The Charming of the Plough (The festival of Labour)
The first celebration of the New Year. Today many people may not know what a plough looks like, but people's life use to depend on it. Land is largely unproductive for food until it has been ploughed, made ready. It is fitting that at the start of the New Year, we understand that for the year to be fruitful we must make preparations.
Human life needs discipline if the harvest of our body and spirit is to be a good one, rebellion and protest have no place here if we want to have a productive life.
As we are interdependent with nature, so a civilized society is also dependant upon a variety of trades and labor to function. At the blot we hail the men and women whose skills enable us to maintain our existence. At this ritual we "return the Corn Mother" (placed on the altar at Winter Finding). In the past it would have been ploughed back into the Earth. Today it is presented to a young person during the Blot- a reminder that the future of our folk depends upon our young people and their discipline and fruitfulness. It is not the starting but continuing that is really important and gives success.

January 7
New moon: The new moon shows itself today
January 10
Geraints Day; Today is sacred to the ninth- centaury Welsh bard, Gertain, the blue bard of Wales.
Plough Monday: The first Monday after the twelve days of Christmas. Farmers resume their work after the winter holiday. Before the Reformation, medieval peasants had their ploughs blessed and censed by the parish priest and pooled heir money to keep a plough light burning before their parish saint to ensure good fortune. This custom has been revived since the II World War and in the north has always been accompanied by sword dancing and mumming. In Finland, the plough witches performed with a straw bear. These English customs seem to reflect a tradition of honoring the all- important tool of the farmer.
January 12
Runic Half month of Eiwaz ends.
January 13
Midvintersblot: Midvintersblot is preformed today for peace among our folk, good winter and good harvest. This feast marks the darkest and coldest time of winter. The fixed date is either 13th or 20th January, but other suitable times could be either the new moon or the full moon. This day is also called Tiegunde Day in Old England.
Feast of Brewing: The thirteenth day of January was celebrated each year in Old Ireland as the Feast of Brewing by the ancient Druids.
Runic Half Month of Pertho begins :This rune signifies the womb and rebirth, lasting from January 13 to January 27.

Thor's Feast Full Moon of January (Thurseblot )
Minor feast honoring Thor, the protector of Midgard. During this time, the height of the Storm season, Thor's power is invoked to drive back the frost giant Jotuns so that Spring may return to Midgard.
Festival of Thorablottar (Iceland),January 20
Coming in the depth of winter, when we all need our spirit lifted. Thorrablot is our obvious antidote to the blues. Thor is it's cheery, gregarious patron. Build a snow statute of the hammer- wielding God, or go winter camping, or have a party. Take a walk without your coat, mentally accept winter, and go back to your house for a shot of brandy.
Celtic Tree month Beth: The Celtic month of Beth ends today.
January 21
Celtic tree month of Luis begins today, honoring the Rowan tree and lasts from January 21 to February 17.
Full moon : Full moon shines tonight
January 22
Festival of the Muses: Goddesses of inspiration, sciences and the arts, the Muses are honored and invoked each year on this day with inspired poetry, Pagan folk songs, music, and dancing.
Goddess month of Bridhe: Goddess month Bridhe, for the Celtic Goddess Brigit starts today. St. Bridhe's cross is a traditional symbol of protection.
January 24
An old Cornish holiday is observed on this day, known as Cornish Tinners' and Seafarers' Day, which was an old labor day celebration of the new season of sailing and mining in Cornwall.
January 25
Old Disting Feast: Disting is the feast of the Disir in old runic calendar, for the Norse guardian Goddess.
Burn Nights: Burn nights celebrates the Scottish poet, Robert Burns.January 27
Runic Half Month of Pertho EndsJanuary 28
Scottish new Year: Traditional Scottish new Year starts today.
Runic half month of Elhaz; Runic half month of Elhaz begins today. This rune signifies sanctuary, protection, optimistic power. Lasting from January 28 to 11

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

MYTHS
CREATION
YGGDRASIL
RAGNAROK

CREATURES
ETIN RACE
ELFS
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VANIR
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RUNES
INTRO TO RUNES
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xx.century
YOUNGER FUTHARK
intro
meanings

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