Northern Black

News & Insights

Welcome to the Northern Black blog - where ancient myths meet modern mischief. From runes to ravens, we're all about the stories, symbols, and spirit of the North. Whether you're deep into Norse lore or just like your style with a bit of bite, you’re in the right place

Samhain-themed wreath decorated with candles, autumn leaves, pumpkins, acorns, crystals, mushrooms, and a central pentacle charm on a dark textured background

SAMHAIN AND ÁLFABLÓT: PARALLEL RITES OF THE PAGAN HALLOWEEN SEASON

In this article, we’ll explore Samhain’s meaning, ancient and modern Samhain rituals, and how Viking and Norse traditions like Álfablót reveal shared roots of remembrance, harvest, and reverence for the unseen.
Isar Oakmund
Harvest fruits and autumn leaves on altar

MABON: REFLECTING ON THE AUTUMN EQUINOX AND THE BALANCE OF LIGHT AND DARK

Explore the meaning of Mabon, the pagan sabbat of balance, harvest, gratitude, and seasonal rituals on the autumnal equinox.
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Cultural Traditions
John Bauer’s Freyja

FREYA: LADY OF LOVE, WAR, AND A PAIR OF CATS

Discover Freya, Norse goddess of love, war, magic, and cats — fierce, powerful, and still inspiring. Shop our Freya collection.
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: History & Mythology
Tattoo machine with needles, ink cups, and Norse runes

5 VIKING TATTOOS YOU SHOULD NOT GET (AND WHY)

Have you ever thought about what tattoos we seem to think are viking tattoos but are completely made up? Today we go through some examples and tell you the real meaning behind them.

Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Tattoos
VIKING JEWELLERY

VIKING JEWELLERY: THE ARTEFACTS OF MAGIC, WEALTH AND STATUS

From the first silver arm rings hacked into trade-weight, to the serpent brooches buried with queens, Viking jewellery was never just about beauty. It was magic, oath, and wealth you could wear on your skin. It told the gods you believed, it told your kin where you stood, and it told strangers how far your people had travelled.
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: History & Mythology
Lughnasadh offering table with fresh bread, sunflowers, apples, marigolds, and candles arranged with wheat stalks

LUGHNASADH & LAMMAS: THE FIRST PAGAN HARVEST

Rooted in Celtic tradition, Lughnasadh is named for one of the most important gods of the Irish pantheon: Lugh of the Long Arm (Lugh Lámhfhada). From baking bread to lighting ritual fires, let’s look at the deeper meaning of this ancient tradition and how to celebrate it in modern, meaningful ways.
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Cultural Traditions
Wheel of the Year with carved seasonal names and natural decorations, surrounded by pinecones, greenery, a red candle, and a wicker star ornament on a dark background

THE PAGAN WHEEL OF THE YEAR THROUGH CELTIC AND NORDIC TRADITIONS

This guide offers a grounded look at each point on the wheel as it appears through the lens of Celtic, Norse, and folk European traditions.
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Cultural Traditions
Runes, Sigils and Bindrunes book including Viking, Norse and Icelandic magical bind runes for love, marriage, wealth and protection. Also includes full bind runes list using the Elder Futhark

Preguntas frecuentes sobre runas, sellos y Bindrune

Peter Oakmund responde a las preguntas candentes sobre Bind Rune en Internet
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Runes & Sigils
Keep Forging Forward: Bindrune Project with Tank Tolman

Keep Forging Forward: Bindrune Project with Tank Tolman

Isar and Tank have banded together to make three bindrunes that are meant to help anyone who needs a bit of a positive boost. 
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Runes & Sigils
Meet the Mischievous Children of Loki

Meet the Mischievous Children of Loki

It is autumn, it is gloomy, it is almost Halloween, so what better time than now to dive into the dark gods of Norse myth. Norse mythology, we can safely...
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: History & Mythology
Blue book on a beach stone. Contains everything you need to know about Viking Art.

The One Book Every Viking Enthusiast Should Own: The Viking Art Tome

Have you ever wanted a deeper look into our best selling book called The Viking Art Tome but never got the chance? This is the place to be and place to read up on what secrets does the Viking Art Tome carry. Join us as we dive deep into how this tome got made and what can you expect inside.
Isar Oakmund
Etiquetados: Northern Black News
What Are Nordic Runes? Why do we use them today?

What Are Nordic Runes? Why do we use them today?

Join us as we dive into the history of Nordic Runes and their origins. We will explain how the perception of them has changed over the years and how do we use them today. Each rune will be presented with correct pronunciation and meaning.
Peter Madsen
Etiquetados: Runes & Sigils
Northern Black

PAPER & INK

Viking books that dive deeper than surface legend. This collection is steeped in Norse mythology, tattoo artistry, and raw northern symbolism.