Yule Special and 2018 Year in Review
01/02/19 • 93 min
In this episode we cover some of the history and traditions of Yule, the pre-Christian midwinter festival of the Norse and Germanic peoples. We discuss the timing of Yule based on the phases of the moon, Odin's Wild Hunt, the child-eating character Krampus, as well as Finnish traditions around the Christmas season.
This is the Northern Myths Podcast, an archetypal exploration of the myths and legends of Northern Europe, including Norse mythology, the Finnish Kalevala, and more. If you'd like to support the show you can support us on Patreon here: Northern Myths Podcast Patreon
And, as 2018 draws to a close, we'd like to acknowledge many of the great folks who have supported us with our amazing journey, starting with all our wonderful guests who have been on the show this year!
A big thank you to:
Noah Tetzner - Host of the History of Vikings Podcast Siobhan Clark - Author of Children of Midgard and Host of the Myths, Legends, and Lore Podcast Professor Carolyne Larrington - Professor of Medieval European Literature at Oxford University and Translator of the Poetic Edda Tuomas Rounakari of Shamanviolin and Korpiklaani Eric Schumacher - Author of Hakon's Saga Fjörn the Skald of the Fjörn's Hall Podcast and Blog Jocko Willink and Leif Babin - Authors of Extreme Ownership and the Dichotomy of Leadership Dr. Jackson Crawford - Translator of Old Norse Literature and Instructor and Director of Nordic Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder Heri Joensen of Tyr Einar Selvik of Wardruna
You have all been a wonderful addition to our show and have given us some amazing conversations.
Also a big thanks to quite a few others:
Going Viking - a great page of Norse and Viking content that we're thrilled to be a part of. Heathen Moon - Ryan and Amanda are great friends of the show with a fantastic web shop. We were recipients of some amazing rune sets. Check them out for some fantastic hand made products! Viking Beard Co - An excellent source of beard products that we're happy to recommend! Viking Age Podcast and the Saga Thing Podcast - Last but certainly not least, two of our predecessors who paved the way with the absolute standard for Viking and Norse themed podcasts. We're honoured to be mentioned in the same sentence or paragraph with these great shows and we recommend them highly!
Everyone else who we've been in touch with and in contact with, thank you so much for listening or watching and getting in touch! Thank you to everyone who has supported the show and made this an amazing experience. 2018 has been bigger than we could have ever imagined and we think 2019 will be even better!
Happy new year from Luke and Dan at the Northern Myths Podcast!
Check out our YouTube channel for videos of all episodes and interesting clips of the show: Northern Myths Podcast YouTube Channel
If you'd like to follow along with us or learn more about the ideas we talk about on the show, we have a list of recommended books on our website. Included are our recommended copies of the Poetic Edda and the Kalevala, as well as books about archetypal narrative, comparative religion, and more: Recommended Books
We also have Northern Myths Podcast merchandise available at our official shop.
You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Facebook Twitter Instagram
In this episode we cover some of the history and traditions of Yule, the pre-Christian midwinter festival of the Norse and Germanic peoples. We discuss the timing of Yule based on the phases of the moon, Odin's Wild Hunt, the child-eating character Krampus, as well as Finnish traditions around the Christmas season.
This is the Northern Myths Podcast, an archetypal exploration of the myths and legends of Northern Europe, including Norse mythology, the Finnish Kalevala, and more. If you'd like to support the show you can support us on Patreon here: Northern Myths Podcast Patreon
And, as 2018 draws to a close, we'd like to acknowledge many of the great folks who have supported us with our amazing journey, starting with all our wonderful guests who have been on the show this year!
A big thank you to:
Noah Tetzner - Host of the History of Vikings Podcast Siobhan Clark - Author of Children of Midgard and Host of the Myths, Legends, and Lore Podcast Professor Carolyne Larrington - Professor of Medieval European Literature at Oxford University and Translator of the Poetic Edda Tuomas Rounakari of Shamanviolin and Korpiklaani Eric Schumacher - Author of Hakon's Saga Fjörn the Skald of the Fjörn's Hall Podcast and Blog Jocko Willink and Leif Babin - Authors of Extreme Ownership and the Dichotomy of Leadership Dr. Jackson Crawford - Translator of Old Norse Literature and Instructor and Director of Nordic Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder Heri Joensen of Tyr Einar Selvik of Wardruna
You have all been a wonderful addition to our show and have given us some amazing conversations.
Also a big thanks to quite a few others:
Going Viking - a great page of Norse and Viking content that we're thrilled to be a part of. Heathen Moon - Ryan and Amanda are great friends of the show with a fantastic web shop. We were recipients of some amazing rune sets. Check them out for some fantastic hand made products! Viking Beard Co - An excellent source of beard products that we're happy to recommend! Viking Age Podcast and the Saga Thing Podcast - Last but certainly not least, two of our predecessors who paved the way with the absolute standard for Viking and Norse themed podcasts. We're honoured to be mentioned in the same sentence or paragraph with these great shows and we recommend them highly!
Everyone else who we've been in touch with and in contact with, thank you so much for listening or watching and getting in touch! Thank you to everyone who has supported the show and made this an amazing experience. 2018 has been bigger than we could have ever imagined and we think 2019 will be even better!
Happy new year from Luke and Dan at the Northern Myths Podcast!
Check out our YouTube channel for videos of all episodes and interesting clips of the show: Northern Myths Podcast YouTube Channel
If you'd like to follow along with us or learn more about the ideas we talk about on the show, we have a list of recommended books on our website. Included are our recommended copies of the Poetic Edda and the Kalevala, as well as books about archetypal narrative, comparative religion, and more: Recommended Books
We also have Northern Myths Podcast merchandise available at our official shop.
You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Facebook Twitter Instagram
Previous Episode
Thrymskvida - The Lay of Thrym or the Theft of Mjolnir from the Poetic Edda of Norse Mythology
This humorous story involves Thor, Loki, and Freya retrieving a stolen Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor, from the giant Thrym. Among other things, Thor gets dressed up in a wedding dress and nearly gets married to Thrym. Will it all be worth it?
This is the Northern Myths Podcast, an archetypal exploration of the myths and legends of Northern Europe, including Norse mythology, the Finnish Kalevala, and more. If you'd like to support the show you can support us on Patreon here: Northern Myths Podcast Patreon
The Poetic Edda is the primary original source for the myths and legends of Norse Mythology. The Poetic Edda includes everything from the creation of the world to its destruction in Ragnarok, from the adventures of Thor to the wisdom of Odin. We are exploring these timeless stories to learn how the Norse people understood the world, and how we can apply their worldview to life today.
Check out our YouTube channel for videos of all episodes and interesting clips of the show: Northern Myths Podcast YouTube Channel
If you'd like to follow along with our reading of the Poetic Edda you can pick up the great translation of the Poetic Edda we're reading by Jackson Crawford, you can purchase it here: The Poetic Edda by Jackson Crawford
It is also available as an audiobook which we highly recommend. Dr. Crawford has a great voice for it, and actually pronounces everything properly. It's a must have if you like our show! Available here: The Poetic Edda Audiobook
Show Outline:
0:00:00 - Introduction to Thrymskvida, The Lay of Thrym also known as the Theft of Mjolnir 0:05:27 - Stanzas 1-2: Thor wakes up to find Mjolnir missing! He asks Loki for help! 0:12:30 - Stanzas 3-6: Thor and Loki go to Freya to borrow her feather suit. Loki flies to Jotunheim in the suit. 0:22:10 - Stanzas 7-8: Thrym admits to Loki that he stole Mjolnir, and will only give it back if Freya will marry him 0:31:54 - Stanzas 9-11: Loki returns to Asgard and tells Thor the bad news 0:35:24 - Stanzas 12-13: Thor tells Freya to come with him to Jotunheim. She angrily refuses. 0:44:57 - Stanzas 14-16: The Gods have a conference. Heimdall suggests that Thor dress up as Freya and go to the wedding. 0:54:40 - Stanzas 17-20: Thor doesn't like Heimdall's idea. Loki tells him it's the only way. 1:01:34 - Stanzas 21-23: Thor and Loki travel to Jotunheim. Thrym welcomes them with a great feast. 1:09:44 - Stanzas 24-26: Thor eats a whole ox while pretending to be Freya. Loki lies to Thrym to keep from getting found out. 1:14:26 - Stanzas 27-28: Thrym lifts Thor's veil and sees Thor's fierce eyes. Loki covers Thor's tracks again. 1:17:05 - Stanzas 29-30: Thrym brings Mjolnir to bless the marriage and lays it on Thor's lap. 1:26:36 - Stanzas 31-32: Thor smashes all the giants with Mjolnir
If you'd like to follow along with us or learn more about the ideas we talk about on the show, we have a list of recommended books on our website. Included are our recommended copies of the Poetic Edda and the Kalevala, as well as books about archetypal narrative, comparative religion, and more: Recommended Books
We also have Northern Myths Podcast merchandise available at our official shop.
You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Facebook Twitter Instagram
Next Episode
Kalevala Runo 6 - Joukahainen's Crossbow
This is the conclusion of the story of Joukahainen, and this poem wraps up some of the themes which started in the Runos 3 to 5. As Väinämöinen travels toward new adventures in Pohjola, Joukahainen is consumed with resentment and directs his anger towards Väinämöinen.
This is the Northern Myths Podcast, an archetypal exploration of the myths and legends of Northern Europe, including Norse mythology, the Finnish Kalevala, and more. If you'd like to support the show you can support us on Patreon here: Northern Myths Podcast Patreon
The Kalevala is the epic national poem of Finland. Compiled by Elias Lönnrot from folk poetry from throughout Finland, Karelia, Estonia, and what is now northwest Russia, the Kalevala describes the worldview of the Finnish people from ancient times through to the modern day. It includes the adventures of Väinämöinen and Joukahainen, Ilmarinen and Lemminkäinen, from the distant lands of Pohjola, to Kalevala's wide heathlands.
Dan was thinking of Vladimir Lenin when he mentioned Karl Marx.
Check out our YouTube channel for videos of all episodes and interesting clips of the show: Northern Myths Podcast YouTube Channel
If you'd like to follow along with us or learn more about the ideas we talk about on the show, we have a list of recommended books on our website. Included are our recommended copies of the Poetic Edda and the Kalevala, as well as books about archetypal narrative, comparative religion, and more: Recommended Books
We also have Northern Myths Podcast merchandise available at our official shop.
You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Facebook Twitter Instagram
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