Lussinatte: The first day of Yule (Jul)
The pre-Christian tradition of Lussinatte or Lussilangnatte (Lussi Long-Night) was celebrated throughout Scandinavia on the eve of 13 December. It traditionally marked the winter solstice in the Julian calendar before the Gregorian calendar shifted the date of the Solstice to 21 December. In the southern hemisphere, 1 June marks the first day of winter, with the winter solstice occurring on or around 21 June, midwinter on or around 15 July, and spring starting on 1 September. Midwinter, 15 July, is the main winter season celebration for me and my family, and we mark it with a festive Yule party and all the trimmings.
In anticipation of the festivities and the start of the Yule season, our Yule tree, decorations, and lights go up on 1 July and the day is dedicated to Lussinatte, in honour of my Norwegian ancestors. I usually like to make scones coloured with saffron or turmeric for Lussinatte but this year I might try making the traditional lussikatter.
Throughout July we’ll be exploring the history and traditions of the Nordic/Scandinavian celebrations of Yule (Jul in Scandinavia). Let’s start with Lussi and Lussinatte.
Lussi
Lussi was a powerful vettir (spirit) and the mother and queen of the Huldrefolk (vettir, gnomes, trolls and even the gods). Her name meant ‘light’ and according to some traditions, she led the Asgardsreia (Riders of Asgard) also called the Julereia (Yule Riders) across the wintry land in a manner similar to the Celtic Wild Hunt.
The ‘pale-faced and terrible’ Lussi would check that everything was ready for Yule and people stayed indoors eating, celebrating and keeping the lights on to placate Lussi and her retinue. If the spinning, baking, brewing, and animal tending was not done in preparation for Yule, Lussi would come down the chimney or press her terrifying face against the windows and cry out Inkje bryggja, inkje baga, inkje store eld hava! (Not brewed, not baked, no great fire do they have).
On this night it was also believed that animals would talk amongst themselves, discuss the year’s events, and judge how they were treated by humans during the year. If they were treated badly or were not well cared for, Lussi and her retinue of winter spirits would wreak vengeance upon those people judged poorly by the animals. In the hope that the animals would give Lussi a favourable report, people made sure the barns and stables were clean, warm, and comfy and their animals were fed a special meal before Lussinatte began.
Lussikatter
Another important ritual related to Lussinatte was the baking of a special type of bread or cake called Lussikatter (Lussi-cats). Lussikatter are brioche buns baked with saffron or turmeric to impart a bright yellow colour, symbolising gold, sun, and light. Each cake was formed into two spirals with raisins or other dried fruit placed in the middle of each spiral to represent cat’s eyes, symbolising sight in the dark. The symbols of the cat, the colour gold and the spirals are linked to the ancient Nordic Goddess Freya as far back as the Nordic Bronze Age. Freya was said to ride in a chariot pulled by two grey cats, who were a gift from Thor.
Santa Lucia
When Christianity spread into Scandinavia, the tradition of Lussinatte was converted into a celebration of Roman Catholic Saint Lucia. Lucia was a young Sicilian girl who martyred herself for her faith, rather than marrying a pagan.
Lucia’s name also means ‘light’ and her celebration is still marked in Europe, particularly in Sweden and Italy. In Northern Italy, Santa Lucia visits homes on the eve of December 13 to give presents to well-behaved and obedient children. She is often depicted riding a donkey and families leave out offerings of coffee and cake for her and hay for her donkey. In southern Italy, Santa Lucia is honoured with traditional feasts and a religious procession of Santa Lucia’s statue.
Swedish Lucia Celebrations
Sweden also holds a public procession for St Lucia, although the custom involves children dressed in long white gowns, holding candles, and singing as the sun sets on the evening of December 12 or the day breaks on December 13. The procession is led by a girl representing St Lucia, with a red sash tied around her waist, and a wreath of evergreen crowned with lit (or these days, electric) candles. Lucia originally made the crown of candles in order to keep her hands free for carrying food and supplies to Christians who sought refuge in the Sicilian catacombs during the oppressive reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
St Lucia is accompanied by her handmaidens, who also wear white dresses with red sashes around their waists, though they hold a single candle and their crowns are plain wreaths or tinsel. Behind the handmaidens walk the star boys wearing all white with cone hats and sticks adorned with stars. Depending on where the procession is being held the company can also include lantern-carrying gingerbread men, children dressed as Nisse/Tomte or other Christmas/Yule-themed costumes.
The short (2:49 mins) video below provides a succinct and humorous introduction to Lucia celebrations in Sweden.
Lucia Song
The night treads heavily
around yards and dwellings
In places unreached by sun,
the shadows brood
Into our dark house she comes,
bearing lighted candles,
Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia.
Source: Sweden.se
St. Lucia is always depicted wearing her candle crown and often carries a tray from which she serves Lussikatter and coffee or Glögg. Images of St Lucia holding her tray have become popular Yule icons.  Â
Lutzelfrau
Saint Lucy’s Day is also celebrated to some extent in Germany, though its traditions are centred on the witch Lutzelfrau, an aspect of the goddess Perchta, who we learned about in a previous article about The Winter Queens. Lutzelfrau gives gifts of apples, nuts and dried plums to good children on the morning of Saint Lucy’s Day but leaves coal for the naughty children. This custom is also common in Slovenia and Croatia, which contrasts St. Lucia with the dark Luz.
Stay tuned for the next article where we will explore the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð, in English… Yule Book Flood. Until then skåll (Scandinavia’s term for cheers)!