398: Nordic Christmas: In the Bleak Mid-winter - Myths and Legends

Summary

Myths and Legends Podcast Episode 398: Nordic Christmas – In the Bleak Mid-winter

In Episode 398 of Myths and Legends, titled "Nordic Christmas: In the Bleak Mid-winter," hosts Jason and Carissa Weiser delve into the rich tapestry of Nordic folklore, uncovering enchanting and eerie tales that shape the region's Christmas traditions. Released on December 18, 2024, this episode transports listeners to a wintry Scandinavian landscape teeming with trolls, Brownies, and other mythical creatures, all woven into the celebrations of the holiday season.

1. The Lieutenant’s Grim Christmas in Oslo

The episode begins with a framing narrative centered around a young lieutenant spending his first Christmas away from home in Oslo. Struggling with loneliness and the bleak winter, he receives an unexpected invitation from Mother Scow (Miss Met) to join a warm gathering celebrating Christmas Eve.

Jason Weiser [00:00]: “This week on Myths and Legends... it is nothing like what I think of when I think of Christmas stories, and I love it for that.”

This setting serves as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding of traditional Nordic stories, blending personal reflections with age-old myths.

2. Tales from Mother Scow’s Gathering

a. The Brownies and Stine’s Mischief

The gathering introduces listeners to the lore of Brownies, small household elves known for their industriousness and occasional mischief. Cousin Lizzie shares a humorous anecdote about two competing Brownies from Vegar and Burr, highlighting their unwavering loyalty and the chaos it can cause.

Cousin Lizzie [08:45]: “Two Brownies... solely determined to protect their family's hay, tearing into piles and sending dust into the river.”

The lieutenant contributes his own story about a Brownie incident in Hallingdale, where Stine defies the tradition by eating the porridge meant for the Brownie, only to engage in a haunting dance that leaves her forever changed.

Lieutenant [11:15]: “...she couldn't stop singing that song.”

b. Peter Gynt and the Battle Against Trolls

The narrative shifts to the tale of Peter Gynt, a resourceful man accompanied by his loyal bear. Each Christmas, trolls invade his home, consuming food and causing havoc. Determined to protect his family, Peter devises clever traps using household items like a giant shoe and hand spikes, ultimately driving the trolls away permanently.

Mother Scow [12:30]: “Peter and the bear... stopped until the trolls fled screaming back to the mountains.”

This story emphasizes themes of courage and ingenuity in the face of recurring threats.

c. Madam Evanson and the Christmas Mass of the Dead

Another haunting story is recounted by Mother Scow about Madam Evanson, an elderly widow who attends a mysterious Christmas Mass where the dead gather. This Mass is a spectral event where the veil between the living and the deceased is thin, leading to eerie encounters and the eventual entrapment of the unwitting attendees.

Madam Evanson [16:00]: “They are all dead. This was the Christmas Mass of the dead between midnight and 1am every Christmas.”

The tale serves as a chilling reminder of the thin line between the festive and the supernatural in Nordic lore.

d. Hans the Carl's Son: A Journey of Redemption

The centerpiece of the episode is the epic saga of Hans the Carl's son, a young man rejected by his family and deemed worthless. Abandoned, Hans embarks on a perilous journey where he encounters dwarves, magical artifacts, and ultimately proves his worth by rescuing his brothers from troll captivity. His bravery leads to the establishment of Christmas gift-giving traditions and his union with the princess, symbolizing redemption and acceptance.

Hans [20:45]: “Wow. First try. Who knew it was so easy to slay a dragon?”

This story encapsulates the transformative power of courage and kindness, reinforcing the spirit of Christmas through mythological storytelling.

3. Creature Highlight: Frau Galten and Her Cursed Dogs

Towards the episode's conclusion, the Weisers introduce Frau Galten, a formidable figure from Northern German folklore. Frau Galten is depicted as a huntress whose cursed dogs—her daughters transformed into stone when harmed—serve as both protectors and agents of her vengeance. Listeners are cautioned against engaging with her dogs, as any attempt results in fatal curses or an unending cycle of reanimated stone dogs.

Carissa Weiser [17:04]: “If you're like me, you'd freak out a little bit and then try to chase the dog out of your house. Apparently, that is the wrong answer.”

Frau Galten’s legend serves as a moral lesson, emphasizing respect for supernatural entities and the consequences of meddling with cursed beings.

4. Wrapping Up the Night

As the stories conclude, the lieutenant reflects on the warmth and camaraderie experienced during the gathering, contrasting it with the eerie tales shared. This blend of heartwarming fellowship and spine-chilling folklore underscores the diverse nature of Nordic Christmas traditions.

Lieutenant [17:00]: “This was actually a really great Christmas. He thanked her. The company and the stories. They made the night better.”

5. Announcements and Farewell

Before bidding farewell, the hosts announce a temporary hiatus for the Myths and Legends podcast. They reveal plans to switch to a bi-weekly schedule starting in 2025, allowing them to maintain quality while exploring new stories. Additionally, they tease an upcoming Christmas Ghost story special on their sister show, Fictional.

Jason Weiser [17:04]: “Next week on Fictional... seemingly like Odin's wife or, like, a consort or something.”

The episode closes with heartfelt holiday wishes, blending traditional storytelling with personal reflections on the season's significance.

Conclusion

Episode 398 of Myths and Legends offers a captivating exploration of Nordic Christmas folklore, seamlessly intertwining personal narratives with mythical tales. From mischievous Brownies and heroic battles against trolls to the haunting Mass of the Dead and the enigmatic Frau Galten, the Weisers present a rich mosaic of stories that illuminate the darker, yet enchanting side of Christmas traditions. This episode not only entertains but also invites listeners to appreciate the depth and diversity of global folklore during the holiday season.

Transcript

Jason Weiser (0:00)

This week on Myths and Legends. It's Christmas in the Nordic countries. So that means, of course, trolls, zombies, elves and evil house cats. The creature this time is that nice lady who has a Christmas gift for you, a giant angry dog that never leaves. This is Myths and Legends, episode 398 the Bleak Midwinter. This is a podcast where we tell stories from mythology and folklore. Some are incredibly popular tales you might think you know, but with surprising origins, and others are stories that might be new to you but are definitely worth a listen. The stories this week are about the holidays in the Nordic countries. I find them fun because while they have a bunch of Christmas stories, they all have kind of a Nordic flair to them. And they have troll battles and draugr and monsters. It is nothing like what I think of when I think of Christmas stories, and I love it for that. Anyway, we'll jump into our framing narrative with a man who stuck in Oslo for Christmas Eve and how that apparently is terrible. The lieutenant's shoulders slumped. The letter he sent home wouldn't get there until Christmas Day, so even if his father's people left immediately, it would still be the day after Christmas until he was home. So this would be his first Christmas away from them. He just got his officer's commission and his friends left on leave while he was in the hospital. It was nothing. A fever. Sure, he went into a coma and was admitted for a week, but he was fine now. Fine physically, that is. Otherwise, he was completely miserable. The city was a giant gutter of brown snow and a cacophony of coughs and sniffles. Yesterday the lieutenant just sat at his window and watched people shuffle in and out of the apothecary, eyes squinting in the cold and red crusty noses poking out of the scarves. So this is Christmas, he muttered. And he was stuck in this grimy city in a drafty old There was a sound at his door. Turning, he forced a smile. Hey, didn't hear her there, Mrs. Miss Met. The woman smiled. She was just coming to invite him down for Christmas Eve. Old Mother Scow scous Nieces and Met were having something warm to drink and telling stories. Oh no thanks. The lieutenant's hand found his book. What, Just going to sit up here in the dark? Come on, she said, clearly not moving from the doorway. The lieutenant sighed and rose. You know what? He would love to. The room was already warm and crackling with the fire on the other end while Mother Scow lit the candles. You look like a corpse and not a particularly well fed one. The elderly woman told the young officer. He explained that he had been in the hospital for a week. He had just gotten out yesterday and was supposed to be home with his parents. This was the only place he could get in town on such short notice. Scenes. Such an endorsement. Mother Scowl laughed. Well, no matter. He would have a wonderful Christmas with them. The lieutenant's smile winced as the woman's nieces poured from the kitchen carrying the food. Auntie, do you know what Stein says? The youngest girl cried. The lieutenant assumed Stein was someone in the kitchen. Stine says I have to go up in the hayloft tonight and give the Brownie his Christmas porridge. Silly C I l l I said. She's just trying to get rid of you. Mother Scow laughed. But don't do that. Brownies were the real deal. You ever hear that one about the brownies from Vegar and Burr? Ms. Met asked the girl. More nieces found their way in, and Mother Skou had to hide a smile when the lieutenant seemed to notice. Cousin Lizzie, a young woman about his age. Ms. Met started her own tale. Two Brownies. Two house elves that were fiercely loyal to their families. So loyal that when the neighbors started doing better, the Brownie apparently thought it was a zero sum game. So they would start stealing from the neighbors, which prompted retaliatory threats from the other Brownie. Soon one Brownie was tromping across the bridge with a load of the other's hay on his back, only to meet the other Brownie having done the exact same thing. Both determined to get their family's hay back, they tore into the piles, sending them in a cloud of dust into the river. The children and the lieutenant chuckled and the lieutenant turned to Cilly saying he actually knew a story about a Brownie, the one where in Hallingdale a girl like you Silly was tasked with taking the Brownie milk porridge in his hayloft on Christmas Eve only. Well, that porridge looked delicious, butter on top, all melty. She thought it was a shame that it would go to a Brownie, and besides, the Brownie probably didn't even exist. She ate the good porridge, butter and all, and plopping some of the plain oatmeal porridge in the pig trough. She poured on some of the previous day's milk, the one that already went sour, and dropped it off. That's good enough for you, Mr. Brownie, she said and turned to see the eyes in the darkness. She stepped back as the diminutive man stepped toward her. He thanked her for the meal, would she care for a dance? She said. Oh, no thanks. He held his hands out. He wasn't moving. She gulped and took his hands. The lieutenant stood and holding out his own hands for Cousin Lizzie, she stood and with a smile that said sure took them. And they danced around the room with him singing, and you have eaten the porridge of the brownie, and you shall dance with the little brownie. The delight of the cousins laughing, the lieutenant finished his story. When they found her on Christmas morning, more dead than alive and covered in sweat and rancid milk from the thousands of times she had danced around that hayloft with the brownie, she couldn't stop singing that song. Lizzie laughed. Real nice story. The lieutenant shrugged. Got him a dance. Well, I'm definitely not going up now. Silly shook her head. Just then the lieutenant felt something brush his ear and he jumped. Turning, he saw the cat. Oh, he didn't know what it was and didn't know they had a cat. It took the cousins way too long to stop laughing at him. Mother Scow quieted them down and as they passed her on the food said that that reminded her of another Christmas story, one of trolls and death and cats. There was a knock at the door and Halvor answered and then slammed it. Oh my gosh, it's a bear. What do you mean it's a bear? Mrs. Halvor asked, opening up the door and then slamming it on herself. There's a bear out there, halvor said. Yeah, that's what it's a bear means. Where's a bear? Their child asked. Then there was knocking. The family looked at one another. Wait. Yeah, bears don't knock. They crack the door. To see a man standing next to the bear. Peter Gint. The man stuck out his hand when he saw that. He wouldn't get a shake if he didn't explain. He pointed. Oh yeah, that was his pet bear. Peter. Peter. Is he safe? Halvor asked. Peter shrugged. Sure. Only if Peter didn't tell him not to be. The family thought that worked out in their favor and opened the door. They said they were sorry, but whatever this man needed, they couldn't help. They were heading out. They had to be out before nightfall, actually. On Christmas Eve? Peter asked. So the rumors were true? Havor exhaled sharply. Yes. Was he sure he didn't want to come by in a week like the rest of the village to see the destruction? Peter said there would be no destruction. He was here to help. Oh yeah? And how are you going to do that? Peter wasn't about to give away his Tactics. He said that the trolls came every Christmas and stayed a week eating all their food and messing with their place. Right. Well, let Peter stay for a week eating their food and they would never see the trolls again. Halvor and family shrugged. Sure, no real change for them. Either the house was trashed and Peter was eaten alongside all the food like every other year. Or Peter Gynt got rid of them. Halvor grimaced toward the horizon. Though it was 3pm in the afternoon, sun was getting low. He called back to his wife to please make sure they got the cat. She was pregnant this year and after last Christmas she might not survive another encounter. The tailless cat hissed at the white bear as Halvor and his family left to go stay with a neighbor and Peter and the bear entered the house. Peter, the proto Kevin McAllister that he was, went to work on his traps. Well, trap. While his bear snoozed in a cozy spot behind the fireplace, Peter got to work on a shoe, taking out a pig skin he had. He built a giant shoe, laces and all. Me putting thoughts into Peter's head would imply that I know what he was thinking and I really don't. Luckily he finished up right before he heard the troll voices on the night wind. He hid and the door burst open and the trolls brought all their bags inside. Guys, vacation has officially started. Their dad announced to no small amount of groans from the family. Honey, I caught some frogs in the swamp on the way here. Mind putting those on? The kids are starving. The mom troll said. I'll hop to it. The dad winked. Sorry, had to love vacation. And the dad got to work cooking up the frogs, toads and bacon. Hey hon, the troll mom said, looking in the center of the room. Why is there a giant pigskin shoe? Then there was another noise at the door. Oh hey kids, your troll aunt and uncle are here. The dad called out. Ugh, dad, we're all trolls. You can just say aunt and uncle. The troll teen said, going to answer the door for the troll aunt and uncle and their family. Soon everyone was eating frogs, toads and bacon and laughing when the dad pointed out the shoe. What is the deal with that shoe? You know what we should do? We should all put a foot in it at once and take a picture. The dad clapped. He asked his troll brother once again. Just brother. The uncle said. But yes, he could sketch the family while they were in the hilarious shoe. Hey, does anyone feel this getting tighter? The dad asked the group while they were all in the shoe. Stop moving. The uncle said. That means you he pointed to his nephew, who was throwing cooked frogs at the cat peeking out from behind the fireplace. The dad laughed. Get him, Junior. The troll son was indeed pelting the snout, peeking out from behind the fireplace with slimy cooked frogs. Well, the dad was saying that maybe the big shoe idea was a bad one. Okay, forget the picture. All done. He tried to get out, but they were stuck. His eyes followed the laces off to the far end of the room, where they were stretched and stuck into the floorboards with a hand spike. Will you have a sausage, pussycat? The boy was still pelting the snout with the frogs. Scratch them, pussycat, a voice said from the darkness. The bear roared. Peter leapt out with yet another hand spike. Not 100% sure what that is, but I am certain you don't want to be hit with one. And neither Peter nor the bear stopped until the trolls fled screaming back to the mountains. After a week of ale and feasting, Peter and the bear left before Halvor and his family returned early next December. Halvor was out gathering sticks when he heard a familiar grumble, one that he recognized from the first year that the trolls came. An unforgettable night of terror just etched in his mind. Halvor froze. That pussycat, the voice asked, do you still have her? Havor noticed that it was quavering. Halvor, said the cat. Yeah, she's at home behind the fireplace. And she has several kittens, all bigger and larger than herself. No, no, no, no, no, no. The troll shrieked and ran as fast as he could back to the mountains. After that, the trolls were never seen on halvor's farm again. Ms. Met came into the room with more drinks. She thought about it. Was she sure Mother Scow hadn't told that one before? Mother Scow said that she had a group of people that paid to hear her stories, and this was one of Those back in, oh, 38, maybe. But this group hadn't heard it. And by the way, this was on the member feed. But it's part of this story, so I wanted to include it here for the wider audience. And there were some big differences. The lieutenant tossed another log on the fire and took a seat. Oh wow. Next to Lizzy. What a fun coincidence. He actually had a story, kind of a long one. They were okay with it. Everyone was settled and warm and they nodded. Yeah, sure. The lieutenant smiled and said, okay, this one begins with a hug. We'll start the story of Hans the Carl's son, but that will be right after this. This show is brought to you by.