Long before Christianity reshaped the narrative of winter and Christmas, there were the original stories—ones filled with the power of women, nature, and deep wisdom.
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The myth of the female reindeer, who carried the sun and souls through the darkest nights, was replaced by the image of a jolly, white-bearded man flying across the skies. And let’s not forget how the wise women who spun destiny’s thread were ultimately overshadowed by patriarchal figures. But these ancient myths, alive with wild and feminine energy, have never truly disappeared. Instead, they live on in the quiet corners of our collective memory, waiting to be rediscovered.
Let’s return to a time before the world of Christmas became so commercialized, and revisit the raw, powerful stories of women who shaped the cycles of life and death, reminding us that winter is not only a season of darkness, but one of great renewal.
The Female Reindeer: Mother of Life
The female reindeer has long been venerated in northern European and Arctic cultures, where reindeer herding and survival through harsh winters have been central to human life.
Unlike modern depictions of Santa Claus’s sleigh being pulled by male reindeer, the reindeer in these ancient myths were female. This is because, in reality, it is the female reindeer that retain their antlers throughout the winter while the males shed theirs. The sight of these majestic creatures in the depths of winter, their antlers proud against the snow, became a potent symbol of endurance, nourishment, and the cycles of life and death.
In Sámi mythology, the female reindeer is often linked with the goddess Beaivi, the sun goddess and mother of life. Beaivi was believed to travel through the winter darkness on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, bringing the sun and light back to the world.
This connection between the female reindeer and the sun goddess underscores the reindeer’s role as a symbol of renewal, as well as the life-giving force that sustains communities through the darkest months of the year. To the Sámi people, the reindeer was not just a creature of the land but a spiritual guide, a connection to the divine feminine, and a representation of survival and hope.
Across the Arctic, the reindeer also became associated with journeys between the worlds—the world of the living and the world of spirits. Female reindeer were believed to carry the souls of the dead to the afterlife or guide lost spirits safely through the treacherous winter landscapes. In this way, the reindeer transcended its role as a mere animal, becoming a symbol of the soul’s journey, a gentle guide through the mysteries of life and death.
The Three Fates: Weaving the Threads of Time
As the winter solstice approaches and the old year prepares to give way to the new, another myth emerges in pre-Christian European cultures: the myth of the Three Fates. These ancient figures are often depicted as three old women who hold the power to spin, weave, and cut the threads of life and destiny. In Norse mythology, they are known as the Norns—Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld—who reside at the base of Yggdrasil, the great World Tree. In Greek mythology, the Moirai perform a similar role, and in other European cultures, they take on slightly different names but the same archetypal functions.
In the cold of winter, these Three Fates are seen as the weavers of the new year’s destiny. They are wise, loving, and insightful, but their wisdom comes with an acceptance of the inevitability of change, death, and renewal. Each woman represents a different aspect of time: the past, the present, and the future. Together, they spin the thread of every person’s life, weaving it into the larger tapestry of the cosmos.
This is how AI imagine this powerful mythology. I think it's very beautiful.
The first of these women, often depicted as the eldest, spins the thread, representing the past—the origins of life and the memories that shape us. The second woman weaves the thread into the fabric of time, representing the present, where choices are made, and lives are lived. The third woman, often the youngest or most mysterious, cuts the thread, symbolizing the future and the inevitability of death and transformation.
In many cultures, these three women are not seen as cold or indifferent but as loving, gentle guardians of time’s flow. They do not simply control destiny but act as compassionate stewards of the natural cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Winter, a time of apparent death in the natural world, is also a time of quiet gestation, where new life is being woven beneath the surface, waiting for spring.
The Three Fates remind us that even in the darkest times, life continues to unfold according to a greater pattern, one that we may not always see but which is always present.
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Winter Solstice and New Year: A Time of Reflection
The myths of the female reindeer and the Three Fates converge around the winter solstice, a time when the world stands still in the dark, waiting for the return of light.
In pre-Christian cultures, this time of year was both a physical and spiritual challenge. The winter months brought cold, hunger, and hardship, but they also offered a time for introspection, for storytelling, and for connecting with the deeper rhythms of nature and the universe.
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The reindeer, with her quiet strength and endurance, symbolizes the hope that carries people through the coldest nights. She is a reminder that life continues, even when it seems frozen and still. The Three Fates, meanwhile, offer a deeper understanding of time and destiny. They remind us that while we may not control the length of our thread or the moment when it is cut, we are part of a larger, eternal cycle that binds all living things together.
As the new year approaches, these myths encourage us to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and accept the future with grace and courage. The female reindeer teaches us to endure, to keep moving forward even when the world is cold and dark. The Three Fates remind us that our lives are part of a much greater whole, woven into the fabric of the universe itself.
Embracing the Wisdom of Ancient Mythologies
The myths of the female reindeer and the Three Fates offer us profound wisdom for navigating the challenges of winter and the transitions of life. They are stories of survival, of hope, and of the deep connection between all living things. In these ancient figures, we find gentle, loving guides who help us understand the cycles of life and the inevitability of change.
As we move through the winter months and into the new year, may we carry with us the quiet strength of the female reindeer and the insight of the Three Fates, knowing that we are all part of the same great tapestry of life.
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Louise Sommer, an Educational Psychology Consultant (MA) and Communication Consultant, specialising in cultural diversity, creativity, and storytelling. She is the author of the bestseller The Hidden Camino, a captivating exploration of historical and cultural narratives. Since the 1990s, Louise has traveled both on and off the beaten track across Europe, exploring history and cultural narratives through the lens of social constructionism. As a professional blogger and writer, she delves into the connections between cultural wisdom, identity, and creativity, offering unique insights that foster curiosity and inclusivity in a multicultural world. Discover more about her work and writings at LouiseSommer.co.
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