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In Norse mythology, Skaði is the goddess of winter, hunting, and skiing. She is also associated with mountains and is sometimes called the 'Lady of Winter' or the 'Goddess of Winter'. She is a fascinating figure within Norse mythology. She is both a jötunn - a frost-giant - and a goddess through marriage to the sea god Njoror.
Skaði is a goddess associated with independence and self reliance. If you are someone with a fierce, determined attitude who loves the outdoors and winter sports, read on.
Skaði has an equality with men that isn’t common in the modern age, and she doesn’t back down when it comes time to getting what’s owed her. Her love story is one of compromise and independence. Both partners spend time in one another’s realms, and also alone doing their own things. Rather than being a cause for doubt and jealousy, this kept the couple together in a strong marriage. They are each allowed to focus on personal interests, work, and friends without feeling threatened or abandoned.
Skaði is also part of a symbolic, seasonal relationship. Her husband is a god of prosperity, commerce, and the trade that occurs within a sea harbour. Most sea-faring vessels wouldn’t have made winter voyages due to the ice and storms, so Skaði represents the closing down of trade for the season in which harbour waters freeze over, so people focus on other things over the winter period.
She is also the inspiration behind Hans Christian Anderson’s Snow Queen.
Characteristics
Huntress: Skaði was a skilled hunter who could hunt while skiing down snowy mountains.
Strong-willed: Skaði was described as strong-willed, vengeful, and ruthless.
Beautiful: She was described as beautiful.
Supernatural powers: Skaði was believed to have supernatural control over winter weather, like snowstorms and blizzards, and is known as the spirit of the north wind.
Symbols
Skis: Skaði's skis represented her ability to survive in the Norwegian mountains.
Bow: She was known for her hunting abilities.
Winter landscape: Skaði's winter landscape was marked by the tracks of wolves and the cries of eagles.
Wolf: Her fierce spirit is often associated with wolves.
Decorating your altar for Skaði
White and brown colours
Crystals such as clear quartz, snowy quartz, snowflake obsidian
Incense or scented candles like pine
Offerings of mead, wine, or cold drinks with ice
Figures or ornaments of skis, bow and arrow, wolves, mountains
A rune associated with Skaði
The rune associated with Skaði is Isa, which represents ice, stillness, and self-control. Isa means 'ice' and stands for a spiritual standstill. It can also represent a need for patience and to persevere when waiting for something to happen.
Divinatory meaning: Take time to rest and be still. It might mean you need to take a necessary pause and reflect before taking further action. Progress may seem slow or on pause at the moment, but just as winter eventually gives way to spring, growth, rebirth and new beginnings will be on the way soon. It is a time to prepare for a fertile and creative period ahead. Patience is required now, things will happen in their own time.
Love meaning: In the context of love, this rune suggests taking some time to pause or cool off a relationship. One or both of you may need this time to reflect and recharge, or might be needing some space to work on yourself or themselves. The distance is necessary for your own healing and personal growth. Your relationship might need some quiet time in order to develop further.
As advice: Take this period of stillness and use it as an opportunity to reflect, reassess and recharge. Now is the time to wait and be patient. What you are manifesting has been planted and will come to fruition when the timing is right. You might not see why there is a delay at the moment, but trust that this period is necessary. Trust that the path forward will become clear soon.
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Featured image: Canva
