The Yule Tomte: A Memory of Ancestor Veneration

Christmas time is nearing, which means people will soon start to bring out their holidays decorations. In Sweden, one figure will be making his yearly comeback: the jultomte, or Yule tomte. This tiny man with a big white beard and a pointy hat is a beloved figure in Scandinavian folklore. In modern times, we mostly

Finding another ancestral grave

For the coming couple days I’m staying at my parents’ house and watching their pets while they’re away. Since I’m here I thought I’d take the opportunity to walk through the local forest like I used to when I was younger. I wandered for a while and felt a little lost. A lot of the

A throne in the woods

I returned to the ancient grave I found in the forest the other day to meditate on the ancestors, bring offering and ask for their blessings. On my way there, I took a path I hadn’t before and found what almost looks like a carved seat in a rock. A nice little spot to sit