Children of Yggdrasil

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fiendlover — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:45:35 -0700

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fiendlover — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:09:51 -0700

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fiendlover — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:33:24 -0700

pink-ectoplasm: Freyja in her cat-drawn chariot.

fiendlover — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:30:09 -0700

pink-ectoplasm:

Freyja in her cat-drawn chariot.

elfentau: ~* Troll cross - The troll cross is an amulet made of...

fiendlover — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:28:43 -0700

elfentau:

~* Troll cross - The troll cross is an amulet made of a circle of iron crossed at the bottom (possibly in the shape of an odal rune), a charm worn by early Scandinavian peoples as a protection against trolls and elves. Iron and crosses were both believed to ward off evil creatures. *~

ornaments-of-the-world: Viking ship detail at the Viking Ship...

fiendlover — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:40:23 -0700

ornaments-of-the-world:

Viking ship detail at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, notice the detailed Celtic patterns combined with animals on a Viking ship. The Oseberg ship was buried in 834 CE

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fiendlover — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:32:36 -0700

until-ragnarok-comes: Huginn and Munnin.

fiendlover — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:38:18 -0700

until-ragnarok-comes:

Huginn and Munnin.

mediumaevum: How to cope with Viking attack? Historians and...

fiendlover — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:32:26 -0700

mediumaevum:

How to cope with Viking attack?

Historians and archeologists increasingly recognize the fact that many fortifications and fortified towns – known in Old English as burhs – existed in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia during the Viking age. They may have successfully checked Viking mobility at times but it was in Wessex where such defences were employed to their fullest effect.

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Sorry for the blurry photo. Went to a book sale yesterday and...

fiendlover — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:33:54 -0700

Sorry for the blurry photo. Went to a book sale yesterday and got Introduction to Scandinavian Literature and The Viking Book of Folk Ballads of the English-Speaking World.

~Fiendlover~

The Nine Worlds

fiendlover — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:39:18 -0800

studyingwitch:

In Heathenry, there are several other planes and enclosures which are all interconnected.

According to the Eddas, these came into existence when Muspillheimr (realm of fire), in the south, moved north and met with Niflheimr (realm of ice). Where they met is called Ginnungagap (“the yawning void”). Here, Ymir (the primeval giant) and Audhumla (the primeval cow) came into being. While Audhumla was licking the ice, she uncovered a new being, Buri. From Buri, came Borr who married Bestla. Their children were Woden, Willi and Weh. They slew Ymir and from his body created the Nine Worlds, and the World Tree (Eormensyll/Yggdrasil (ON)).

Eormensyll (perhaps also Irminsul from Old Saxon) is the tree which holds all the known worlds. At its base is the Well of Wyrd. It is the infrastructure of the Universe, and the Worlds are within its branches, and roots. Due to the interconnection, many Heathens use it as the pathway between the Worlds when travelling. The area past these worlds is considered Utgard, or “that outside the enclosure”.

Niflheimr- Pure ice, shrouded in mist. From here flowed rivers into Ginnungagap, which now flows into Hvergelmir, which is part of the Well of Wyrd which lies at the base of Eormensyll.

Asgardr/Esageard- “enclose of the Ese (Aesir)”. Is on a higher plane abover Midgardr, and can be reached through several means. From Midgardr, the Bifrost. From Hel, Gjallarbru (the “resounding bridge”). Through the Myrkvidr “mirk wood” which separates Asgardr from Muspillheimr. Finally, the rivers which flow around Asgardr. There are many halls in Asgardr.

Jottunheimr/Eotenham- home of the Eotenas (giants).

Alfheimr/Aelfham- this is home to the elves, and was given to Frea (Freyr) as a gift for his first tooth.

Midgardr/Middangeard- This is our realm. It is thought to be in the center of the Nine Worlds.

Muspellheimr/Muspell- Surtrs realm of fire.

Hel/Hell- Lowest of the Nine Worlds. It is a resting place for the Dead. Can be reached by Helvergr, or “the Hell way”. Below this lies Hel’s mansion, called Elvidnir. Even deeper than her mansion is Kvollheimr, which is the place of punishment for the wicked.

Svartalfheimr/Sweartalfham- Home of the Svartalfar, or the black elves. Some believe them to the be the same as the Dokkalfar (dark elves). Some people believe them to be the dwarves.

Vanaheimr/Wanaham- Home of the Wena (Vanir). Also said to hold many mansions.

Urdarbrunnr/Wyrdesburne- Well of Wyrd. Here dwell the Norns, as well as the assemby area of the Gods.

(taken from Hammer of the Gods: Anglo-Saxon Paganism in Modern Times by Swain Wodening)

bad-mojo: schwerterundstickerei: SwordPattern-welded iron...

fiendlover — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:59:32 -0800

bad-mojo:

schwerterundstickerei:

Sword
Pattern-welded iron inlaid with silver wire
Viking
Made 800-900

Inscribed on the blade with the name of the maker, Hartolfr, this impressive sword is decorated with a series of swastikas on the hilt. Their meaning as a decorative motif is uncertain; they may have had a cosmic meaning or have referred to the cardinal directions.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC (L.2008.29.2). Pictures taken by yours truly.

The “swastika” motif shows up a lot in woven and embroidered textiles as well. (I hope I don’t have to point out that its use here predates National Socialism by a millenium..)

I’ve read on several sources that the swastika is a symbol for Thor, but I could be mistaken. It is however, found on several rune stones if you look closely enough.

THE NORSE EARTH GODDESS, Erda, was believed to live in a cave...

fiendlover — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:21:37 -0800

THE NORSE EARTH GODDESS, Erda, was believed to live in a cave within the earth’s deepest recesses, which was set next to the roots of Yggdrasil, the vast World Tree. The earth was thought to revolve on its axis around Yggdrasil, whose massive limbs sustained and connected all of life. Yggdrasil was watered by Erda’s plentiful fountain of wisdom. This pure source of water enabled the tree’s tallest branches to reach the heavens, and its widest branches to give shade to all.

Erda’s powers were as encompassing as Yggdrasil’s leafy span—indeed, the goddess and her magical fountain were often invoked by those in need of her far-reaching wisdom. Others believed Erda could bend the inexorable powers of fate, over which she ruled. One myth tells how the Norse god Odin gave up one of his eyes for the privilege of drinking from Erda’s fountain; his quest for knowledge was worth more to him than the pedestrian gift of eyesight.

Another story claims that Erda is the oldest goddess of the three Norns, a trio of sister goddesses associated with the past, present, and future. They were believed to help mothers as they gave birth, and ruled over a person’s unchangeable destiny.

DIVINING FATE

Because of Erda’s association with fate, the Norse believed there was a clear correlation between the goddess and the art of divination, a valued part of pre-Christian Scandinavian society. It may be hard to imagine today, but at that time, every home was open to seeresses—female practitioners of the art of divination, who were believed to receive help from the spirit world. The predictions presented by the seeress often came in the form of mysterious poems obtained by the use of runes, or other oracles whose messages she was skilled in deciphering.

The seeress made her runes from bone or wood strips cut from a nut-bearing tree, upon which potent symbols were carved or painted. In a way, by creating runes from a tree, the seeress was drawing from that same fountain of wisdom Erda used to nurture Yggdrasil and, consequently, invoking the goddess herself.

The Norse also turned to the earth itself for guidance. They used many aspects of it as oracles—animals, birds, the sky, even the ocean—believing that the observation of these things could bring divine answers to questions posed. Horses in particular were considered to be the confidants of the gods and goddesses, able to reveal heaven’s will to sensitive humans. A horse’s calm movements could promise a peaceful solution to the questions posed; other movements mirrored other outcomes.

Using natural forms as oracles reminds us that the earth can give us the answers we need to our most urgent and primal queries. By using these forms of divinations, the Norse were able to receive wisdom directly from Erda, Mother Earth.

~ The Book of Goddesses: A Celebration of the Divine Feminine

heathenbookofshades: This grimoire is considered to be written...

fiendlover — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:00:37 -0800

heathenbookofshades:

This grimoire is considered to be written in the 16th or 17 century. It was written by four male witches, three Icelanders and one Dane. This is a magical book that has been preserved, which contains the “black magic” and magic to harm others. It contains also all sorts of protection spells and magic to scare away negativity.

Norse Prayer for Recovery

fiendlover — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:35:26 -0800

thelivingwiccan:

merrymeet:

You, Thor, are protector of men.
Protect my body from harm.

You, Frey, are the giver of life.
Impart to me vigor and strength.

You, Eir, are healer of Gods.
Heal me to wholeness.

Frigga, you care for all guests who come.
Grant me comfort and rest.

You, Idun, make everything young.
Lend me the quickness of youth.

Odin, you suffered many ordeals.
Help me hang on.

Aesir and Vanir, you are diverse yet united.
Help me to get myself together.

© Michaela Macha

Yes

amilliljosogskugga: Samhain Blot 2010 (by bog~art)

gallowsong — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:52:25 -0800

amilliljosogskugga:

Samhain Blot 2010 (by bog~art)

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fiendlover — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:17:47 -0800

Binding of Fenrir

fiendlover — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:17:29 -0800

Aesir: Alright Fenrir, we have this ribbon made by dwarves. We're pretty sure it can hold you down, so we're going to tie you up now.
Fenrir: Na, bro.
Aesir: Please?! We need to hold you down so that you can't kill us.
Fenrir: Fine, but one of you has to put your hand in my mouth.
Aesir: What?
Fenrir: You heard me.
Odin: Not it.
Thor: Not it.
Baldr: Not it.
Njord: Not it.
Freyr: Not it.
Bragi: Not it.
Heimdall: Not it.
Hoder: Not it.
Vidar: Not it.
Vali: Not it.
Ullr: Not it.
Forseti: Not it.
Tyr: Dammit...

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fiendlover — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:57:11 -0800

somewherebetweenjupitersaturn: Tanngrisnir (Old Norse...

fiendlover — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 13:24:13 -0800

somewherebetweenjupitersaturn:

Tanngrisnir (Old Norse “teeth-barer, snarler”) and Tanngnjóstr (Old Norse “teeth grinder”) are the goats who pull the god Thor’s chariot in Norse mythology. They are attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson in the 13th century.

The Prose Edda relates that when Thor cooks the goats, their flesh provides sustenance for the god, and, after Thor resurrects them with his hammer, Mjöllnir, they are brought back to life the next day. According to the same source, Thor once stayed a night at the home of peasant farmers and shared with them his goat meal, yet one of their children, Þjálfi, broke one of the bones to suck out the marrow, resulting in the lameness of one of the goats upon resurrection. As a result, Thor maintains Þjálfi and his sister Röskva as his servants. Scholars have linked the ever-replenishing goats to the nightly-consumed beast Sæhrímnir in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folk beliefs involving herring bones and witchcraft.