Snow: A Magical Event.

(from “The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event.” J.B. Priestly.)

In the south of the UK it is a rare event to have snow, even rarer in the area I live in which is a coastal port. Today, winter arrived, although briefly and filled many with a giddy joy that only snow can bring. It was beautiful to behold.

 It seemed though, that as soon as it arrived it disappeared, the only remnants are sludgy puddles in lines of traffic on my way home from work.

For the past few years, I have taken a “mini break” to places that take mountains of snow, completely in their stride, visiting famous Christmas markets and enjoying, just experiencing winter. It is a highlight of my year; I am definitely a winter person. Last year, Stockholm.

A beautiful city in summer, when temperatures can get to the late 20s, but in winter it becomes a wonderland.  We walked many miles in snowy parks, watched tiny ice skaters on every lake, until our fingers numbed, and we drank copious amounts of coffee which thawed us and made our cheeks glow. We took a Julebord cruise,  watching endless islands pass by as we enjoyed our Janssons frestelse (Jenssons Temptation) and glasses of Glögg.

The Norse winter goddess is of course Skaði – the jötunn daughter of Thiazi who was killed by the gods. Skaði seeks recompense from the Aesir and is given the choice of a husband from among them -  the only condition is, she must choose by only looking at their feet. Her marriage to Njord, one of the sea gods, is far from happy through, as Skaði cannot bare the sound of the sea, and Njord cannot bare the howling of wolves in her mountain home. Skaði is an avid huntress and she carries a bow, snowshoes and skis. She is said to be a fierce warrior, showing the harshness of winter and the pale beauty of snow. She is the far northern places, where ice and starkness are your only companions.

Interestingly, Scandinavia is named after Skaði, and some areas of eastern Sweden, and Norway have names like Skedevi, Skedvi, and Skea, which are derivatives of “Skaði’s sanctuary.”

In Scotland and Ireland, the fierce goddess of winter is of course, the Cailleach, a primeval goddess with stories told of her dropping rocks from her apron as she strode, creating mountain regions and whole new lands. She is a storm bringer and a harsh mistress to all who follow her. She can be cruel to those who dishonour her, or who take her deer without permission. In my blog from a couple of week’s ago, I interviewed Scott Richardson-Read, who told of visiting Tigh Nan Bodach, which is a shine in Glen Lyon in Perthshire.

The ancient figures are kept in a small house-like structure during the winter and placed outside during the summer. The figures are said to be The Cailleach and her family. The origin of this shrine is unknown, but it is clearly very ancient and weathered, much like the Cailleach herself.

Rachel Patterson has written a Pagan Portals book on the Cailleach which is highly recommended.

My own book, A guide to Pilgrimage is available through all good book shops and online.

Image of the Cailleach is Ⓒ Naomi Cornock. Used with kind permission.