Image taken at the Viking sim of Vinland, within Second Life

As the darkest night of the year falls and the old year slowly turns, we turn to our beautiful neighbour of Vinland to honour the ancient Norse festival of Jól (Yule) with a special collection of winter stories.

This section brings to life six tales, each drawn from a distinct aspect of midwinter tradition. You will journey through stories of survival, encounters with the dead, cautionary lessons, the gods at their most human, the cycles of the year, and treasured family memories. Each story captures the spirit of Jól, reminding us of endurance, respect for the unseen, and the bonds that hold a household together through the longest night. 

Snow drifts deep and bitter blows,

Frost bites bone where the cold wind goes.

Oars are still, the ice holds tight,

Yet we endure this longest night.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.

Ancestors whisper through these walls,

Shadows answer as the nightfall calls.

A mother guards with unseen hand,

Guiding her kin across this land.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.

Knock not the door, mock not the shade,

Flickering lights are tricks that fade.

Step not beyond the hearth’s warm glow,

Beyond this hut, you should not go.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.

Odin wanders, weary and worn,

Hungry, cold, and ragged, torn.

A stranger tests this house and flame,

We watch, we speak, we honour his name.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.

Baldr falls, the sun sets low,

Beneath the snow, the seeds will grow.

Seasons turn, the yule log burns,

Dark retreats, as the sun returns.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.

Who built this hall, whose hands were strong?

Who sailed far seas, who righted wrong?

Remember names, remember deeds,

At Jól we plant the household seeds.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.

Sit by the fire, the night hums low,

Stories weave through both the ice and snow.

From elders past, our lives begin,

We speak their names, we honour our kin.

Flame flickers, fire flows,

Jól’s long night the darkness knows.

Six tales spoken, six tales sung,

From hearth to heart, from old to young.