The High Festivals

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

Rather than just describe the high festivals in ul we

sacred source) are placed next to or under the head

traditional high festivals, and some times also between

spirits trying to possess his body. The malevolent

Life

Cultural

if more than three corns or pebbles are placed in the

Stance

Background

Also known as

satr

Veir

The Old Religion ()

satr

Byggjandi

The Religion()

Seir

Veir

The Old Tradition ()

Seir

Byggjandi

The Tradition ()

need to separate between the religious and the

of the dead person, to protect him from malevolent

old and new practises.

spirits are very stupid and can only count to three, so

jar they will be too busy trying to count all the

corns/pebbles to ever be able to possess the body.

Whenever they count three corns or pebbles they
have to start all over again. Individuals not buried with
such a jar next to or under their heads are easily

Before all (both Traditional and Religious) high

possessed by malevolent spirits. See the spells

festivals the (in traditional communities) May Queen

Create Wight and Create Nr.

or (in religious communities) the youngest Maenad

Rebirth

lead a procession of men and women, boys and girls,

The dead buried on land are buried in a foetal position or sitting up with all

collecting food (but no meat is collected if there is a

their valuable possessions, because they want to be reborn. In traditional

communities they assume that the better and more valuable equipment they

lent). All men and boys wear dresses and all women

have, the more likely they are to be chosen by a child to be reborn. In religious

and girls men's clothing on the upper body (to

communities the dead are always reborn in the kin; when a new kinsman is born

symbolize the hermaphroditic spirits). This custom is

he will be given the name of a dead family member and will thus become him.

archaic, but is still practised even in Religious

Birthday (for each deity) ()

societies.

Ancient ulan: Poengadagas

A May pole, a so-called high, is also always erected

Old ulan: FoengadagaR

and everyone eats well, and (unless there is a lent)

All the religious birthdays are celebrated in the same

on the high festivals (hence the name; high festival)

ulan: Fingardagr

they also sing and dance.

manner. Everyone dances and sings around the burial

mounds and the deity (i. e. a priest or priestess

Some ceremonies, such as the weddings and burials,

impersonating the deity) rises naked and young from

are identical in both the religions and the traditions.

the burial mound.

Wedding ()

Ancient ulan: Bruhdihlaupo

The Tradition

ulan: Brlaup

On the night of the 1st of Walaskelbio, New Year's

festival Valborg's Night, and always on a Sunday.

9th day of Walaskelbio.

Old ulan: Brudihlaupa

Hallow Evening (Celtic: Samhain) ()

All normal weddings are carried out just like the high

Day to Sunday morning and until the at Sunrise the

Ancient ulan: Kawolauge aptanas ("the evening

Most normal weddings are held on Valborg's Night.

when you see the important/high")

Burial ()

Old ulan: Hawolauge aptanaR

Ancient ulan: Kaunapore

ulan: Hlogi aptann

Old ulan: Haugforija

In order to get a name for themselves and become

ulan: Haugfra

real men (finally removing the -12 mod to First Aid

All normal burials are carried out just like the burial of

given to them) the traditional children of ul travel on

the Summer/Belus on the Winter Night Ship, and

the Autumnal Equinox into the wild oak forests to

always on the 1st Sunday after the 1 st full Moon after

search for a mistletoe. Those who find it bring it with

death. If placed in a burial mound a jar of corn or

them when they are to be initiated on the Hallow

pebbles (collected on the Summer Solstice from a

Evening.
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The High Festivals

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

They dress up to look like the dead and travel to the

to be in her womb in order for her to give birth to them

collect the weapons and other valuable possessions

predatory animal) within nine days, before Sunrise on

Hamingja (meaning "luck" and "honour", from Ancient

and they take the skull (i. e. the mind and spirit) of the

burial caves or burial mounds (i. e. man-made caves) to

later on. If they manage to kill a bear (or other

the dead were buried with. ul is a culture based on

the 9th day of Walaskelbio, they have been chosen,

ulan Hamagange, "shape walking"), meaning they

dead person and the thigh-bone (i. e. the life-force,

believe in reincarnation, but only the good and

the ability to walk and run [=to live]) of the killed bear.

honourable dead are reborn, because only the good

The chosen are no longer considered to be alive,

and honourable are chosen to be reborn by the

since they symbolically killed themselves and entered

children, who go into the burial mounds to collect the

the realm of death, so they sleep in the burial mound,

properties of the dead they choose to become. The

all the time dressed in the hides of the animals they

children who aspire to become real men and later (for

killed, until Yule, and only leave during the day to hunt

boys) perhaps even May Kings must:

and forage although they are often fed by their kin

I. Blow in a (bronze) lure or whistle to open up the

as well, who leave beer and porridge and the like on

II. Hang their clothes in the tree growing on the burial

to kill a predatory animal will instead return to

gate surrounding the burial mound.

the burial mound for the ones inside. Those who fail
(ordinary) life by putting back on the clothes they

mound as a symbol of their own death.

hung in the sacrificial tree, to regain the life force they

III. Slaughter a cow on the burial mound.

had before they entered the realm of death. They will

IV. Use the mistletoe (=the life force of the best,

have to wait until next year's Hallow Evening to be

purest, most innocent and most honourable [oak]

given a new chance to become real men.

spirit) as a key to gain access to the burial mound.

Bear Evening ()

They bring this to show that they are pure and

On the night of the 9th of Walaskelbio

innocent and that they have killed the honourable

Ancient ulan: Bernukwildas

child in them, and they are now ready to become real

Old ulan: BernukwildaR

men. They must enter naked and unprotected.

ulan: Bjrnakveldr

V. The children who have the courage to go through

This is seen as the day the pregnant she-bear

all of this meet a bloodstained (from the slaughtered

hibernates and because of that it is no longer possible

cow's blood) woman dressed in a bear skin, playing the

for any children to be chosen by her. There is no

role of the she-bear spirit in the realm of death (i e. the

longer any direct contact between the living and those

grave), teaching them secret and sacred verses and

inside the burial mound. The she-bear actress leaves

riddles that they need to memorize and solve in order

the grave. The children are left to fend for

to become real men.

themselves.

VI. They leave the burial mound after the first night

Yule (Wheel) ()

there to hunt (for followers of the Old Tradition;

From the night of the 25 th of Kemenaberga to the

only) adult male bears (and to followers of the New

night of the 8th of Landawtus

Tradition any predatory animal) to dress the dead

Ancient ulan: Wehlo

person that they have chosen to be reborn as in a

Old ulan: Wela.

bear skin, so that he can impregnate the she-bear.

ulan: Jl

When the hunters need to rest during this Wild Hunt

Is made up of the high festivals from Winter Solstice

they return to the burial mound and learn more from

to Fire Tasting Day.

the she-bear spirit. They also sleep there; they need

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The High Festivals

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

Winter Solstice ()

Fire Tasting Day ()

Ancient ulan: Witrasowilihwarbo

Ancient ulan: Eldobirgedagas

On the night of the 25. Kemenaberga

On the night of the 8th day of Landawtus

Old ulan: Witrasuwilihwarba.

Old ulan: EldabirgedagaR

ulan: Vetraslhvarf

ulan: Eldbjrgdagr

The female bear is said to give birth to her cubs on

The lady of the house walks three times around the

the Winter Solstice, so just as the Sun rises on the

house widdershins with a juniper ( juniperus communis)

burial chamber the lady of the house walks three times

the dead not belonging there have been sent back to

wand and declares (with song) that all the spirits of

The Sun is starting to grow stronger, after Winter

Winter Solstice morning and enters the innermost

wand and declares (with song) that all the spirits of

around the house deasils with a pine (pinus sylvestris)

the realm of death.

the dead are welcome home again. The children (or

Solstice, and the lady drinks beer from a bowl and

rather those still alive...) who were left to sleep in the

throws the rest into the fire before she says

burial mounds and fend for themselves after Hallow

something like: So high my fire, and not higher or

Evening returns home; they are re-born, by the she-

hotter, to make sure the Sun's fire does not become

bear as the Seimar tears their bear costumes off

too strong and burns up the entire world.

them (to signal that they are no longer in the she-

All Heart's Day ()

bear's womb) and they put back on their clothes (still

On the night of the 22nd day of Sinkwabankis

hanging in the sacrificial tree). The children who didn't

Ancient ulan: Alrurhertodagas

make it are collected and cremated by the she-bear

Old ulan: AlrurhertudagaR

actress.

ulan: Allrahjartudagr

The children are gathered and escorted (or if

This day is seen as the day the birds start to mate.

cremated; carried in some sort of a container) by the

The birds are seen as manifestations of the spirits.

local Seimar and they travel around to their

This is the day all spirits fall in love; in the realm of

respective homes, until the Seimar has delivered

death, on the Earth, under the surface of the Earth

them all to their parents, along with the gifts they

and in Heaven. Those in love give a romantic gift to

brought from the burial mound. The gifts collected by

the one they love.

those cremated are instead returned to the entrance

White Sunday Week (Celtic: Imbolc) ()

of the burial mound where they collected them (to be

collected by others who may wish to be reborn as the

From the night of the 1 st to the night of the 7 th day of

tables especially for them and are allowed to sleep in

Ancient ulan: Kwetosunuweke

ruokaimas

dead resting inside). They eat the food placed on the

Old ulan: Hwetasunuwekon

their parents' beds (who sleep on the floor this night).

ulan: Hvtasunnuvika

The children who return are named after the person

White Sunday Week is made up of White Sunday,

they chose to be reborn as and are finally seen as real

White Foundation Monday, White Tuesday, Ash

men. The noble dead has returned. In the days until

Wednesday, Cleaning Thursday, Long Friday and

Fire Tasting Day they walk around from house to

Dirty Saturday.

house to greet their neighbours and introduce

themselves with their new name, still wearing their fur

costumes. They receive food items as gifts and it is a

great shame not to give anything to these brave

children.

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The High Festivals

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White Sunday ()

is declared the May Bride. She also decides who is

Ancient ulan: Kwetosunudagas

the May Maiden. NB! Female player characters are

On the night of the 1 day of ruokaimas

the second most beautiful of them, who will become

st

Old ulan: HwetasunudagaR

adults, so they can not become May Queens.

ulan: Hvtasunnudagr

To win the right to challenge and perhaps replace the

This is the first day of Spring and everyone has their

May King and marry (and kiss) the May Bride the

behinds whipped with birch branches, to transfer the

noble men must bring their own mistletoes, collected

strength of nature to man; to make everyone strong

from an oak tree on the Autumnal Equinox. This is

and to purify them.

their key to the arena, the life force of the May King
that they need to bring to make him vulnerable to

White Foundation Monday ()

them. See the spell Mistletoe.

On the night of the 2 day of ruokaimas

nd

Ancient ulan: Kwetodrontinadagas

All the May King's challengers and the May King

Old ulan: HwetadruntinasdagaR

himself competes in a number of games, including ring

ulan: Hvtadrttinadagr

games (knight's games), spell-casting competitions,

The whole day is spent collecting pork, eggs and

word games, knowledge games and the like. The one

baked goods for the great bride's race. Everyone

who wins the most games becomes the May Groom.

dresses in white and the ladies and girls wear many-

The one who comes in second place becomes the

coloured ribbons and flower garlands. The party

May Groom Boy. If there is a tie the two best men

travels from farm to farm, dancing and singing as they

need to decide who is to become the winner by

travel. The May King and the May Queen are riding

engaging in a wrestling or boxing match. The May

a wagon. When they stop to ask for food donations

King only needs to participate in these games if there

the May Queen is the one doing the talking. The

is at least one challenger, but if there is at least one he

ladies and girls sing "Bride, bride, most beautiful

must participate. Only adults (i. e. those reborn with

bride", to invite all beautiful noble maidens (i. e. the

a name from an honourable dead) can challenge the

girls who have not yet menstruated) to the bride's

May King. The May Groom and the May Bride are

race, and the men encourage all Noble Seimenn

betrothed.

(who are the only ones who can challenge the May

The May Queen represents the youthful strength

King in the first place) they meet to show up. The

and innocence of nature, so she can not menstruate or

men and boys wear women clothes (robes) and the

in any other way bleed, or else nature will suffer. So

women and girls men's clothes on the upper body, to

she will be replaced by one who has not bled the

represent the hermaphroditic spirits of nature.

moment she for some reason bleeds. If the May King

White Tuesday ()

grows old and weak the innocent nature he protects

On the night of the 3 day of ruokaimas.

rd

will be vulnerable, so he needs to be tested and if

Ancient ulan: Kwetodiwadagas

necessary be replaced by younger and stronger men

Old ulan: HwetatiwadagaR

every year.

ulan: Hvtatysdagr

Romantic Traditions

A carnival (Latin: "farewell to the meat") is arranged

The May King is the strong man protecting the innocent maiden

and all the food collected the day before is eaten.

from the ills of the world. This is of course a well known theme from
The Age of Chivalry of our own world, where honourable knights

The noble maidens arrange a bride's race, a beauty

carried the handkerchiefs of their chosen maidens on their lances or

contest, between them. A girl or woman chosen by

sleeves during tournaments and doing so they carried their

lottery gives an apple to the one she thinks is the most

hearts on their sleeves, openly showing whom they favoured

beautiful one amongst them. The most beautiful one

amongst all the maidens.

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The High Festivals

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

Ash Wednesday ()

Nature's fertility is celebrated and all nobles with a

On the night of the 4. ruokaimas

new name (i. e. those who are given a new name on the

Old ulan: AskudagaR

given the right to vote. Everyone stops lighting

Ancient ulan: Askudagas

ulan: skudagr

Winter Solstice and are seen as reborn dead) are

candles or oil lamps in the evening and go to bed at

The lent starts and lasts until Easter (the 22 day of

Sunset.

nd

Braidoblika). Everyone puts ash in their hair and

Easter ()

abstain from eating meat until Easter. Everyone

On the night of the 22nd day of Braidoblika to the

dresses in their darkest clothes and do not sing, play

25th day of Braidoblika

music or dance until the lent ends.

Ancient ulan: Eus

Cleaning Thursday ()

Old ulan: AustaR

Ancient ulan: Skerodunadagas

The Easter morning (the 22 nd day of Braidoblika) is

ulan: Skrarsdagr

Everyone celebrates by travelling into the mountains

named this day and the children are given five strokes

stones and build beacons, to help the round Sun rise

strong and to purify them.

dried fruit and berries and other candy left after

Long Friday ()

fruit, and therefore one can freely enjoy the fruits of

On the night of the 5. ruokaimas

ulan: Austr

Old ulan: SkeraunadagaR

seen as the day Summer returns after Winter.

Unnamed domestic animals and unnamed children are

to watch the Sunrise. It is custom to bring round

high and fly across the firmament. Eggs and all the

with a birch branch on their behinds, to make them

Winter are eaten. Summer has returned, bringing new

On the night of the 6. ruokaimas

nature again.

Ancient ulan: Langapriodagas

Procession Day Weekend ()

Old ulan: LangafraujudagaR

On the night of the 26 th day of Braidoblika to the

ulan: Langfreyjudagr

night of the 28th day of Braidoblika

The children are given five more strokes with a birch

Ancient ulan: Gangadagahalgas

branch on their behinds, to make them strong and to

Old ulan: GangadagahalgaR

purify them. No one is allowed to eat anything until

ulan: Gangdagahelgr

Sunset and everyone must work the whole day.

Is made up of Procession Day, Second Day

Dirty Saturday ()

Summer and Third Day Summer.

On the night of the 7. ruokaimas

Procession Day/Summer Day ()

Ancient ulan: Sketenokaimadaladagas

On the night of the 26th day of Braidoblika

Old ulan: SketenahaimadaladagaR

Ancient ulan: Gangdagas/Sumaredagas

ulan: Skitinlaugardagr

Old ulan: GangadagaR/SumaradagaR

On this day they all wash themselves and their homes

ulan: Gangdagr/Sumardagr

particularly well. The Spring has come and you are to

The Queen/lady of the house/May Queen leads a

meet it with respect.

procession of maidens, decorated with flower

garlands. She rides a wagon and is pulled three time

Vernal Equinox ()

around the fields, to ask the spirits of nature for good

On the night of the 1st day of Braidoblika

crops.

Ancient ulan: Waharebnadogrie

Old ulan: Waharebnadogrija
ulan: Vrjafndgri

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The High Festivals

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

She carries a torch, to scare away the harmful spirits

White Tuesday, marry. They are now declared (new)

and she waters the fields with water from a sacred

May King and May Queen respectively, and take

field, who eat and drink this in form of animals. Finally

seen as married until the next May couple takes over

corn of all types into the hole. She mixes it with eggs

duties are only related to the Tradition.

source. She places food and beer to the spirits of the

over the seats from the old May couple. They are

she digs a small hole in the ground and pours some

but it is only a symbolic marriage. Their marital

and stirs with a yew or spruce wand. She then sings a

Everyone who marries swears their oaths on a

song (i. e. casts a spell);

rock/hammer or a ring and the ceremony is led by the

"Wake up, wake up, both field and meadow,

old May Queen or her mother/sister (if she was re-

we have seen both rain and snow

is dead). When old May couples keep their power

you have slept for a long time now

elected) or the May Princess (if the old May Queen

the Summer night has come now."

from year to year they re-new their oaths on this day.

Second Day Summer ()

The May Groom Boy and the May Maiden become

On the night of the 27 day of Braidoblika

May Prince and May Princess on this day, but they

Old ulan: AnaradagaR sumaran

work as "stand-ins" for the May King and the May

What was done on the Procession Day/Summer

A married man no longer needs to look for a bride, so

th

Ancient ulan: Anaradagas sumare

do not (even symbolically) marry each other. They

ulan: Annaradagr sumar

Queen and will replace them if they die.

Day is repeated.

to farmers this day also marks the transition from

hunting time to sowing time.

Third Day Summer ()

On the night of the 28th day of Braidoblika

The

Ancient ulan: redegadas sumare

attributes

axe/club/hammer

Old ulan: rededagaR sumaran

of
(or

the

May

sceptre),

are;

the

symbolizing

King

the

strength and firmness of Earth (in particular gravity);

ulan: rijadagr sumar

the crown/halo, symbolizing the power of the Sun;

What was done on the Procession Day/Summer

and the sword, symbolizing the lightning transferring

Day is repeated.

the Sun's power from the sky to Earth. He transfers

the blessing of the Sky with his sword, and he can

Great Procession Day ()

bless men by placing his sword on their shoulders

On the night of the 8th day of Nowaduno

(giving them +1 DV and OV until the May King has

Ancient ulan: Kawogangadagas

been killed/replaced). Normally a May King only

Old ulan: HawogangadagaR

blesses his own warriors. His axe/club/hammer has a

ulan: Hrgangdagr

D6+1 bonus to weapon damage, but only when used

What was done on the Procession Day/Summer

by him. His crown gives him a +4 Fright value and also

Day is repeated.

a +4 mod to the spell Manipulate Weather, but only if

Valborg's Night (Celtic: Beltane) ()

used by him. See Weather & Wind (The Land of

On the night of the 13th day of Nowaduno

ul). The crown shines brightly when worn by the

Ancient ulan: Walpurgisnes ("The Night on the

rightful May King and lights up a 150' radius area

Mountain of the Chosen/Fallen")

around him (giving him +2 to DV M/MI). NB! He

Old ulan: Walabergasnahti

can use these attributes when competing on the

ulan: Valbjrgsntt

White Tuesday.

This is a day of marriage. On this day the May

Groom and May Bride, who were betrothed on the
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The High Festivals

The

attribute

of

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

the

May

Queen

is

the

his right hand only, testing Str against a random DD

good health over the world. Everyone who drinks

victory) the May Prince can try, and if he succeeds

injured and all poison, disease and curse effects

instead, and the May King will be reduced to a May

resistance until the next waning Moon. Pregnant

and the others who participated in the bride's race

from this cup are more (+4 mod) likely to survive child

May King and he then must do what the May King

DD 9). Normally the May Queen only lets

the spirits of nature choose their King.

cauldron/cup/drinking horn, which she uses to pour

(see Skills) (to see if the spirits are happy with his

from her attribute gets D6 injury levels reduced if

(against a new random DD) he will become May King

removed and gets a +5 mod to Poison and Disease

Prince. If the May Prince too fails he loses his title

women who drink a dose of water (or other beverage)

can try. The one who succeeds will become the new

birth (measured against a normal Con test against

promised to do when he swore his oath. This is how

individuals of her own tribe drink, and she serves them

The May King gets the Cha*2 of the old May King

according to their rank (with the May King drinking

as a mod to his Stamina skill when he pulls his sword

first).

from the dead body of the old May King. He will

keep this mod until he is replaced (killed...) by a new

Together the May couple has power over all the most

May King.

important powers of nature; Health, Sunlight and

Rain. NB! A Seimar will still be able to use the

The May Queens are not killed when replaced, but

sword without consequence if he is a May King.

instead they continue a normal life or (if they were bad

queens) they are banished from the realm and must

The May King and the May Queen take over the
power of the realm and are named after the tribe they

live like hermits (or in groups of former May Queens)

Land of ul. They become the real Kings and

nature that they represented) for the rest of their

serve the people with their attributes and to lead

Queens enter the burial mounds in their homeland

in the wilderness (i. e. become a part of the untouched

now govern. See the Sol Invictus comment in The

lives. On the Hallow Evening the former May

Queens of the realm and their main function is to

and teaches young men the secrets.

processions and other high festivals.

Speciality

The May Groom must however first kill the old May

the sword or has his throat slit with a

King before he can himself become a May King. How

he does this depends on his speciality (remember; all

Fire ()

May Grooms are Seimenn!). He has to do this

Earth ()

because the old May King (a symbol of the strength

his head with a rock/hammer/club

King as described below and swears an oath to do

as

cut into seven (or fourteen pieces)1

kingdom. The May King is also hit in

The newly appointed May King kills the old May

(known

burned on a funeral pyre.

meadows () or fields () of the

the new May King.

spectacular

golden sickle, and he is then

which are buried in the largest

of nature!) must die for his force to be transferred to

something

The May King is decapitated with

winner's

Air ()

promise). The May King must then do what he

Water ()

promised to do. The force and power of the old May

King is then transferred (from the old May King) to

the new May King, when he pulls the sword from the

Spirit ()

dead body of the old May King. If the sword gets

None ()

stuck and the May King is unable to get it out (using

hung in a tree after his legs.

cast into a sacred source or lake. If

he was a terrible king he is cast into a

bog instead.

hung in a tree after his legs.

any/just about all of the above.

Like an image of the constellation Ursa Major (Big Bear, alias

Big Dipper).
Page 7

before decapitation.

The High Festivals

Cuckoo Day ()

Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game

This day is celebrated just like Valborg's Night, only

On the night of the 15 day of Nowaduno

the old May King is already killed, and the May

th

Ancient ulan: Gaukodagas

Groom and May Bride are already married now so

Old ulan: GaukadagaR

they just confirm their marriage by renewing their

ulan: Gaukdagr

contract.

The spirits (in form of birds) speak to man on this day

Bear Wake ()

and tell him how the year will be. If he hears the cuckoo

On the night of the 8th day of Gltnias

in the North everything will go according to his will. If

Ancient ulan: Bernuwako

he hears it in the South he will harvest in dry weather.

Old ulan: Bernuwaka

If he hears it in the West someone in his kin will die or

ulan: Bjrnvaka

fall sick. If he hears it in the East it means happiness

On this day the bear wakes up and leaves his lair.

in marriage.

This day is the first day of the legal discussions at the

This day is celebrated just like Valborg's Night, only

ing (parliament) where only the nobles with a right

the old May King is already killed, and the May

to vote can (and are obliged to) attend. The ing

Groom and May Bride are already married now so

lasts until the end of Gltnias.

they just confirm their marriage by renewing their

contract.

White Sunday ()

Great Valborg's Night ()

Ancient ulan: Kwetosunudagas

On the night of the 15th day of Gltnias

On the night of the 27. Nowaduno

Old ulan: HwetasunudagaR

Ancient ulan: Kawowalpurgisnes

ulan: Hvtasunnudagr

Old ulan: Hawowalabergasnahti

NB! This day is called by the same name as the

ulan: Hrvalbjrgsntt

White Sunday of the White Sunday Week!

This day is celebrated just like Valborg's Night, only

This day is celebrated just like Valborg's Night, only

the May Groom and May Bride are already married

the May Groom and May Bride are already married

now and they just confirm their marriage by renewing

now and they just confirm their marriage by renewing

their contract.

their contract.

Elven Fire (Celtic: Beltane) ()

White Sunday marks the end of Easter. The

On the night of the 6 th day of Gltnias, the 13 th day

Summer and everything in the Summer has now

of Gltnias, the 20th day of Gltnias, the 27 th day of

returned after Winter.

Gltnias, the 6th day of Pulkawangis, the 13 th day of

Source Drinking ()

Pulkawangis, the 20th day of Pulkawangis, the 27 th day

of Pulkawangis, the 6 th day of Albokaimas, the 13 th

On the night of the 1st day of Pulkawangis

27 day of Albokaimas, the 6 day of Gladaskaimas,

Old ulan: Kildadrenka

Gladaskaimas, the 27 day of Gladaskaimas, the 6

Figures resembling goats made of leaves are placed

Ancient ulan: Kildodrenko

day of Albokaimas, the 20th day of Albokaimas, the

th

th

the 13

th

day of Gladaskaimas, the 20

th

th

ulan: Keldadrikka

day of
th

by the sacred sources. The water you drink on this

day of rmakaimas, the 13 day of rmakaimas and

th

the 20 day of rmakaimas

day heals diseases (giving a +10 mod to Disease

Old ulan: AlbaeldaR

disease to see if the disease is neutralized [no adverse

th

Ancient ulan: Alboeldas

resistance and a new test against the PL of the

ulan: Alfaeldr

consequences are possible!]) and wounds (1 dose of

water drunk reduces the injury level by one).
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It is possible to collect water from the sacred sources

pebbles) is regarded as disrespectful of nature and is

for later use. Collecting more than a waterskin (able

frowned upon (and anyone who does so can not cast

of nature and is frowned upon (and anyone who does

into a sacred source).

any spells at all until all the pebbles have been cast

to hold 2 cans/64 doses) is regarded as disrespectful

so can not cast any spells and if religious will gain no

Water drunk from a sacred source on the Summer

favour from the deities until all the water has been

Solstice night has the same effect as water drunk

spent/wasted).

during Source Drinking. See the high festival

Pregnant women who drink a dose of water from the

Source Drinking.

sacred source are more (+4 mod) likely to survive child

This day is also an Elven Fire.

birth (measured against a normal Con test against

DD 9).

()The Queen/lady of the house/May Queen

This day is celebrated just like Valborg's Night, only

leads a procession of maidens, decorated with flower

now and they just confirm their marriage by renewing

around the fields, to cleanse the fields and protect

the May Groom and May Bride are already married

garlands. She rides a wagon and is pulled three time

their contract.

them from the newly awoken Winter spirits. She

carries a torch, to scare away the harmful spirits and

Summer Solstice ()

she waters the fields with water from a sacred source.

On the night of the 13th day of Pulkawangis

She places food and beer to the spirits of the field,

Ancient ulan: Sumarasowilihwarbo

who eat and drink this in form of animals. Finally she

Old ulan: Sumarasuwilihwarba.

digs a small hole in the ground and pours some corn

ulan: Sumarslhvarf

(or eggs) of all types into the hole. She (mixes it with

Bonfires are lit along the coast, and everyone dances

eggs and) stirs with a yew or spruce wand. She then

around the burial mounds. The May Queen and

sings a song (i. e. casts a spell);

other maidens undress and walk into the water. When

"I clean the filth from my field now,

they ascend from the sea with the reflection of the

to make it both clean and nice,

many bonfires on their wet skin (an image of a

and I place in it a juniper bough,

necklace of fire) they represent the (re-)born youth of

to keep it healthy and strong."

nature and in particular the Sun, born by the sea.

All the maidens then jump naked through the flames

The Day of Cleaning and Waking up ()

of the bonfires to prove their courage and to be

(Norwegian: Syftesokdag)

purified by the revitalized Sun (the sacred fire).

On the night of the 22nd day of Pulkawangis

Herbs has a special power on the Summer Solstice;

Ancient ulan: Swiptasinkwodagas ("Sink into

brewing potions (using Alchemy). Pebbles collected

Old ulan: SwibtasinkwadagaR

well and can be used by Seimenn to make it easier

This day is celebrated just like Valborg's Night, only

at the time. When a Seimar casts a spell using such

now and they just confirm their marriage by renewing

a pebble he needs to spend one less SP. If casting a

their contract.

spell with PL 1 by the help of such a pebble he

() The Queen/lady of the house/May Queen

water and purify day")

herbs collected this day gives a +9 mod for Seimenn

ulan: Syftasokdagr

from the bottom of sacred sources has great power as

the May Groom and May Bride are already married

for them to cast spells. Only one pebble can be used

spends no SP at all.

leads a procession of maidens just like on the Summer

Solstice.

Collecting more than a full pouch (able to hold 32

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Harvest Sacrifice (Celtic: Lughnassadh,

Winter Night Ship ()

On the night of the 15th day of Albokaimas

Ancient ulan: Witranesuskai

Old ulan: Slantubluta

ulan: Vetranttskei

Norwegian: Sltteblot) ()

Usually on the night of the 22nd day of wadalas

Ancient ulan: Slantupluto

Old ulan: Witranahtaskaio

ulan: Slttublt

The Summer is buried the 1 st Sunday after the 1 st

This day marks the beginning of the harvest. The

full Moon after the Autumnal Equinox. It is sent on a

and chopped into seven or fourteen pieces, or it is

a ship which is set ablaze and sent out on the ocean in

four corners of the field . The first straw cut down is

Those who live inland burn a boat on land or build a

Harvest Sacrifice.

mistletoe) there. The remains are some places carried

Big Dipper).

will bring it to the ocean.

corn spirit (in form of a goat made from straw) is killed

burnt, and the remains are buried in the field or the
1

used to make a new straw goat for next year's

1

Like an image of the constellation Ursa Major (Big Bear, alias

Livestock Weekend ()

On the night of the 14

voyage, which the Sun takes every night, in a boat or

the West, across the river/sea of forgetfulness.

boat with stones and bury the remains (i. e. the

into a cave or burial mound instead, or to a river, which
Winter Night Weekend/Reflection Day ()

th

to the 15

th

day of

On the night of the 28th day of wadalas

Gladaskaimas

Ancient ulan: Witranesuhalgas

Old ulan: BuperahalgaR

ulan: Vetrantthelgr

Unnamed domestic animals are given a name.

contemplating and cleaning the house. This is done

() The livestock is collected from pasture and is

purified and ready for new tasks. Free of guilt.

Ancient ulan: Buperohalgas

Old ulan: WitranahtahalgaR

ulan: Bfjrhelgr

The last day of the year is spent washing,

brought to the barn or to the North end of the long

for man to be able to meet the next year clean,

house.
The Autumnal Equinox ()
On the night of the 22nd day of rmakaimas
Ancient ulan: Kaustebnadogrie
Old ulan: Haustebnadogrija
ulan: Haustjafndgri

All the children and May King challengers do their

best to find and cut down a mistletoe from an oak tree,
for use in the Hallow Evening ritual.
The May King ceremonially cuts down the mistletoe
from the oak tree to take and be able to use the
power of the Summer stored therein, to use it in the
interest of the whole society. See the skill Alchemy.
() This day marks the end of harvest; all berries,
fruit and all crops are now harvested. Everyone
carries a wreath made of sheaves of corn. The last
corn harvested is used for this.
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The Religion

Yule (Wheel) ()

Hallow Evening (Celtic: Samhain) ()

From the night of the 25 th of Kemenaberga to the

Day to Sunday morning. Every leap year it lasts for

Ancient ulan: Wehlo

Ancient ulan: Kawolauge aptanas ("the evening

ulan: Jl

Old ulan: Hawolauge aptanaR

to Fire Tasting Day.

On the night of the 1st of Walaskelbio, New Year's

night of the 8th of Landawtus

two days.

Old ulan: Wela.

when you see the important/high")

Is made up of the high festivals from Winter Solstice

ulan: Hlogi aptann

Winter Solstice ()

A hunting party lead by (a priest impersonating)

Wale sets out to kill predatory animals, and in

particular bears and wolves. Those who want to
become Einherjar/Valkyrjur must succeed in killing

their (new?) totem animals in this Wild Hunt. Priests

and warrior-priests who want a (new) totem animal
must also kill their totem animals in this religious hunt.
The successful hunters must then (be able to) ask for

the favour Totem Animal to gain the power of the

animal they managed to kill. See the spell Totem

Animal. The Wild Hunt lasts until the Bear Evening.
The Winter spirits are thus killed and their power and
life force taken for better use.

On the night of the 25. Kemenaberga

Ancient ulan: Witrasowilihwarbo
Old ulan: Witrasuwilihwarba.
ulan: Vetraslhvarf

The lady of the house walks three times around the

house deasils with a pine (pinus sylvestris) wand and

declares (with song) that all the light elves (i. e. the
spirits of the dead relatives) are welcome to visit
during the Yule tide.
The Sun rising on the Winter Solstice morning

enters the innermost burial chamber and awakens the

light elves. They join the priest (impersonating
Kaimadalas) on his visit to the living (to deliver gifts

Bear Evening ()

to those who deserve them), eats the decorative food

On the night of the 9 of Walaskelbio

th

(made especially for them) and sleeps in the beds of

Ancient ulan: Bernukwildas

the living (who are to sleep on the floor this night).

Old ulan: BernukwildaR

The Winter Solstice is also the birthday of Diwus,

ulan: Bjrnakveldr

This is seen as the day the bear hibernates and

and is celebrated like other birthdays.

because of that the day Kadnus is sent to the realm

The light elves and others, lead by the priest

Hallow Evening). Victory over the Winter spirits is

throughout the Yuletide, and chases away bad

of death (because of the Wild Hunt in the days after

declared.

(Winter) spirits and shadows (who were also able to

rise from the grave, when the lady of the house called

Wale's Birthday ()
On the night of the 13 of Walaskelbio

impersonating Kaimadalas, travel from farm to farm

for the dead to rise). See Trolls (The Creatures &

th

The aspiring Einherjar and Valkyrjur gain their new

Phenomena of ul).

role on this day.

Kaimadalas Birthday ()

On the night of the 13. Kemenaberga

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Ragnarok ()

Fire Tasting Day ()

Ancient ulan: Ragnarankas

Ancient ulan: Eldobirgedagas

On the night of the 7. Landawtus

On the night of the 8th day of Landawtus

Old ulan: RagnarankaR

Old ulan: EldabirgedagaR

ulan: Ragnark

On Ragnarok everyone participates in a great battle

ulan: Eldbjrgdagr

The day after Ragnarok they celebrate the victory

on what is called the Wgarias ("the ride of the

over Winter and their own inner shadows. Because of

and travel into the forest to scare away and fight the

strength and Summer/Belus can return. The lady of

the Autumnal Equinox. One group represents the

widdershins with a juniper (juniperus communis) wand

shows how the gods defeat the Winter Spirits,

have been sent back to the realm of Kelio.

dead", "the weighing of the dead"). They dress up

shadows and the Winter spirits who killed Belus on
gods and another the Winter Spirits and a great play
enabling Belus and the Summer to return.

The army of gods then chases the Winter spirits (who

were responsible for the death of Belus on the

Autumnal Equinox) and shadows through the forest

wielding flaming torches. They tear the animal

hides/costumes from the Winter warrior actors and
trample on them. They then carry the naked actors to

the sacrificial tree on the burial mound, where their

clothes still hang. The gods then resurrect them;

they are given colours, a spirit and a mind from

Woanas, Dunus and Prius. Once resurrected they

are given a drink of mead or ale, served to them
according to rank by the lady of the house.

the house walks three times around the house

and declares (with song) that all the spirits of the dead
The Sun is starting to grow stronger, after Winter

Solstice, and the lady drinks beer from a bowl and

throws the rest into the fire before she says

something like: So high my fire, and not higher or

hotter, to make sure the Sun's fire does not become
too strong and burns up the entire world.
Wtanas Birthday ()
On the night of the 13th day of Landawtus
Hell-Horse ()

On the night of the 11th day of Sinkwabankis

Ancient ulan: Keliohastas
Old ulan: HaljohastaR

The animal hides and costumes they wore, the

symbols of the Winter spirits, remain dead and thus

Winter is killed and Summer/Belus can return. This

is how the religious men kill the Winter and enable the
Summer to return.

This is the final battle between Summer and Winter,

but also between the fertile and the dangerous in

each man participating. On this day man fights his

own weaknesses and mistakes. He fights his own

shadows. He defeats them at midnight and he

therefore gives a promise to be better from then on
(known today as a New Year's Promise).

the mysteries the Sun/Sowilus will regain his

ulan: Helhestr

Everyone dresses in white clothes and wears flower

garlands. They walk in procession from farm to farm,

singing and carrying torches as symbols of the

purifying fire. The party takes the decorative food
that was left after Yule and offers it to individuals

they meet. This is how they purify the homes and

throw out the last remaining spirits that may be hiding

there.
The bear is said to turn in her lair on this day, and

therefore Kelio (alias Haljo) changes her mind and will

let Belus return anyway, because Kelio can see the

snow melting (i. e. the entire world crying for Belus).

Kelio sends a horse from Keliokaimas (best known to

us as Hell) to deliver the happy message.

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Sagio's Birthday ()

Bacchante) is riding a wagon. When they stop to ask

All Heart's Day ()

doing the talking. The ladies and girls sing "Bride,

On the night of the 13 day of Sinkwabankis

for food donations the youngest Maenad is the one

th

On the night of the 22nd day of Sinkwabankis

bride, most beautiful bride", to invite all beautiful

Old ulan: AlrurhertudagaR

all noble men they meet to show up. The men and

This day is seen as the day the birds start to mate.

girls men's clothes on the upper body, to represent

Ancient ulan: Alrurhertodagas

noble girls to the bride's race, and the men encourage

ulan: Alrahjartudagr

boys wear women clothes (robes) and the women and

The birds are seen as manifestations of the deities.

the hermaphroditic spirits of nature. This custom is

This is the day all the gods and goddesses fall in love;
in the realm of death, on the Earth, under the surface

of the Earth and in Heaven. Those in love give a

romantic gift to the one they love.

archaic, but is still practised.

White Tuesday ()

On the night of the 3rd day of ruokaimas.

Ancient ulan: Kwetodiwadagas
Old ulan: HwetatiwadagaR

White Sunday Week (Celtic: Imbolc) ()

From the night of the 1 st to the night of the 7 th day of

ruokaimas

ulan: Hvtatysdagr

A carnival (Latin: "farewell to the meat") is arranged

and all the food collected the day before is eaten. In

Ancient ulan: Kwetosunuweke

some

Old ulan: Hwetasunuwekon

religious

communities

all

the

aspiring

Bacchantes and the Bacchante in that community

ulan: Hvtasunnuvika

White Sunday Week is made up of White Sunday,

White Foundation Monday, White Tuesday, Ash

Wednesday, Cleaning Thursday, Long Friday and
Dirty Saturday.

(there are never more than one in each community)

compete in a number of games, including ring games

(knight's games), word games, knowledge games and
the like, for the right to be the Bacchante in that
community. If there is a tie the two best competitors
need to decide who is to become the winner by

White Sunday ()
On the night of the 1 day of ruokaimas

engaging in a wrestling or boxing match. Only the

Old ulan: HwetasunudagaR

However, in most religious societies this is just a game

This is the first day of Spring and the day the Hell-

winner only gains honour for being the winner (like a

st

Ancient ulan: Kwetosunudagas

winner is allowed to become (or remain) a Bacchante.

ulan: Hvtasunnudagr

for boys, and there are no Bacchantes, and the

horse arrives. Everyone thanks Kelio for promising to

chivalrous knight winning a tournament ).

return Belus and decorates with birch branches.

A bride's race is arranged, a beauty contest for the

White Foundation Monday ()

aspiring Maenads, and if there are any Bacchantes

Ancient ulan: Kwetodrontinadagas

by giving an apple to the one he thinks is the most

ulan: Hvtadrttinadagr

one, and must chose one based on the beauty of the

baked goods for the great bride's race. Everyone

their cult every year (in any religious community). A

ribbons and flower garlands. The party travels from

Maenad can cast a D6 and add the character's

youngest Maenad (and if they have one, also the

Maenad NPCs. The best result wins.

On the night of the 2 day of ruokaimas

the winner of the men's competition selects a winner

Old ulan: HwetadruntinasdagaR

beautiful. If not a Maenad (chosen by lottery) chose

The whole day is spent collecting pork, eggs and

aspiring Maenads. Only one new Maenad can join

nd

dresses in white and the women wear many-coloured

farm to farm, dancing and singing as they travel. The

player with a character who wants to become a

Cha*2. The GM can do the same for the aspiring

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Ash Wednesday ()

Sword Dance ()

On the night of the 4. ruokaimas

On the night of the 22 nd day of ruokaimas, the 1 st

Old ulan: AskudagaR

day of Nowaduno, the 22nd day of Nowaduno, the 1st

Ancient ulan: Askudagas

day of Nowaduno, the 8th day of Nowaduno, the 15th

ulan: skudagr

day of Gltnias, the 8 th day of Gltnias and the 15 th

The lent starts and lasts until Easter (the 22 nd day of

day of Gltnias

abstain from eating meat until Easter. Everyone

Old ulan: SwardadanR

Braidoblika). Everyone puts ash in their hair and

dresses in their darkest clothes and do not sing, play

music or dance until the lent ends. See Special to

Religious Characters (Character Generation &

Development).

Ancient ulan: Swardadans

ulan: Sverdanz

A Sword Dance is a training battle between the

Summer and the Winter and the Summer always

wins. The boys and men split into two groups,

Cleaning Thursday ()

representing Summer and Winter.

Ancient ulan: Skerodunadagas

hammers, axes, sickles, sword-scythes, saxes et cetera.

On the night of the 5. ruokaimas

The Summer warriors dress in leaves and wield

Old ulan: SkeraunadagaR

The Winter warriors dress in the hides from

ulan: Skrarsdagr

Unnamed domestic animals and unnamed children are

predatory (Winter) animals and throw ash. The men

and boys wear women clothes (robes), to represent

named this day and the children are given five strokes

the hermaphroditic spirits of nature. This custom is

strong and to purify them.

Vernal Equinox ()

Long Friday ()

On the night of the 1st day of Braidoblika

Ancient ulan: Langapriodagas

Old ulan: Waharebnadogrija

ulan: Langfreyjudagr

Nature's fertility is celebrated this day and all noble

branch on their behinds, to make them strong and to

right to vote. Everyone stops lighting candles or oil

purify them. No one is allowed to eat anything until

lamps in the evening and go to bed at Sunset.

Sunset and everyone must work the whole day.

The Vernal Equinox is also the birthday of Ero

Dirty Saturday ()

and is celebrated like the other birthdays (during lent).

with a birch branch on their behinds, to make them

archaic, but is still practised.

On the night of the 6. ruokaimas

Ancient ulan: Waharebnadogrie

Old ulan: LangafraujudagaR

ulan: Vrjafndgri

The children are given five more strokes with a birch

children who become adults that year are given the

On the night of the 7. ruokaimas

Belus Birthday ()

Ancient ulan: Sketenokaimadaladagas

On the night of the 13th day of Braidoblika

Old ulan: SketenahaimadaladagaR

ulan: Skitinlaugardagr

On this day they all wash themselves and their homes

particularly well. The Spring has come and you are to
meet it with respect.

Dunus Birthday ()
On the night of the 13. ruokaimas

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Easter ()
On the night of the 22

she digs a small hole in the ground and pours some

nd

25 day of Braidoblika
th

day of Braidoblika to the

Ancient ulan: Eus

and stirs with a yew or spruce wand. She then sings a

song (i. e. casts a spell);

Old ulan: AustaR

"Wake up, wake up, both field and meadow,

ulan: Austr

The Easter morning (the 22 nd day of Braidoblika) is

seen as the day Belus (and his wife Eduno) returns

from Keliokaimas, at dawn (hence the name Easter).

Everyone celebrates by travelling into the mountains

to watch the Sunrise. It is custom to bring round

stones and build beacons, to help the round Sun rise

high and fly across the firmament. Eggs and all the
dried fruit and berries and other candy left after
Winter are eaten.

This candy is the fruit of Eduno; Summer has

returned and therefore one can freely enjoy the fruits

of Eduno again. NB! This fruit does not have the

qualities of the fruit

corn of all types into the hole. She mixes it with eggs

from Eduno's tree in

Braidoblika, but is just a general name for the fruit of

nature.

you have slept for a long time now

we have seen both rain and snow

the Summer night has come now."

The day before the Procession Day/Summer Day
a priestess representing Prio has lead a procession
collecting food for the party, like on the White
Foundation

Monday.

The

Bacchantes

Maenads are especially active in this celebration.

and

Second Day Summer ()

On the night of the 27th day of Braidoblika
Ancient ulan: Anaradagas sumare
Old ulan: AnaradagaR sumaran
ulan: Annaradagr sumar

What was done on the Procession Day/Summer

Day is repeated.

Procession Day Weekend ()

On the night of the 26 th day of Braidoblika to the

Third Day Summer ()

night of the 28th day of Braidoblika

On the night of the 28th day of Braidoblika

Old ulan: GangadagahalgaR

Old ulan: rededagaR sumaran

Is made up of Procession Day, Second Day Summer and Third

What was done on the Procession Day/Summer

Ancient ulan: Gangadagahalgas

Ancient ulan: redegadas sumare

ulan: Gangdagahelgr

ulan: rijadagr sumar

Day Summer.

Day is repeated.

Procession Day/Summer Day ()

Great Procession Day ()

On the night of the 26th day of Braidoblika

On the night of the 8th day of Nowaduno

Ancient ulan: Gangdagas/Sumaredagas

Ancient ulan: Kawogangadagas

Old ulan: GangadagaR/SumaradagaR

Old ulan: HawogangadagaR

ulan: Gangdagr/Sumardagr

The youngest Maenad leads a procession of

maidens, decorated with flower garlands. She rides a

wagon and is pulled three time around the fields, to

ulan: Hrgangdagr

What was done on the Procession Day/Summer

Day is repeated. This is also a Sword Dance.

bless the fields herself (taking the role of a goddess).

She carries a torch, to scare away the harmful spirits

and she waters the fields with water from a sacred

source. She places food and beer to the spirits of the

field, who eat and drink this in form of animals. Finally

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Valborg's Night (Celtic: Beltane) ()

Bear Wake ()

On the night of the 13 day of Nowaduno

On the night of the 8th day of Gltnias

Mountain of the Chosen/Fallen")

Old ulan: Bernuwaka

th

Ancient ulan: Walpurgisnes ("The Night on the

Old ulan: Walabergasnahti

Ancient ulan: Bernuwako

ulan: Bjrnvaka

ulan: Valbjrgsntt

This is a day of marriage. On this day all the deities

On this day the bear wakes up and leaves his lair.

The Winter spirit has in other words risen from the

marry.

grave, and is ready to abduct and kill Belus again.

Everyone who marries do so in a temple, they swear

Everyone who enters a temple between Bear Wake

ceremony is led by the youngest Maenad.

hands tied with a rope or thread, to make it impossible

their oaths on a rock/hammer or a ring and the

This is also the birthday of Nerus so everyone

dances and sings around the burial mounds and the

deity (i. e. a priestess impersonating Nerus) rises

naked and young from the burial mound.

A married man no longer needs to look for a bride, so

to farmers this day also marks the transition from

and the Autumnal Equinox must first have their

for them to kill the deity (i. e. cut the mistletoe from the
sacred tree of the temple).
This day is the first day of the legal discussions at the

ing (parliament) where only the nobles with a right

to vote can (and are obliged to) attend. The ing
lasts until the end of Gltnias.

hunting time to sowing time.

This day is also a Sword Dance.

Cuckoo Day ()

Pirosite's Birthday ()

On the night of the 13th day of Gltnias

On the night of the 15th day of Nowaduno

Ancient ulan: Gaukodagas

White Sunday ()

Old ulan: GaukadagaR

On the night of the 15th day of Gltnias

ulan: Gaukdagr

The gods (in form of birds) speak to man on this day

and tell him how the year will be. If he hears the cuckoo

in the North everything will go according to his will. If

he hears it in the South he will harvest in dry weather.

If he hears it in the West someone in his kin will die or

Ancient ulan: Kwetosunudagas

Old ulan: HwetasunudagaR
ulan: Hvtasunnudagr

NB! This day is called by the same name as the

White Sunday of the White Sunday Week!

fall sick. If he hears it in the East it means happiness

This day is a Sword Dance.

in marriage.

White Sunday marks the end of Easter. Belus and

The Cuckoo Day is also a Sword Dance.

everything connected with the Summer is now back.

Great Valborg's Night ()

On the night of the 27. Nowaduno

Ancient ulan: Kawowalpurgisnes

Old ulan: Hawowalabergasnahti
ulan: Hrvalbjrgsntt

This day is a Sword Dance.

Not every bird can be an eagle (some are

just cuckoos).
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"I clean the filth from my field now,

Source Drinking ()

to make it both clean and nice,

On the night of the 1 day of Pulkawangis

st

Ancient ulan: Kildodrenko

and I place in it a juniper bough,

Old ulan: Kildadrenka

to keep it healthy and strong."

ulan: Keldadrikka

Figures resembling Prio and Prius made of leaves are

placed by the sacred sources. The water you drink on

this day heals diseases (giving a +10 mod to Disease
resistance and a new test against the PL of the
disease to see if the disease is neutralized [no adverse
consequences are possible!]) and wounds (1 dose of
water drunk reduces injury level by one).
It is possible to collect water from the sacred sources
for later use. Collecting more than a waterskin (able
to hold 2 cans/64 doses) is regarded as disrespectful

of nature and is frowned upon (and anyone who does

so can not cast any spells and will gain no favour from
the deities until all the water has been spent/wasted).

dances around the burial mounds. Maenads and other

maidens, in particular the maidens born the 13 th day of

Pulkawangis, undress and walks into the water. When

they ascend from the sea with the reflection of the

many bonfires on their wet skin (an image of Prio's

necklace of fire) they represent the (re-)born Prio,

born by Nerus the sea.
The maidens then jumps naked through the flames of
the bonfires to prove their courage and to be purified
by Sowilus (the sacred fire).
The Summer Solstice is the birthday of Prio and

Sowilus and is in addition to the above celebrated

Pregnant women who drink a dose of water from the

sacred source are more (+4 mod) likely to survive child

birth (measured against a normal Con test against
DD 9).

like other birthdays.

Water drunk from a sacred source on the Summer

Solstice night has the same effect as water drunk

during Source Drinking. See the high festival
Source Drinking.

This day is also a Sword Dance.

The Day of Cleaning and Waking up ()

Summer Solstice ()

On the night of the 22nd day of Pulkawangis

On the night of the 13 day of Pulkawangis

th

Ancient ulan: Swiptasinkwodagas ("Sink into

Ancient ulan: Sumarasowilihwarbo

water and purify day")

Old ulan: Sumarasuwilihwarba.

Old ulan: SwibtasinkwadagaR

ulan: Sumarslhvarf

()The youngest Maenad leads a procession of

maidens, decorated with flower garlands. She rides a

wagon and is pulled three time around the fields, to

cleanse the fields and protect them from the newly

awoken Winter spirits. She carries a torch, to scare

away the harmful spirits and she waters the fields with

water from a sacred source. She places food and

beer to the spirits of the field, who eat and drink this

in form of animals. Finally she digs a small hole in the

ground and pours some corn (or eggs) of all types into
the hole. She (mixes it with eggs and) stirs with a yew

or spruce wand. She then sings a song (i. e. casts a

spell);

() Bonfires are lit along the coast, and everyone

ulan: Syftesokdagr

()The youngest Maenad leads a procession of

maidens, decorated with flower garlands. She rides a

wagon and is pulled three time around the fields, to

cleanse the fields and protect them from the newly

awoken Winter spirits. She carries a torch, to scare

away the harmful spirits and she waters the fields with

water from a sacred source. She places food and

beer to the spirits of the field, who eat and drink this

in form of animals. Finally she digs a small hole in the

ground and pour some corn of all types into the hole.
She mixes it with eggs and stirs with a yew or spruce
wand. She then sings a song (i. e. casts a spell);

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"I clean the filth from my field now,

Livestock Weekend ()

and I place in it a juniper bough,

Gladaskaimas

to make it both clean and nice,

On the night of the 14th to the 15th day of

to keep it healthy and strong."

Ancient ulan: Buperohalgas

Old ulan: BuperahalgaR

() This day is also a Sword Dance.

ulan: Bfjrhelgr

() The livestock is collected from pasture and is

Prius Birthday ()

brought to the barn or to the North end of the long

On the night of the 13th day of Albokaimas

house.

Harvest Sacrifice (Celtic: Lughnassadh,

() Unnamed animals are given a name.

Norwegian: Sltteblot) ()

On the night of the 15th day of Albokaimas

Skane's Birthday ()

Old ulan: Slantubluta

The Autumnal Equinox ()

On the night of the 13th day of rmakaimas

Ancient ulan: Slantupluto

ulan: Slttublt

This day marks the beginning of the harvest. The

corn spirit (in form of a goat made from straw) is killed

and chopped into seven or fourteen pieces, or it is
burnt, and the remains are buried in the field or the
four corners of the field. The first straw cut down is

used to make a new straw goat for next year's

Harvest Sacrifice.

On the night of the 22nd day of rmakaimas

Ancient ulan: Kaustebnadogrie
Old ulan: Haustebnadogrija
ulan: Haustjafndgri

() This day marks the end of harvest; all berries,

fruit and all crops are now harvested. Everyone

carries a wreath made of sheaves of corn. The last
corn harvested is used for this.

The corn spirit is really the same as Prius, but even

() The spirits of Winter has escapes the realm of

religious societies they too sacrifice the old symbols

off Diwus.

though the crop spirits is celebrated as a deity in

of the crop spirit; first and foremost the (straw) goat.
Old traditions die hard.

death, and now they kill Belus again and bite the hand
The Autumnal Equinox is also the birthday of Mano
and is celebrated like other birthdays. The Autumnal

A man impersonating Prius is (symbolically) killed by

the warriors, who (seem to) cut him down with curved

Equinox is followed by a lent lasting until Winter

Night Ship.

short swords, sickles, sword-scythes and saxes, in a

A play shows how Kadnus fires a wand (made from a

grow crops, to wake up and then be cut down so that

bow. The latter falls down dead. The purpose of this

into seven or fourteen pieces and buried along with

followers

with the pieces of the straw goat.

the deities tries to tie up the wolf deity Kadnus ( alias

Woanas Birthday ()

Diwus, loses a hand in the process. This shows how

Sword Dance for adults only. This is his purpose; to

man can bake bread. A cone or a bread is then cut

him in the field or the four corners of the field along

On the night of the 13th day of Gladaskaimas

mistletoe) on Belus (representing the Summer) with a

is to show that the Seimenn and their traditional
(represented

here

by

Kadnus)

are

responsible for killing Belus. Another play shows how

Fanjarias) after he has killed Belus, but one of them,

the traditional men refuse to abide by the laws of the
religious society, and how they because of their

lacking respect for the deities causes everything

under the sky to suffer.
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Everyone is sad, wears dark cloths (regardless of

social class), plays no music and doesn't dance for the

They greet the deities and wish them welcome into

their lives.

duration of the lent.

Kadnus Birthday ()

On the night of the 13th day of wadalas

Winter Night Ship ()
Usually on the night of the 22nd day of wadalas
Ancient ulan: Witranesuskai
Old ulan: Witranahtaskaio
ulan: Vetranttskei

Belus is buried the 1st Sunday after the 1 st full Moon

after the Autumnal Equinox. He (i. e. pieces of oak
wood) is sent on a voyage, which the Sun takes every
night, in a boat or a ship which is set ablaze and sent

out on the ocean in the West, across the river/sea of

forgetfulness. Those who live inland burn a boat on

land or build a boat with stones and bury the remains

there. The remains are some places carried into a

cave or burial mound instead, or to a river, which will
bring it to the ocean.

A play shows how Belus is placed in a ship along with

his wife and how Dunus (represented by a priest)
blesses the ship with his hammer before it is sent on its
journey across the sea.
Winter Night Weekend/Reflection Day ()
On the night of the 28th day of wadalas
Ancient ulan: Witranesuhalgas
Old ulan: WitranahtahalgaR
ulan: Vetrantthelgr

The last day of the year is spent washing,

contemplating and cleaning the house. This is done
for man to be able to meet the next year clean,
purified and ready for new tasks. Free of guilt.
First Day ()

Ancient ulan: Pyrstadagas

Old ulan: FurstadagaR
ulan: Fyrstadagr

Each new month is greeted by the lady/lord of the

house on the first day of the month, when the Sun
rises. The months connected to gods by the lord, and

the months connected to goddesses by the lady.

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