In talking with many folks who identify as Vanatru, Vanic Heathens, Vanic-leaning, or fulltrui to one of the Vanir Gods, I have determined that it seems that Vanic folks are seasonally oriented – that is to say, they not only feel very energized by one particular season or one half of the year and drained and dreary in another, but it comes with taking on the themes of that season both in relation to the Gods and place in the world.  It seems that being in tune with Earth Gods makes you more in tune with the Earth, itself, or it should anyway.

There are some folks who have a very hard time connecting with the Vanir during the fall and winter, but have said the Vanir disappear during this time, which I disagree with.  I think rather than the Vanir disappearing, it’s that the way They present Themselves and work in the worlds, changes.  A person's attunement to the Vanir causes them to feel Their presence and workings in the world more during that half of the year.  Frey’s time of regenerating in the fall after having looked Death in the eye, might be more palpable to someone who is a death-worker of sorts.  The worlds grieving with Freya in the winter might not be palpable to someone who sees Her as keeper of Brisingamen’s fire and its vitality, but She might come through to someone who needs to see Her that way, and the winter might be electric to one who works a lot with Holda.

Seasonality definitely affects which gods I can feel--perhaps this is a given considering the way most neopagan worship is organized. Gwynn is only present from Hallows to Walpurgesnacht, Sceaðu from the first fall of snow to the first flowers of spring, etc. I sometimes have trouble remembering that it's ok if one can't feel a particular god 24/7/365. Sometimes it just isn't in their nature to "work" year 'round. (My favorite example of this was the Greek myth that Apollo "vacationed" in the north with the Hyperboreans during the winter.)
-Alex Volundsdottir

As one who is vitalized and empowered by the spring, starting from Charming of the Plough in February which I commemorate in my personal gnosis as the union of Frey and Gerda (She awakens His heart and loins, which pulls the Land out of slumber), to reach its peak at May Day, I know it is “normal” for me to have a hard time with fall, being my polar opposite season.  And I know this too shall pass.  Discovering why I am wired this way, and how it plays out into my relationship with my Gods and spirits, and my religious practice and mundane life, has been wonderfully educating and has given me the resources I need to get through the autumn, into the winter where my "woo" comes back and I regenerate, to thrive and flourish in the spring.

Without further adieu, here's my theory on the way the Vanir change with the seasons, and the roles of Vanic folc attuned to the different seasons.


WINTER: The Vanir who come through the strongest during winter are Nerthus, Wuldor, and Holda.  Frey is Himself again around Yule.  Freya is quieter during this season and if She shows up, it is usually as grieving for Oðr.

Those Vanic folc who are winter-inclined have two themes in their lives: Planning and Patience.  Rather than whining about when the sun will come out again, they are content to spin or chop wood, tell tales around the fire, and see the beauty in the glistening snow and ice.  Of course, they also see the danger, and are good at planning for basic survival as well as commitment for the long haul.  Some may find the Winter-inclined Vanic folc to be as cold and aloof as the season they thrive in, but they are steadfast at the very least.

SPRING: Freya rejoices, and Her influence is strongest.  Other Vanir who come through at this time are Frey (as generous and playful Green Man), and of course Eostre/Idunna.  Wuldor and Holda’s influence is not as strong now.

For those of us who have spring as our season of power (like myself), we are all about Creation.  A lot of us tend to be artists and/or musicians.  We often have green thumbs and are good with animals and/or small children.  We are good at starting projects (and if we are wise and pay attention to the growth and health of said projects, we can see them through), and good at inspiring enthusiasm in others.  We like beauty, and even with the things wrong in the world, we have hope they will change and that we, ourselves, can be the change we wish to see in the world.  We are good at beginnings and systems building, but not so good at letting things go when it needs to be done.

SUMMER: Frey is at His peak here.  Freya and Njord are very strong, with Sif wielding more influence.

The theme for summer is Fullness.  The Vanic folc who do best in summer live life to the fullest, and are often very successful in whatever they do.  They enjoy fun, and inspire it in others.  They are good at retaining hope even when the others lose theirs, and their intuition and ability to be guided by their intuition through the flow of Wyrd is usually good.  While the spring-thriving folc excel at stirring up enthusiasm for new projects, the summer-powered folc excel at leading the people.  The weakness of summer-thriving Vanic folc is wanting to be a people-pleaser, and often finding out the hard way one cannot please all of the people all of the time.

AUTUMN: Frey is “resting” during this time, as is Nerthus, and may only be palpable to those who can sense it or otherwise have very close (and service-oriented) relationships with Them.  Sif’s power is strongest now, as is Njord, and Wuldor and Holda interact with and influence the worlds more, on the precipice of Their own times of strength.

The theme for the autumn-thriving Vanic folc is Death and Healing.  They are often not good at taking risks or starting new things, but are usually ruthless about culling what is outmoded or unnecessary, as needs must.  As the trees drop leaves and the last harvests come in for the grounds to lay fallow, and the days grow shorter, the tang of death is sharp in the air, but those who work with the Vanir and thrive in the autumn know death is necessary for balance, and the cycle of life will begin again.  Those who know death, also have the power to heal the living, and so they do.



© 2009 Svartesól, with credit given to Alex Volundsdottir for her input, and thanks to the rest of Vanaheim Fellowship for feedback.