S2:Episode 3: The Reindeer Mother: Who Really Carries the Light?
In the modern world, the winter solstice is often buried under neon lights, "shop till you drop" commercialism, and patriarchal narratives that distance us from the season’s primal power. But what happens when we strip away the tinsel and look into the dark?
In this episode, we "peel the cosmic onion" to reclaim the Divine Feminine hidden within our winter traditions. From the ancient Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht (Mother’s Night) to the biological truth of the Reindeer Mother—the actual antlered sun-bearer of the north—we explore how this season was once a sacred celebration of female ancestors and the wisdom of the Dark Goddess.
Join us as we reject the "hustle" and embrace the "Hibernal Urge." Learn why the solstice isn't just a day on the calendar, but a three-day pause—a time for receptivity, gestation, and honoring the women who shaped us.
In this episode, we discuss:
The "Paint Stripper" Effect: Moving past the Victorian rebranding of St. Nicholas and the domesticating of Mrs. Claus.
Mōdraniht: The ancient "Night of the Mothers" and the honoring of the Dísir.
The True Sun-Bearer: Why the reindeer on your holiday cards are actually symbols of a powerful female deity.
Coming Home to the Dark: How to find the "sacred" in the stillness and welcome the rebirth of the light from the womb of the night.
Stop trying to cut through the noise. Sit in the silence with us. Let’s celebrate the feminine divine that rests at the heart of the dark.
Learn More:
https://imeldaalmqvist.substack.com/p/modraniht-or-mothers-night
Pagan Portals - Have a Cool Yule: How To Survive (And Enjoy) the Mid-Winter Festival by Melusine Draco
Mother Reindeer’s Journey to the Sun by Kathy Sager and Kristen Scholfield-Sweet
