The torque, also spelled torc or torq, is a metal neck ring used by several European cultures from the 8th century BC onwards. It is mostly closely associated with the Celts, but similar neck rings, usually made in silver, were also commonly worn by the Vikings. But in this article, we are going to look…
The Vikings are known for their prowess and warriors, so, unsurprisingly, they have been involved in some of the bloodiest battles in history. While the details of how many men were involved and died in battle are often fantastical and speculative, they clearly left behind bloody battlefields. But what are some of the most legendary…
Significant confusion exists between the terms Wicca and Witchcraft, with many people choosing to use them interchangeably. But for those whose lives are embedded in these traditions, they have very different meanings. This article will explore what Wicca is, and how witchcraft exists within Wicca, while also trying to make clear that Wicca is just…
Natal astrology is present in most cultures, from ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean to ancient China and India. While every culture has a different approach, they are all based on the belief that there is a relationship between the position of the celestial bodies above and what happens on the Earth below. Specifically, the celestial…
An Introduction to the Norse Sagas The Norse Sagas are legends and histories about the Viking Age that were composed predominantly in Iceland from the late 12th century onwards. Today, more than 40 individual sagas are preserved in a variety of manuscripts. Read on to discover the historical context of the Norse Sagas and a…
Celtic religion has many interesting parallels with Norse religion. It was a rich and complex polytheistic religion with a variety of gods and goddesses linked with the natural forces in the universe. The Celts lived across parts of France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Great Britain from the 6th century BC. But what we know about…
The Vikings were one of the most dominant forces in Western Europe from the 9th until the 11th centuries. As well as building strong nations with fertile trading relationships in the East, they raided France and Spain for their riches, set themselves up as lords in England and Ireland, settled Iceland, Greenland, and the Orkney…
Today we imagine the Vikings saying “Skol” when they raised their cups, or drinking horns, during a feast. But what does Skol mean in Old Norse and is that really what the Vikings said? Toasts were a complex social ritual in Viking society that involved much more than just raising a glass. Let’s look at…
In modern Western society, the New Year is often a time to swear oaths or make promises to ourselves about things we intend to do in the new year. While the Vikings did not consider Yule the start of the new year, it was still an important moment when the cold days started to get…
While the Vikings did not celebrate Christmas, the end of the year when the nights were at their longest, darkest, and coldest, was an important time of year. It was marked with a 12-day festival called Yule (or Jul). When Scandinavian countries converted to Christianity, many Yule traditions were transformed into Christmas traditions. We’ve previously…
