Nordic Spring Folk Magic: Påskeld and the Darkness of Holy Week

Påskeld

In this post, I describe some of the Påsk (Easter) folklore and folk magic from Scandinavia, focusing primarily on the Easter fires and the darkness of spring.

Påsk is a holy period in Nordic tradition; it is associated with witches, darker spirits, illness, ancient fertility customs, good luck eggs, the devil's horns, flying ointments, and more. In new age circles, we often see spring attributed solely to blessings, beauty, emergence, and new life. While this is partially true, historical folklore reveals spring as a difficult season when practitioners cleanse, protect, and harness the makt (spiritual power) of the season in order to survive until harvest time.

If spring is a challenging season for you, I hope you feel validated by some of this folklore and practice.

Enjoy!

Spring Lore: Forces of Darkness

The weeks leading up to Påsk (Easter) were traditionally a time when people could easily fall ill and when much work needed to be done in the fields preparing for the growing season. During this time in the north, starvation was common, as winter stores had dwindled significantly compared to previous months. Many people in rural areas died during spring.

Starting from Fastelavn Sunday (the Sunday before Lent), the forces of darkness were said to begin stirring more eagerly than usual. One had to be very careful to avoid trouble, so many taboos were observed to prevent ill luck for the season. People were advised not to go outside more than absolutely necessary, as sicknesses occurred more frequently during this time than others. Holy Week was also said to be the coldest, darkest, and most dangerous time of the entire year.

This folklore likely stems partly from Christian tradition, as it coincides with the crucifixion of Christ. It was thought that because of this, darker spirits drew much closer to our realm. However, it's likely that this belief predates Christianity, as other holy periods throughout the year share similar ill-omened lore. Beyond Christian influence, these beliefs probably reflect animist and nature-based perspectives—recognizing that as starvation and illness became more common during this season, nature expressed its more hostile forms through wild animals, spirits, disease, and other forces.

Folk Magic: Påskeld, Easter Fire and Needfire

Påskeld, or Easter fires, were lit on Easter Eve or sometimes Easter morning throughout Scandinavia in olden times, though this practice continues in some areas today. These Easter fires served to protect against hostile trolldom (sorcery), witches, wild animals, untrustworthy spirits, illness, and other dark forces abundant during Holy Week.

The fires were also burned to ward off dangerous spirits and animals that might ruin crops being sown around that time. Additionally, Easter fires symbolized and celebrated the arrival of longer, brighter days. On Easter morning, people would dance with the rising sun around Easter fires placed on large hills. Those familiar with old Nordic fertility folklore would recognize this as an older nature/goddess worship practice.

The fires themselves often contained ritual materials placed at their center, such as meat offerings, sheaves of grain, dead rats found during sowing, river stones, pine and juniper sprigs, and bowls of water. This likely represents a formula to ensure protection and the thriving of crops being sown around this time. Sometimes wine offerings were thrown into the fire as well.

Here is an example of how these sacred fires were built:

"First a ring of smooth stones brought from the lake, on these a layer of tarred boards; in the middle of the boards, an 'altar' was made of stones and iron pieces. On the 'altar' were placed pork, meat, clothes, grain, rats killed during sowing, and a bowl full of water. Then the fuel was stacked over this with a 'circumference' (probably meaning diameter) of two or three fathoms and as high as possible without the pyre wobbling. Then the whole thing was tied with tarred ropes, and at the top, a spruce and a juniper twig were fastened."

It is likely that the Easter fire also functioned as a "need fire," meaning a fire made the traditional way, through friction. Fires made this way were thought to hold special powers and were utilized in folk magic. Another custom associated with Easter fires was taking a glowing ember from the fire and placing it on the home hearth. This ember was believed to protect against fire accidents and bring good "firewood" for the year.

In some places, it was forbidden to extinguish the Easter fire. It had to burn out naturally and was therefore guarded to ensure it wouldn't cause any misfortune. Additionally, food cooked in the Easter fire was considered beneficial to eat.

Folk Magic: Pilgrimage and Walking Rituals to Easter Fires

Pilgrimages to sacred sites, holy wells, crossroads, and famous mountains were common around Easter. During these pilgrimages, people visited Easter fires along their route and observed them in complete silence. These pilgrims would also look into the Påsk fire to divine what would unfold in the coming year.

Sources: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000116555750&seq=176&q1=p%C3%A5sk

Written by Hayley Huston, Owner of The Nine Winds: School of Scandinavian Folk Magic and Wisdom