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Tomorrow (Sunday) we enter Góa, the fifth and penultimate month of winter in the Old Icelandic calendar. 
According to Orkneyinga saga, an Icelandic manuscript in Flateyjarbók from about 1200, Góa or Gói was the daughter of king Þorri, a descendant of the jotun Fornjótr and personification of winter. Góa disappeared during the month of Þorri (the month we are currently in, which is named after her father), and was nowhere to be found. Her father and brothers arranged a sacrificial feast, Góublót, asking for guidance and hoping to retrieve her. They spent years looking for her around the land and overseas, until she was finally found in Norway, wed to the king Hrólfr. 
Being among the last winter months, Góa would have been a difficult time where food supplies were running low, and a time filled with hope of an early and mild spring. This is illustrated by Icelandic proverbs such as "að þreyja þorrann og góuna" (to endure Þorri and Góa, that is, to overcome difficult times). Several aspects of the stories and traditions related to Góa are associated with hopes of fertility and growth. 
Icelandic folktales describe how this month is the month of women, and that it should be greeted by the housewife on the farm. On the first day of Góa—in the eighteenth week of winter—she should rise during the night or early morning and step outside before getting dressed, walk thrice around the farm, and speak the following words:
On this day the housewife would also invite her female neighbors over for a feast. The first day of Góa is celebrated in Iceland as the women's day, and men are expected to be especially attentive to the women in their lives on this day. So never mind Valentines—welcome Góa, and please step inside! Photography: Marius Pettersen & Valkyrja.com Sources: Orknøyingasoga Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og æfintýri Torre och Gói i de isländska källorna Hvenær er góa og hvað þýðir orðið eiginlega? Hver er uppruni og saga konudagsins? # Comments
Last night was the first full moon after the first new moon since the winter solstice - and time for the Old Norse Midwinter blót and Yule celebration, which is one of the four main feasts of the year. We celebrated during the weekend by bundling up with layers of wool, packed firewood, dried and cured leg of lamb, blueberry mead and mulled wine in our backpacks, and headed into the woods. 
It was dark and I didn't focus on taking that many photos, but perhaps you can perceive some of the good atmosphere through the few ones I captured. It was a wonderful weekend with close friends. 
Do you celebrate Midwinter? # Comments
Bjørgvin is now covered by a white veil of lovely thick snow, which is not all that common since we are located by the coast and more used to clouds and rain than we'd like to admit. I used the opportunity to take a few proper photos of my newest handsewn dresses that I made last year! 
The red woolen apron dress is sewn with wool thread using the same technique as my previous blue one, based on the Heiðabý/Haithabu findings. It consists of three panels (one in the front and two joining at the back), with two darts running down along the back. The darts are decorated with 6-strand braids of red and brown wool. I made this one a bit longer than my previous one, and the backside of the dress reaches down to the ground. 
Shoulder loops.. 
The tunic/underdress is made from natural unbleached linen, and is sewn with extra gores to add width, square underarm gussets, and a keyhole neckline. The design is based on fragments from Birka, Norway. 
Now it's time to pack some warmer clothes, needlebound hats and mittens, as we will be spending the evening outside in the woods with friends, with cured meats, mead and warm mulled wine around the fire! It's been a long time, and I cannot wait. ^^ I hope you have a wonderful weekend! # Comments
Ah, the fresh feeling brand new year... I hope you had a wonderful Yuletide, and I wish you all the best in 2019! 🌿🍂 For some of us there is however still more Yule to come during the next few weeks, and we are currently planning the upcoming midwinter blót of our little reenactment group Folkvangr. 
As always, I am also looking forward to the upcoming season of Medieval and Viking Age events with great affection! Below you'll find my annual list of things happening around Scandinavia this year. Some markets are biennial and/or will not be arranged this year (N/A), and since it's still early some dates have not been set yet (TBA), but I'll be updating the list continuously. If your market or event is not listed, please let me know and I'll make sure to add it!
What are your plans for the upcoming market season? Pehaps I'll get to meet some more of you in person this year! Ps. Feel free to share this post (Valkyrja.com/130118) or its contents with credit to Valkyrja.com. Music: Songleikr - Mann og mening # Comments |
 
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