In the Northern Tradition, time and space are not viewed as linear or abstract concepts, but as living, cyclical forces deeply connected to nature, human life, and the cosmos. Through observing the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars, ancient northern cultures structured their days, festivals, and spiritual practices around natural patterns. Every moment and direction holds both practical and symbolic significance. In this essay, we will explore how the Northern Tradition understands the passage of time, the division of the day, lucky and unlucky days, and the constellations that guide both orientation and sacred rituals.
The Concept of Time and the Division of the Day
Antoni Gaudí once said, “Creation works ceaselessly through man. But man does not create, he discovers.” This profound statement underlines a central belief in many ancient traditions: originality comes from returning to the origin, from understanding and aligning oneself with the natural laws that govern our universe. In the Northern Tradition, this philosophy is deeply embedded in how space, time, and direction are perceived and understood.
In modern times, we tend to define a day as a 24-hour period starting at midnight. However, in the Northern Tradition, the day is understood more fluidly, reflecting the rhythms of nature. Ancient northern peoples often divided the day based on sunrise and sunset, with many believing the day began at sunset. This idea is still reflected in the way we celebrate certain festivals like New Year’s Eve, Halloween, and Christmas Eve—where the festivities begin the night before the main event. This tradition underscores the symbolic importance of darkness, the time of gestation, which precedes the light of dawn.
In the Northern Tradition, however, this basic division is further refined into eight sectors, known as the “Eight Airts”, “ættir” or directions. This eightfold division is seen in the compass rose, with the cardinal points—North, South, East, and West—and the intercardinal points—Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest. These directions not only define space but also relate to time, as they align with the daily journey of the sun across the sky.
For example, noon occurs when the sun is at its highest point, due south. The positions of sunrise and sunset, meanwhile, vary throughout the year. During the equinoxes, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, while at the winter solstice, sunrise and sunset occur at their most southerly points, marking the shortest day of the year. Conversely, at the summer solstice, the days are longest, and the sun’s path moves to its most northerly points. The sun’s daily motion, which follows the path called deosil (clockwise or sunwise), is a sacred motion, representing harmony with the natural order.
In contrast, the counterclockwise motion, known as widdershins, is often seen as disruptive or unlucky, associated with disorder and even black magic. This sacred orientation of time and space is woven into daily activities. For example, anything spun, stirred, or wound should be done in the sunwise direction to maintain harmony with the universe.
For example, Midnight is a time of stillness and regeneration, while Noon is associated with personal strength and perseverance. People born at specific times, such as 3, 6, 9, or 12 hours, were traditionally believed to possess special gifts, such as foresight or the ability to communicate with the spiritual world. In this worldview, time is not just a natural phenomenon but a living force with which humans can interact.
In our modern world, the day is commonly understood as a 24-hour period beginning at midnight. However, this concept of the day is a relatively new way of measuring time. Throughout history, different cultures have perceived and divided the day in various ways. The Northern Tradition, for example, offers a unique perspective where a day begins at sunset and continues through the night until the following sunset. This understanding of time reflects a deep connection to the natural cycles of light and darkness, honoring both as integral parts of the day.
This ancient division is why even today, we observe festivals like New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, and Allhallow’s Eve (Halloween) the evening before the main event. In the Northern Tradition, the evening was seen as the first part of the celebration, representing a symbolic gestation period in the darkness before the birth of light with the dawn. The night is compared to the seed in the earth or the fetus in the womb, preparing for the renewal of life with the coming day.
The Eight Tides of the Day
Much like the year is divided into seasonal cycles, the Northern Tradition divides the day into eight tides, each three hours long. These tides are independent of the lunar or sea tides and are based on the sun’s position throughout the day and night. Each tide has its own qualities and influences, often aligned with certain runes and magical correspondences. Here is a breakdown of these tides and their Anglo-Saxon equivalents:
| English Name | Anglo-Saxon Name | Time Range |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight | Mid Niht | 10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. |
| Uht (Rising Time) | Uhten-tid | 1:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. |
| Morningtide | Morgan | 4:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. |
| Forenoon (Undernoon) | Dagmal (Undertid) | 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| Noontide (High Noon) | Mid Dag | 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
| Undorne | Ofanverthr Dagr (Eykt) | 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Eventide | Midaften | 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. |
| Nighttide | Ondverth Nott (Cwyl-tid) | 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. |
Each tide plays an important role in marking time. For instance, Noon (Mid Dag) is when the sun stands due south, marking the middle of the day. Similarly, Midnight is the midpoint of the night, often called the “Bull’s Noon” or “Low Noon.” These moments of the day, particularly those tied to the number three (such as 3, 6, 9, 12 o’clock), have long been considered sacred hours, during which people believed supernatural visions and powers of foresight were strongest.
Correspondences and Qualities of the Tides
Each of the eight tides has inherent qualities that influence the activities associated with them. For example:
- Morningtide (4:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.): Represents arousing, awakening, and the fertility of new beginnings.
- Forenoon (Undernoon) (7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.): Associated with gentleness, earning, and increasing wealth.
- Noontide (10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.): Embodies sustaining personal will, perseverance, and strength.
- Undorne (1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.): Encourages receptiveness, transformation, and parenting.
- Eventide (4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.): A time of joy, spirituality, and family.
- Nighttide (7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.): Focuses on creativity, learning, and gaining knowledge.
- Midnight (10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.): A time for stillness, sleep, and contemplation of death and rebirth.
- Uht (1:30 a.m. – 4:30 a.m.): Marks the transition from night into dawn, representing healing and the preparation for renewal.
These divisions highlight how the natural rhythms of the day align with human activities and magical practices, providing a framework to guide both practical and spiritual life.
The Days of the Week: A Connection to Deities
In addition to the tides of the day, the days of the week in the Northern Tradition are named after deities of the Elder Faith. Each day is ruled by a particular god or goddess, and their qualities are especially powerful on these days, making related activities more likely to succeed.
- Sunday: Dedicated to Sunne, the sun goddess, known for radiance and vitality.
- Monday: Sacred to Mona, the moon goddess, who governs mystery and intuition.
- Tuesday: Ruled by Tiw, a god of war and wisdom.
- Wednesday: Dedicated to Woden, god of knowledge, battle, and enlightenment.
- Thursday: Honoring Thunor, god of thunder, protection, and strength.
- Friday: Ruled by Frig or Freyja, goddesses of love, beauty, and fertility.
- Saturday: Associated with Surtr, connected to fate, transformation, and karma.
These days are considered optimal for specific activities that align with the attributes of the ruling deities. For instance, Monday is an excellent day to work with lunar energies, while Thursday is ideal for invoking Thor’s protection and strength.
In the Northern Tradition, time is perceived as cyclical, where everything from the turning of the seasons to the alternation between light and darkness follows a rhythmic pattern. Just as good times are followed by challenges and light gives way to darkness, certain days are considered lucky or unlucky based on their place within these cycles. This belief in the cyclic quality of time reflects an ancient understanding that each day carries its own unique energy, and correct observance of these rhythms can bring either fortune or misfortune.
The Influence of the Moon on Magic
In the Northern Tradition, the moon is a powerful ally in magic. Its phases—New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, Waning Moon, and Dark Moon—each carry specific energies for magical practices. As explained by Raymond Buckland in his Complete Book of Witchcraft, each lunar phase is best suited for different types of spells:
- New Moon: A time for new beginnings, setting intentions, and personal growth.
- Waxing Moon: Ideal for spells involving increase, such as in wealth, health, or love.
- Full Moon: The most powerful phase, used for manifestation, protection, and divination.
- Waning Moon: Best for banishing, releasing, and clearing negativity.
- Dark Moon: A time for reflection, spiritual cleansing, and closure.
By aligning magical workings with the moon’s phases, practitioners can harness natural energies to amplify their intentions and achieve desired outcomes.
The Cycle of Luck
Good luck in the Northern Tradition is often associated with the correct observance of feast days and festivals, which were rooted in nature and the cosmic order. These events were seen as opportunities to align oneself with the natural flow of the universe. However, just as there are lucky days, there are also specific days considered unlucky, where it was believed to be dangerous to engage in certain activities like starting a journey, getting married, or falling ill.
In addition to the notorious Friday the 13th, there are many other dates throughout the year that are marked as particularly unlucky. Some of these include:
- January: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 15, 17, 29
- February: 8, 10, 17, 26*, 27*, 28*
- March: 16, 17, 20
- April: 7*, 8*, 10*, 16, 20*, 21
- May: 3*, 6*, 7, 15, 20
- June: 4, 8, 10*, 22*
- July: 15, 21
- August: 1*, 19, 20, 29*, 30*
- September: 2*, 4*, 6, 7, 21*, 23*
- October: 4*, 6, 16*, 24*
- November: 5*, 6*, 15, 20, 29*, 30*
- December: 6, 7, 9, 15*, 22*, 28
These dates, marked as unlucky, were often avoided for any significant undertakings. Days marked with an asterisk (*) were considered less unfortunate but still cautionary. This emphasis on observing lucky and unlucky days demonstrates the profound respect for natural cycles and cosmic alignment in the Northern Tradition.
The Stars and Orientation in the Northern Tradition
The importance of time and its cyclical nature extends beyond the daily and annual rhythms to the stars and constellations. In the Northern Tradition, the stars played a crucial role in both navigation and spiritual alignment. Unlike modern astronomy, which draws its constellations from Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, and Arab sources, the Northern Tradition focuses on the stars of the northern sky and their relationship to northern mythology.
Some of the most prominent constellations in this tradition include:
- The Lode Star (32 Camelopardis): Also known as Tir, the sacred star of the god Tiwaz (Tyr), which served as the Pole Star around 800 CE.
- The Day Star (Arcturus, Boötes): A star used for time-keeping during the night.
- Woden’s Wagon (Ursa Major): A constellation associated with Odin, the Allfather and god of wisdom.
- Our Lady’s Wagon (Ursa Minor) – The vehicle of Frigg, the Great Mother.
- Frigg’s Distaff (Belt of Orion): Linked to Frigg, the Great Mother and goddess of the hearth.
- Loki’s Brand (Sirius, Canis Major): Positioned at the base of the Milky Way, Loki’s Brand was connected to the mythological trickster god, Loki.
- The South Star (Vega, a Lyra) – Used for geomantic orientation and as a navigational aid.
- The Torch (Algol, in Perseus) – Also called “The Torch.”
- The Torch Bearer (Procyon, in Canis Minor) – Known as the “Torch Bearer.”
- The Plough (Rigel) – Another significant star in this tradition.
- The Boar’s Throng (Pleiades, or the Seven Stars) – Linked to the wedge-shaped battle formation of northern warriors.
- The Battle of the Gods (Auriga and Capella) – Includes Thor’s chariot goats.
These constellations were not merely celestial markers; they were also symbolic representations of gods, myths, and cosmic forces that were believed to influence the world below. For example, Loki’s Brand heralded the approach of winter and marked the arrival of the Battle of the Gods, a mythical struggle reflected in the changing seasons. At midwinter, the star aligns with the Milky Way, often referred to as Irmin´s Way or Bifröst, the bridge between worlds.
The Symbolic Role of the Stars
Each star and constellation in the Northern Tradition carries specific symbolic qualities that relate to the cycles of time, space, and myth. For instance:
- The Greater Wolf’s Jaws (Andromeda): This constellation symbolizes the Fenris-Wolf, whose jaws threaten the cosmic axis, Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
- The Lesser Wolf’s Jaws (Hyades and Aldebaran) – Stars associated with storms and troublesome cosmic influences.
- Thiazi’s Eyes (Castor and Pollux): These stars represent the eyes of the giant Thiazi, thrown into the sky by Thor as a commemoration of his deeds.
- Orwandil’s Toe (Corona Borealis): The toe of the giant Orwandil, cast into the heavens by Thor, symbolizing cosmic order.
- Irmin’s Way / Bifröst (the Milky Way) – The celestial bridge connecting the world of men to the realm of the gods.
These stars served as more than just guides for navigation; they were tied to the stories and spiritual beliefs of the northern peoples. Their positions in the sky marked significant seasonal transitions, with certain stars heralding the approach of winter or the return of spring. As the stars moved, so too did the focus of seasonal rites and legends.
Navigating by the Stars
Before the advent of the magnetic compass (around 1150 CE), northern peoples relied heavily on star-based navigation. In both land and sea travel, they used the rising and setting points of key stars like Frigg’s Distaff (which marked due east) to orient themselves. For agricultural practices, such as planting, the stars also played a critical role. In East Anglia, for instance, it was traditional to plant parsley in north-south drills by taking bearings from the constellations Woden’s Wagon and the Pole Star.
The belief was that the cosmic rays of the moon and stars would interact with the earth, enhancing the growth and healing properties of the plants. In this way, the constellations were not only markers of direction but were also considered to have influential qualities that affected the material world.
The Holistic View of Time and Space
The holistic view of time, direction, and the stars in the Northern Tradition contrasts sharply with modern materialistic perceptions. In this ancient belief system, the movements of the stars were seen as reflections of cosmic myth and divine will. For example, the Greater Wolf’s Jaws represented the looming danger of chaos (symbolized by Fenris-Wolf), while Bifröst was the celestial bridge linking the world of men with the realm of the gods.
This worldview encourages a deeper connection between human existence and the cosmic order, reminding us that we are not separate from the cycles of nature, but rather participants in an ongoing, eternal rhythm that governs both the heavens and the earth. By understanding the lucky and unlucky days, aligning with the stars, and respecting the cycles of time, individuals in the Northern Tradition believed they could achieve harmony with the universe and avoid the disruptions that come from living out of sync with the natural world.ut
