together. she's the feeling of a rushing wind against your cheeks and nose that you can't help but revel in.

hunting season ranges from september to the very end of december. four long months, four looong months. food becomes scarcer; deer stop lurking on the edges of the highway. every weekend, she disappears into the back roads.

artemis is cold not in speech but visage. she looks the buck in the eye as she aims. and it doesn't bolt, like a human might, because it knows her. his mother spoke of her when he was but smaller and more frail than this. she is beautiful in her form; she is handsome in her gritted teeth. his antlers are slowly growing back in, but he supposes there is no reason to worry about them becoming big this year. she looks the buck in the eyes and he does not run, because sacrifices come willingly.

the colder months are sadder, too. humanity must learn to make the world more hospitable for themselves. this is easier now than it was then, of course, but that does not matter much to the divine. they have jobs like us, duties like us. they come home same as we.

artemis is not cold in speech. never in speech. her voice is the harmony of a chorus, the tone like popping fire wood. she drags the buck home with one hand. there is no snow on her; she has melted snow prints into the forest floor. the cottage is big, but only because the gods have never been small. it is a wick in a sea of wax. olympus works from many places, of course, but the blazing of a hearth will always mean home. hestia is inside, crosslegged on the worn seatee — she is working lace. demeter is seating at the kitchen table, flame flickering dull against her paled skin. she loses all her color this part of the year; it makes artemis' heart hurt. hermes and apollo, their voices echo. she can't discern from where, but she knows they are up to no good. she kisses demeter's hand and lifts it to her forehead, does the same to hestia. then she calls for her brothers to help skin the deer — athena wanted new hide.

#artemis deity #own worship #greek polytheist #greek polytheism #prose poetry #if youve ever wanted to know why every snowy winter photo ive rb'd on here is artemis tagged... #30wordy

[sunrays8]

made this 🫶

#hellenic deities #hellenic polytheist #hellenism #greek gods #hellenic polytheism #hellenic devotion #apollo #apollo worship #aphrodite #lord apollo #athena #lord poseidon #poseidon #poseidon worship #winter #winter solstice #apollon #god apollo #greek mythology #holidays

[winterpower98]

Something new is about to get added to my shop

#chinese mythology #mythology #mythology stickers #stickers #The Four Guardian Deities #The four heavenly beasts #The four constellation #winter sells #redbubble #winterpower98

[wingsofwater]

hm hmmmm skywing hybrid quartet [half-siblings maybe?] based on the anemoi, named boreas [+ ice], zephyrus [+ rain, or maybe leaf], notus [+ sea], and eurus [+ sand]. send tweet

#it would be funny to add all the minor wind deities too though #the parent theyre all related to was just one really determined skywing who Got Around #they saw what coral was getting up to and just went 'bet' #unfortunately for me like half of them have something to do with winter and ice in general. so. #unnamed skywing just Really likes icewings for some reason #btw if your wondering about the indecisiveness around zephyrus #its because all he got assigned was 'messenger of the spring' #meanwhile the others at least had the grace of getting assigned a theme including bangers such as; #'winter' 'wet' and 'hot wind' #[which is boreas notus and eurus respectively] #god now i want to do a series of designs based on various grecoroman gods #unfortunately that requires effort #wings of fire #🖊

[yaelartworks]

most recent drawing vs first drawing of my OC lol

#they are a weather deity #but more like a nymph now #yaelart #my art #art #digital art #oc #oc artwork #winter #digital aritst #firealpaca #fever dream #faerie #fae folk #nymphcore #art improvement

[samwisethewitch]

15 Days of Freyja Devotion

Day 8: Festivals and Sacred Days

There are very, very few remaining sources about Norse holy days, so there isn't a lot of information to work with here. Most modern Heathen holidays involve a lot of guesswork and filling in the blanks based on research and personal experience.

In my own practice, I'm not super concerned with recreating Norse holidays with perfect accuracy. For me, holidays are about connection and community first and religious obligation second.

I celebrate four Norse holy days: Yule (jól), the spring equinox, Midsummer, and the fall equinox. There's evidence that all of these were celebrated by at least some of the Old Norse. I celebrate Yule on the winter solstice and Midsummer on the summer solstice mainly for convenience, although these dates may not be historically accurate. Freyja tends to pop up at all of these festivals in some way.

Freyja has some connection to Yule, which has survived in Scandinavian folk traditions that say she visits on Christmas. I haven't been able to find a ton of information about this, but it may be connected to other Germanic Yuletide superstitions involving spinning goddesses, like Frau Holde and Frau Perchta. I need to reread Elves, Witches, & Gods by Cat Heath before December so I can figure out how to incorporate this into my celebrations.

Odin is associated with Yule, so I may honor him as the Jólfather and Freyja as his partner this year. This would focus on Freyja's magic, prophecy, and spinning/weaving aspects.

At the Spring Equinox, I honor Freyja as a goddess of fertility, love, and abundance. I usually invoke her alongside Freyr and Thor and ask them to bring abundance in the coming year.

I'm playing with the idea of honoring Freyja and Freyr as divine sibling-consorts at Midsummer this year. This is focusing on Freyja's fertility and wealth aspects, but also some of the love and sex aspects.

At the Fall Equinox, I honor the harvest. When I invoke Freyja at this festival, I'm again tapping into her agrarian and wealth aspects, but also calling on her as a goddess of death and the dead.

There's also Winternights, which historically a time to honor the disir. Freyja is connected to the disir in the Eddas, so she could also be invoked at this festival as a goddess of the dead who helps us communicate with our ancestors.

#15 days of freyja devotion #15 days of deity devotion #freyja #freyja deity #freyja goddess #norse heathen #norse heathenry #inclusive heathenry #heathenry #heathen #yule #midsummer #spring equinox #fall equinox #winter nights #deity work #mine

[sanguine-salvation]

if you were a deity, what would you be the god of?

winter and death

you’re known for your self-discipline and rigidity. although you may be perceived as cold and intimidating by those who don’t directly worship you, you’re actually quite fair and polite. your followers pray to you for a safe winter and peaceful death.

tagged by || @gnarledbite (thank youuuu~!) tagging || anyone who wants to do this, tag me back so I can see!

#pass it on || dash games #// YOU KNOW #// NO ONE WAS SURPRISED #// but it does actually fit them really well #// they'd be such a neat winter/death deity

[deityofhearts]

iced coffee and other cold drinks and snacks just hit different when it’s winter

#deity dialogue #this brought to you by: weather be damned I will drink an iced coffee whenever I do desire #the other day I was freezing cold running errands but when offered an iced coffee I’m gonna take it #you’d think given how much I hate being cold and how easily i get cold that I wouldn’t be drinking iced coffees in winter #but it has always been this way #I love cold things in winter