írra

þörra is the first month of winter in the Old Norse calendar. It typically corresponds to the period in the modern Gregorian calendar from mid-January to mid-February. The name "þörra" is believed to derive from the Old Norse word "þurr," meaning dry, referring to the dry, cold air of winter. This month marked a significant period in the agricultural and social life of Norse communities.

During þörra, daylight hours were at their shortest, and temperatures were at their coldest, making outdoor activities difficult and often dangerous. This period was primarily a time for indoor work and social gatherings. Crafts like weaving, woodworking, and toolmaking would have been common. Storytelling and communal feasting were important ways to pass the long nights and maintain social bonds.

The month of þörra was also associated with specific traditions and beliefs. It was seen as a time when supernatural beings were more active, and various protective rituals might have been observed. Some scholars suggest that þorrablót, a midwinter feast, may have originated or been closely associated with this period, though its exact historical origins are debated. The end of þörra signaled a gradual return of longer days, offering hope for the coming spring and the renewal of agricultural activities.