Mother’s Night

In certain calendars, Mother’s Night, or Mōdraniht in Old English, falls on 20 December, the eve of the Winter Solstice. It marks the beginning of the winter festival of Yule and was traditionally a time to celebrate ancestral mothers and female deities. Over generations, the celebration widened to become a night to honour the divine feminine, and offer thanks for the protective, nurturing, and guiding power of all women.

An Alternate Date

The medieval monk, Bede, recorded the celebration of Mōdraniht in his 8th-century Latin work ‘De temporum ratione‘ (The Reckoning of Time). In Bede’s text, the date of the celebration is 24 December, the night before Christmas. Note that the date of 25 December for Christmas Day is thought to have been set by Pope Julius I sometime between 337 and 352 CE so Bede’s date ties in with the Christian calendar. It seems that somewhere through time, the Germanic (Northern European) celebration which was the start of Yule festivities was adopted to fit the Christian celebration of Christmas. The extended celebration of Yule around Winter Solstice also gave rise to the Christian tradition of Twelve Days of Christmas.

Origin of Mother’s Night

Returning to the original Mother’s Night, the 20 December. Honouring the ancestors was an important component of Germanic spirituality. Women had particular importance as guardians of the female line. They often trained to use swords; defending the home while men were away and fighting on the battlefield. While men were more often seen in battle, it was not uncommon for women to join them.

It is likely that women were seen by their children as strong protectors. Many female names which have endured to modern times have meanings such as warrior and defender. North European cultures placed huge importance on women’s wisdom and magic abilities. These traits – at one time important – later fed into the Christian narrative of witchcraft. This was frequently projected onto women who were thought of as wise or magical.

My mum was wise and magical, and came from a line of similar women. She loved and protected her children and grandchildren fiercely. Attributes which she has certainly passed on to my sisters and me. She is pictured below with me (first image) and my son (second image).

Mother’s Night Today

Where Samhain is a night to honour the dead and remember all ancestors, Mother’s Night is a night to honour women and remember maternal ancestors. It is a time to give thanks to the female guardians who continue to watch over and support us.

Celebrations include lighting a candle in honour of those who have passed. Sometimes with pictures of female ancestors alongside the candle. Some people bake traditional biscuits from their family line, or begin their own baking tradition to pass on. While preparing the food, stories are shared of female relatives who have come before us. In this way the tradition, and the memories, are preserved for future generations.

In a time when violence against women has been declared a national emergency, it is more important than ever that we honour the women in our lives. Whether related by blood or friendship, alive or in spirit, women bring hope to the beating heart within society.