Yule, and other Solstice celebrations of light, is over, and winter is setting in. Though we celebrated the rebirth of the Sun King, and the turning toward the light in December, the reality is that spring can seem a long way off in the gloomy days of January!
Nights are still dark and long. Branches are black against a frozen sky. Snowflakes swirl on bitter winds, and snow crunches crisply beneath winter boots. Noses, fingers and toes are red with cold. There is beauty in this, but hardship too.
For those of us who don’t enjoy it, January is strong meat! It takes a sturdy character to love winter’s rigorous beauty and hidden potential. That is when Skadi becomes my inspiration.
The Viking goddess of winter, Skadi is the embodiment of strength, courage and endurance. She embraces this period of storm, darkness, and challenge, and is never happier than when hunting or skiing in the snowy mountains. During this month of transition from celebration to patience and quiet waiting, therefore, it’s worth examining the myths that surround her, to find clues for our own winter work of transformation. For January, with all its less popular features, is also a time of reflection and new beginnings. Of things resting quietly below the Earth and in our souls.
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