As found on Facebook. I imagine many of these traditions are honored at RV, even if they are, themselves, the fae that the traditions are meant to appease.
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Tomorrow (23rd) in Norwegian lore
Vaskarnotti
Also called Little Jól-eve here, as we have the main family celebration on the 24th.
All work left unfinished by this day, had to be done by nightfall. Only the most important work should be done during the next three weeks.
It was sometimes called Kakukvelden and the very last of baking should be done.
Other places in Norway it was called Vaskarnotti (washing night) and the house would be cleaned from top to bottom with pine-branches, using the water they had soaked in overnight.
This would cleanse the house properly, and have healing + protective properties to house and anyone in it. The branches would then be hung around the hearth and over the door to make certain dark forces would not come in.
Bad weather would last for seven weeks, storms could last even longer.
As with every night this time of year, Oskorsreia was out and about after dark. On this night it wanted children the most. So keep them inside and under watch.
Small bowls filled with ale should be placed under every tree and bush around your property before nightfall. Give the tree-trunk a knock with a stick, so that the vettes know you have made them an offering. This would help you, your kin and animals protected from their mischief and they would look kindly at you.
This night and the following (23/24) families, and whoever else was there overnight, would sleep together on the floor in the main room. This to keep extra safe and secure.
A watchman would often volunteer to stay up and mind the sleeping + make certain the fire did not die out. But under no circumstance should he go outside or even look outside. The Oskorsreia would tempt and lure people to open the doors for it and glancing out they could steal your soul and gain entrance that way.
An offering of ale was made on the fire before they settled in to sleep.
The night of the 24th was frightening, but also full of magic powers. A lot of dos and don'ts .
But more on that tomorrow ❄️