Vikings & Modern Halloween: Autumn Traditions
Did you know that the roots of our modern Halloween can be traced back to the Pagan traditions of the Vikings and Celts? Before we started putting faces on pumpkins and carving turkeys with gratitude, these ancient cultures had unique ways of celebrating the changing seasons and harvests. This historical connection adds a fascinating layer of depth to our celebratory practices.
In the 9th century, Viking longboats arrived on the shores of Britain. The Vikings brought their traditions, religion, and culture with them, which they continued to practice rather than assimilate with Anglo-Saxon Christianity. From the 8th-11th centuries, Scandinavians observed Álfablót, the ‘Autumn Sacrifice’ or end of Autumn nocturnal festival. This was not the Scandi version of Halloween but bears some similarities to Celtic Samhain and the modern Halloween we know and love. Vikings venerated spirits of the past while also making offerings to malignant forces in the hope that they would keep them at bay. A grand feast of roasts, ales, seasonal vegetation, and fruits followed offerings. There remains an intent to connect with spirits, family, and the earth during Álfablót that also parallels Samhain (more on Samhain in a post coming later this month!).
The iconography and motifs of Viking culture also permeated modern Halloween celebrations. Norse mythos have an abundance of spirits, creatures, beings, and entities; generally, anything that feels magical can be traced to some root of Norse mythology. In the past few thousand years, most religions and cultures have had some form of witches, shapeshifters, undead visitations, and supernatural beings who possess special inhuman powers. The Norse people were not the first or last to describe such beings. The imagery for some, however, can be credited to storytellers of the Norse.
If you imagine a witch right now, what do you picture? A woman with a black hat, a black cat, flying on a broom, mixing potions? This iconic imagery could be connected to Freyja, the Norse goddess of magic and arcane. Her familiars are black or dark grey cats who pull her chariot, and she is associated with ravens who appear to send messages.
Our Halloween, as we know and celebrate it today, is a beautiful smorgasbord displaying fruits of various religions, cultures, traditions, and mythology. It's a testament to the richness of human history and the diversity of our worldviews. The origins of our Halloween reach far beyond just Christianity of the West and combine the beliefs and values of Vikings, Celts, Christians, and others.
As we indulge in the abundance of candy and the playful spirit of Halloween, let's not forget its more profound significance. It's a time of transition, a moment to welcome the longer dark days ahead, and a chance to carefully recognise the thin wall separating the supernatural world our ancestors revered from our perceived one. This reflection can help us feel more connected to our roots and the traditions that have shaped our modern celebrations.
Sources:
Belanger, Emma. “History and Traditions of Halloween.” Skandibaking, 29 Nov. 2022, skandibaking.com/history-and-traditions-of-halloween/#:~:text=The%20Viking%20and%20Gaelic%20History%20of%20Halloween&text=When%20the%20Vikings%20invaded%20Britain,darker%20half%20of%20the%20year.
“Álfablót: ...The ‘viking’ Halloween.” Sons of Vikings, 18 Oct. 2023, sonsofvikings.com/blogs/history/alfablot-the-viking-halloween?srsltid=AfmBOoor_T4N8xTe-Xc16fdRUulCZyFKsZU_qFJWPAE3HhWLmIzHcsUt.
“Viking Influences on Halloween.” Sons of Vikings, 8 Oct. 2020, sonsofvikings.com/blogs/history/viking-influences-on-halloween?srsltid=AfmBOop-PCDy7U7RAM55NJS8C5LQ3yLEzpyVpaRm1gPfOlDNgjlJouio.
