Nightfrost Art

11/19/2023

Happy Thankgiving to everyone stateside! And for those interested in the ancient roots of many of our modern traditions, it is fair to say that Thanksgiving was influenced by the harvest festivals of medieval Europe. Having experienced the significance of expressing gratitude for the harvest back home in England, the Pilgrims incorporated these cultural elements into the first Thanksgiving in 1621. So yes, Thanksgiving is basically a modern interpretation of ancient pagan harvest festival. Skol!

11/17/2023

"He’s a wise man who knows himself." - The Saga of Hrafnkel Freysgothi

I think this is such a powerful quote.... someone can only truly be considered "wise" if they possess a deep understanding of their own character, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses.

Norse inspired artwork, ancient wisdom and the latest Viking news. Oh, and I also have a Etsy store!

11/15/2023

Looking for a special Yuletide gift? Check out our our bestselling t-shirt design! It features "Hlidskjalf", the tower from which Odin watches over the entire universe. Either side of the tower can be seen his ravens Huginn and Muninn.

The t-shirt is soft and lightweight with the just right amount of stretch! Available now on Etsy:

https://norsesupply.etsy.com/listing/986833276

10/29/2023

Step into the wild and enchanting world of Edinburgh's Samhuinn Fire Festival, an immersive and theatrical interpretation of the ancient traditions associated with Samhain. Featuring mesmerising fire displays, captivating rituals, and elaborate costumes that blend contemporary art with ancient Celtic themes. The website advises that the event contains semi-nudity and uninhibited behaviour, so discretion is advised with children under 16.

Tue 31 Oct 7:00pm ‐ 10:00pm
https://beltane.org/samhuinn-fire-festival-2023/

10/28/2023

Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the transition from the harvest season to winter. Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. To ward off spirits, they lit bonfires and wore costumes. Over time, it evolved into modern Halloween traditions.

10/20/2023

“A wise man is not showy about his wisdom; he guards it carefully. He is silent when he comes to a stranger’s home. The wise man seldom wanders into harm, for you can never have a more faithful friend than a good supply of wisdom.”
— Hávamál 6

04/09/2022

The most authentic Viking event in North America is fast approaching. Held on April 23 - 25 at the impressive Ravensborg Viking Longfort in rural Missouri, "Return Of The Sun" is a weekend of feasting, fighting and merrymaking.

This event is as historically accurate as possible, so leave all your modern gadgets behind and immerse yourself in this unique living history experience. You'll need to show the kit you'll be wearing when you apply for tickets. Plastic horns on your helmet? Sorry, but you won't make the cut!

This year's event will also focus on sending off a recently departed member of the Ravensborg community.

For more information visit:
https://ravensborg.org/

12/13/2021

Archaeologists have discovered one of the largest Viking longhouses in Scandinavia, close to the Gjellestad longship excavation site in Norway. The buried structure is nearly 200 feet long and 50 feet wide, confirming that the area was an important base of operations for early Vikings. “Only a handful of places in Norway are comparable” said archeoplogist Sigrid Mannsåker Gundersen, "Finding these longhouses confirms that Gjellestad was a central place in the late Iron Age".

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-find-one-of-largest-viking-longhouses-in-scandinavia-180979177/

Illustration by http://www.moodvisuals.com/

03/14/2021

Kvitravn, meaning ‘White Raven,’ is the latest record from Wardruna. Following the Runaljod trilogy, Kvitravn deals with motifs of Northern sorcery, animism and Norse spirituality. The album has received rave reviews, and we'd like to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Do you think it is as good as previous albums?

Vinyl LP and CD available on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3ldrktT

01/15/2021

The legend of the werewolf has links to pre-Christian Germanic culture. Tales of the Úlfhéðnar, a band of elite Viking warriors who wore wolfskins into battle, was the genesis of middle-age fear of "men transforming into wolves".

Check out Jakub Rozalski's art at jrozalski.com

01/15/2019

The Icelandic midwinter festival Thorrablot has begun, running from mid-January to mid-February. Originally a sacrificial festival, it was abolished during the Christianisation of Iceland but revived in the 19th century. It is now a celebration of unusual delicacies such as boiled sheep’s head, fermented shark and cured ram’s testicles. Many of the festival feasts involve food cured with lactic acid, fermented or dried, to harkening back to a time without refrigeration.

09/19/2018

Step back a thousand years into the Viking village at California's premiere Norse culture event, the Vista Viking Festival. The festival features two stages of live music and entertainment as well as many hands-on activities, such battle reenactments, blacksmithing, archery, axe throwing and horn blowing. If you’re in the area be sure to check it out: https://vistavikingfestival.com