Disting
(Disablot)
February 2nd
Also known as Oimelc, Disting is the festival of the Idises. For those who do not know, the Idises (or Disir) are the souls of the women of your family line – the eldest mothers, who still watch over their children through the generations. The name Oimelc means “ewe’s milk” in Anglo-Saxon, as this was the time when the first lambs were being born. Frigga is sometimes hailed at this time for her spinning of wool.
Oimelc has been associated not only with snow and cold, but with healing, with hearthfire, and the singing around it. Some of the Nordic gods honoured during this time are Ullr, Skadi, and Rind – all deep-winter figures. Some people also have honoured Logi - a fire giant - Loki’s first wife Glut along with their daughters Einmyria and Eisa, because of the hearthfires. Bragi is also sometimes honoured here for the poetry created to pass the long winters. Eir, Mengloth, and Mengloth’s maidens can also be honoured at this time for the aspect of healing as communal illnesses are often at their worst during this season. Another possibility is honoring Surt and the primal giant Ymir as part of the fire-and-ice Norse creation myth.
Disting is characterized by preparing the land for planting. In ancient times, Disting was the time when the cattle were counted and one's wealth was tallied; thus making it a festival of finance as well. It was said that new calves born during Disting were a sign of great prosperity for the coming year. Disting was also the time for the Thing (or main law gathering), so Forseti, Tyr, Ullr, Syn, and Var may all be honoured as they are associated with oaths and lawgiving.
Oimelc has been associated not only with snow and cold, but with healing, with hearthfire, and the singing around it. Some of the Nordic gods honoured during this time are Ullr, Skadi, and Rind – all deep-winter figures. Some people also have honoured Logi - a fire giant - Loki’s first wife Glut along with their daughters Einmyria and Eisa, because of the hearthfires. Bragi is also sometimes honoured here for the poetry created to pass the long winters. Eir, Mengloth, and Mengloth’s maidens can also be honoured at this time for the aspect of healing as communal illnesses are often at their worst during this season. Another possibility is honoring Surt and the primal giant Ymir as part of the fire-and-ice Norse creation myth.
Disting is characterized by preparing the land for planting. In ancient times, Disting was the time when the cattle were counted and one's wealth was tallied; thus making it a festival of finance as well. It was said that new calves born during Disting were a sign of great prosperity for the coming year. Disting was also the time for the Thing (or main law gathering), so Forseti, Tyr, Ullr, Syn, and Var may all be honoured as they are associated with oaths and lawgiving.
Also called ‘Charming of the Plough’ after the Anglo-Saxon spell and ceremony. Recorded as a regular feast only in Sweden, this blessing takes place in early or mid-February. The name means ‘Thing (assembly) of the Goddesses’. In Sweden, it was the first public moot/fair of the year; in Denmark, this is the time when the first furrows were ploughed in the field (an activity much hedged about with folk custom). This is a feast of new beginnings, at which the work of the year to come is blessed.