Saturday, September 27, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

The farmstead gnome – A protective being in Nordic folklore

Published 27 December 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Christmas card by the Swedish artist Jenny Nyström and an engraving by Andreas Flinch after a drawing by the Danish artist Johan Thomas Lundbye.
8 minute read

–The farmstead gnome has played a prominent role in Swedish folklore as one of the most important protective spirits. His influence was so significant that people not only offered him food but also prepared a straw bed for him. A satisfied gnome would bring prosperity, known as “tomtebolycka”, to the household, while a displeased one could bring misfortune.

In Nordic folklore, the farmstead gnome is among the most well-known beings, enjoying a particularly close connection with Swedes. Tales of various supernatural entities were common, but gnomes were especially prevalent and widely believed in. The Institute for Language and Folklore (ISOF) houses over a thousand archival stories about these gnomes.

“My mother had seen a gnome. She was so sure of it. She was walking along a road when she saw a tiny man with a red cap running ahead of her. When they reached a fork in the road, he ran down the other path” recounted Adolf Johansson, born in 1883 (recorded by Ragnar Nilsson, IFGH 4786, p. 4, Institute for Language and Folklore, Gothenburg).

The word “tomte” originates from the term tomt (homestead) and was previously used in the form tomt-gubbe, later evolving into tomtegubbe, according to the cultural organization Kulturminnet. The being is also known by other names, such as gårdstomte, hustomte, tomtevätte, tomtrået, tomtenisse, or tomtebisse.

Christmas cards by artist Jenny Nyström.

The Spirit of the Farmstead

The term bisse means leader, sage, or “top hen” (a Swedish expression for “head honcho”). In many ways, the farmstead gnome fulfilled such a role. He watched over the farm and assisted with daily chores, such as sifting flour, sweeping, haymaking, carrying straw, and tending to the animals. He was often described as the very spirit of the farm. Some stories claimed that he was the first man to cultivate the land, unable to rest in death and thus continuing to guard “his” farm.

The farmstead gnome is closely related to the vätte, a subterranean being believed to dwell beneath human houses in folklore.

Finding a horse with a braided mane in the morning was a sign that the gnome had visited the stable. Gnomes were said to love horses and braiding their manes. The horse, considered the gnome’s favorite animal, was never to be neglected, as mistreatment could have severe consequences.

A Temperamental Being

The gnome brought security to everyday life, and his satisfaction was key to the farm’s success. However, he was easily angered and intolerant of negligence. A dirty barn could earn someone a slap or a kick. It was crucial to avoid working at night on the farm, as that was the gnome’s time for labor. Disturbing him could result in a noisy reprisal the following night.

“They didn’t like it when people made noise after dark. If you did, the same noise would return later, without anything being done. I heard it myself more than once. I also saw them once”, said Ingeborg Nilsson West, born in 1836 (recorded by Olle Lindskog, IFGH 964, pp. 11–12, Institute for Language and Folklore, Gothenburg).

The gnome was considered conservative and resistant to modern agricultural machinery or significant changes. Introducing too many modern elements could prompt him to abandon the farm, an ominous sign. If angered, the gnome might kill a cow or otherwise sabotage farm work, according to ISOF records. A farm’s prosperity or hardship was often attributed to the state of its gnome.

Rewards and Rituals

Rewarding the gnome was crucial. People commonly prepared a straw bed for him in the barn and offered him tobacco, which he reportedly enjoyed. At Christmas, it was traditional to leave out a bowl of porridge, leading to the term tomtegröt. The porridge had to include butter, as one story illustrates:

“They had to give the gnome milk and porridge on Christmas Eve. There had to be butter in the porridge. At one place here, they had a gnome. They gave him porridge on Christmas Eve, but there was no butter on top. The butter was underneath, but the gnome didn’t see it. He became so furious that he went to the barn and killed their best cow”, recounted Viola Gustafsson in 1927 (IFGH 937, pp. 40–41, Institute for Language and Folklore, Gothenburg).

The gnome was often credited with magical powers, such as saving farms from famine by increasing grain yields or warning of dangers like fire or livestock illness. A satisfied and content gnome symbolized security and prosperity, embodying the concept of tomtebolycka.

A well-known legend tells of the gnome pulling a straw of hay. He huffs and puffs with effort, which prompts the farmer to mock him for struggling with such a small load. The gnome becomes angry and retorts that if he exerts as much effort back at the farmer as the farmer has mocked him, the farmer will have nothing left to boast about. In reality, the gnome had been carrying far more than the farmer realized, and after the incident, the farmer ends up impoverished.

Gnomes. Olaus Magnus’ History of the Nordic Peoples. Book 3 – Chapter 22 – On the Service of Spirits. – Published in 1555.

Common in the smithy

The farmstead gnome was not confined solely to farms. There are also tales of forest gnomes, who, for example, would wake charcoal burners if their kilns began to burn during the night. A story from Axel Lind, born in 1884 and recorded by Olle Lindskog in 1927, describes how blacksmiths were particularly superstitious and believed strongly in gnomes.

“My uncle used to say that if a blacksmith tried to take coal from a bin that wasn’t his own, the gnome would immediately appear and give him a resounding slap”, reads one account in IFGH 961, pp. 5–9, Institute for Language and Folklore, Gothenburg.

The origins of belief in the farmstead gnome are unclear, but according to the Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet), it can be traced back to at least the 7th or 8th century. In written records, the gnome is mentioned by Saint Birgitta, who in the 14th century criticized the custom of offering porridge to the gnome, considering it ungodly. The Swedish priest Olaus Magnus also references gnomes in his book History of the Nordic Peoples, where he includes illustrations of them.

Invisible to most

The farmstead gnome is a being that typically remains invisible but is sometimes said to reveal itself to certain individuals. Those who were synsk or clairvoyant might catch a glimpse of the gnome, but it was crucial to show him respect. Generally, people knew a gnome was present on the farm not by seeing him, but by noticing the traces of his work.

The gnome is often described as a small, elderly man, ranging in size from a few decimeters to roughly the size of a child.

“In Restebacken, my father saw a gnome. He was as small as a three-year-old child but as quick as a cat”, recounted Maja Kajsa Johansson, born in 1868 (recorded by Ragnar Nilsson, IFGH 3018, p. 6, Institute for Language and Folklore, Gothenburg).

The gnome is sometimes described as a being with one eye but more often as a figure with two green eyes that glow in the dark. He frequently has white or gray hair and a beard, typically dressed in gray clothes and a gray or red cap. Occasionally, people would gift him new clothes as a kind gesture, but they had to be modest. If the clothes were too extravagant, he might deem himself “too fine” to work.

The gnome was believed to be incredibly strong and was said to be able to lift an entire horse. He could also be mischievous, hiding objects or playing pranks. Even today, the expression “the household gnome has been up to something” is used jokingly when something goes missing. There are also tales of the gnome amusing himself by throwing items down chimneys.

Unlike other beings that often lived in families, the gnome is usually described as solitary. However, there are stories that mention female gnomes (tomtegummor) and gnome children. The gnome often resided in the farm’s stable or barn but could also inhabit the mill, smithy, distillery, mine, ship, or even inside the house.

Gnomes and Christmas

In Sweden and the Nordic countries, there are two distinct types of gnomes: the farmstead gnome (gårdstomte) and the Christmas gnome (jultomte). The traditional red-clad Christmas gnome traces its origins to legends about the generous Saint Nicholas, who later became known as Santa Claus. According to Kulturminnet, Santa Claus gained popularity in Sweden during the 1860s. While Santa Claus is widely recognized around the world, in Sweden, his image has been influenced by the farmstead gnome. As a result, the Swedish Christmas gnome is often considered a blend of the farmstead gnome and Santa Claus.

Illustration inspired by the poem “The Gnome.” Illustration: Jenny Nyström/New Illustrated Magazine

Two individuals were particularly instrumental in shaping the Swedish image of the Christmas gnome: the author Viktor Rydberg and the artist Jenny Nyström. In 1871, Rydberg published the Christmas tale Lille Viggs äventyr på julafton (Little Vigg’s Adventure on Christmas Eve), a story that doesn’t directly feature the Christmas gnome but instead includes a gift-giving goblin (vätte). Nyström illustrated the tale, and the goblin became a prototype for the Swedish Christmas gnome. Rydberg is said to have given Nyström detailed instructions on how this goblin should be portrayed. Together, they helped connect the traditional household gnome to Christmas. Nyström continued to refine the image of the gnome in Sweden, painting thousands of Christmas postcards and illustrating Rydberg’s famous poem Tomten (The Gnome), which begins:

The midwinter night’s cold is harsh,
the stars sparkle and glimmer.
All are asleep in the lonely farmstead,
deep in the midnight hour.
The moon walks its silent path,
the snow glows white on pine and fir,
the snow glows white on the rooftops.
Only the gnome is awake

It is unclear who first coined the term jultomte (Christmas gnome), but Jenny Nyström continued to draw significant inspiration from the farmstead gnome of folklore. In this way, the modern Swedish Christmas gnome has become firmly rooted in holiday traditions, according to the Nordic Museum.

One notable distinction of the Swedish Christmas gnome is that he is rarely associated with reindeer. In Swedish tradition, the gnome instead travels with horses, goats, or pigs. He is most often depicted as solitary, walking through the snow with a sack on his back.

The Farmstead Gnome Today

Despite an increasingly secularized society and a decline in belief in supernatural beings, folklore still holds a place in our collective consciousness. Many old myths and beliefs have adapted and endured over time, often taking on new forms, rooted in a deep human need to understand the world through the mystical and inexplicable. In an age where science explains the physical world, the supernatural continues to fascinate, providing space for stories and traditions.

Interest in folklore is not merely a relic of the past. It thrives in contemporary popular culture, where farmstead gnomes and other mythical beings are brought to life in books, films, and TV series. Even modern media, such as podcasts, frequently share new accounts of supernatural phenomena. It is also intriguing to observe how traditions from other cultures, like American “Nisse doors”, are gaining popularity in Sweden. This demonstrates the universal and timeless appeal of mythical figures. Although these nisse differ from the Swedish farmstead gnome, they share a common love for mischief and humor – qualities that ensure such characters remain captivating.

The question of why folklore persists, even in a rational and technological world, is complex. Perhaps it is a way to hold onto something ancient, a link to the past when the world felt more mysterious and uncertain. Or it may reflect an intrinsic human attraction to the unexplained, a need to believe in something beyond what we can see and measure. Whatever the reason, figures like gnomes, farmstead spirits, and other mythical beings will likely remain a part of our shared cultural identity, reminding us that there may be more to the world than we understand.

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Six kilos of medieval silver treasure found in Stockholm

Published 19 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The silver coins have been dated to the 12th century and were likely minted when Knut Eriksson was king of Sweden.
2 minute read

A private individual has discovered a significant silver treasure from medieval times. The treasure, which could likely be one of the largest ever found, contains among other things up to 20,000 coins from the 12th century.

The silver treasure was discovered by a person digging for worms just outside Stockholm, Sweden, who contacted the County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen). It was found in a copper cauldron and contained approximately six kilos of silver coins, pendants, pearls and silver rings.

This is probably one of the largest silver treasures from the early medieval period that has been found in Sweden. We don’t yet know exactly how many coins there are, but I believe it could be up to 20,000. Most of the objects are well preserved, but unfortunately the copper cauldron they were stored in is not as well preserved, says Sofia Andersson, who is an antiquarian at the Stockholm County Administrative Board, in a press release.

The silver coins have been dated to the 12th century and some of the coins bear the text “KANUTUS”, which means Knut in Latin – indicating they are from the time of Knut Eriksson’s reign as king of Sweden.

Three types of coins found in the treasure: KANUTUS coins, Gotland coins and bishop coins. Photo: Stockholm County Administrative Board

The treasure also contains some rare bishop coins, which were coins manufactured in Europe by bishops. These coins feature a bishop holding a crosier in his right hand. Lin Annerbäck, head of the Medieval Museum in Stockholm, describes the treasure as unique and believes it can tell us much about Sweden’s history.

It is completely unique, we have no other medieval treasures from Stockholm. And then it also appears to be extremely large. So it’s very exciting. she tells the Swedish newspaper DN.

The location where the treasure was found is currently being kept secret due to the risk of illegal treasure hunters. Archaeologists will further examine the site and the treasure as well as evaluate it.

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel suspended after Kirk monologue

Published 18 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Jimmy Kimmel together with Kamala Harris (D) in June 2024.
3 minute read

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended from US television network ABC after controversial statements about the murder of Charlie Kirk. The decision has sparked strong reactions in both American politics and the entertainment industry.

ABC has decided to pause the talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely. The background is a monologue where Kimmel questioned the White House’s official version of the motive behind the murder of right-wing profile Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel suggested that the perpetrator could be linked to the Trump movement, rather than the radical left, and accused the president’s allies of “scoring political points” from the murder.

The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.

The comment sparked immediate backlash. Brendan Carr, head of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatened ABC with action and argued that Kimmel’s words undermine public trust.

Shortly thereafter, the network announced that the program would be suspended until further notice. Several major stations, including Nexstar Media, followed suit and stopped broadcasts nationally.

Jokes about Trump’s grief

Jimmy Kimmel also made ironic comments about Trump’s alleged grief after the murder. Kimmel began by showing a video clip from the weekend where a reporter first asks the president how he feels after the murder.

But between all the pointing, they’re also grieving… On a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this.

After Trump responded to the reporter that he feels “very good”, he quickly shifts the conversation to talk about the construction start of the new ballroom at the White House and how beautiful it will be.

This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, said Jimmy Kimmel.

Donald Trump: “Kimmel talentless”

Donald Trump expressed his approval of the decision on social media and called Kimmel “talentless” while commenting on the program’s “low ratings”. The White House then backed up Trump’s tone, claiming that television audiences benefited from the decision to stop Kimmel.

The announcement has simultaneously created a storm of criticism, not least from Democratic leaders.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argues that threats against media broadcasting licenses due to satire and opinion statements constitute a serious threat to freedom of speech. Schumer compared the action to methods reminiscent of authoritarian states.

That’s what Xi does. That’s what Putin does, said Schumer.

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel has quickly become a symbol for many of the increased political polarization in America’s media landscape.

The question of what responsibility and freedom comedians and satirists have in polarized times continues to be debated, and critics warn that the suspension risks creating a barrier between those in power and free media.

Robert Redford is dead

Published 17 September 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Robert Redford turned 89 years old.
3 minute read

Robert Redford, one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, directors and founder of the Sundance Festival, has died at the age of 89. He passed away peacefully on September 16 at his home in Sundance, Utah — surrounded by loved ones — leaving behind an artistic legacy, an institution and a heritage in independent film that changed the film world forever.

Charles Robert Redford Jr. was born on August 18, 1936 in Santa Monica, California. His first steps into an acting career came through TV roles and theater, and he achieved widespread breakthrough with roles in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973) and All the President’s Men (1976).

He was not just a leading film actor during the 60s and 70s. Redford also transitioned into directing and producing and won an Oscar in 1980 for Best Director for the drama Ordinary People.

But perhaps his greatest lasting legacy is the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival, which he founded to promote independent filmmakers and artistic voices outside the major studio budgets. The festival became a central platform for creative filmmakers worldwide over the decades.

Reactions and tributes

Redford’s passing was confirmed by his spokesman Cindi Berger. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home surrounded by those he loved. The reactions from the film world and his close collaborators and friends are unsurprisingly extensive.

Shaped the film industry

Robert Redford’s significance is evident not only in his classic performances, but also in how he shaped the film industry. He often chose projects with moral weight, integrity and social analysis.

At the same time, he sometimes participated in productions with a clearer entertainment character, for example Spy Game (2001) and Three Days of the Condor (1975), although these films contained depth and substance.

Outside the world of film, he engaged in environmental issues, art and politics, thereby becoming a symbol of both artistic responsibility and humanity.

With Robert Redford’s passing, the film world loses an iconic voice, and the world loses a heart that loved both adventure and the quiet – the grand drama and the small, the visual and the human.

His films will continue to entertain, provoke and inspire, and his festivals and ideas will provide space for new voices long after his name has fallen silent from the silver screen.

Fact box Robert Redford

  • Born: August 18, 1936, Santa Monica, California, USA.
  • Died: September 16, 2025, Sundance, Utah, USA.
  • Age: 89 years.
  • Professions: Actor, director, producer, festival founder.

Filmography (selection)

  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).
  • The Sting (1973).
  • The Great Gatsby (1974).
  • All the President's Men (1976).
  • Three Days of the Condor (1975).
  • The Natural (1984).
  • Out of Africa (1985).

Direction / production (selection)

  • Ordinary People (1980) — directorial debut and Oscar for best director.
  • A River Runs Through It (1992).
  • The Horse Whisperer (1998).

Out into space with D-A-D’s new album

The Danish rock band D-A-D's newly released cosmic album Speed of Darkness stimulates both the rock nerve and the ears, making you want to travel out into space.

Published 30 August 2025
Swedish rock band D-A-D performed at Sweden Rock Festival this year.
3 minute read

There is something magnificent in D-A-D’s (formerly Disneyland After Dark) way of, on the one hand, creating the compositions, lyrics, and sound, and then performing and recording the material with their choice of rhythm, tempo, keys, vocals, backing vocals, solos, as well as bass and drum lines for the songs included on the CD. It is incredibly musical, moving from infectious to stimulating, and it likely resonates in most Danish kinship veins.

Beyond the fact that the whole album is worth listening to, there are two compositions that stand out in particular and became especially moving since we traveled down to Sweden Rock and experienced music from this newly released masterpiece, performed masterfully by the rock gods themselves. The first melody, track number 3 The Ghost, deserves mention – it carries a beautiful sentimental feeling while still igniting the rock nerve.

The second track is, of course, number 7 Crazy Wings. To round it off into a beautiful trinity within this spiritual rock shimmer, track 9 Strange Terrain must also be mentioned, with its liberatingly gritty guitar riffs and wonderful lift in the choir vocals. It is an extraordinary achievement to be able to write an album this good after already having created gems like the cool, stylish, and fantastic Bad Craziness, Sleeping My Day Away, and Are We Alive Here.

For many of us, myself included, this became the highlight of the festival. With nostalgic thoughts of having seen them 30 years ago at the Palladium in Stockholm, the longing to hear them again soon is strong. This cosmic album – and seeing them live – delivers in the only way Jesper Binzer (vocals, guitar), Jakob Binzer (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Stig Pedersen (bass, vocals), and Laust Sonne (drums) can.

They say people put their whole soul into their performance, but Jesper Binzer goes even deeper – drawing power from the very soil beneath Denmark itself. His artistry is such that from the very first note, you know it’s D-A-D playing.

Supernova

From the album cover, the listener and viewer can feel the power and dynamism expressed through its graphic and photographic design. The artwork radiates the recurring skeletal head imagery, reinforcing D-A-D’s language of wanting to travel into space with its majestic cosmic and divine supernova. In memory, I also recall one of the many different guitar-basses that bassist Stig plays – one of them designed exactly like that: a rocket.

It should also be mentioned that the band generously releases additional versions of Speed of Darkness, including a Japanese edition featuring a bonus track for Japan, Let Myself Out of Love, making it fifteen compositions in total to listen to and enjoy on the CD.

A special edition

Generously, they have also creatively produced something they call an “ear-book”. This combined CD edition includes fourteen tracks, accompanied by a kind of comic book-meets-book filled with illustrations, texts, and an exclusive D-A-D photograph, rounding out this hardback edition. It’s a mix of inner, outer, and surrounding punk-rock art. Its value is sure to grow over time – so thanks to all the artists, graphic creatives, composers, musicians, performers, and more who think freely in an otherwise tightened, gray everyday life.

The drawings that enhance the songs’ bodies, souls, and lyrics in the book are created and designed by Stig Pedersen – so we can guess that D-A-D’s bassist also possesses this golden touch. Many music lovers can thus feel gratitude for all the fun this world contains – offering substance, added value, and an oasis to escape into. Finally, it should be noted that in size, the book resembles an LP record sleeve, making it fit perfectly in a collection or as decoration when placed on a shelf.

So next time we want to listen to this work of art, the CD Speed of Darkness, we can let Jesper’s words from Sweden Rock Festival 2025 echo in our minds:

Now we’re going to have a cozy moment, a really cozy moment, Jesper said, in that uniquely wonderful raspy, rocking, Danish voice of his.

 

Mikael Rasmussen alias Artist Razz

Speed of Darkness is the thirteenth album by Danish band D-A-D and was released in October 2024 by German label AFM Records.

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