An Iron Age raven head pendant found in Norddjurs, Denmark, 5-8th Century. ᚨ
Forwarded from Survive the Jive: All-feed
New find from South Denmark. A part of die for foiled ornaments featuring a Merovingian-/Vendel Period horned spear-dancer. Found today in Guldborgsund Kommune
For those who aren’t familiar with Old Norse, these are all terms that attest to the benevolence and goodness of the gods.
Blið regin: gracious/blessed gods, Grímnismál 6, 40
Nýt regin: noble gods, Vafþrúðnismál 14
Holl regin: benevolent gods, Lokasenna 4
Meins vani: faultless/sinless, Grímnismál 16
Blið regin: gracious/blessed gods, Grímnismál 6, 40
Nýt regin: noble gods, Vafþrúðnismál 14
Holl regin: benevolent gods, Lokasenna 4
Meins vani: faultless/sinless, Grímnismál 16
When viewed through the lens of frith, the actions of the gods are morally sound. One of the core tenets of frith is that one’s obligations towards their kith and kin supersedes all others; this explains the Æsir’s treatment of the Jötnar.
People with Abrahamic and Abrahamic-adjacent secular worldviews who no longer have the concept of frith are the ones who may see the Æsir’s actions as morally grey for their deception and subjugation of the Jötnar, which is always for the good of the Æsir and their children.
The disappearance of frith along with heathenry in the Middle Ages disarmed our folk to a myriad of new threats.
People with Abrahamic and Abrahamic-adjacent secular worldviews who no longer have the concept of frith are the ones who may see the Æsir’s actions as morally grey for their deception and subjugation of the Jötnar, which is always for the good of the Æsir and their children.
The disappearance of frith along with heathenry in the Middle Ages disarmed our folk to a myriad of new threats.
Old English word of the day: wyrtgælstre, meaning a woman who chants over herbs. It’s quite fitting for practitioners of traditional medicine.
Forwarded from Æhtemen
The term 'Wyrtgælstre' appears in an Old English text from around 1050 and was used to describe a woman who chanted over herbs - an insult used by the church and meant as a derogative slur. The same text also went on to say 'a girl born of the fifth day of the moon will die worst, for she will be a witch...' Personally I think heathen women who use herbs and plants in their magic should proudly claim the title for their own.
A wooden bowl from Vimose with a raven head handle (originally two), possibly a ritual vessel. ⴲ
This horned Odin pendant and wolf warrior pendant were found together in a burial in Ekhammar, Sweden.
While these may depict warriors as described in Plutarch’s account of the Cimbri, wearing elaborate helmets and carrying two spears and a sword, more detailed examples show the “horns” ending in raven heads. Simple eyes and beaks are visible on this example. A similar horned figure appears on the Torslunda Plates, similarly followed by a wolf man, clearly missing an eye; which appears to depict Odin himself.
Whether these pendants depict Odin himself, or warriors who fought in his image, these pendants would certainly show the wearer was a devotee of Odin, and their placement in a burial would be a case for being allowed into Valhalla.
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While these may depict warriors as described in Plutarch’s account of the Cimbri, wearing elaborate helmets and carrying two spears and a sword, more detailed examples show the “horns” ending in raven heads. Simple eyes and beaks are visible on this example. A similar horned figure appears on the Torslunda Plates, similarly followed by a wolf man, clearly missing an eye; which appears to depict Odin himself.
Whether these pendants depict Odin himself, or warriors who fought in his image, these pendants would certainly show the wearer was a devotee of Odin, and their placement in a burial would be a case for being allowed into Valhalla.
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A silver Thor’s hammer from Othem, Gotland, with an animal head terminal and a knotwork design.