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The Primstav
The primstav is the ancient Nordic rune calendar. It is a perpetual calendar and takes the form of a stick with the winter months (starting on 14 October) on one side and the summer months (starting on 14 April) on the other. Each day is marked with a symbol that hold some significance for that day, such as a bear, a broomstick or an axe (amongst others). Tha calendar is based on the 19 year long Metonic cycle and follows the sun and moon. The special days on the Norwegian primstav are mostly religious holidays, but many of them you will recognise today.
Sadly, the primstav started to become less useful with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1700, but they were still well used right into the 1900s.
This year (2021) I am following the primstav year and sharing posts about some of the special days, the significance they have today and the food traditions associated with them. I hope you will join me on this exciting journey...
Nordic November Traditions You Might Not Know About
November in the Nordics is quiet, dark, and reflective—a month of subtle traditions. From Sweden’s Mårtensgås goose feast to Norway’s candlelit remembrance of the departed, and Finland’s mindful embrace of “pimeä marraskuu,” these customs celebrate light, warmth, and connection. It’s a time to slow down, enjoy cozy moments, and notice the beauty of the season—a gentle, Nordic way to welcome winter.
The Primstav: Old Wooden Timekeeper & It's Quiet Power in Modern Life
The primstav might be an ancient calendar, but it is still relevant today and especially for those in the Nordics or with Nordic heritage. It's an important link to the past and a simpler time.
The Nordic Tradition of Midsummer Bonfires
All throughout Scandinavia at midsummer you see bonfires burning. It's a strange time of year to light a fire and it's been done for millennia, but why?
How to Throw a Nordic Midsummer Party
Midsummer in the Nordics is a magical time of year with long days and an abundance of flowers. It's also a time for special celebrations
What is Kristi Himmelfartsdag?
I don't usually like writing about religious and holy days but in Norway they are entrenched into normal day to day living. It's got nothing to do with the country being religious, because it's most definitely not, but more about tradition. Many of the religious holy days in Norway are included in the primstav (runic calendar) and as it's something I take a keen interest in and have been sharing with you, I feel the need to include as much as possible.
What Do Norwegians Eat at Easter?
Every country has it's special dish for celebratory days and as you know in the Nordics, a celebration is a perfect excuse to indulge a little bit. What I love about traditional Norwegian food is that it so often follows the seasons and makes the most of whatever is in season at that time. This is something that people have been doing for millennia and the traditional dishes have simply evolved and followed the patterns of the seasons. These days with easy access to exotic
14 April is Sommerdag on the Nordic Primstav
The 14th April is a significant day on the Nordic runic calendar. It's the time to turn to the summer months and look forward to warm days
Eggs Benedict with a Nordic Twist
Eggs benedict is a delicious classic recipe, but this one has a couple of exciting and unexpected Nordic twists.
The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know
Fastelavn is a joyful and fun celebration throughout the whole of Scandinavia. It's a time to embrace joy before the start of Lent
Blåsmesse, a very strange day that marks windy weather
One thing I learnt when I first moved to Norway was that people here rally like to celebrate any special day that comes along. This has been going on for many years. Many hundreds of years, in fact. The simple pleasures of celebrating a day and noticing anything significant about it makes daily life much more interesting. Blåsmesse is a saint's day that is marked on 3 February in Norway. It's a day that is special on the Nordic primstav (runic calendar) and I thought it w
Pålsmesse, a Special Day on the Runic Calendar
The Nordic primstav or calendar stick is a special part of Norwegian culture with important days still marked today
Why do Norwegians celebrate food with special days?
In Norway it seems like each food has its own day of celebration from apples to fårikål. It's a simple way to enjoy seasonal produce.
Midsummer traditions in Scandinavia
Midsummer in Scandinavia is magical to say the least and each country celebrates in a slightly different way
Nordic Easter traditions you may not have heard of
Easter is a time for slowing down a little in the Nordics and enjoying the arrival of spring with some more unusual traditions and habits
Bløtkake med Tyttebær og Honning (Cream Cake with Lingonberries & Honey)
Lingonberries and honey are a treasure of early autumn in Scandinavia and this cake combines a Norwegian favourite and these seasonal treats
Potetsalat (Norwegian Potato Salad)
Are you ready for a super-simple summer dish? Potetsalat (potato salad) is a classic on every Norwegian summer table.
Dinesmesse & a Recipe for Karrisild (Curried Herring)
Dinesmesse is not only St Denis' day but also the time when the herring is at it's fattest. I am sharing a delicious and unusual recipe
Britemesse or Kåldagen & a Traditional Recipe
Britemesse is the day on the ancient primstav to commemorate St Birgitte. But it is also a known as Kåldagen (Cabbage Day) for good reason
Bringebærdessert (Raspberry Dessert) to Celebrate Olsok
29 July is a day when we commemorate the Viking King Olaf the Holy. To celebrate I have a light and delicious raspberry dessert to share
How to Celebrate Midsommar Like a Norwegian
Sankthans is a high point of summer celebrations in Norway and something we all look forward to. I've shared a few ideas for you to join in
Gauksmesse and a Meal of Nordic Simplicity
Gauksmesse is a day that is celebrated on 1 May in Norway and is still a public holiday even now. The celebration dates back to pagan times
Sommerdag and a Recipe for Fløyelsgrøt
Sommerdag, or Summers Day on 14 April, is considered to be the first day of the start of the Nordic summer half of the year and is a...
Marimesse om Våren, and a Recipe for Rullekake
Marimesse om våren (Mary's Message Day or Spring Mass, also known as the Annunciation) is a holy day on the primstav commemorating the...
Gregorsmesse, The Primstav Day When We Look for Spring
Gregorsmesse is named for Gregor the Great
Fastelavnsboller, Norwegian Shrovetide Buns
Fastelavnsboller are a sweet cardamom bun filled with jam and cream that are eaten at Fastelavn in Scandinavia.
Blåsmesse on the Primstav
Blåsmesse is a special day on the Nordic Primstav that falls on 3 February
Rømmegrøt and Tjuendedagen on the Primstav
Rømmegrøt is a delicous sour cream porridge that is very typical of Norwegian cuisine. It is usually served with cured meats.
Midtvinter, Midwinters Day
Midwinters Day on the primstav is marked by the symbol of the bear. You must be cautious not to wake it!!
Bløtkake, Norway's Celebration Cake, For Brettemesse
Bløtkake is a light sponge cake filled with cream and berries that is seen on almost every Norwegian dessert table at celebrations
Lågen Valley Bread for Eldbjørgdagen
Lågen Valley bread is a hearty and rich loaf from the Lågen Valley in Vestfold, Norway. It's perfect for cold days. Here is the recipe
The Primstav and a recipe for Riskrem
Riskrem is a comforting and easy Nordic recipe that is perfect hot or cold.
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