How to worship Skaði
A bit of history: who is Skaði?
Sometimes Skathi, Skade, or Skadi, she is depicted in very few myths. However, these mentions give us a pretty good glimpse at her firm and unyielding character. She is sometimes called a “Goddess”, though the myths address her as a jötunn. The jötnar are supernatural beings, also refered to as “giants”, and they are omnipresent in germanic lore. They are often shapeshifters and are said to inhabit Útgarðr, or Jötunheimr. They often bump heads with the Æsir gods, as is the case in Skaði’s story. It is said that after her father Thiazi was killed during such a conflict, she grabbed weapons of war and armour, and made her way to Ásgard to seek justice. The Gods managed to negociate peace by accepting three of her requests: the first, to turn her father’s eyes into stars (which Óðinn did). The second, to be granted a divine husband (the sea king Njörðr, whom she chose blindly, by looking at his feet alone. Because of their beauty, she mistook him for Baldr). The third, for the Gods to make her laugh (which Loki managed by tying his own testicles to a goat’s beard). These requests help us to understand quite a bit of her personality: they make her out to be a devoted daughter, bent on obtaining justice as well as honor for her father, and she was most probably a very stern and sober person, since she considered it a challenge for one to make her laugh. Still, this last observation could also simply be explained by the grim mood following her father’s passing. The myth did not get into specifics concerning the exact reason behind the last of her requests.
Skaði is primarily associated with winter in general, that’s to say: ice, mountains, snow, wolves, and snowstorms, but also skiing, hunting, and archery. In fact, her name is most likely related to the name “Scandinavia”, which scholar’s think could mean Skaði’s Land, or Skaði’s Island (on another hand, her name might have also derived from that of the geographical location). Evidence of her cult in Scandinavia points to a specific type of worship, one that was taken up in order to appease her and be rewarded with easier winters.
- Snowshoes
- The bow and arrow, as she is said to be an avid huntress.
- Skis
- Wolves, whether grey or arctic.
- The Isa rune, which is more of a personal association. The rune’s name translates to “ice”, and among its many meanings can we find the cold, as well as the stillness and harsh reality of winter.
- Evergreens, especially spruce. They are the only trees that are able to survive winter without losing any of their attributes!
- The cold, in all its forms. Indeed, the freezing temperatures of winter could be regarded as a reflection of her own steely and fierce character.
- Snowy regions! As the myth goes, she moved to Njörðr’s warm seaside hall of Nóatún, following their marriage. However, she couldn’t stand the weather and yearned for her home in the mountains. Since Njörðr could not bring himself to live away from the ocean, they decided to live apart. This interesting little story might have originated from an early tale that explained the seasons! In any case, Skaði is undoubtedly keen on protecting snowy regions, such as mountains and tundras.
- Kennings: Ski-Goddess or Ski Lady, Dweller of the Rocks (as believed by Lee Hollander to be in relation with her love of mountains), Wise God-Bride (since she was also mentioned in certain myths a lover or even bride of Óðinn), and Goddess of the Bowstring or Goddess of the Bow. You may also call her Daughter of Thiazi, wife of Njörðr, or kinswoman of Gerðr. Any other name based on personal ideas is also welcome, as long as it is respectful! For example, I sometimes address her using the names Eagle-Eyed and Wolf-rider, in relation to a passage I liked from the Haralds saga Sigurðarsonar!
• Truly enjoy winter. That might sound difficult depending on the area you live in, but like every season, it has its pros and cons! Put some gloves and a hat on and take a walk outside, just to hear the snow under your feet and by blinded its purity. If you don’t get any snow in your parts, then the time is still perfect for a nice cup of tea, mulled wine or hot chocolate! Bonfires and hikes are also ways to feel a connection with Skaði during the winter time.
• Any winter activity, such as skiing, ice skating, or just playing around in snow will show her that you appreciate her gifts, and the opportunity she gives you to enjoy them safely. After all, she is also one to create storms and bring about harsh winters on-command!
• Take the time to properly welcome her when you feel autumn ending (on Samhain or Vetrnætr, for example). This can be done through prayer, offering, ritual, or even just through spoken word! The same thing can be done once spring starts, for example on Ostara or Beltane, to thank her for her benevolence during the waning season.
• Common offerings: animal furs, pelts, meat, or even bones (all of which you should be 100% certain are ethically-sourced), strong alcohols such as spirits, red wine, vodka, winter ale, mulled wine and others, hot drinks in general, milk, snow water (especially if used in a spell or ritual, and especially if gathered from the year’s very first snow), fallen branches from evergreen trees, wreaths, holly and ivy, depictions of wolves or the rune Isa, snowshoes or boots, wild berries, clear or white crystals such as selenite, moonstone or clear quartz to represent winter, etc…
Artworks: Raen, Lisa Marie Sørensen
