How Summer Returned: A Heathen Tale for Sigrblót
Long, long ago, before there were trees or flowers, birds or bumblebees, or even you and me, there was only a great emptiness called Ginnungagap. Imagine looking as far as your eyes could see in every direction and there being nothing to see at all except darkness. To the north of this emptiness was a world of ice and snow called Niflheim, and to the south was a land of fire and heat called Muspelheim.
Where the cold and heat met, they hissed and steamed—and from that mist came a giant named Ymir, and a great cow named Auðumbla. The cow licked salty ice blocks and uncovered a new being: Búri, the first of the Gods. From him came more Gods, and soon, the world was made!
The Gods shaped the Earth from Ymir’s body: his flesh became the soil, his bones the mountains, his teeth the rocks, and his skull the sky. They named the world Midgard, and it became the home of humankind. Above it sat the world of Asgard, the home of the Gods known as the Æsir
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But in the far reaches of the sky, two great forces still battled each year: Winter, strong and cold, and Summer, bright and bold.
Winter was the time of the Jötunn. They made the nights long and the ground hard. A white cloak of frost draped over the Earth. It was a time of sickness and death. People huddled in their homes to stay safe, telling stories, and dreaming of warmth.
Summer was the time of the shining goddess, Sól, riding a chariot pulled by fiery steeds. Her hair was woven with wildflowers, and when she rode across the sky, the frost melted beneath her wheels.
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Each year, the people waited to see who would win the battle, Winter or Summer. If Winter stayed too long, crops wouldn’t grow and food would be scarce. But if Summer won, the sun would shine again, animals would return, and seeds could be planted.
So the people gathered at the time of Sigrblót, the Victory Blessing, around the first full moon after the new moon after the Vernal Equinox. They sang songs, gave thanks to the Gods—especially Sól, the brilliant goddess of the Sun—and made offerings for a good growing season. They lit fires to chase away Winter's chill and welcomed Summer with feasts, songs, and games.
They said:
“Hail Sól, for victory over the Winter!
Bless us with your radiant rays, for good crops!
May we feel your warmth and life here upon Midgard!”
They knew that Sigrblót was not just about warriors winning battles—it was also about the warmth of the Sun winning over cold, light winning over darkness, health winning over sickness, and hope winning over fear.
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So, each year, when the snow begins to melt and tiny buds appear on the trees, remember the story of Summer's ride and Winter’s retreat. Celebrate Sigrblót by spending time outside, making ready the ground for planting, or thanking the Sun and the Earth for all they give us.
For just like the Gods shaped the world from the old, we too shape the new season with our hopes, our songs, and our joy.
The End.
