True Hearth

8/7/2019 True Hearth

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/true-hearth 1/64

' l:Rrcl'EJi'E.:A:R'lJi

A P ra ct ic al G u id e t o T ra di ti on al H o us eh ol di ng

by

J am e s A ll en Ch is ho lm

E ld er, R in g o f T ro th

Second

Imp rov ed Ed it io n

R ON A-R AV EN P RE SS

© 1993



Copyright © 1993

b y J am e s A. Chisholm

A ll rig hts re se rv ed. N o p art o f this bo ok , e ith er in p art o r in w ho le , m ay b e

r ep ro du ce d, t ra nsm it te d o r u ti li ze d. i n a ny f orm o r b y a ny me an s e le ct ro ni c,

p ho to gr ap hi c o r m e ch an ic al , i nc lu di ng p ho to co py in g, r ec or di ng , o r b y a nyi nf orma ti on s to ra ge a nd r et ri ev al s ys tem , w it ho ut t he p erm is si on i n w ri ti ng

f rom t he P ub li sh er , e xc ep t f or b ri ef q uo ta ti on s embo di ed in l it e ra ry a r ti cl e s and

reviews.

F or p erm is si on s, o r f or t he s er ia li za ti on , c on de ns at io n, o r f or a da pt at io n w ri te

t he P u bl is he r a t t he a dd re ss b el ow .

S e co nd Impr ov ed E di ti on , 1 99 4

Pu bl is he d b y

RUNA-RA YEN PRESS

P .O . B ox 575

B a st ro p, T ex as 7 86 02

P ri nte d in t he U n ite d S ta te s o f Am eric a

F o r T ru th



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T his w ork c ou ld n ot h av e b ee n p ro du ce d w ith ou t th e e xiste nc e o f th e

R un e- Gi ld a nd th e w ork o f i ts Y r min -D ri gh te n, E dr ed T ho rs so n. A ls o it w ou ld

n ot h av e b ee n p os si bl e w it ho ut D ia ne R os s' ti re le ss a nd c om p ete nt

a dm in istra tio n o f th e R in g o f T ro th a s its S co p. I a lso w ish to th an k Jo hn

G yo ri, T om C ro ss , T ho rs te in n T ho ra rin ss on , D ee P ye a nd o th er tr ue fo lk .

S pe cia l th an ks to C hu ck F oste r fo r g ettin g m e o n th e jo b ty pin g tim e a t

Greenwood.

v

IntroductionContents

1.

2 .

3 .

4 .

5 .

6 .

Part I: The Household

True Hearth .

Th e Fo re f at h~~~ ' ~ d ' F ~ ~ ~ ; ~ i li ~ ; ;" " " " "" " " "" " " " "" '" '31

The W ays of the JEsir and V an ir .

W igh ts o f House and Gard n 6

H ounds, H inds and F elinese 12

Welcome to the Machine '" 17s········ 21

Part n. Worship

Blessings.. 23Feasts, Dances, Dram a and Games ..Daily Hoh Workin s 29

y g 32Landtak in . . .

L i f e- t ides ~d '·i~it i;·t i~~····· 34HoI W edlock .. ·· ·· ·· 37

B lo ~ d B ro th er ~d··s·i~~~;h.····.··· ··.·· ··.·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·.···.···.43F t ood 46os erage........................... 47

Wakes and the G rave ..·· ·· ··· ·· 48

Part ill: Holy Steads

T he T hre sh old ................ ............. . 51Household Shrines and Stall ..

d G s······ · 53an arden · 56. th H .

Hof ~d ~a:arth 59

ow .. ···.. · ·· · ··.. · 65

Part IV: Ring of Troth."t<.rhR,,..o,,le

Hof E lders 70

earths, ·····. .··· 72

M ead.......................................... 73.................

VV<..- ,J.~ 75

.. · · ··.. · 78



vi

Abbreviations

ESS Edda S n o rr a S t u rl us o n ar (= P ro s e E dd a )

B CE B efo re th e C ommo n E ra (=BC)

CE Common Era (= AD )

ON O ld N ors eOE O ld E ng li sh

vii

IntroductionT his is a b oo k a bo ut th e tru e T eu to nic h ou se ho ld . Itis a bou t liv in g in a

s ac re d w ay in tu ne w it h th e s pi ritu al v alu es o f o ur a nc es to rs . T he se a nc es tra l

w ay s w e ca ll th e true w ay s, o r w ay s loyal t o th e e ld er t ro th . T he tru e

h ou se ho ld h as a s tr en gt h a nd v it al it y n ot a va il ab le i n mo st c on tempo ra ry

h ou se ho ld s. T he h ea rts o f th e fo lk in a tru e h ou se ho ld a re firmly ro ote d i n th er ic h e art h o f th ei r h er ita ge , a nd ta p in to th e s piri tu al p ow er (h am in g) o f th ei r

a nc es to rs . T he fo lk th en c an m an if es t a nd w ie ld t he se a lm os t fo rg ot te n a nd

langu ish ing fo rces .

In th e d ays of yo re th e fam ily or c la n w as th e ba sic so cial u nit-- it w as a

s urv iv al te am . B ein g tru e to th e w ay s o f o ur h er ita ge c an b rin g th e p ow er a nd

jo y o f t he a nc ie nt T eu to nic h ou se ho ld a li ve to da y. W ard o ur h ou se ho ld w ell

w ith th e m ig ht o f o ur h oly g od s a nd a nc es to rs . W he th er o ur h ou se ho ld is m ad e

u p o f a s in gle family , o r a m ulti pli city o f in di vi du als a nd famili es w ho h av e

c om e to ge th er a s a trib e, o r e ve n c om po se d o f a s in gle in div id ua l, th e fo lk is h

w ay s of th e tro th w ill g iv e yo ur h om e a w arm th a nd m ag ic u nlik e a ny othe r.

A stro ng h ouse hold is a g oo d a ntid ote to th e alie na tion th at re su lts in so

m an y o f o ur s oc ia l i lls -- in clu di ng r am pa nt d ru g a nd a lc oh ol p ro blems a nd

ev en m an y o f ou r e co no mic w oes. M em bers o f a true fam ily c an a ct a s

in div id ua ls , b ut th ey w il l h av e th e s tre ng th o f t he h ou se ho ld b eh in d th em , a nd

th e h ou se ho ld w ill h av e th eir s tre ng th in t im es o f n ee d.

A t h eart m an y o f yo ur va lu es an d w ay s m ay be true r a nd m ore h eathe n

t ha n y ou m ig ht think now . This book w ill m ake it possible for you to be

aw are o f h ow true y ou h ave b een all a lo ng a nd to b e so in a m ore c on sc io us

. .m a nn er . Y o u w il l b e p ro vi de d w it h a b od y o f t ra di ti on al T eu to ni c h ou se ho ld

. lo re tha t m ay at first se em qu ite "n ew ." M any of th e c usto ms y ou p ra ctic e in

Ce leb ra ti ng East er , Y u l e- ti de ( "Ch ri stmas ") and o th e r ho li day s a re en ti re ly

T eu to nic a nd h ea th en . S o re jo ic e! R ej oi ce a nd k no w th at t he fires o f t ru th , t he

f ir es o f o ur a nc es tr al w a ys n ev er d ie d. O u r p eo pl e n ev er r ea ll y c omp le te lya ba nd on ed th e e ld er tro th . T he fa di ng emb ers o f o ur t ro th b urn y et, a nd th eir

tire s m ay b urn b rig ht ly in o ur h ea rts a ga in -- ifw e o nly fe ed th em w ith the

b re ath o f o ur liv es a nd th e k in dli ng o f o ur e ffo rts .

I t w as in to th e h ou se ho ld th e h ea th en w ay s re tre ate d u nd er s up pre ss io n, it

is in th e h ou se ho ld th ey liv e o n in h id in g, a nd it is fr om th e h ou se ho ld th e

s ha ll s pri ng fo rth a ga in in all thei r g lory .



P art I

H o ly P ow e rs

)



1

- C ha pte r 1

TRUE HEARTH

T he h ea rth is the he art of th e h ou se ho ld . T he fires o f th e h ea rth a re

sy mbo lic o f th e so ul o f th e h om e. Ina nc ie nt ti me s th e h ea rt h-fi re w as th e

main sou rc e o f h eat a nd ligh t for th e ho me . T he he arth serv ed a s a sto ve an d ah ea te r a nd te nd ed to b e t he c en te r o f i n do or a cti vi ty . F ol k c us to ms in di ca ti ng

tha t lig hte nin g w ill no t strik e a h ouse a s lo ng a s the re is a fire i n t he h ea rt h

a re a m em ory o f th e im po rt an ce o f th e e te rn al h ea rth flame t o th e w elfa re a nd

g oo d l uc k o f t he m em be rs o f t he h ou se ho ld .

As o ur re ce nt a nc es to rs g at he re d a ro un d th e h ea rth s o m od em fo lk s g ath er

a ro un d t he fl ic ke rin g li gh t o f th e te le vi sio n s et. It i s m uc h lik e t he t ra ve lle r

w ith n ew s fro m a fa r. Ino ld en tim es th e family s at a ro un d th e h ea rth fir e in

th e e ve nin gs to te ll ta le s a nd talk o f th e m orn in g's b us in es s. T he f am il y

w hic h g athe rs a rou nd th e T V im age to day is b ut a dim sh ado w of th is.

B oth th e h ea rth a nd t he t el ev is io n a re fire s a ro un d w hic h th e family m ig ht

s ha re c on vi vi al e nt er ta inm en t a nd l ea rn in g. T he TV p ro vi de s mo dem

( somet im e s i so la te d) f ol ks w it h s ur ro ga te f am il ie s o r h ou se ho ld s t hr ou gh

s oa p o pe ra s, s it com s; a nd o th er f am il y o ri en te d p ro gr am s . U n fo rt un at el y,

m os t o f th e c urre nt f are o n te le vis io n is u ltim ate ly u se le ss . A ll th e a pp are nt

m ora l l es so ns ta ug ht o n th e p ro gr amm in g a re m ad e fa rc ic al b y th e k no wl ed ge

th at it is all p aid fo r, a nd o fte n c en so re d b y, c orp ora tio ns w ho se o nl y re al

c on ce rn is th at y ou b uy m ore d eo do ra nt o r b re ak fa st c ere al.

M o dem liv in g q ua rt er s a re fre qu en tly w it ho ut fIre pla ce s a nd s o w ith ou t a

h ea rth in the trad ition al se nse . W e d o, h ow ev er, h ave a n nm be r o f item s in

ou r ow n ho mes tha t se rv e som e of th e pu rp ose s o f a nc ie nt he arth s. T he p ilo t

lig ht o f a s to ve o r h ea te r m ig ht b e c on sid ere d th e s ym bo lic e te rn al flame o f

the hearth . An e le ctric sto ve m igh t a lso b e he ld to be th e e quiva le nt o f a

h ea rth . S in ce t he h ea rt h w ou ld a ls o b e th e c en te r o f re li gi ou s a ct iv ity , t he

h ou se ho ld s ta ll ( al ta r) c an a ls o s erv e a s th e h ea rth o f a h ou se ho ld . A s th e s ta ll

a ga in b ec om es th e fo cu s o f w ors hip , it m ay a ga in b ec om e th e rig htfu l p la ce

fo r th e e te rn al h ea rth fl am e th at h as si nc e re tire d t o th e k it ch en s to ve .

S om e m ay w is h to re -e sta blis h t he e te rn al flame t he h ea rth fi re s a re

s ym bo lic o f. C an dle s o r s ma ll fi re s g en era te d b y c le an b urn in g fu el s s uc h a s a

je lly fu el , k ero se ne , o r a lc oh ol w ork fo r temp ora ry fir es u se d o nly d urin g

ritu als . T ho ug h th e fi re n ee d n ot b e m ore th an a c an dl e flame , a p erm an en t

fla me c ou ld b e be st h and le d w ith a ke ro sen e lam p, a n oil la mp, or an o il-fed

cand le f lame.

T o sta rt th e e te rn al fla me o f th e sta ll, y ou m ig ht tak e y ou r h ea rth fire

fro m its p la ce o f re tire me nt, th e stov e. Y ou m ig ht also sta rt it from a ne ed

fire (a flame g en era te d p ure ly b y fri ct io n b y m ea ns o f d ev ic es s uc h a s a firedrill). F ro m th e h ea rth flam e o n th e sta ll yo u m ay ge t fla me fo r the h oly fires

o f Y u le , E as te r a nd o th er h oly d ay s a nd n ig ht s.



2

A s th e s ac re d p ow er c en te r o f th e h om e, t he h ea rth s erv es a s th e d we lli ng

pla ce fo r the ch ie f h ou se hold spirits as w ell a s th e m ain pla ce o f w orship. A s

s uc h, o ffe ri ng s to t he h ou se ho ld d ei tie s s ho uld b e s et o n th e s ta ll a lo ng w ith

th os e fo r th e a nc es to rs a nd t he m ajo r G od s a nd G od de ss es .

The hearth and its fire are also so bound up w ith the luck of the

h ou se hold tha t it is tho ug ht to b e u nw ise to a llo w s tra ng er s t o ta ke fi re fro mth e h ea rth. T his is b ec ause in so d oin g the y m ay u nw ittin gly ta ke luc k fro m

t he h ome .

A s a sou rc e of h ou seh old luc k it ha s be en a so urc e! o f he alth a nd he aling .

A p en it en ti al o f th e 9 th c en tu ry c as tig ate s fo lk s w ho c arry c hi ld re n o ve r

h ea rth s a nd s to ve s f or th e h ea lth a nd w el l-b ein g o f t he c hild re n. T o b rin g l uc k

to y our la nd a nd in to y ou r h om e, ta ke so il fro m yo ur n ew ly p lo ug he d ga rd en

or fields (o r o th er so il fro m yo ur la nd in th e sp iring tim e). B ring it in to y our

h om e a nd p la ce it u nd er th e h earth o r sta ll a nd a lso p ut s om e in th e fo ur

c om ers o f t he h ou se .

T he h ea rth fi re s h av e s erv ed a s c en te rs o f h o us eh old d iv in ati on a s w ell.

T his b asic ally a mo un ts to sta ring in to th e fla me s of th e fire to g ain so me

in sig ht i nt o w ha t th e fu tu re h old s. T he re a re v ari ou s w ay s o f p re pa rin g th eflam es for "sc rying ," b ut it is u sua l to a dd so me sp ec ia l fu el a nd to m ak e a n

o ffe rin g to t he w ig hts o f th e h ea rth . T he fu el s a re tra diti on ally m ad e o f n in e

h oly k in ds o f w oo d. T he se a re : y ew , a sh , e lm , h aw th orn , o ak , b irc h, w il lo w,

h az el, a nd a pp le . O th er s ub st an ce s m ay a ls o b e u se d in a cc ord an ce w ith

e s tab li sh ed hous eho ld cu st om .

T he h ou seh old fire s a re sy mb olic o f th e so ul o f th e h om e. B ut re al

w arm th an d e nerg y co me from th e so uls o f th e fo lk w ho live th ere . T he so ul

of the hom e is the fam ily- it is m ore than the sum of its parts.

M ore d eta il ed in fo rm atio n o n s etti ng u p a nd u sin g.a h ou se ho ld a lta r o r

s hrin e w ill b e g iv en in c ha pte r 1 7 b el ow .

3

C ha pt er 2

T IIE F OR EF A TIIE RS A ND FOR EMOT HE RS

T he h ea rt o f th e h ouse ho ld is itsr.:0 ,an d this is the h ea rt of h ouse ho ld

religion. T he folk of the household m be com prised of a clan m ade up of a

n uc le ar family o r p eo pl e fro m d iffe e nt fami lie s w ho c ho os e t o li ve to ge th era s a fa mily o r trib e. T he T ro th is n ot o nly a re lig io n p ra ctic ed b y o ur

a nc esto rs-it is a lso p ra ctic ed in h on or o f th em .

W e a re a ll p ro ba bly familia r w it h th e s ym bo l o f th e s o-c al le d family tre e.

T he orig in of th is c on ce ptio n lie s d ee p in th e ro ots of o r fo lk m em orie s.

E uro pe an fo lk h av e g en era lly th ou gh t th e w or ld , a nd t he g en era tio ns o f t hi ng s

of all kinds to be som ehow in the form of a tree. T ha t i s, t hi ng s a re g en er at ed

from a root w hich is deep in the dark recesses of the past, rise to a point (or a

l in e) i n t he p re se nt "trunk" o f th e h ere a nd no w, a nd b ra nc h ou t in to th e

y ou ng es t l ev els o f e xis te nc e tr ai lin g o ff in to th e " ye t to b e." T he d ea d

a nc esto rs a re the roo ts o f th e tre e, w e th e liv in g a re th e tru nk , an d th e

b ra nc he s a re t he y ou ng c hild re n (w ho a re t he a nc es to rs re bo rn ) a nd t he l ea ve s

o f th e n ex t sprin g a re th e d esc en da nts ye t to b e b orn . A ll o f th is is a n o rg anic

whole. Ino th er w ords, the d ea d a re a s m uch a p art of th e fa mily a s the living ,

a nd t he y et u nb orn a re e qu al to th e d ea d- b ec au se t he y e ss en tia ll y are th e

dead reborn .

M em orie s o f a nc es to rs a re s ac re d. T he m ig ht o f o ur fo re be ars ' d ee ds a re

b ro ug ht to lif e re gu la rly a nd m ad e m an if es t in o ur h ea rts a nd m in ds w he n w e

th in k o f th em . W e d o th is in h oly tim es a nd plac es. T he re w e h av e g rea ter

a cc es s to th eir s pirit ua l p ow er. T he s to rie s o f a nc es tra l d ee ds remin d u s o f

c la nic v al ue s a nd v irt ue s- o f t he m os t im po rta nt a nd c ore c ha ra cte ris tic s o f

o ur c la nic a nd trib al h erit ag e. In t he d ee ds o f o ur fo re be ar s w e m ay fin d

mo de ls f or e ff ec ti ve a ct io n e sp ec ia ll y w e ll s ui te d t o o ur ow n t emp er am ent s.

K no wle dg e of o ur fo re be ars is a v ery sp ec ia l form o f our-selves- a t l ea s tit is fo r th ose d eep in k no wle dg e o f the lore . It is e asie r to o bjec tify ou r ow n

b eh av io r w he n w e s ee it in a no th er. R efle ctio n o n th e w ork in gs o f a k in dre d

s ou l c an o ffe r u s d ee p u nd ers ta nd in g o f o urs elv es a nd t he w orl d. L ik ew is e w e

m ay think on th e w ork s w ro ug ht by o ur fo lk w he n a ctin g c ollec tiv ely at th e

trib al o r n atio na l le ve l to k no w th e tr ib al o r fo lk s ou l(s ) t ha t s ha pe th e li ve s

o f o ur s oc ie ti es a nd c ommuni ti es .

A mon g th ose w e h on or as ou r fore fo lk w e m ay nu mb er histo ric al a nd

m yth ic fig ure s fro m th e p ast for w ho m w e fe el a n a ffin ity or a dm ire , b ut to

w hom w e a re u na ble to d oc um en t a li ne o f d es ce nt. U n fo rt un ate ly , a nd th an ks

to a th ou sa nd t o fift ee n h un dre d y ea rs o f t he m et ho dic al u nd oi ng o f o ur

a nc es tra l w ay s, fe w o f u s c an d oc um en t o ur h er ita ge b ac k t o t he p re -C hris tia n

tim es , le t a lo ne b ac k to firs t c en tu ry f ig ure s s uc h a s V ele da o r A rm in iu s.N ev ert he le ss , w e m ay h av e g oo d re as on s to s us pe ct o r c la im k in sh ip w ith

th em a nd rig htly h on or the m a s a nce stors in o ur h ou se hold w ork in gs. O n a



4

tr ib al l ev el w e m a y all be jus ti f ied in ca ll in g su ch f ig u re s an ces to rs . ill

Ic ela nd , w he re th e g rip o f th e C hu rc h w as fa irly w ea k, it is n ot u nc omm on

fo r fo lk s to b e a ble to tra ce th eir a nc estry b ac k to sa ga fig ure s o f th e V ik in g

Age.

S om e of the folks w e m ay cho ose to h onor a s, or alo ng w ith, ou r ow n

a nc es to rs m a y i nc lu de h er oe s fro m m y th a nd h is to ry . M y th ic fi gu re s m a y

re min d u s o f v alu ed o r im po rta nt q ua litie s o f o ur fa milie s, o r o f th e id ea ls fo rw hi ch w e s tri ve . F ro m a cc ou nt s o f m y th ol og iz ed h ero es s uc h a s R ag na r

L o db ro k , S ig ur d F a fn ir 's B a ne , H e rv or , S ta rk a d, H a dd in g, H ro lf Kraki, an d

o th er s w e m a y fm d m o de ls f or c er ta in s pi ri tu al q ua li ti es a bs tr ac te d a nd

e x ag ge ra te d i n t he my th ic a cc o un ts . illh o no ri ng h is to ri ca l f ig u re s w e may

s tu dy t he ir a ct ua l m e th od s a nd ta cti cs in r ea l a n d s pe ci fi c s it ua ti on s a s w e ll .

S uc h h ero es m y b e h on or ed b y r ea di ng s a nd re te lli ng s o f th eir d ee ds ,

e sp ec ia lly in a w ork in g o r ritu al c on te xt. S om e, su ch a s S ig urd , m ay e ve n b e

h on ore d o n film o r s ta ge . A t te n di ng p ro du c ti on s o f R ic ha rd Wag ne r's Ring

d e s N ib el u n g en o r w atc hin g F ri tz L an g's p ro du ct io n o f th e Nibe lungen l i e d

ma y s er ve a s o cc as io ns to h on or S ig urd 's m emo ry .

R es pe ct fo r o ur fo re fo lk m a y b e e xp re ss ed in a v a ri et y o f w ays . E sp ec ia ll y

in the w ay w e liv e our ev eryd ay live s. A good life brings hon or and luck to .

th e fa mily a nd a nc es to rs a s m uc h a s th eir g re at w ork s m ak e u s stro ng .

K no wle dg e o f th eir w or ks s tre ng th en s o ur s ou ls t o h elp u s d o g re at d ee ds a nd

t he re by i nc re a se t he p ow e r within o ur se lv es a n d within ou r c l an s .

P ho to s a nd m em en to s m ay b e k ep t a nd d isp la ye d to k ee p m em orie s o f o ur

f o re f ol k a li v e. illfac t, it is not at all u ncom mon to devote som e c orne r or

ro om of the house to a sm all shrine in w hich photo album s are kept. In this

s hri ne o bj ec ts o nc e o wn ed b y t he d ec ea se d, o r o th er th in gs w hic h s erv e a s

m em en to s a nd m ay c on ta in c la nic o r trib al h am in g, m ay b e d isp la ye d.

P eo ple w ho se fam ili es h av e n o i nte re st in o ut wa rd d is pla ys o f t he ir tr ot h, o r

a re e ve n d ow nri gh t h os ti le t o it , m a y s ti ll e xp eri en ce a ri tu al r ec on ne cti on

w ith a nc es tra l p ow er sim ply b y g oin g th ro ug h p ho to a lb um s a nd slid e s ho wsin th e c om pa ny o f th eir fa milie s. Y o u m ay n otic e th at a s y ou p ro gre ss fro m

th e la te st to th e o ld est a nd m ost v en era ble o f th e p ho to s a nd m em en to s, th e

s en se o f aw e a n d r ev er en ce i nc re a se s.

W he n to asts to th e m em ory a nd h on or o f th e fo re fo lk s a re m ad e th ese

p ow er o bje cts m ay b e b ro ug ht o ut to th e m ain h arro w, if th e fa mily s hrin e is

n ot a p art o f th e m ain h arro w. T his d rin kin g inm em ory and hon or of the

a nc esto rs is re fe rre d to a s d rin kin g to th eir m em ory , o r "m yn e." T he d ee ds o f

so me a nc es to rs m ay b e so g re at th at th ey a re w orth y o f s pe cia l d ay s o f

r em embr an ce a n d memor y- dr in ki ng s b y t hem se lv es .

Ify ou r fa mily is o pp ose d to th e w ay s o f th e e ld er T ro th (o n a c on sc io us

le ve l) y ou c an s til l h on or t he a nc es to rs w it h t hem w it ho ut n ec es sa ri ly

bringing in th e e ld er G od s a nd G od de ss es . A t b ig f am il y g ath eri ng s e nc ou ra ge

old pe ople to tell y ou abo ut their past and w hat the y rem em ber about kin .

w ho liv ed b efo re th em . E nc ou ra ge th em to w rite d ow n a s m uc h o f it a s th ey

. 5

a re a ble - o r re co rd t he ir w or ds y ou rs elf e it he r inwr it in g o r by e l ec t ro n ic

m e an s. A ud io a nd v id eo t ec hn olo gy w ill b ec om e m o re a nd m o re i mp ort an t i n

th is a nd o th er m a tt ers o f a nc es tr al re se arc h a s ti me g oe s o n.

V ery o fte n w e m ee t.p eo ple w ho b ec om e frc in ate d w ith th eir fa mily tre e

~ te r t he ir g ra nd pa re nt s h av e d ie d . Ifyou a r~~ cky, you m igh t be a ble to

m tr od uc e t he p ra ct ic e o f te ll in g s to rie s a bo ut k in fo lk p as t a nd p re se nt a nd

mak ing t o as ts b e si d es . This is as he athe n as c an be and e very one w ill en joy it

. ( w it h t he e xc ep ti on o f te en ag er s w ho o ft en h ate e ve ry th in g= - w hic h i s p a rt o f

th eir g en era ti on al f un ct io n a t t ha t a ge ). W ith th es e p ra ct ic es y ou c an r e-

e st ab li sh a t ru e a nd r ig h t r eg ar d f or t he f or emo th er s a nd f or ef at he rs amon g

fa mily m em be rs w ho m ay h av e b ee n p ro gra mm ed o n a n o utw ard le ve l to

a bh or n on -C hri st ia n t hi ng s. A t th e s am e t im e y ou w ill b e p re se rv in g fam ily

history. Ify ou w in d u p fm din g y ou c an tra nc e y ou r fa mily h is to ry b ac k to

t he V ik in g A ge , y ou m a y b e a ble to i ntr od uc e s to ri es a bo ut a nc ie nt h ea th en

b e li ef s o f y ou r a n ce st or s.

R el at ed to a nc es tra l re se ar ch , a nd s om e th in g a ny on e c an d o q ni te s im p ly ,

is r esea rch in to the m ea nin g o f yo ur fam ily nam e- as w ell as those of other

re la tiv es . O fte n th is g iv es g re at m sig ht in to th e o rig in s o f y ou r fa mily in th e. deep past. F or exam ple, if yo ur nam e is S mith , y ou kno w w ith som e

c erta in ly th at a t s om e tim e in th e d is ta nt p as t o ne o f y ou r a nc es to rs o n y ou r

fa th er's s id e w as a v illa ge b la ck sm ith o r so me o th er k in d o f m eta l w ork er in

England.

O n m ajo r h olid ay s s uc h a s Y u le a nd E as te r, it is c usto ma ry to le av e a

. pl ate o f f oo d a nd p erh ap s s om e o th er g if ts o ut fo r th e a nc es to rs . illIceland

d uri ng t he tw el ve d ay s o f th e o ld Y u le -t id e it i s c us to m ar y in s om e f am il ie s

(no t necessar ily Asatru ones) to set a place a t t he tab le for one of the

a nc es to rs a nd t o drink a to as t t o t he ir m emo ry .

O n a d aily b as is th e a nc es to rs m ay b e h on ore d b y v is itin g th e s hrin e fo r a

m inute or tw o at som e point during the day usually in t he mo rn in g b e fo re

le av in g th e h ou se - a nd p erfo rm a n h o no ri fi c g e st ur e s uc h a s k no ck in g t hr ee

tim es o n th e sh rin e o r h arro w, to uc hin g o ne o f th e m em en to s, o r s ay in g a

s ho rt p ra ye r. T his k in d o f th in g is p ro ba bly b es t d on e in th e m orn in g so th at

th e a nc estra l flo w o f m em ory c an b e w ith y ou a nd g uid e y ou th ro ug ho ut th e

day.

Itis a ls o c usto ma ry to v isit a nc estra l g ra ve s to c omm un e w ith th eir

s pirits to o bta in s om e k in d o f c ou nc il o r a dv ic e a s w ell a s in m atte rs o f

d iv in at io n a nd magi c. Ify ou g ath er a t th e g ra ve s ite fo r th e p urp os e o f

h on orin g th e d ep arte d y ou m ay d rin k a m yn e a nd p ou r a sh are o n th e g ra ve . It

w as t ra di ti on al fo r g ra ve s it es t o b e lo ca te d o n f am il y p ro pe rty . T hi s p ra ct ic e

w as , o f c ou rs e, m a in ta in ed am on g f am il ie s o f m e an s a nd p ro pe rty u nti l q uit e

re ce ntl y. T he p ra ct ic e o f d ep os iti ng b od ie s i n rem ot e lo ca ti on s i s a s ub tleh er it ag e o f t he a nt i- an ce st ra l s pi ri t o f c ur re n t c u lt ur al " no rm s . "

Itis n ow , o f c ou rse , la rg ely ille ga l to b ury o ur d ea d o n o ur p ro pe rty (d ue

t o z o ni ng o r " he al th " r es tr ic ti on s) . H ow ev er , t he r ev iv in g p ra ct ic e o f



6

c re ma tio n (in a nd of itse lf a su btle re viv al o f he ath en c usto ms) a llo ws u s to

s ca tte r o r s to re t he a sh es o f th e d ec ea se d o n fam il y la nd . Ifa sh es a re s to re d o r

sc atte re d o utd oo rs, y ou m ay w ish to b uild a sh rin e in th e ya rd .

. 'O ne o ptio n is to h ave a ru ne sto ne e re cte d in m em ory o f o n e o f yo ur d ea d

a nc estors. T his sto ne d oe s n ot n ee d to b e o n o r e ve n n ea r th e gra ve site o f th e

p erso n. It c an be loc ate d a nyw he re - e spe cia lly in a p la ce w he re m any p eo plea re l ik ely t o s ee i t. T he s to ne s ho uld b e d es ig ne d a nd e xe cu te d b y a q ua li fie d

ru nema ste r. Q ua li fie d m as te rs o f th is c ra ft m ay b e c on ta cte d th ro ug h t he

Rune-Gild.

T ho ug h th e a nc esto rs a re h on ore d, th e T ro th is n ot a re lig io n th at is m uc h

c on ce rn ed w it h t he o th er wo rl ds o r t he a ft er li fe . T h is M i dd le -E a rt h i s v al ue d

a nd e njo ye d in its o wn rig ht, n ot fo r th e re wa rd s a nd p un ish me nts tha t rig ht

e ns ue i n a n a ft er li fe . In fa ct , tru e fo lk d o n ot te nd t o e xp er ie nc e th e a lm os t

p at ho lo gi ca l fe ar o f d ea th s o c omm on i n c on temp ora ry s oc ie ty . A lt ho ug h

a fte r d ea th o ur so uls , o r p arts o f th em , m ay fin d th em se lv es in o ne or so me

o f th e o th er t ra dit io na l e ig ht re al ms o f e xi ste nc e b ey on d t he M id dl e- Y ard , t he

m os t e ss en tia l s ee d q ua liti es o f o urs elv es w ill l ik ely r em ain i n th e fami ly a nd

b e p asse d d ow n to o ur d esc en de nts. W e a re o ur a nc esto rs re bo rn a s m u ch a sso me o f ou r d esc en de nts w ill b e o ur o wn c ore so uls b orn o nc e m ore in

M id ga rd . T hu s w e n ev er re al ly d ie . T he le ss e ss en tia l q ua li ti es o f o ur

p er so na li ti es a nd o ur i nd iv id ua l m emor ie s w il l l ik el y d is ap pe ar f rom o ur

c on sc io usn ess- le avin g on ly th e ro ot a rc he ty pa l m em orie s to g uid e u s in

o ur n ew li ve s. M emo rie s o f th e d ee ds o f a p art ic ula r " in ca rn ati on " a re re st ore d

th ro ug h the te ac hin gs o f th e c la uic a nc estra l c ult. It is th e d uty o f th e folk s in

M id ga rd to m ain ta in th e m em orie s o f th e c la n.

7

C ha pte r 3

THE W AY S O F TIlE lESIR AN D V ANIR

A t firs t g la nce , th e ta le s o f th e e ld er G od s th at h av e c om .¢ d o wn to u s m ay

s eem s ui ta bl e f or e nt er ta inm en t, w h il e t he ir s pi ri tu al v al ue s' m ig ht e lu de u s.

T o m an y th e n orth ern m yt ho lo gy h old s a n in comp ara bl e a nd c om pe ll in gb ea uty th at is u nm a tc he d b y th at o f a ny o f th e c urre ntl y-e sta bl is he d re li gi on s

i n o ur s oc ie ty . B u t d ee pe r u nd er st an di ng s a re n ec es sa ry t o i nc or po ra te t he

m yth s i nto d aily l ife e xp erie nc e in a m e an in gfu l w ay . S uc h u nd ers ta nd in g is

a ls o n ee de d fo r t he b as ic fo rm s o f r e lig io us o bs er va tio n in cl ud in g w ay s o f

w ors hip (g iv in g h on or to s om et hin g) a nd b le ss in g (g iv in g a nd r ec eiv in g g ifts

b etw ee n th e h um an a nd d iv in e w orld s) . U n de rs ta nd in g is re al ly w on n ot b y

b eli ef b ut b y liv in g a ctio n. A tte nd in g b le ss in gs o r p erfo rm in g th em y ou rs elf

a re w ay s o f b ri ng in g t he re li gio n a liv e. O th er w ay s i nc lu de m e di ta tio ns o n

th e E d die m yth s a nd th e sa ga s a nd o th er m yth ic ta le s o f G erm an ic fo lk su ch

as Beowul f o r t he Nibelungenlied.

U n de rsta nd in g o f the m yths is h in de re d b y th e n otio n tha t th ey a re

va lu ab le o nly a s e nte rta in me nt - e sp ec ia lly fo r c hild re n - a nd b y th e fa ctth at th ey a re p re se nt ed a s th e s il ly s up er sti tio ns o f a flo ck o f ig no ra nt

s av ag es . T he v er y id ea th at p ro fo un d w is dom is c on ta in ed in th e ta le s o f th e

G erm an ic G od s a nd G od de ss es h as b ee n m ad e t o s eem p re po ste ro us b y o ur

c ul tu ra l b ia se s. T he d iffi cu lt y o f u nd er sta nd in g th e m yth s is in cre as ed b y th e

fa ct th at o ur c on temp ora ry s oc ie ty is s o v ery d iff ere nt fr om t he V ik in g A ge

c ultu re fro m w hic h m an y o f the sto rie s ste m.

In the R ing of T roth there is no such thing as a "heretic." T here is no set

o f o rth od ox d og ma s o r d o ctrin es to w hic h o ne m ust a dh ere in o rd er to b e

t ho ug ht to b e true (lo ya l) to t he G od s a nd a nc es to rs . A ny on e w ho p ro fe ss es

to b e tru e a nd a tte nd s b le ssin gs m ay b e sa id to b e tru e. It is th e b irth rig ht o f

a ll w ho a re d es ce nd ed fro m t he n or th ern G od s. L eg is la tin g b eli ef a ndi mp os in g it b y fo rc e is to a tt em pt to ty ra nn iz e a nd c on tro l th e d ee pe st

th ou gh ts a nd fe eli ng s, th e v er y s ou ls , th e s pi rit ua lit y o f a p eo pl e. U n ifo rm

b eli ef i s n ot p os si ble w ith ou t u ni fo rm e xp erie nc e a nd m e nta l m a ch in ery . T hi s

is n eith er d esira ble no r p os sib le . O n so me le ve ls w e a ll s ha re in ou r

u nd ers ta nd in g o f th e G od s 'a nd G od de ss es - w hi le o n o th er le ve ls w e a re

l ik el y t o d if fe r w id el y.

O ne q ue stio n th at a rise s first is ju st w ho o r w ha t a re th e G od s a ny wa y?

T he re a re m an y w ay s o f a n sw erin g th is q ue stio n a nd a ll o f th em a re c orre ct on

so me le vel fo r so me pe op le. T he re a re tw o fa ctors to c on sid er in s ee kin g a n

a ns we r to this i nq ui ry . T h e f ir st t hi ng t o c on si de r is w he th er a n id ea rings

t rue - w he th er y ou c an in tu itiv el y re la te i t to y ou r o wn e xp erie nc e, s piri tu al

o r o the rw is e. T he oth er th ing y ou m ig ht c on sid er is w he th er it is tradit ionalo r n ot. T his m ea ns th at so lid ba sis for th e b elie f c an be fo un d in th e re co rd o f

p as t b eli efs a nd p ra ct ic es o f th e f ol k in q ue stio n. Iti s u se le ss t o i nv ok e th e



8

tra di tio ns o f " Atla ntis " o r " Th ule ," o r a ny o th er s ub je ctiv e c re at io n in this

re ga rd . T he re is n o tradit ional basi s f or t he s e b e li ef s.

In a ny e ve nt , p ers on al e xp erie nc e s ho uld a lw ay s b e t he d ec id in g fa cto r fo r

a dh erin g to a th eo lo gic al p rem ise w hic h is o f little va lu e if it is no t re al to

you. Ifa ce rta in v ie w of th e G od s se em s to rin g tru e to yo ur p rev io us

e xpe rie nc es w ith the ho ly a nd w ith life the n it w ill m ore lik ely be realized in

your soul- and it w ill w ork for you all the better. Ifit w orks for you, it is

tru e o n a b as ic le ve l.

T he T eu ton ic tra ditio n is on e th at va lu es ch ang e an d flu x. It is also

c ommo n for true fo lk to c han ge th eir view s o f th e G od s a nd G odd esse s as

th ei r k no wle dg e o f th e l ore d ee pe ns a nd is b ro ug ht t og et he r w ith th eir life

e xpe rie nc es. W ha t is rea l at o ne tim e, a nd fo r on e le ve l o f b eing , m ay n ot

w ork a t a no th er ti me o r le ve l.

G en era lly p eo ple d o n ot ra dic all y c ha ng e t he ir b as ic u nd ers ta nd in gs o f th e

G od s, b ut g ra du al ly e xp an d t he ir u nd er st an di ng s. R a di ca l c ha ng es a re mo st

li ke ly in t ho se w ho b eg in w ith a h ig hly e cle ctic o r n on -G erm an ic

u nd ers ta nd in g o f th e re lig io n. In a p artic ul arly e xt reme c as e s om eo ne m ig ht a t

firs t in te rp re t th e T ro th i n te rm s o f C hris tia n th eo lo gy a nd th ei r C hris tia nr el ig io us e xp er ie nc e. S uc h p er so ns m ig ht a t f ir st a ll ow t he ir p re vi ou s

c on ce pts to d om in ate th eir th in kin g. B ut th e m ore th ey think a bo ut t he

n orth ern G od s a nd G od de ss es a nd th e m ore th ey p artic ip ate in t he n orth ern

w ay s o f w ors hip th e le ss t he o ld p at te rn s a re lik ely to fit a nd tru er p at te rn s

w ill ris e a s re ve la tio ns fro m w ith in to tak e th eir pla ce . S uc h a p erson m ay

s lowl y d is ca rd t he Ch ri st ia n p at te rn s o f t ho ug ht , o r e ls e r ei nt er pr et t hem

ent ir el y i n t erms o f n or th er n s pi ri tu al it y.

Iro nic ally , s om etim es t ho se w ho b eg in w ith C hris ti an p atte rn s h av e a n

e as ie r tim e th an th os e w ho h av e m ast ere d t he fo lk o r p hilo so ph ic al t ra diti on s

o f o th er e xo ti c c ul tu re s. T his is b ec au se a t t he fo lk le ve l C hris ti an ity o nly

too k h old be ca use it w as h ea vily la de n w ith e le me nt from th e old fo lk

c ul tu re . L ittle , if a ny , o f th e a ctu al o ffic ia l d oc trin ai re t he ol og y o f t he C hu rc h

e ve r s eem ed t o g et i nc or po ra te d i nt o t he f ol k r el ig io n. I ns te ad , t he Chr is ti an

m yth olo gy a nd re lig io n w ere c omm on ly r ein te rp re te d in te rm s o f n a tiv e

fo lk is h w ay s- C hri stia nit y w as m od ifie d to b e in a cc ord w ith G erm an ic

c on ce pts a nd p ra cti ce s a nd s o i n m a ny i ns ta nc es w as m ad e true. The Chur ch

emb ark ed o n a c on sc io us p oli cy o f n ot o nly a ll ow in g, b ut o f e nc ou ra gin g

t his . O th erw is e, fo lk s w ere s im ply u na ble to a ss im ila te C hris tia nity a nd it

m ak e re al fo r the mselve s. F or this re ason m an y o f th e old G erm anic G od s

s ur viv e a s s ain ts a nd m ay o f o ur a nc ie nt rite s su rv iv e a s fo lk c us to ms .

T he re a re a n um be r o f th eo lo gie s p re va le nt amo ng m od ern h ea th en s.

S ome a re v er y p ra ct ic al a nd a lmo st e nt ir el y u nc on ce rn ed w it h m e ta ph ys ic s. I n

fac t so me a re n ot ev en c onc erne d w ith th e w ho le m atter o f w ha t th e G ods a relik e. T he s im pl e fa ct t ha t th e G od s a nd G od de ss es are is g oo d e no ug h fo r

th em . T o som e, the co re e sse nc e o f the T roth a mou nts to a sy ste m o f e thics

a nd v alu es p erh ap s u nc on ce rn ed w ith th e G od s. F or t he se fo lk s p atte rn s o f

II;

'I :Is .

9 .

b eh av io r m ig ht b e d eriv ed fro m th e s ag as , Beowulf , a nd o th er w ork s o f h ero ic

a nd h is to ri c l it er at ur e w h ic h r ef le ct p re -C h ri st ia n w ay s o f d oi ng a nd b ei ng . T o

m an y o f th e p ra gm atis ts w ho d o c on ce rn th em se lv es w ith th eo lo gy , th e G od s

a re ro le m od els a nd e xemp lify b eh av io r a pp ro pri ate to c ert ain p ath s o f lif e.

Here the Gods and Goddesses may be taken as symbols or exam ples. .

S om e m ig ht tak e this tob e a lm ost "a the istic," w hen in fac t it is no t.reG ods m ay be a ck now le dge d a s real, bu t n ot re du ce d to the sa me le vel of

re al ity a s th e s tric t p oly th ei st s w ou ld h av e t hem.

. It is often found that if a pragm atist and a polytheist discuss things long

e no ug h th ey w ill e ve ntu ally s ee th em se lv es a s d iffe rin g a s a re su lt o f

s em an tic s. B oth c an a gr ee th at th e G od s h av e a n e xis te nc e in de pe nd en t o f th e

in div id ua l w ors hi pp ers a nd th at th ey a re e te rn al. It i s j us t a m atte r o f e xa ct ly

h ow the y ac com plish th is. T he pra gm atist m ig ht a rg ue tha t the G ods ex ist a s

a p art o f th e c olle ct iv e c ultu ra l c on sc io us ne ss a nd th at t his is th e s ou rc e o f

t he ir l if e. A s tr ic t p ol yt he is t m ig ht s ay t ha t t he d iv in it ie s a re t ra ns ce nd en t

liv ing b eing s m ad e u p o f a n um in ous en ergy a nd th at the y live a nd th ink

m uch as w e do. Som e m ight even say that all the stories of the G ods are

lite ra lly tru e. H ow ev er, m os t w ou ld a gre e th at th es e e ve nts "t oo k p la ce " inso me u nh isto rica l re alm b efore tim e as w e k no w it w as in e vide nce a nd w hic h

ex te nd s b ey ond the rea lm w e n ow kn ow as te mp ora l. T his is a "tim e" w hic h

a lw ays w as, is n ow , and which w ill alw ays be. This is the kind of "tim e" w e

see k to e nte r in ritu al a nd in the ble ssin gs w he n w e co me tog ethe r w ith th e

G o ds a nd G od de ss es o f o ur a nc es to rs .

D eity is s ee n b y s om e i n te rm s o f p an th ei st ic m ag ic al fo rc e th at p erv ad es

th e un ive rse . O ne co nce pt o f this is c onta in ed in the O ld N orse w ord ginn-, as

i n th e E ng lis h "b e-g in n-in g." B efo re tim e o r sp ac e e xis te d th ere w as th e

Gi n n -u n g a -g a p : t he m agi ca ll y c ha rg ed v oi d. In i t were/are po ten t ia l ly

c on ta in ed a ll t he p os si bi li ti es o f e xi st en ce a nd e vo lu ti on .

T he re is a no th er u nd ers ta nd in g o f t he G od s w hic h n ee ds so me d is cu ss io n.

E uh em eris m is t he b elie f t ha t th e G od s a nd G od de ss es o f th e fo lk w ere

a ctu ally hu man m en a nd w om en of th e p ast w ho w ere "im mortalize d" du e to

th eir g re at f ea ts (o f h ero is m o r tri ck ery ). T hi s v ie w is h is to ric all y a s ig n o f

de cay in th e re lig ion - o r as often a s no t it is use d a s p ro pa ga nda a ga in st

h eathe n fa ith s. T he D an ish historia n - an d c le ric - S ax o G ra mm atic us h eld

th at th e e ld er G od s a nd G od de ss es w ere " ma gic ia ns" w ho w ere o ve rc om e b y

th e te ac hin gs o f th e C hu rc h.

A fo rm o f m ono the ism is a lso qu ite co mm on a mo ng tru e fo lk . T he se

w ou ld h ave it th at e ith er O din (A ll-F ath er) o r T yr is the o ne tru e a nd on ly

G od an d tha t all o th er div in e e ntitie s are a sp ects o f him . T his is p ro ba bly th e

c le are st fo rm o f th e i nflu en ce o f C hri st ia nit y o n th e a tt itu de s to wa rd t he e ld er

divinities.T he O dia n v ie w ha s it th at c on sc iou sne ss is a v ery ra re th in g in th e

u niv ers e-s - a g ift b es to we d u po n h um an ity a nd s om e s em i- div in e w ig hts a nd

th at co nsc io usn ess is the m ost ho ly a nd g od ly thin g in the un iv erse . T he



10

Gods a nd Godd es se s a re s tr uc tu re s w it hi n t hi s s ub st an ce o f c on sc io u sn es s.

O dia ns of te n s ee d eitie s in te rm s o f J un gi an a rc he ty pe s. In t hi s c on te xt s i t

m ay b e s aid th at th e sto rie s o f th e G od s a nd G od de sse s m eta ph or ic ally e xp re ss

tru th s a bo ut th e n atu ra l o r p hy sic al w or ld , th e so ul, m ag ic al in itia tio n, o r

re alitie s th at c an no t b e e xp re sse d w ith o rd in ar y la ng ua ge a t all. Such peop le

h ol d t ha t t he d iv in it ie s a re e xp re ss io n s o f i ne ff ab le me ta ph ys ic al a ndm etalin gu istic tru th s. T he m yth s serv e a s v eh icle to ex press tru th s in all o f

t he se a re as o f l if e.

W hich of these is b eing ex pressed by a giv en story w ill dep end on w ho is

t el li ng t he s to ry . T h e Eddie so ur ce s a re u su ally to ld fr om a n O din ic o r O dia n

v iew po in t. T his is so b ecau se th e p oets w ho co mp osed th e p oem s w ere

a lmo st w it ho ut e xc ep ti on t hem se lv es 6a -in sm en n - Men of Odin - as

O din is th e " pa tr on " o f p oe ts a nd m ag ic ia ns . B ut o th er v ie ws c an b e e xtr ac te d

fr om th e m ate ria l a s m o st o f th ese s to rie s w er e m os t lik ely f am ilia r

t hr ou gh o ut t he a nc ie nt c ul tu re . D iv er se a tt it ud es t ow a rd s d iv in it y a nd t he

G od s ex isted then- and they inev itab ly exist n ow . T his is n ot a problem, it

is a so lu t i on .

T he sp iritual road you travel m ay have m uch to do w ith th e path you

tr av el in lif e a nd th e a ctiv itie s y ou c ho ose to id en tif y y ou rs elf w ith . F or m os t

p eo ple th is is lik ely to b e b as ed o n th eir p ro fe ss io ns o r tr ad es . In heathen

tim es o ne's co nce pt o f th e G od s an d th e d iv in e h ad a g rea t d ea l to d o w ith

o ne 's f un ct io n i n s oc ie ty . D if fe re nt k in d s o f p eo pl e h ad d if fe re nt kinds of

Gods-e- so it was then - so it really i s t oday .

T he m yth olo gy m ay b e in terp re ted in te rm s o f so ciety , n atu re an d th e

so ul. H ow an in div id ual te nd s to in terp ret th e m yth olo gy w ill d ep en d o n th e

a re a o f lif e in w hic h th at in div id ua l is m o st a ctiv e a nd c on ce rn ed . T his w ill

d ep en d a g rea t d ea l o n th e p erso n's w ork in th e c on te xt o f so cie ty.

T he s oc ia l in te rp re ta tio ns a re th e m os t u niv ers al s in ce all share

c omm un ally in th e life o f th e so ciety. It is a lw ays easy to se e so me so cialm oral o r lesso n in th e m yth s, th ou gh th e in te rp re tatio ns o f a sin gle m yth ca n

v ar y e no rm o us ly d ep en di ng o n w ho is d oin g th e te lli ng a nd lo r liste nin g.

T he so cia l ro le a p erso n fills w ill d ete rm in e th e k in ds o f th in gs h e o r sh e

se es in so cie ty, th e k in ds o f k no wled ge it is p ossib le fo r an in div id ua l to h av e

a bo ut s oc ie ty . E ac h p ers on w il l o nly b e f am ilia r w ith c erta in sp he re s o f

activ ity an d b e m ore o r less ig no ran t o f o th ers. T his m ore so n ow ad ay s th an

in th e p re -i nd us tr ia l e ra w he n th e d iv is io n o f la bo r w as le ss p ro no un ce d.

T h e G ods a nd Godd es se s

Inmod er n te rm s th e G erm an ic G od s a nd G od de ss es c an b e c la ss ifi ed v er y

g en er ally a cc or din g to th re e "f un ctio ns." T he f ir st f un ctio n is th at o f

admini s t r a t i on , t he s ec on d is mili tary, an d th e th ird is produc t i on . Thissch em e is v ery g en eral, b ut is h ig hly u se fu l as a to ol fo r u nd ersta nd in g th e

so cia l im p lic atio ns o f th e m yth s a nd G od s a nd G od de ss es in th em .

T he fir st f un ctio n is d ua lly a sp ec te d- r ule rsh ip r eq uir es b oth k in gs a nd

11 .

p rie sts (o r m a gic ian s). K in gs a dm in iste r law a nd o rd er in th e la nd - w hile th e

priests maintain t he mo ra l a nd i de ol og ic al b al an ce a nd o rd er (m ag icmh&_ !! la y

b e n ee de d o n o cc as io n to a lte r th e e xistin g o rd er ).

!h e military, o r se co nd , f un ctio n h as th e r esp on sib ility o f p ro te ctin g th e

S OC Ie tyf rom th os e f or ce s w hic h w ou ld b e o utsid e a gg re ss or s o r th os e w hic h

c ou ld b e i nt er na l d is ru p te rs o f t he d iv in el y o rd ai ne d o rd er .

P ro du ce rs e nsu re th at th er e is p le nty o f e ve ry th in g- goods and s e rv i ce s

n ee ded b y th e so cie ty to k ee p it ru nn in g in a p ro sp ero us w ay .

. ~anagem ent, security and w ork-these are three princip les that can be

d en ve d fr om th e th re e f un ctio ns o f th e G od s a nd th eir s oc io ec on om icreflections.

. In the Ge~c pantheon the first function fmds Tyr in the capacity of .

~g ~d ?din m t ha t o f t he p r ie st /mag ic ia n . Inmos t I ndo -Eu rope an s oci et ie s

k in gs hip I S th e su pr em e a sp ec t o f th e first f un ctio n, b ut in th e G er ma nic

so ci~ ty ~ e p riest .m a~ ici~ is g iv .en su pre ma cy. T yr ru le s o ver th e g oal o f

see~g ~gbt (o r J ustic e) m o ur liv es- o f b ein g lo gic al in o ur ju dg me nts,

w ~e .O din r ule s o ve r th e g oa l o f w isd om ( or in te llig en ce ) in o ur e xp erie nc e.O din IS t he su pre me G od in th e G erm an ic p an th eo n, b ec au se h e is b est a ble

to co mb in e a ll o th er ele me nts a nd g oals o f th e co nscio us b ein gs o f th eUniverse.

T ho r is the G od o f the second fu nctio n- the soldier w ho is alw ays out in

th e e a st o n a n ev er- en din g c am pa ig n a ga in st th e e ne mie s o f th e o rd er o f

c on sc io usn es s a nd n atu re e sta blis he d in M id ga rd a nd A sg ar d. H e r ule s o ve r th eg oa l o f s ee ki ng might o r in ne r s tr en gth in o ur liv es.

F~ey and Freya, th e L ord and L ady of th e Vanir, mos t t yp if y th e th ir d

f un ~tio n ~ th e G od a nd G od de ss o f p le nty , f er tility a nd p ro sp er ity . T he se

V an ic d eitie s ru le o ve r th e th re e g oa ls o f s ee kin g h ar ve st, frith and lo ve-- orp ro sp er it y, p ea ce a nd p le as ur e i n o u r l iv es .

A s you read the m yths of the G ods and G oddesses, you w ill beg in to fm dth at so me m yth s a nd so me G od s h av e a sp ec ial a ttrac tio n fo r yo u. T he se a re

th e m yth s a nd G od s y ou sh ou ld g iv e a tten tio n to first a nd a re th e o nes m ost

lik ely to be of use to you . F or m ost of us, there are so me m yth s th at are

a lw ay s s ou rc es o f s tr en gth a nd g uid an ce . B ec au se o f th e O dia n b ia s o f th e

E d? ic so urc~ , m an y o f th e m yth s th at se em p erfe ct o th erw ise m ig ht b e g iv en

m te rp re tatio n, o r m ak e a p oin t th at d oe s n ot rin g tru e to yo ur o wn so ul.

R em em ber th at th e sam e m yth m ay te ll sev eral sto rie s- to tea ch m an y

d trtere nt lesso ns. T he sto rie s a re all tru e. It is u p to u s to fin d th e

m re rp re ta no ns th at r in g tr ue to o ur o wn s ou ls. W he n y ou fin d c on tr ad ic to ry

. "'V I; ;I lilU IlSf c om p ellin g m yth s, c ho os e th e o ne th at r in gs tr ue to y ou . T he re is

o ne "re al" an d "rig ht" v ersio n o f an y o f th e m yth s.

In a nc ie nt tim es v ari atio ns o cc urr ed n atu ra ll y a s a r es ult o f tr ib al a nd

nmc uo na r a ttitu de s. C er ta in d eitie s w er e w or sh ip pe d in som e r eg io ns a nd n ot

in others in the elder days. It is the task o f the E lders to try to

d ete rm in e w hic h m ea nin gs w ere in te nd ed b y th e te ll er o f a m yth in a nc ie nt



12

ti me s a nd w hi ch in te rp re ta tio ns a re m os t li ke ly to h av e b ee n a cc ep te d a nd b y

w hom. T ho ug h t ra dit io na l in te rp re ta tio ns m ay s erv e a s g uid es , it i s n ow o ur

w ork to fin d th e m ea nin gs th at m ak e th e G od s a nd th e fa ith m os t re al in o ur

l iv e s t od ay. Ifa tra ditio n is a liv e it is n atu ral th at it w ill g ro w a nd c ha ng e.

The kinds of G ods one chooses as patrons has m uch to do w ith the kinds

o f a ct iv it ie s b y w hic h a n in div id ua l d eriv es a s en se o f id en ti ty . T o manyp eo pl e th is w ill b e l in ke d to th eir l in es o f emp lo ym en t a nd /o r famil y. If

s om eon e h as a s ense o f h av ing a life 's w ork , p atro n de itie s re la tin g to th is

w ork w ill lik ely se rv e a s sp ons ors. O th ers m ay fm d a n a ffin ity fo r a

p arti cu la r G od o r c la ss o f w ig ht o n th e b as is o f a n a tt ra cti on t o t he e ss en ti al

c ha ra cte r o f th e G od o r w ig ht. H ere le t u s think ab ou t th e w ay s in w hic h

c erta in lin es o f w ork m ay b e lin ke d to c erta in G ods a nd w ig hts.

Theyanir

F re y a nd F re ya a re n ea rly a s u niv ersa lly lo ve d a s T ho r. F re y a nd F re ya are

m em be rs o f a c la ss o f G od s k now n a s th e V an ir (o r W a nes ). T he V an ir a re

t he G o ds c on ce rn ed p rim ar il y w it h h ar ve st ( pr os pe ri ty ), frith ( secure peace),

a nd l ov e ( pl ea su re ). T he y a re t he G od s o f p r od uc ti on a nd o f th e e njo ym en t o f

t he p ro du ce . T he y a re t he g en er at or s o f m a te ri al g oo ds a nd e ag er ly a cq ui rem o ne y, m ate ria l g ai n, a nd p urs ue th e p le as ur es o f t he fle sh .

F re y s eems s om ew ha t m ore c on ce rn ed w it h h ar ve st a nd frith, wh il e F r ey a

i s e sp ec ia ll y c on ce rn ed w it h lo ve . F re ya i s a ls o c on ce rn ed w it h a w id e v arie ty

o f o th er t hi ng s, i nc lu di ng magi c a nd w a rf ar e.

Freya

F re ya , lik e O din , is a se ek er of w isd om a nd a m ag ic ia n. H er p en ch an t fo r

e ro tic is m i s w el l k no wn a nd i n fa ct lin ke d to h er o th er p as si on s fo r w is dom

a nd m ag ic . L ik e h er b ro the r, F re y, she is n o stra ng er to w ea lth. O f a ll th e

G od de ss es , F re ya s eem s to h av e th e g re ate st fo llo win g i n th e c urre nt p ha se o f

th e r ev iv al. H er a ttra ct io n s eem s t o b e g re at er p erh ap s t ha n tb ato f a ny o th er

d eity in th e p an th eo n. S he h ad q ui te a fo llo win g th ro ug ho ut S ca nd in av iad uring th e V ik in g A ge a s w ell.

M y sti cs , a rtis ts p oe ts , v is io na rie s, d iv in ers a nd th e l ik e a re amo ng a fe w

w ho m ig ht fin d a n a tt ra ctio n to F re ya .

Frey

O bviously the goals of this class of G ods is m ost in synch w ith those of

th e va st m ajo rity of p eo ple in o ur so cie ty tod ay . T his is a s it a lw ays w as .

T he w in nin g o f w ea lth a nd th e p urs ui t o f p le as ure , if c on du cte d i n t he c on te xt

o f th e six -fo ld g oa l a nd th e n in e n ob le v irtue s, a re g ood a nd h oly th in gs in

a nd o f the mse lv es. T he w ork o f th e V anic ty pe o f p e op le sh ou ld b rin g

p ro sp er it y a nd p le as ur e t o a ll . In se ek in g w ea lth w e c an c re ate it. It is the

s ac re d fu nc tio n o f th e V an ir to s ee to th e p ro sp eri ty o f t he w ho le s oc ie ty .

T he re a re a n um be r o f d iffe re nt ty pe s o f V an ic d eit ie s a s t he re i s a w id ev arie ty of p ath s to th ese sa me g oa ls. T he b an ke r a nd th e fa rm er a lik e m ay

bo th fin d a frie nd in F re y, th ou gh th e fa rm er m ay fin d N ertb us o r E rc e, th e'

E ar th -M o th er, to b e a c lo se r f rie nd . W h il e b an ke rs m ay fm d N io rd t o th eir

13 '

lik in g as h is in te re sts a re m ore c le arly b ou nd u p w ith c omme rc e a nd tra de - (

e sp ec ia ll y i nt er na ti on al t ra de . Wo rk in g f ol k, c ra ft s a nd t ra de s p eo pl e o f a ll

s ort s m a y fin d a frie nd in F re y if th ei r tra de o r c om pa ny is n ot a lr ea dy u nd er

t he r eg is o f a no th er p at ro n.

P eo ple i nv ol ve d in t he a uto mo bil e i nd us try o r e qu es tri an a cti viti es w ill

likely relate w ell to Frey. Frey is a G od of w agons as w ell as horses, soh ea vy f arm equ ipmen t o r t ru ck in g a nd t ra ns po rt at io n o r f re ig ht : a n d e ve n r oa d

, b uild in g e qu ip me nt m ig ht c om e u nd er h is re gis .

Niord

F re y's fath er, N io rd , is a G od o f m aritim e a ctiv ity e sp ec ia lly w hen th is is

o f a c omme rcia l kin d. A lth ou gh he is a lso a G od o f fis he rm en a nd o th er n av al

a ct iv it y. A n y me rc ha nt , e sp ec ia ll y o ne s i nv ol ve d d ir ec tl y o r i nd ir ec tl y w it h

o ve rs ea s m e rc ha nd is e m ay f in d N io rd a f ri en dl y p at ro n.

TheJEsir

T ho r h as b ee n th e m ost p opu la r G od in th e 2 0th c en tu ry re em erg en ce o f

th e T roth . T his m ay ha ve m uc h to d o w ith th e p op ula rity of T ho r in Ic ela nd

i n t he V ik in g A ge a nd h is c on se qu en t p ro mi ne nc e in th e E dd ie m a te ria l. T ho r

i s t h e S old ie r o f A sg ard . B ut in Ic ela nd h e w as p op ul ar w it h e ve ry bo dy a ndh as c om e to be k no wn to u s th ro ug h th e Ic ela nd ic so urc es a s a n h on est,

s im p le , h ar d- wo rk in g h ar d- fi gh ti ng , h ar d- dr in ki ng y eoman /s ol di er . T h or i s t he

G od o f M i gh t. M ig ht is th e p ow er th at su stain s a nd e xp an ds th e c urre nt w orld

o rd er. It p ro vid es th e c ap ab il it y f or v ic to ry a nd d efe nc e. T he w ork o f T ho r is

t o p ro te ct G od s a nd m en a lik e. T ho r's w or k re qu ir es g iv in g g re at tru st a nd

lo ya lt y in c au se s a ffe ct in g t he w ho le s oc ie ty . T ho r ri sk s l ife a nd li mb t o

protect all the society of the G ods and m en- not just his own immed i at e

fa mily . T his is m uc h lik e th e so ld ie r w ho risk s h is n ec k fo r h is w ho le

c ou ntr y. T ho r i s k no wn f or h is tr us tw ort hin es s a nd h on es ty . H e i s tr ut hfu l

a nd lo ya l to fr ie nd s b ut m e rc il es s w ith e nemie s. H e is u nfl in ch in g a nd

s te ad fa st i n a ll h is w or k.O f t he n in e n ob le v irt ue s, T ho r is th e e xem pl ary m od el f or h ea rtin es s,

tru th , tro th a nd s te ad fa st ne ss . T ho r ta ke s h is g re at es t p le as ur e i n h is g re at

w ork s. T ho ug h h e c an lik ely o ut-d rink a ny tw o o f th e o th er G od s tog ethe r, h e

is b asic ally a v ery so be r so rt w ho w ie ld s h is m ig ht o nly in a ng er. W he n th e

oth er G od s a re ga th ere d to sh are in fe ast a nd sum ble , T ho r is ty pic ally in th e

E as t s la yin g E ti ns u nt il th ere i s tr ou bl e. T ho ug h h e p ro te ct s th e frith an d

fro lic o f th e o th ers, h e is n ot h ap pie st in th e e njo ym en t o f th ese th in gs.

T ho r's g re at fe ats o f e ati ng a nd d rin kin g lik ely ta ke p la ce m ore o fte n in th e

field or in the cam p than in the halls of A sgard. H e is also very m uch a

fa mily m an . H e h as n ev er b ee n a cc use d o f b re ak in g tro th w ith h is w ife , S if,

o r w ith a ny on e e ls e fo r th at m a tte r.

Thor is g en er al ly p op ul ar a nd r ev er ed f or h is s tr en gt h a nd h is u nw ave ri ngste ad fa stn ess in h is du ty a nd liv in g o f th e n in e n oble v irtu es. T ho r is a

n at ur al c ho ic e f or c ar ee r military pe rs onn e l and v e te r an s.



14

Ty r

T iw or T yr is the G od o f the m aintenance of social order. H e is ab out

e ff ec ti ve o rg an iz ati on f or th e p ur po se o f fa cil ita tin g th e s mo oth ru nn in g o f

so ciety 's a dm in istrativ e m ach in ery. T yr is th e G od o f la w an d o f th e la w-

th in g o r c ou rt o f la w.

T yr r ep re se nts sa cr if ic e o n b eh alf o f so cie ty a nd th e m ai nte na nc e o f o rd eran d th e statu s q uo . T yr g av e h is rig ht h an d to restra in th e fo rc es th at lea d to

ch an ge in th e fo rm o f a n ev en tu al Ragnarok, F ol k i nv ol ve d i n l eg is la ti on ,

a dm in is tr atio n o f j u stic e, la w e nf or ce me nt , m an ag em en t a nd sc ie nc e w ill

lik ely b e ab le to relate to T yr. Ju dg es, p oliticia ns, law ye rs, p eo ple in law

e nf or ce me nt, a nd th ose in vo lv ed in w ork th at re qu ir es c are fu l a nd c rit ic al

t hin kin g su ch a s s cie ntis ts a nd c ert ain o th er ty pe s o f a ca de mic ia ns a re o fte n

f ollo we rs o f T yr . Ifmon ey is y ou r g re ate st p le as ur e r esu ltin g f rom y ou r

w ork , you m ay find Frey o r N iord m ore to your lik ing .

Frigga

F rig ga is a G od de ss in vo lv ed in d om es tic a ctiv itie s su ch a s c hild r ea rin g

an d run ning a hou sehold w ill d o w ell to think o n th e d oin gs o f F rig ga .

T hou gh she is n ot often in th e forefro nt in the m yths, she has a po werfulb eh in d th e s ce ne s in flu en ce . I n h er r ela tio nsh ip w ith O din sh e som et im es

see ms to b e th e w he el b eh in d th e w hee l w ho is re ally re sp on sib le fo r th e

o utco me of events in w hich h er legal husb and is in volv ed in the w eb s of

in trig ue sh e sp in s. S he is su btle, ye t in flu en tial. T ho se in vo lv ed in fa mily

c ou nse lin g, so cia l w or k, a nd e le me nta ry e du ca tio n m ay f in d a f rie nd in

F rig ga. T ho se in w ork re la tin g to th e fab rica tio n an d re pa ir o f clo th in g m ay

also look to Frigga for a sponsor (she is known in the m ythology as a

s pin ne r a nd w ea ve r) . O th er a rts g en er ally c on sid er ed to b e o f d om estic o rig in ,

su ch a s co ok in g, m ay also b e d ev ote d to h er.

Heimdall

H eim dall is the w atch man o f the G od s. H e usually sits in a h all at th eh ead o f th e c osm ic B ifro st B rid ge lo ok in g o ut an d liste nin g o ve r th e w orld s-

h e is e sp ec ially w atch fu l fo r th e e ne mie s o f A sg ard an d M id gard su ch a s E tin s

a nd th e arm ies o f th urse s w hich h erald a g rea t R ag naro k. T ho ug h h e is

g en er ally in vo lv ed in su rv eilla nc e a nd s ec ur ity w or k, H ei md all i s a ls o k nown

to tak e an ac tiv e ro le in co nd uctin g in vestig atio ns- h e retrie ve d th e

B ri sin ga me n ( Fr ey a's m ag ic al n ec kl ac e) f rom th e c lu tc he s o f L ok i a nd f ou gh t

with him in the shape of a seal. Tyr is the G od of m ainly high level

a dm in is tr at io n, H eim d al l is m o re c on ce rn ed w ith fi eld w or k a nd a ctu ally

im p le me ntin g th e la ws le gisl ate d b y T yr ic f olk . H eim da ll's p eo ple a re m o re

" ha nd s- on ." P ro fe ss io ns f al li ng u n de r h is r eg is m i gh t i nc lu d e i nt el li ge nc e,

p riv ate a nd p ub lic in ve stig atio n, p olic e w or k, d ete ctiv e w or k, se cu rity w or k

a nd s uc h. T ho se w or kin g w ith s ur ve illa nc e e qu ipm en t, alarm s ys te ms a nd th e

lik e m ay a lso fin d th eir w ork a n e ch o o f th at d on e b y H eim da ll.

15

Odin

O din is th e G od o f cre ativ e in sp iratio n a nd th e sp irit o f in qu iry an d th e

d iv in e m ad ne ss th at h as d riv en o ur f olk to m ak e g re at s tr id es in t he or etic al

s ci enc e and t echnol ogy , art, p oetry an d in so m an y o th er th in gs. O din m ore

than any other G od is a seeker of w isdom , and as such he has m ore of j L than

a ny on e e ls e. H is a dv ic e ( re de ) is t he re fo re g re atly v alu ed . In l ea der sh i p hef un ctio ns a s a n a dv iso r, in b attl e a s a s tr ate gis t o r g en er al. Iti s t he T y ri st s

a nd T ho rists w ho im plem en t th e d esig ns o f th e O dian . O din syn th esiz es th e

in fo rm ati on g ath er ed b y th e G od H eim da ll a nd a bs tr ac ts i t in to p la ns a nd

b riefs fo r th e T yrists a nd T ho rists, a nd fo r a ll th e o th er G od s a nd G od de sse s in

th eir sp ec ial fu nctio ns. T he ro le o f th e O dian in so ciety is th at o f th e

t he or et ic al t hi nk er ( ph il os op h er ) a nd a rt is t.

M an y o f th e sa me p ro fe ssio ns co ve re d b y T yr w ill b e co ve re d b y O din -

th e m a in d if fe re nc e is i n th e personality o f th e in di vid ua l. T he O dia n w ill

b e on e w ho ism ore creative a nd w ho b re ak s n ew territo ry , w hile th e

is one w ho m aintains the w ay th ings are an d keeps th em ru nnin g

rig ht. T his d iffe ren ce , o f c ou rse, le ad s to m an y co nflic ts- m ost o f w hich

a c on st ru ct iv e r es ul t if th ey a re u nd er sto od in th is d iv in e c on te xt.

Eira

S he is th e G od de ss sp on so rin g th ose w ho a re in vo lv ed w ith th e h ea lin g

arts- d oc to rs, h er ba lis ts, d ie tic ia ns , a nd s o o n.

Saga

T his G od de ss is th e sp on so r o f h isto rian s, b ard s, sto ry telle rs a nd so o n.

Forseti

A G Od w ho pu ts law su its to sleep. Som e law yers and litig ato rs m ay be

w ell d is po se d to wa rd F ors eti= - o r p er ha ps n ot.

Sy n

She is also to be called in the even t of law suits. T his G odd ess look s to

an u nju st ju dg me nt fro m b ein g b ro ug ht o ut.Dw ar ve s o r D ark E ly es

..T ho ug h th e lE sir fa sh io ned fo rg es a nd to ols in th e ea rliest o f tim es, th ere

no k now n w ight am on g th e lE sir and V an ir so skilled in craftsm an sh ip as

d wa rv es . T he se e ntitie s a re u su ally s aid to d we ll in th e ea rth a nd in ro ck s

c av es. T he y a re a lso k no wn a s th e D ark E lv es. P rac tica lly all th e g rea t

w ea po ns o r o th er fab rica tio ns o wn ed b y th e G od s w ere fash io ne d b y

dwa rv es . T ho r's h amm er, th e m ag ic al s hip S kith bla dn ir a nd th e B ris in g

UlA-J.\.UlI.,v w ere all m ad e by D ark E lv es. W eyland the Sm ith w as of dw arf k in,

w as R eg in w ho r ef org ed S ig ur d's s wo rd G ra m.

T here are m an y oth er G od s an d w ig hts in the G erm anic panth eo n w ho

also fu nc tio n as p atro n d eities o r as fa mily o r cIa nic G od s. As yo u

m ed itate o n th e G od s a nd G od desses o f th e T ro th yo u w ill fin d th e m ea nin gn mcn on s o f th e v ario us d iv in itie s a nd see h ow th ey rela te to yo ur o wn



16

Chapter 4

W IG lIT S O F THE HOUSE AND GARDEN

A s urv ey c on du ct ed a bo ut th e t im e t ha t P re sid en t R on al d R ea ga n v is ite d

R ey kja vi k s ho we d t ha t a bo ut h alf o f t he p eo ple li vin g i n Ic ela nd ~ av e s ~n

e lv es a nd s uc h w ig ht s a nd t ha t a bo ut t hre e q ua rt ers o f t he p op ula tio n b elie ve s

. in th em . H ea th en s w ho g o to th e a nc ie nt T eu to nic m oth erla nd s o fte n re po rt a

p ro fo un d s en se o f c on ne ct ed ne ss w ith t he l iv in g s oi l a nd th e p re se nc e o f t he

s pi rit s o f t he la nd , o f th e la nd wig hts , th e e lv es a nd th e. d wa rv es , T ~e ~e

" sp ir it s" a re c lo se ly a ss oc ia te d w it h n at ur al a re as , p a rt lc ul ar ly a nc ie n t h ol y

s ite s, fi eld s a nd g ard en s, a nd m ore im p ort an tl y fo r u s t he h ou se ho ld a nd

h ea rth i ts el f. T he s pir it s o f th e la nd a nd h ou se ho ld rem ain o ne o f t he g re at

b as tio ns o f re si st an ce a nd w ill n ot d ie u nt il th e v ery f olk it se lf a nd i ts s ou l

ar e des troyed .T ho ug h th eir p re se nc e is u ot a s stro ng in th e N ew W orld , th ey a re h ere ,

b ut i t ta ke s e sp ec ia lly s en si tiv e p eo pl e t o n ot ic e. A s s ure ly a s th e G od s a nd

w ig hts a re p art o f o ur o wn s ou ls , t he y h av e fo llo we d u s a cro ss th e A tla nt ica nd d we ll in o ur o wn h ou se ho ld s a nd h ea rth s. T his c an b e s aid to h av e

h ap pe ne d b ec au se t he w ig hts a ct ua ll y em an ate fro m th e s ou l o r p sy ch e ? f t he

f olk to w hi ch th ey a re a tt ac he d. W h en t he N or we gi an S c am e t o I c el an d m th e

la te 9 th c en tu ry th e w ig hts c am e n ot s o m uc h " with th em " a s " fro m w ith in

them."T he h ea rt h a nd th e s to ve te nd t o h ar bo r th e m o st u se fu l h ou se ho ld w ig hts .

T yp ic al ly t he h ea rt h, w hic h a ls o s erv ed a s t he c oo ki ng a re a i n a nc ie nt t im e s,

a s th e f oc us o f t he h ou se ho ld c ult a nd w or sh ip . F ro m f olk lo re a nd p ers on al

e xp eri en ce , I h av e f ou nd th at t hin gs fa re b es t i n a h ou se ho ld i f a t l ea st

n om i na l a tt en ti on i s g iv en t he w ig ht s. Ifig no re d o r o ff en de d th ey m a y c au se

a g oo d d ea l o f m i sc hie f, b ut if th ey a re h on ore d th ey c an h elp th in gs to ru n

sm oo th ly a nd e ve n to b rin g g re at lu ck a nd p ro sp erity . F or th ose w ho a reawa re o f, c ap ab le o f p erc eiv in g t hem , e ve n g re ate r g if ts m a y b e h ad .

In m ost h ou se ho ld s th ey te nd to b e ig no re d a nd if th ey a re p erc eiv ed a t a ll,

th ey a re ty pi ca lly in te rp re te d a s e vi l s pir it s a nd a s ou rc e o f t err or. T his

ig no ra nc e is la rg ely th e re su lt o f th e p ro pa ga nd a o f th e C hu rc h. T ho ug h th ey .

a re g en era ll y b en efi ce nt a nd o f g re at u se i n t he h ou se ho ld a nd y ar d, t he y c an

b e m i sc hi ev ou s a nd e ve n d ow u ri gh t d an ge ro us w h en t he y a re i ll -d is po se d .

T h ei r m i sc h ie f h as t ra d it io na ll y b ee n t ho ug ht t o c au se h ou se h ol d a cc id en ts ,

i lh le ss es , d es tr uc ti on o f p ro pe rt y a n d e ve n d e at h. T re at in g t hem a s t ho ug h

t he y w er e e vil is li ke ly th e g re at es t s ou rc e o f t he ir ill -w il l. B ut i f y ou a re

g oin g t o e nc ou ra ge t he ir p re se nc e.y ou n ee d to tr ea t th em w it h re sp ec t. Itis

a lso p oss ib le -to w in d u p w ith w ig hts th at a re m alic io us. In th is c ase y ou

s ho ul d p er fo rm t he p ro te ct iv e w o rk in g d is cu ss ed i n t he c ha pt er o n l an d-

ta ki ng . Y o u s ho ul d a ls o e ns ur e th at y ou r h ou se ho ld is w ar de d a ga in st

u nw an te d w ig hts. Y o u d o n ot w an t a su rfe it o f s pirits a ny m ore th an y ou

17

w an t a ll th e k id s a nd a nim als in th e n eig hb orh oo d a t y ou r h om e. T he y a re

a ls o p ro ne t o th ie ve ~ w he n i ll -d is po se d. Ify ou fi nd y ou a re m is sin g y ou r

k ey s o r s om e o th er important possession, try le av in g m il k a nd c oo ki es o r

o th er g oo die s o r to ke ns o f e ste em o n m e h e ar th o r h ou se ho ld s ta ll o r s hr in e

Y ? U m ig ht se t a sid e a sp ec ia l p la ce o n y ou r h arro w o r h e arth fo r g ifts to th e

wights, T he se m a~ b e le ft p erm an en tly o n th e h arro w o r b urie d in a sp ec ia lp la ce , o r h a nd le d m so me o th er m an ne r that t he w ig ht s s eem t o a pp ro ve o f.

Tompts )

In S we de n th e h ea rth a nd h ou se ho ld w ig hts a re k no wn a s to mp ts a n& th ey

a re k no wn t o e nt er t he h ou se ho ld t hro ug h th e h ea rth , s om e tr ad it io ns h av e

th em c om in g in th ro ug h u nd erg ro un d t un ne ls b en ea th t he h ea rth . A ctu al

h ea th en fo lk , h ow ev er , d o n ot b el ie ve s uc h t un ne ls t o b e p hy sic all y u nd er th e

e arth o f th e h ea rth , b ut se e a s th e h ea rth sto ne a s a g ate wa y to th e sp iritu al

p la ne o f th e d wa rv es o r to mp ts. O th er w ig hts , su ch a s e lv es , a re k no wn to

e nte r th e h ou se ho ld b y m ea ns o f th e fla me s o f th e h ea rth o r h a rro w. E lv es a re

k no wn in S co tla nd a nd s om e a re as o f S ca nd in av ia t o e nt er t he h ou se ho ld

th ro ug h k no th ole s in w oo d a nd so me tim es b orn e a lo ft o n a su nb ea m. T he

w oo d o f th e h ea rt h, th e l in te l o r th re sh old a nd o th er m a jo r h ou se ho ld~shings ~so serve as gate ways and hom es for elves, tom pts and other

wights, Ifw ig hts a re k no wn to a bid e in a th re sh old , it is a dv is ab le n ot to

sla m th e d oo r u nle ss y ou m ea n to w ak e th em o r s ca re th em a wa y. S to ne s

h av e l on g b ee n k no wn a s g at ew ay s b etw ee n M id ga rd a nd Dw arf- Hom e. T he

sto ne s o f th e h ea rth , o r th e sto ne s u po n w hic h th e h arro w sta nd s a re a lso

a nc ie nt a bo de s f or h ou se ho ld w ig hts . F olk lo re h as l on g h ad i t th at " ev il" th at

is "h ea th en ," sp irits d we ll b en ea th th e a lta r sto ne s o f c hu rc he s. A v ast '

n umb er o f E u ro pe a n c hu rc he s w e re i nt en ti on al ly b ui lt o ve r a nc ie nt h ea th e n

h ol y p la ce s in o rd er t o p r ev en t p eo ple fro m g ath er in g a t t he se s it es fo r

h ea th en c el eb ra tio ns . A g re at d ea l o f a nc ie nt p ow er la ys u nd er t he a lt ars o f

c hu rc he s a nd c ath ed ra ls e ve ry wh ere , ju st w ai ti ng f or tru e fo lk to ta ke o ut t he

~ ta rs a n~ b ri ng in th e h ol y h arr ow s. R eg io na l fo lk -t ra di ti on s m ay g iv e m uc h

in fo rm a ti on a bo ut t he n at ure o f th e o ld s pi rit s th ou gh b ea r i n m in d th at t he se

s pi ri ts h av e o ft en b ee n d ia bo li ze d o ve r t he c en tu ri es b y s uc c es sf ul C h ur ch

propaganda .

B y th e tim e m ost o f th e ta le s o f th e to mp ts a nd o th er h ou se ho ld s pirits

~ e to be w ritten dow n, the stove had com e to replace the fireplace as the

m ru ~ a bo de o r g ~t ew ay o f t he t om pt s. E ve n i nto th e 1 9t1 l ce nt ury , a nd l ik el y

to th is v ery d ay , m S ca nd in av ia , it is n ot u nc omm on fo r fo lk s to m ak e

o ffe rin gs o f fo od a nd b ee r to th e t om pt s, t ro lls a nd e lv es . H ou se s t ha t h arb or

tem pts a re u su all y p ro sp ero us , c le an a nd o rd erly . T he p eo pl e i n s uc h

h ou s~ ho l~ a re d ec en t w ith e ac h o th er a nd with th e to m pts . T om pt s a re

h ap pie st if th ey h av e a ro le to p la y a nd a re p aid fo r it. Inmany Scand i nav ians to ne s th e to mp ts ta ke th e sh ap e o f o rd in ary h um an b ein gs a nd h ire o n a s

s erv an ts a nd e xp ec t in p ay me nt a b ow l o f p orrid ge w ith b utte r in it. A h ap py

to mp t is in du strio us in c on trib utin g to th e g oo d m oo d a nd w ell b ein g o f th e



18

h ou se ho ld , th ou gh t he y c an g et u nru ly if d ul y o ffe nd ed a nd n ot g iv et; t pro ~r

p ay me nt o r r esp ec t. If y ou m ak e a n ag re em en t w i~ yo ur to mpts o r p ron use

th em p aym en t a nd a llo t the m du ties in a ritu al se ttm g, be su re a nd ke ep yo ur

e nd of th e d eal, a s lo ng a s th e to mpts ke ep the irs '.If th ey d on 't m ay be y ou

do n't h av e to mpts a t a ll a nd w ha t y ou ne ed is to k ic k th e o ld ra sca ls o ut a nd

try to invite in a new crew .T he o ffe rin gs o f p orrid ge a nd b utt er w ere ty pic ally l ef t o n th e s to ve o f t he

h ea rt h. O th er o ff er in gs h av e i nc lu de d c he es e, b re ad , a nd o th er c on :u non

h ou se ho ld s ta pl es . W ha te ve r fo od s y ou n orm all y .e at s ho uld b e g iv en to th e

t omp ts i n d a il y o ff er in g s. Ify ou d o n ot e at p orri dg e, ,i t i s p ro ~a bly a s w ell

y ou d o n ot m ak e y ou r tom pts e at it. S om etim es sp ec ia l o ffe nn gs a re m ad e on

Y ule m orn ing m ade up o f su ch thing s a s to ba cc o, c lo th a n~ a sh ove l fu ll o f

earth. Ify ou m ake d aily o ffering s to th e tom pts y ou m ~y sim ply h allo w th e

gift w ith th e ha mm er or o th er ap prop ria te sign a nd se t It o n th e ba rro w o r

sto ve o r d ispo se of it in the ea rth .~

E lv es a re a nothe r co mm on w igh t o f th e ho use hold, as w ell a s o~ th e

g ar de ns a nd f ie ld s. T he re a re s ub te rr an ea n e lv es -- :- a nd e lv ~s o f t he air. Elves

a nd to mp ts a re o fte n v er y i nv ol ve d w ith th e a ffa irs o f n ot J us t a h ou se ~o ld ,

b ut a ls o o f th e family . T his i nv olv em en t m ay la st o ve r m an y g en era tio ns .

T he e lv es are often nu mbe re d a mo ng the an cestors o r a re kn ow n to ha ve m ade

s ig ni fic an t c on trib uti on s to th e f ortu ne s o f t he family a t s om e p oin t. In

S ca ndina via n fo lk lo re e lv es a nd oth er w igh ts a re sa id to ta ke o n h~ an f~ ~

an d h t th is fa sh ion to ha ve be gotte n c bildren on o r b y h um an s. T hIS m otif IS

a lso fo un d in the sa gas a nd E dda s, In th e S aga s of A nc ie nt T im es, th e

m yth ic al Ic ela nd ic s ag as a bo ut e ve nts in t he m yth ic p as t, w e fi ~d p w:el y

e lv en b ei ng s b av in g in te rc ou rs e w ith h um an b ein gs a nd b ~g ~ttl ng c bi ld re n o n

th em . It is b y s uc h in te rc ou rs e th at t he s eit h-w om an (m eg ic ia n) H uld w as

b eg ot te n i n Hrolj-Kraki's Saga. In t he F am il y S ag as , a bo ut p eo ple a nd e ve nt sin bistorica l tim es, w e find p eo ple w ho are k now n to h av e b ad e lv en o r

e ti nis h d es ce nt b ut w e r are ly fin d s to rie s o f i nte ra ctio n b etw ee n h um an s a nd .

e lv en fo lk . In th e Heimskringla there is a story of a m an w ho refused to

c on ve rt t o C h ri st ia ni ty u nd er t he p re ss ur e o f O la f T ry gg va so n. H e p ro te st ed

tha t be ca use h e w as of e lv en he ritag e, a nd th us be lo nge d to a b ea th en c la ss o f

beings h e c ou ld n ot " co nv ert." H e w as th en s umm aril y to rtu re d to d ea th .

S ~C h kn ow le dg e b as b ee n b an de d d ow n amo ng s om e ~ am ilie s to th is d ay .

A n um be r o f S ca nd in av ia n familie s h av e e lv en h eirl oo ms . Am on g .th es e

are drinking vessels, such as cups, bow ls and ~~g hom s~'The:stones of

t he a cq ui si ti on o f t he se i tem s a re g en er al ly q ui te s im il ar : A n ~c es to r

e nc ou nte rs -th e e lv en fo lk o n th e ro ad a nd s pe nd s so me t un e W It h t hem-

s om etim es d an cin g in th eir s ub te rra ne an b alls . A t s om e ~ oin tth e ~ ce st or

will be given a drink in a hom . But as he distruS~ the ~ be will throw the

liq uid o ve r o ne s ho ul de r-w he re it s in ge s th e b arr o ff h is b o:rs ~..H e t he n

ru sh es h om e a bs co nd in g w ith th e d ri nk in g v es se l. In o th er t ra dtn on s th e

19 '

v es se ls a re g iv en a s g if ts . In so me storie s th e w rath o f the trolls o ve r th e

t he ft r es ul ts i n t he ruin o f the fa mily . O n th e othe r h an d m an y ric h

h ou se ho ld s a re s aid to b e b le ss ed b y th e e lv es .

T he re fu sa l t o drink i s a m oti f n o d ou bt a d ist ort io n i ntr od uc ed b y C hu rc h

p ro pa ga nd is ts w ho ta ug ht th at a ll s uc h w ig ht s w ere e vi l a nd d ea lin gs w ith

them w ould bring only evil. O ne of the m ost evil acts of all, in the eyes ofthe C hu rc h, w as th e sh arin g o f fo od a nd drink w ith suc h w ig hts. T his is th e

a ct w he re by t he w ig hts a nd h um an s e xc ha ng e a nd s ha re might an d main an d

bin d th em se lv es to e ach othe r. T his kind o f in te ra ctio n w ith th e elve s is

e s~ ec ia ll y d an ge ro us f rom t h. e s ta nd po in t o f t he Ch ur ch b ec au se i tm a k es 't he

d rin ke r fo rg et a bo ut th e o rd ma ry w orl d a nd e njo y c omm un io n w ith t he e l~ s.

This could reach a point where one would not wish to com e back from the .

w orld o f th es e tra ns mu nd an e w ig hts . C erta in ly s om e o ne w ho h ad s ha re d su ch

d rin k w ith th e e lv es a nd ga in ed so me thing fro m it w ou ld no t b e lik ely to

return to church. .

E lv es , a lo ng w ith tro ll s a nd c erta in o th er w ig hts , a re a ss oc ia te d w ith

c ha ng eli ng s= - th at is , th e t he ft o f b ab ie s b y n on -h um an b ei ng s. T he se

w ig ht s a re re pu te d to s na tc h b ab ie s o ut o f th eir c rib s a nd re pla ce th em w ithth eir o wn in fe ri or c hild re n. T hi s b elie f se em s to b e a no th er d is to rtio n o f

a no th er m ain sta y o f th e a nc ie nt re lig io n a nd s eems to b e d es ig ne d to p re ve nt

fo lk s fro m lo ok in g a t th ei r n at iv e b el ie fs re ga rd in g th e a cq uis it io n a nd

t ran sf er en ce o f s oul s. Itse em s th at th e roo t of th e c ha nge ling be lief is th e

k no wle dg e th at a nc es tra l s ou ls , in cl ud in g t ho se o f d iv in e ra ce s, m ay e nte r a

ch ild a t or b efo re th e tim e o f th e n am in g. In th is folkish b elie f p eop le h av e

be en tau ght to fe ar e lv es w he n it co me s to th eir ch ild re n. T his fea r, if it w as

no t i nstitu te d b y th e C hu rc h, it w as m ost c erta in ly en cou ra ge d by th e n ew

r el ig io n. O dd ly e no ug b, h ow eve r, i n s ome E ur op ea n f ol k- tr ad it io ns

c le rg ym en h av e b ee n s aid to b e g ob lin s a nd c hild re n a re w arn ed to w atc h o ut

le st the p arson b oil the m in a p itc h p ot.B eliefs in th ing s suc h a s c ha nge ling s is th e m ost like ly o rig in fo r the id ea

th at e lve s c ould ta ke o n h um an sha pe . It is sim ply th at th e h um an form

(bo dy) a cq uire d a e lv en so ul (ha min g or fe tc h) a t o r n e ar th e tim e o f b irth . B ut

it is a ls o p os sib le th at s uc h a n a cq ui sitio n c ou ld t ak e p la ce a t la te r s ta ge s in

T his is w hat is h app ening in the fo lk ta le s re gard in g a dults w ho v isit th e

h id de n l an d o f th e e lv es a nd a re o ffe re d a h om o f m e ad . T he se v is its u su al ly

t ak e p la ce d ur in g t ra nc e- jo ur ne ys o r d re am s o r o th er my st ic al o r m agi ca l

e xpe rie nce s. It is in th is w ay th at tom pts, tro lls, e tin s a nd oth ers m ay b e

among your an ce s to rs .

Inmore r at io na lis ti c te rm s t he b elie fs s urr ou nd in g c ha ng eli ng s m ay a ls o

s ee n a s m yt hi c in te rp re ta tio ns o r m od els m ea nt t o e xp la in s uc h

pnenomena a s m ent al r et ar da ti on o r o th er g en et ic d ef ec ts s im p ly i nh er it ed i nunpredictable w ay from the ancestors from the elves, if you w ill.

In th e M idd le A ge s sm all bo ws, a rro ws, sh oes a nd th in gs a c hild m igh t

w ith w ere ofte n le ft in a spe cia l pla ce in th e c ella r of th e h ouse for th e



20

e lv es . T hi s w as d on e to e nc ou ra ge th em to d o g oo d t urn s fo r th e h ou se ho ld .

E lv es lo ve m us ic a nd d an ci ng . C irc ula r p atc he s o f g ra ss th at a re g re en er

th an o th er g ra ss a re k no wn a s e lf rin gs a nd a re th ou gh t to b e th e p la ce s w he re

t he e lv es d an ce a t n ig ht . Ify ou w an t t o e nc ou ra ge th e p re se nc e o f e lv es y ou

m ig ht set up rin gs o f ston es o r fe rtiliz e the gra ss in a rin g sha pe n ear y ou r

o ut do or h arro w. T bis w ill c re ate a n e nv iro nm en t h os pit ab le to th em .T he y are a lso kn ow n to like ha rp m usic an d fid dles. T he d anc es th ey

p erfo rm a re n ot lik ely t o d iffe r t oo m uc h fro m th e ro un d d an ce s o f th e

E ur op ea n f ol k t ra di ti on s. I nc id en ta ll y, t bi s t yp e o f d an ce w a s b an ~e d b y t he

Ch ur ch f or y ea rs d ue t o t he ir h ea th en o ri gi n. T he se d an ce s a re t yp ic al ly

p er fo rm ed i n a c ir cl e mo vi ng w id de rs bi ns ( co un te r c lo ckw is e) w it h p ar tn er s

s pi nn in g i n a d eo si l ( cl oc kw is e) d ir ec ti on . S ca nd in av ia n f ol k d an ce s a re

e xc el le nt m od els . B ut s o t oo i s th e c en tra l E uro pe an w altz .

O the r Wigh ts

In to th e m ode m e ra e lf ha rro ws w ere set u p in S wed en for m agica l

w ork in gs to h ea l th e s ic k. W om en k no wn a s h arro w-w iv es te nd ed th es e

a lt ar s. In w or kin gs fo r th e s ic k t he y w ou ld d iv in e w he th er th e s ic kn es s h ad

b ee n in flicte d by th e elve s, a nd if so w hat kind o f inflic tio n it w as. T bis kind

o f il ln es s is c omm on ly k no wn a s " el f-s ho t." T bis is b ec au se i t i s b elie ve d

th at th e e lv es c an s ho ot i nv is ib le m ag ic al p ro je ctile s in to t he s ou l o f a p er so n

a nd c au se il ln es s. T he h arro w-w iv es w ou ld s me ar th e s to ne s o f th e h ar ro w

w ith s win e fa t a nd w ou ld s in g p ra ye rs o ve r th e s to ne s. O n th e h arro w it se lf

th ey w ou ld h av e th re e m et al s ha vin gs o f s om e a nc es tr al o bje ct b elo ng in g to

th e a ffl ic te d. T he y w ou ld t he n p ou r b oili ng le ad in to a b ow l o f w at er a nd s cry

t he s ou rc e o f t he i ll ne ss . Ifit is d ete rm in ed t ha t e lv es in de ed c au se d th e

i lln es s, t he n th ey w ou ld d o a h ea lin g w ork in g a t th e h arro w o n t he fo llo win g

T hu rs da y a t s un se t. T he se w ork in gs a re c alle d " stri ki ng d ow ns" o r

"anointings for the elves." .T he se " ha rro w- wome n" (th ey h av e b ee n k no wn b y o th er n am es a s w ell )

a re li ke ly t he m od em d es ce nd an ts o f th e spre-wives o f t he V ik in g A ge . T he

u se o f sw ine fa t su gge sts a n a sso cia tio n w ith the G od de ss F re ya. S eith w as a

m ag ic al fo rm th at m uc h in vo lv ed th e c alli ng o f la nd -w ig hts a nd ~e y w ere

f re qu en tl y c al le d t hr ou gh t he s in gi ng o f p ra ye rs o r o th er mcantanons.T ro lls a re a no th er c omm on w ig ht o f t he E uro pe an fo lk . T he se h av e b ee n

e sp ec ia ll y d ia bo li ze d b y Chu rc h p ro pa ga nd a, b ut c an b e a s b en ef ic en t a s e lv es

a nd to mp ts i f g iv en p ro pe r r es pe ct. T he ir m ain k in d o f m is ch ie f s eems t o b e

th e ste alin g of b ee r a nd ale. T his is th e so rt o f g ift th at m ak es the m m ost

happy. Just don't give them ale in a vessel w ith a C hristian cross on it- this

w il l n ot m ak e th em h ap py a t a ll. T ro ll s a re n ot a s h ou se -o rie nte d a s to mp ts ,

o r a s e lve s c an b e. T he y are m ore a pt to be fo un d in th e fie ld s or u nde rbridg es in the co untry or in to wn . In S ca nd in avian lo re the y a re esp ec i~ y .

lin ke d to m ou nd s a nd sma ll h ills w hic h s erv e a s th eir g ate s b etw ee n M id ga rd

a nd E tin -H om e. S uc h m ou nd s a re a ls o o fte n a ss oc ia te d w ith e lv es . In th e

21 .

h ea th en a ge b uria l m ou nd s w ere t yp ic ally s ee n a s g ate wa ys in to t he u nd er-

wor ld ly homes .

Dwa rv es , o r D ark E lv es , a re a no th er k in d o f w ig ht to s urv iv e in fo lk lo re

a nd t o b e h on or ed i n f ol k t ra di ti on . T he y a re e sp ec ia ll y a ss oc ia te d w it h

m ou nta in ou s re gi on s a nd d we ll i n th e h ills . T he d wa rv es a re a ls o k no wn in

O ld N o rs e a s svart- or db1dc-dlfar ( "b la ck -" o r " da rk -e lv es ") . T he y a re s ai d t odwe ll d ow n b el ow M i dg ar d i n S va rt al fh eim. T he ir main f un c ti on i s thatof

. cra ft sm en o r fa bri ca to rs o f p hy sic al re alit y. T he y a re t he o ne s w ho s ha pe t he

fo rm s th at fin d th eir w ay to M idg ard. T he y a re alw ays tho ugh t to b e th e

m ak ers o f a ll s orts o f m ag ic al o bj ec ts - th ey m ad e th e F re ya 's B ris in ga -m en ,

a nd F re y's s bi p S ki th bl ad ni r, f or e xampl e. I n t he e ve ry da y h ou se ho ld c ul t

t hey can be c on si de re d t he r ea bs or be d a nc es tr al s ki ll s a nd c ra ft s e xp re ss ed i n a

m yth ic fo rm . Dwa rv es a re th e s pirits o f c ra fts ma ns bi p- a lt ho ug h in la te r

p op ula r te rm in olo gy t he w ord " elf' w as u se d fo r b ot h e lv es a nd d wa rv es .

D is es ( ON disir, sg . dis) a re a c la ss o f fema le la nd -w ig hts th at w ere

h ig hl y h on ore d in th e V ik in g A ge . T he y a re femin in e c ou nte rp art s to e lv es . If

w e g o b ac k to th e m ost a nc ien t tim e, th ere w ou ld b e n o fe ma le "e lv es"- ju st

d ise s. O f a ll o f th es e e ntit ie s, th e d is es p erh ap s e nj oy ed th e m os t a ctiv e le ve lo f c ultic a tte ntio n. T wo o f th e main p ub lic h oly fe st iv al s in th e T ro th ,

W i nt er -N ig ht s a nd D is ti ng , a re e sp ec ia ll y d ed ic at ed t o t hem - a nd s ec on da ri ly

to the elves. .

D is es e ns ure th e o n-g oin g w ea lth a nd fe rti lity o f th e h ou se ho ld . T he y

k ee p th e c hil dre n s afe a nd t he h ou se ho ld h ea lth y a nd i n g oo d w ork in g o rd er .

.D is es a re n ot k no wn b y In div id ua l n am es , ra th er th ey a re a lw ay s re fe rre d to a s

a c olle ctiv e b od y. In a w ay th ey f orm a p art o f a p ara ll el s oc ia l u niv ers e-

. a lo ng w it h t he e lv es a nd r el at ed e nt it ie s.

In som e w ay s th e d ise s c an be s ee n a s b ein gs q uite s im ila r to th e bans idhe

[ ba ns he e] i n t he I ri sh a nd S co ts t ra di ti on .

T he l an d- wi gh ts a re s pi ri ts t ha t spee-women, v ol va s, a nd s ei th -f ol k w il l

w ant to b eco me m ost fam ilia r w ith . T hese are the sp irits the y w ork w ith in

a nd m ag ic al w ork . T ho se w ho in te nd to w ork w ith s eith s ho uld

h av e s om e fa cil ity fo r d ea lin gs w ith la nd w ig hts . J us t b ein g a ble to s en se a nd

b e awa re o f th e p re se nc e o f th e w ig hts i s r e la tiv ely u nu su al in th e m od em

w orld . F o r m any th e a bility is sim ply la te nt, o r fo rg otte n. T he re se em s to b e

s om e v arie ty in t he k in ds o f s ub je ctiv e e xp eri en ce s p eo ple h av e w it h w ig hts ,

b ut fo lk s w ho k no w th em g en era lly h av e a k na ck fo r ju st fe el in g t he ir

presence a nd p ers on alit ie s. T ho se w ho s pe nd m uc h tim e in c omm un io n w ith

w igh ts may be a ble to g ain kn ow le dg e the y c an v erba lize a nd m ay le arn to

into bidden m atters- or, as so often in this day and age, just flat go m ad

a t le ast b ec om e ra th er "fla ky." It m ay b e a h ard roa d b ac k to lost

k no wle dg e a nd m an y s ee ke rs m ay w in d u p w ay o ff b ala nc e, b ut e ve ry on e d ee pi nto s orc ery is a wa re th at h e o r s he is ris kin g s an it y.

T he la nd -w ig hts a re t he c la ss o f w ig hts c lo se st to th e h ea rth a fte r th e

a nc es tra l s pirit s. In de ed , th ey m ay b e a nc es tra l s pirit s. A s a re su lt o f th e

I

!I





24

d wellin gs- a t l ea st n ot fo r city fo lk . T he an im als m ay b e h on ore d ~ d th eir

in flu en ce b ro ug ht in to th e h ou se w ith p ic tu re s, s ta tu es a nd o th er o bje cts

co nn ec ted w ith th e b east. T his is m uch lik e w hen yo u b rin g th e p ow er o f th e

G od de ss es a nd G od s in to th e h ou se ho ld th ro ug h th eir im ag es . I n f ac t, o f

c ou rs e th e a nim al im ag es a re a ctu ally p ote nt s ym bo ls o f th e d iv in e f or ce s

associated w ith th em . O ur a nc esto rs n ev er " wo rs hip ed " a nim als in a nd o f

themselves.K eep in m in d th e p urp ose o f a g iv en ro om w hen yo u in teg rate th ese

im ag es in to yo ur h om e. T he p resen ce o f th e o wl, fo r e xam ple, m ig ht b e

brought to bear on a stud y o r any ro om used for nocturnal w ork or the

acquisition of knowledge or wisdom . . .B esid es a ss oc ia tio n w it h d eitie s, a n a nim al m ay h av e c on ne ctio ns W ith a

c er ta in c osm ic o r p sy ch o lo gi ca l r ea lm . S na ke s, f is h, d ra go ns (wy rm s ),

sh ark s, an d so o n, a re to b e fo un d in th e ch th on ic o r u nd erw orld ly re alm o f

N if el- Home , H el a nd th e w ate rs b ey on d M id ga rd . T he se a re c re ~tu re s o f th e

u nd er gr ou nd , u nd erwa te r, u n se en r ea lm s o f p sy ch ol og ic al e xp en en ce . T h ey

m ay c or re sp on d to e le me nts i n th e u nc on sc io us . T he g re ate r w y r m s . su ch ~I or mu ng an d a nd N ith ho gg , m ay c or re sp on d to a s~ ec ts o f th e w ho le c olle ctiv e

u nc on sc io us. T he se a re th e c re atu re s o f th e d ar k S id e.

H or se s,' g oa ts , d og s a nd o th er f ou r f oo te d m amm als a re c re ~tu re s o f

M id ga rd . T he y a re b ea sts o f o ur o wn r ea lm o f e xis te nc e a nd b e.m g .

M ost b ir ds c or re sp on d to th e h ea ve nly r ea lm s o f A sg ard , L Ig ht- El f- Hom e

an d W an e-H om e. T hese are lin ked to h ig her c on scio us sta tes-lev els o f g rea t

and godlike wakefulness and.know ledge. .' .A nother thing to think abo ut w hen considering w hat ~al po wer:' to

b rin g in to yo ur h om e is an y k no wn p erso na l, fa mily, o r trib al co nn ec tio ns o f

a p artic ula r b ea st T he se m ay b e k nown fr om f am ily lo re , _ fa mily c re sts ,

in tu itio n, a nd in r ar e c as es fr om v is io ns o bta in ed th ro ug h m n er w or k o r

a cq u ir ed imme di at el y b ef or e d ea th . Ifyou are like m ost p eople, y~ u are . .probab ly no t pron e to.go o ut o f yo~ w ay to ac~ uire a profou nd I~ er v~ slO n.

Y ou m ay use intuitio n and clues given to you m dream s. Y ou m ig ht th ink

a bo ut tra its th at c ha ra cte riz e c er ta in a nim als a nd th e so rts o f p eo ple w ho

m an ife st th es e tra its a nd o n w ha t k in ds o f c ha ra cte ris tic s a re str on g in y ou r

own personality. . .T he im po rta nc e o f h ors es in a nc ie nt so cie ty c an no t b e o ve re mp ha s~ ed .

T he y w ere th e eq uiv alen t o f th e a uto mo bile. T hey p ro vi~ tra nsp ortatio n ~ d

p re stig e. I n th e m ea d h all a th elin gs ta lk ed e nd le ssly o f th eir h or se s. I n a nc ie nt

G e rma ni c s oc ie ty t he h o rs e w as p er ha ps t he g re at es t a nd h o li es t o f s ac ri fi ~i al

b ea sts . I n th e s ag as y ou c an r ea d o f s ac rifi cia l h or se m ea t s er ve d a t th e blotar

( bl es si ng s) oL in t he h al ls o f k in gs . In ea rly In do -E ur~ ~ c u1 t~ re th e h orse

w as u sed as a sym bo l o r su bstitu tio n fo r a h um an b ein g m sacrifice s. O ur

m odem abhorrence for horse m eat is a result of strict penalties on the .

co nsu mp tio n o f h orse fle sh b y th e m ed ie val C hu rc h i~ ~ effo ~ to d estro y

o ne o f th e m ain sta ys o f p ub lic h ea th en s ac rif ic e. T ra dI tio n h as I t t ha t E ng la nd

25 .

w as f ou nd ed b y H en ge st a nd H or sa (" Sta llio n" a nd " Ho rs e" ).

T he h orse is e sp ecia lly im po rtan t in th e cu lts o f F rey an d O din . T he b est

~ f h o rs es in N or se m yth olo gy is Od in 's e ig ht -l eg ge d s te ed , S le ip n ir , T h e

o th er G o ds a ls o h av e s pe ci al h or se s. Freygoirar ( "p ri es ts o f F re y" ) u se d t o

k ee p u nr id de n a nd u nb ro ke n h or se s h allo we d to th eir G od . F rom th e f ir st

c en tu ry s ac re d h o rs es a re k nown to h av e b ee n k ep t f or p ur po se s o f d iv in at io n,a s w ell a s f or e ve ntu al sa cr if ic e. T he p rie sts a nd p rie ste ss es w ho lo ok ed a fte r

th es e h or se s w ou ld ta ke ome ns f rom th eir w hin ny in g a nd fr oth in g a nd o th er

behaviors.

A ft er h or se s, c at tl e w e re mo st w id el y r ev er ed . If th e h orse w as th e

a utom ob ile , c attle w er e a t le ast tr ac to rs. C attle h ad s er ve d a s u nits o f

mone ta ry w e al th ( mo bile p ro pe rty ) in th e m o st a nc ie nt o f tim es . O ur w or d

"f ee " is d er iv ed f rom th e P ro to -G er ma nic w or d f or c attle : Jehu. T his is th e

n am e o f th e first ru ne . In la ter tim es, w hen p rec io us m eta ls to ok o ve r th e

fu nc tio n o f m ob ile w ea lth , m o ne y w as c alle d "f ee ." C attle , o bv io us ly

co nn ecte d w ith F rey b y th eir asso cia tio n w ith w ea lth a re v ery m uc h a p art o f

. th e c ult o f th e V an ir - e sp ec ia lly F re y. D rin kin g h orn s a nd le at he r p ro du cts

. m ay a ll serv e as sym bo ls o f th is an im al.

T he b oa r m ay b e c on ne cte d p rim ar ily with F re ya . B ut a lso w ith F ~e y a n d

O din . B oth F re y a nd F re ya rid e boars- o ne f ash io ne d o f g old b y th e dwa rv es .

T he w ild b oar o r yesterye ar w as n ot th e d om estic p ig o f to day. W ild b oa rs

w ere k no wn as th e m ost d an gero us b easts in th e fo re st T he b oar S reh rim nir

is d ev ou re d b y th e E in heIjar in V alh alla ea ch n ig ht a nd m ad e w ho le ag ain in

the morning. .

F or th os e w ho w ou ld lik e th e e xp erie nc e o f r ela tin g to a p or cin e c re atu re

- fo r b y re latin g to a cre atu re sa cred to a d iv in ity yo u c an u nd ersta nd th at

divinity on a m uch deep er level than w ould oth erw ise b e the case - you .

m ig ht c on si de r g et ti ng a p et p ig . T h e smaI l s o- cl le d V ie tn ame se p ot be ll ie d

p ig w ou ld b e a n id ea l c ho ic e, a s th e la rg e d om es itc b re ed s w ou ld b eo ve rw he alm in g. E ve n t he p otb ellie s, w hic h m ay b e o nly f if ty p ou nd s, c an b e

q uite a c ha lle ng e to th e u na wa re own er. T he y. a r e o nly m o tiv ate d b y fo od .

T he y d o n ot a ct to p le ase th eir " ma ste rs ." T he y a re c re atu re s o f h ab it Ifyo u

do not get your pig in the habit of doing what you want it to do- it will run

o ve r y ou la nd d o a s it p le as es .

T he g oa t is m ost esp ec ially lin ked to T ho r, th ou gh it seem s a lso to h av e

ha d links to th e V an ir as w ell. T he g oats th at d re w T ho rj c hario t co uld b e

s ac ri fic ed a nd e ate n a nd h allo we d w ith h is h amm er a nd m ad e w ho le a ga in in

t he morni ng.

T he c on ce pt o f a n a nim al b ein g sa cr if ic ed , e ate n, a nd re sto re d to

w hol en es s a ga in r ef le ct s t he a nc ie nt a tt it ud e t ow a rd s ac ri fi ci al a nim al s. T h ey

p ro vid ed su ste nan ce - b oth sp iritu al an d p hysica 1- to G od s a nd m en . T he ire xi st en ce ( as a s pe ci es ) w as s tr en gt he ne d a nd c on st an tl y r en ew e d b y t he

s ac rif ic ia l a ct- s o th e p ro ce ss a s a w ho le w as c oo pe ra tiv e a nd r esto ra tiv e.

T his a ttitu de is ty pic al o f th e G er ma nic p eo pl e a s a w ho le . I n a nc ie nt tim es



26

th e e mp ha sis w as o n th e su rv iv al a nd h ea lth o f th e who l e r at he r t han . t h e

in di vid ua l, s o t he s ac rifi cia l a ct w as in de ed o ne w hic h r es to re d th e a nim al (a s

a whole). .H arts o r d e er a re lin ke d to th e d wa rv es in th e lo re . It is in th e sh ap e o f

harts th at d wa rv es f are o ut in to M id ga rd a nd e ve n i nto A sg ard w he re th ey e at

f ro m t he li mb s o f Y g gd ra si ll . T he re a re fo ur h art s n am e d D ain , D va li n,D un ey r, a nd D ura th ro r w hic h g na w a t th e lim bs o f th e W orld -T re e a t th e fo ur

c ome rs o f h ea ve n.T he e ag le is o ne o f O din's a nim als , a s a re th e o th er G erm an ic b ea sts o f

b attle a nd c arrio n- th e ra ve n a nd the w olf. T he se c re ature s flo ck to th e sc en e

o f b a tt le o ft en b efo re it e ve r o cc urs to s ca ve ng e t he c or ps es o f t he s la in . B y

d ev ou ri ng th e d ea d t he y a re re di stri bu tin g t he fl es h a nd s piri t in n at ur e a nd t he

N in e-W o rld s. T ho se e at en b y e ag le s a nd ra ve ns m ig ht w in d u p i n V alh al la ,

w hile th ose ta ke n b y w olv es m ig ht b e re bo rn in M id ga rd m ore re ad ily . T he

e ag le is a lso a c re atu re o f E tin -H om e a nd a t l ea st th re e e tin s a re k no wn to

h av e ta ke n th e sh ap e o r h a m r o f a n e ag le w he n fa rin g fo rth .

T he ra ve n is o ne o f O din 's a nim als. W hile th e e ag le is n ob le a nd stro ng ,

th e ra ve n is w is e, c un nin g a nd s orc ero us .T he o wl m ay b e a ss oc ia te d w ith m ag ic a nd th in gs h id de n. A lo ng w ith th e

c oo ko o, m ag pie a nd ra ve n, is l in ke d to s or ce ry . Iti s b e st to s pe ak

re sp ec tf ully o f th es e b ird s a nd n ot to kill t hem n ee dle ss ly . S uc h b ird s a re

c re di te d w it h p ow e rf ul a ve ng in g s pi ri ts t ha t c au se c ri pp li ng a nd f at al

accidents.T he c oo ko o b ird is v ery p ro mi ne nt i n G erm an ic fo lk tr ad iti on s c on ce rn in g

m agic- and is seen as a sign of the com ing of spiring and the renew al of

nature.F ish m ay be linked to Ran o r N i ord . L ik e th e sn ak e th ey a re link ed w ith

a cts o f d elv in g i nto d ep th s o f th e u nk no wn , b rin gin g th e s pa rk o f c on sc io us

lig ht to sh ad ow s o f th e h alls o f H el (D ea th ). D wa rv es h av e b ee n k no wn totake the shape of salm on, as has Loki. Fish - and especially salm on - m ay

b e e ate n t o g ain u nd erw or ld w is dom.S na ke s a re b ea st s o f th e c hth on ic re al ms . T he ir p re se nc e i n a re a nd

l it er at ur e a s p oi so no us a dd er s a nd v ip er s o r a s d ra go ns i s e ve r- pr es en t. Inearly

m ed ie va l C hu rc h re co rd s th ere a re r efe re nc es to t he w or sh ip o f s ac re d v ip ers o r

s na ke s amo ng th e D an es a nd t he L an go ba rd s. T he s na ke m o tif is fo un d

m ain ly in N ife l-H om e a nd E tin -H om e. T he tw o g re ate st se rp en ts a re .

N ith ho gg , w ho s na ps to p ie ce s th e ro ot s o f t he W o rld -T re e, a nd t he ~ dg ard -

W or m (a ls o k no wn a s Io rm u ng an d) w ho e nc ir cle s th e o ce an a ro un d M id ga rd .

W he n O din so ugh t th e m ea d o f po etry h ou se d in S uttu ng 's h all, h e to ok th e

fo rm o f a sn ak e to b urro w tho ug h th e m ou nta in th at h ou se s th e h all. T he

sn ak e is lin ke d w ith th e u nc an ny w isd om o f d ark a nd h id de n p la ce s. A s su ch

it h as b ee n b ot h fe ar ed a nd re ve re d in th e N or th . S om e S ca nd in av ia n fo lk lo re

h as it th at e ating c erta in k in ds o f sn ak es, su ch a s a sn ak e w ith a c ro wn o n its

h ea d, g iv es o ne th e p ow er t o s ee in to h id de n t hin gs .

27

B ea rs a re c re at ur es o f e no rm ou s p hy si ca l p ow er . S om e w ork ers o f s eit h-

m ag ic a re s ai d t o h av e fa re d fo rt h i nto c om ba t in b ea r- sh ap e a nd t o h a ve

tra ns fo rm ed o th er s in to b ea rs . T he b ea r's m ig ht i s s ou gh t b y th e " be ar-

s hi fte rs " (b er se rk s) o f O di n w ho w ou ld w ea r b ea r- sk in s in to b at tle a nd fa ll

in to s up ern atu ra l b att le ra ge th at e nd ow ed t hem w ith s uc h s tre ng th a nd fury

t ha t th ey w ere a ct ua ll y s ha pe -s hi ft ed in to b ea rs . T he b ea r i s fo un d in m an y

common Norse names such as B era and B jorn. -

W olv es a re a lso O din 's a nim als. A S we dish tra ditio n h as it th at w he n

a nim als sp ok e, th e w olf s aid : "C all m e w arg a nd I w ill b e w ro th w ith th ee !"

W ild a nd d an ge ro us p re da to rs w ere o fte n c al le d b y e up hemis ms o r

c ir cu mlo cu ti on s r ath er th an b y th ei r rig ht fu l n am es in o rd er n ot to i nv ok e

them . T he sam e w as done w ith the bear- all the nam e really m eans is "the

bro wn o ne ." P eo ple w alk in g th ro ug h th e d ark w oo ds th ou gh t th at if th ey ju st

used the true nam e of the anim al it w ould tend to call it to them - w hich w as

u su al ly n ot a d es ira bl e th in g. T hu s th e t ru e n am es b ec am e " ta bu iz ed " a nd

so me tim e s lo st in tim e.

W arg is a te rm fo r "w olf' th at c an a lso m ea n "o utla w." InO ld N orse a n

o utla w m ig ht b e k no wn a s "a w arg a mo ng h oly p la ce s" (vargr (veum).T he fo llo win g is a list o f o th er re sp ec tful n am es fo r v ario us a nim als in

Swedish t r ad i tion :

F ox: B lue F oot, or H e that G oes in the F orest

B e ar : T he O ld O n e o r G ra nd fa th er

Rat: The Longbodi ed

M ou se : T he S ma ll G re y

Seal : B r ot he r La rs

W olf: G old F oot or G rey F oot or G rey T osse- but not W arg

S om e fo lk s a re in clin ed to se ek o ut T eu ton ic bre ed s o f a nim als fo r th e

h ou se ho ld a nd fa rm . T he N orw eg ia n E lk ho un d is a p an -S ca nd in av ia n b re ed o f

do g. T he E lk ho un d is m ore c lo se ly re la te d to th e w olf tha n a ny o th erd ome st ic d og . E lk ho un ds a re e xc ep ti on al ly l oy al a nd d ep en da bl e. InNorway

a nd S we de n th ey a re still u se d to hu nt m oo se . T he N orw eg ia n w ord e l g h u n d

re ally m ea ns "M oo se D og." It is n ot re ally a "h ou nd " in th e u su al se nse . T he

G re at G re ys h av e a lo ng a nd n ob le h is to ry o f s erv ic e a nd h un tin g, r es cu e,

h erd in g a nd o th er c omm en da ble a cti viti es . T he y m a ke p oo r p oli ce o r a tta ck

do gs, h ow ev er. T he y se em to h av e a ffm itie s w ith h um an s th at lie to o d ee p.

F eb ru ary 1 4, 1 84 2 is s till re me mb ere d in th e N ord erh ov e V alle y o f

N orw ay as one of the G reat grey's fm est hours. T his w as a~e "W olf A ge"

and this night is called "W olf N ight." N orw ay w as at this . e being over

ru n b y p ac ks o f h un gry w olv es p erh ap s d riv en to d esp era te c tio n d ue to th e

se ve rity o f th e w in te r. A t o ne fa rm ste ad th ere liv ed a p ac k o f n in e to ug h

E lk ho un ds. T he pa ck w as le d b y F an aro k, th e to ug he st o f th em a ll. O ne o fF an aro k's b ro th ers , P ur ve n, w as m ad e a h ou se d og b ec au se h e w as s ma ll . In

sp ite o f th eir d iffe re nt life sty le s- o ne a m ig hty h un te r th e o th er a lo vin g p et

- th e tw o w ere fie rc e frie nd s. O ne n ig ht w he n F an aro k w as lo ck ed in th e



28

b ar n to g ua rd th e c attle , h is li ttle b ro th er a cc id en ta lly g ~t lo ck e~ ou t o f th e

h ou se w he re h e n or ma lly s pe nt th e n ig ht. In a short w hile a roving p ack o f

h un gry w olv es c am e u po n th e fa rm stea d an d to re little P urv en to sh red s

w ith in e ar sh ot o f F an ar ok w ho str ug gle d h ero ic ally a ga in st th e s tu rd y

c ra ftsm an sh ip o f th e o ld N or we gi an b ar n m ak er s. W h en F :marok f in a ll y go t

free all h e fo und w ere b its o f fur in th e m u d a nd b lo od st ain ed sn ow . F an ar ok

at on ce led his b an d of loyal E lkh oun ds to set up an am bu sh in the w ood s.

. H e ran o ut alo ne a nd lu red th e w olv es in to th e tra p w he re th e h ou nd s a ttac ke d.

T he g re at d in o f th e b attle b ro ug ht o ut th e lo cal fa rm ers a rm ed w ith ax es a nd

sw or ds. A t th e e nd o f th e f ra y 2 7 w er e c ou nte d v ic tim s o fF an ar ok 's

vengeance. . ..T he re a re s ev er al o th er d og -b re ed s im p or ta nt to G er ma nic tr ad itio n a nd

lo re . S om e o f th ese in clu de th e R ott we ile r, t he G re at D an e a nd th e G er ma n

Shepherd . . .. ..T he R ottw eile r is a ctu ally a b re ed o f o rie nt al (Iranian) origin w hic h w as

brou ght w est b y the R om ans. Ro man soldiers too k these do gs w ith the~ on

th eir ex pe ditio ns to th e n orth , w here a la rg e n um ber o f th em w ere b red m a ne nc ampmen t n ea r t he p re se nt -d ay t ow n o f R o tt we il i n s ou thw es .t er n G e rm .a n

y.

T he se d og s w er e u se d f or e ve ry th in g fr om p ullin g carts t o f igh ti ng a long si de

s ol di er s i n b at tl e. T o da y t he y a re n o te d f or t he ir a gg re ss iv en es s, b u t p ro p er ly

so cia liz ed th ey m ak e w on de rfu l c om pa nio ns . T he y a re g en tle w i~ th in gs

w e ak er t ha n t hem se lv es , b ut o ft en a gg re ss iv e a nd c omp et il 1v e W I th o t h er

l ar ge dogs.T he G reat D ane, o r Dogge, a s th e G erm an s c all th em to da y, w ere th e

b re ed th e V ik in gs to ok w ith th em o n th eir ra id s. T he y w ere o ften u se d as

" sh oc k- tr oo p s" a ga in st t ho se w ho m ig h t try to d ef en d th em se lv es f rom th e

raid ers. F or an yo ne w ho h as k no wn a G rea t D an e, th is h isto ry is p erh ap s

d if fic ul t to b elie ve , a s th ey a re a mo ng th e m o st g en tle o f b re ed s to da y.

T he G erm an Shepherd is perhaps one of the best k now n o f ~e north ernEuropean breeds. T hey are unm atched for in telligen ce and for bem g .

co op erativ e w ith h um an m asters. T his is w ha t h as m ad e th em a fav o~ te o f

p olic e fo rc es a ro un d th e w or ld . N o d og w ill w or k h ar de r, l? ng er , o r :W Ithm o re

en jo ym en t fo r h is task th an th e G erm an S hep herd - ev en if t he y t hi nk

"work" is chasing a ball or stick across the yard. . ... .F olk tr ad it io n a ls o p ro vid es lo re o n m ea ns o f p ro te ctin g y ou r a nim als

fro m d ise ases a nd ac cid en ts o r to k ee p th em fro m ru nn in g aw ay. M ost o f th is

in vo lv es p re ve ntin g e lf -sh ot a nd b ad r ela tio ns w ith th e lo ca l w ig hts a s w ell a s

e nlis tin g th e h elp o f s uc h w ig hts in c ur in g a ff lic tio ns . T he re a re , o f .c ou rs e,

n um ero us fo lk re me dies. O ne o ld c usto m o f th e h ealth o f c attle re qu ired .

ru nn in g th em b etw ee n tw o E aster o r M id su mm er fires. A cu sto m fo r k ee pm g

c ats r eq uir es th e own er to c ha se th e c at a ro un d th e r oom th re e t im es.

29

C ha pte r 6

W ELC OM E T O T HE M ACH IN ES

. Animysticism

!h e in an im ate o bjec ts o f y ou r h ou se ho ld h av e m oo ds a nd "en erg ie s" o f

t he ir ow n. T h ey h av e " pe rs on al it ie s," ifyo u will. Art a nd f ur nitu re a ll m ak et he ~ ~ on tr ib u~ o~ s t? th ~ f ee lin g ? f th e h ou se ho ld . In s o -c a ll ed p r in ii ti ve o r

t ra d it ional SOC Ie ti es Inanimat e ob je c ts a re o f te n consi der e d to have a soul to

have personalities of their own. This kind of th inking is known to '

~ tltr o~OI ,? gist s a s " an im is m." O bje ct s m ay a ls o b e th ou gh t to c on ta in

"en erg l~ s b ~t to h av e n o rea l p erso na lity. T his k in d o f th in kin g is k no wn as

dynamism, T ho ug h w e k no w th at m ach in es a nd in an im ate o bje cts d o n ot

r ea lly h av e th ou gh ts a nd f ee lin gs, th ey n ev er th ele ss h av e th eir o wn

i di os ~c ra si ~s .w ? ic h w e m i gh t c ha ra ct er iz e a s " pe rs on al it ie s" o r " en er gi es ."

S om etim es It IS Ju st m ore co nv en ie nt o r e fficie nt to think of th em in this

w ay w he n w e a re in te rac tin g w ith th em o n a re gu lar b asis.

I nte ra ctin g w ith m ac hin es a s if th ey w er e liv in g b ein gs w ith th ou gh ts a nd

fe elin gs c an m ak e it ea sie r to u nd erstan d th em an d to rela te to th eme ffe cti ve ly . I t a ls o m ak es i t e asi er to u nd ers ta nd w ha t k in d o f e ff ec t th e

m achin e is hav ing on the m ood of the ho useh old, to feel w hat kin d of

" ene rgy " i t i s p r oj ec ti ng .

. Mach~~s are ? f l . T he y a re e xp re ss io ns o f a h um an b ein gs s ub je ctiv e,

r nte rn al V IS Io n. L ik e a ny t oo l, th ey b ec om e e xte ns io ns o f o ur o wn

p ers on ali tie s, o r th at o f th e h ou se ho ld . T he re by t he y a cq uir e p er so na lity o r

m oo~ fr?m us and from o ur livin g qu arters. B y being w ith us, a m achin e can

acqu ire Its ow n pecu liar traits from the w ay w e d o or do not use it from the

w ay w e m ain ta in an d re pa ir it, fro m m od ifica tio ns w e m ig ht make t o i t, f rom

th e . w ay w e a llo w it to m an ife st u ne xp ec te d la te nt q ua litie s a cq uir ed in th e

d esign o f the room , at the facto ry o r in ship ping . L ike anything in a

h ou se ho ld , a m ach in e c an tra nsfo rm , a nd b e tra nsfo rm ed b y, th e m oo ds o f th e

p eo p le i n t he h o us eh o ld .

. M a ch in es c an ~ c.tu ally .w or k b ette r a nd m o re h ar mo ni ou sly w he n y ou

th in k o f th em a s liv in g b ein gs. T his is p artly b eca use w e b eco me m ore aw are

_ of them and m ore atte~tive to them . Ifw e th in k o f m ac hin es a s liv in g b ein gs

. th ey b ec om e m ore su bje ct to m an ip ulatio n th ro ug h "m ag ic al" a cts o r p raye r

a s a resu lt o f a p ro fo un d su bje ctiv e lin k th at m ay b e fo rm ed as a resu lt o f

su ch in terac tio n. A s w ith all su ch "m ag ica l" ac tiv ities, it is b est n ot to tak e

o ne '.s s elf to o serio usly in d oin g so . M an y p eo ple h av e a ten an cy to g et

e ar ne d a wa y a nd ta ke th ese b elie fs a nd p ra ct ic es a b it to o f ar .

T h~ id ea is to m ak e life m ore efficie nt a nd e njo yab le, n ot to b eco me

p ar an o id o r t ot al ly " wh ac ke d o ut " Ify ou f in d y ou rs el fb ei ug mo re "wo rr ie d"ab ou t yo ur ca r. o r w ash ~g m ac hin e th an y ou w ere b efo ¢, yo u'v e g on e a b it

to o fa r. T he re IS a fin e lin e b etw een m ag ic a nd su pe rstitio n. T he re is e ve n a



30

f iner line between magical thinking and forms of schizophrenia One of the

defining characteristics of psychotic thinking is the idea that one's own inner

experience has a direct effect on the objective world. At the same time this

kind of thought is often engaged in among healthy children- the adult can

balance this with objective reality and have the world of the eternal child and

the adult within- gleaning the practical benefits of both kinds of thought.Our rede on this matter is: Have fun and watch out!

31

Part II

Worship

)



32

C ha pte r 7

BLESSINGS

A Bo ok o f Tro th h ol ds th e m os t th or ou gh tr ea tm e nt o f th e p ub li c

c ele bra ti on o f th e ri tu al s o f t he T ro th a va il ab le . H ere w e w ill re vi ew t he

s tru ct ure a nd m e an in g o f th e b le ss in g a nd s um bl e a nd talk: a bo ut th em a sh ou se ho ld a ct iv it ie s r at he r t ha n p ub li c e ve nt s.

T he b le ssin g is a ritu al g iv in g o f g ifts to th e G od s a nd th e ra isin g o f o ur

c on sc io us ne ss t o r ec ei ve t he ir e te rn al g if ts i n r et ur n. This is th e e sse nc e o f

w h at o ur f or eb ea rs c al le d " sa cr if ic e. " I t i s a r it ua li ze d a nd o ft en s ymb ol ic

s ha ri ng o f f oo d, drink a lo ng w ith lu ck , m ig ht a nd m ain w ith th e G od s a nd

G od de ss es a nd w ith o ur k it h a nd kin b ot h in M id ga rd a nd b ey on d. B rie fly t he

G od s o r o th er w ig ht s a re c al le d to a tte nd th e o cc as io n a nd fo od a nd drink are .

h allo we d a nd l oa de d w ith th e m ig ht a nd main o f t he G od s a nd m en a lik e. T his

is th en d istrib ute d in a h oly m an ne r a mo ng th e fo lk .

T he f oll ow in g fo rm u la p ro vid es th e s tru ct ure fo r b le ss in gs . Y o u m a y

a da pt t he b le ss in gs u se d i n A B oo k o f T ro th o r y ou m ay u se th e n iu efo ld p la n

to o rg an iz e y ou r o wn s ty le o f b le ss iu gs . T he main th in g is th e o ve r a llstruc ture o f th e rite - w hic h is th e o ne h an de d d ow n th ro ug h th e tra ditio n.

Y our ow n blessings m ay be as elaborate or as sim ple as you w ish and m ay

n ot i nc lu de d fe at ure s s uc h a s a fe as t, d an cin g, o r d ram as w it hin t he b le ss in g

o r a fte r i t P ri va te h ou se ho ld rit es t en d t o b e s im pl e a nd sma ll , w hil e p ub li c

o ne s te nd to b e m ore e la bo ra te a nd g ra nd T he p urp os e a nd e ffe ct o f b oth

rem ain t he s am e.

T he B le ss in g F o rmu la

1. H allow ing: H ere the ritual space is m ade holy and the celebrants

e nte r in to a h oly fra me o f m in d, in to th e h oly tim e/sp ac e, in to a m yth ic

f ram e o f r ef er en ce w h er e my th s a nd t he a rc he ty pe s t he y r ep re se nt a re

imminent.

2. R eading: A m yth is read or retold to connect the blessing w ith a

p ar ti cu la r my th ic f orm o r e ve nt .

3. Reder M ea ning is given to the m yth by reading or rec ita tion in

w hic h th e m y th re ad in th e re ad in g is lin ke d to th e p urp os e o f th e b le ssin g.

T he re ad in g te nd s to b e in a p oe tic o r e vo ca tiv e fo rm , w hile th e re de is m ore

prosaic and s t ra igh tfo rward .

4. C all: T his is essentially an invocation to the G ods and G oddesses or

o th er t ra ns mu nd an e w ig hts w ho a re i nv it ed t o s ha re in t he b le ss in g.

5 . L oa din g: T he fo od a nd /o r drink is filled w ith the holy m ight and

m a in o f th e G od s a nd m e n b le nd ed to ge th er.

6 . D r in k in g Oil" E ating: T he godly m ight is ingeste d and circulated

w i th i n. Th e drinkis poured from a hom in w hich it w as loaded into thev es se ls h e ld b y i nd iv id ua l c el eb ra nt s. O n e o f t he p ar ti ci pa n ts w il l u su al ly b e

r es po ns ib le f or d is tr ib ut in g t he h ol y l iq ui d. B e fo re d ri nk in g i t i s c u st om a ry

33

fo r e a ch p erso n to m ak e th e sig n o f th e h amme r o r so me o th er h oly sig n o ve rt he h om .

7. B lessing: T he rem aining portion of the drink is poured from the

h om i nto th e b le ss in g b ow l. An e ve rg re en s pr ig i s d ip pe d in t he drink an d

u se d to s prin kl e o r " ble ss " t he h arro w a nd th e g ath er ed t ru e fo lk .

8. G iving: The bow l is em ptied and give n to divinity. It is usuallyemptied on t he g round to the e ast o f t he harrow. .

9. L eaving: T he w ork is dec lared done and the gathered folk re turn tot he ir o rd in ar y f ram e o f m i nd .

T he S um bl e

T he su mb le is a d rin kin g ritu al th at m ay a cc om pa ny a b le ss in g o r sta nd

o n i ts o wn . A t s um ble s a h om is p asse d a ro un d a mo ng th e g ath ere d fo lk . T he

le ad er o f th e su mb le h allo ws th e h om a nd m ak es a to ast, b oa st o r o ath . A fte r

th is h e p ass es it to th e p erso n to h is rig ht. S om etim es th e fo lk s a re s ea te d

acco rd i ng t o r ank : and r ece iv e drink i n t ha t o rd er. A s e ac h re ce iv es th e h om h e

o r s he h as th e o pp ortu nity to sp ea k a toa st o r m ak e a n o ath . T oa sts a re

t yp ic al ly m a de in h on or o f a nc es to rs o r G od s a nd m a y be a cc omp an ie d b y

s to ri es o r my th s.

In e xp eri en ce o f t he o ri gin al Irm in sfil H of in A us tin , T ex as , th e s um bl e

h as p ro du ce d s om e p ro fo un d m ag ic al a tm os ph ere s. W h en i t w o rk s w ell , th e

g ath er ed fo lk f md th em se lv es i n to uc h w it h th e d iv in e a nd t he ir w ord s

i ns pir ed a nd w is e. T he w ord s o f o ne o fte n s pa rk i ns pi re d t ho ug hts in o th ers

s uc h th at w or d le ad s t o w ord . T he w is dom o f i ns pir ed th ou gh t o fte n le ad s to

n ew u nd ers ta nd in gs th at le ad t o r e so lv e to n ew a cti on a nd t his i s m a n ife ste d

in o ath s a nd b oa sts. T hu s w ord le ad s to w ork . T he g re at w ork s o f a nc esto rs a s

. re ca lle d in th e c on te xt o f a su mb le c an le ad to e ffo rts o n th e p art o f th e

g ath er ed fo lk to m a tc h d ee ds w it h o r em ula te t he g re at fo remo th ers a nd

fo re fa th ers . T hu s w ork l ea ds to w or k. T he b oa st s m ad e in a s um b le a re o fte n

n ot so m uc h a fo rm o f b ra gg in g a bo ut p ast d ee ds a s th ey a re sta te me nts o fin te nt o r re po rts o n th e re su lts o f p a st o ath s, a nd so o n. In a b oa st y ou

c omm it y ou rs elf to a c er ta in c ou rs e o f a cti on b efo re th e g ath er ed fo lk w ho se

re sp ec t y ou w an t to h av e. An o ath rin g is so me tim es k ep t o n th e h arro w a t

sum bles for those w ho w ant to m ake a vow on it. It is also traditional to

p ro vid e a n o ath b lo ck (a sm all b lo ck o f w oo d) o n w hic h th e o ath m ak er

p la ce s h is rig ht fo ot w he n m ak in g a v ow .

It is not good to get drunk a t a s um ble o r y ou m ay fin d y ou rs elf

c omm it te d t o t hin gs t ha t y ou r eg re t th e n ex t d ay . In th e Sa g a o f th e

Jomsviking s w ar rio rs w ere tri ck ed i nto m ak in g o at hs a ft er b ei ng p li ed w ithg rea t q u an ti ti e s o f s tr ong drink a t a f ea st .

Som etim es an entire sum ble is held for a single an~r or hero or a

s ma ll g ro up o f th em . S uc h su mb le s a re so me tim es k no wn a s m em ory -d ri nk in gs . A m em o ry -d rin kin g m ay g o fo r a s in gl e r ou nd o r m ore d ep en din g

o n t he m oo d o f th e g ro up a nd th e d ec isio n o f th e s um ble s pe ak er. I th ere a re

s pe ci al s hr in e s o r g ra ve s f or t he se i nd iv id ua ls a va il ab le , t he m emor y- dr in ki ng



34

. . f th al should be pouredm ay b e h eld a t t ha t s ite . A t th e c on clu slOn some 0 e e

o ut t o th e h on ore d G od o r a nc es to r. f ula:

The sum ble can follow a five.fold P:eo~~= a ~ble, a [ue or shrine

1 . S ea ti ng : T he fo ~ g ath erU : b~ ec le ad er o r s pe ak er a t t he h ea d a nd c l? se

a nd o rd er th em se lve s. W Ith t he sd th ld est w ill b e c lo se st to the sp ea ke r mkinor those highest m rank an e e

many c ases. . di .d al a llotted the b earing of t he hom

2. B ringing the ~~rn: Tdhem In

Vt1

exU

tsf it is a wom an) brings in the .al l d alkyne m mo em co . d t

(often c e a v . th . often no one personallotte . 0I mall gathermgs ere IS.

hom and the ale. n s... assed from one person to the next.bearing the ho_m and It ISSlIDply ~ eneral introduction to the sum ble

3. JBeginm ng: !he sp~aker grves ~ ~ is to·be. The rue is hallowed by

a nd d ec la re s w ha t Its sp ec ia l p urpo se , th a t I ad th e a le w ith d iv in e m ig htthe ham mer sign and/or words of pow er a 0

. d t h ose of t he sumble.and call to m m e p urp . . the first hom and makes. the rust boast,

4. Boasts: The speaker IS glve~ usuall iven to the Gods and heroes.

as described above. T he [~t found IS m s

i :::U s. S o me giv e th e ru st to ast to

D iffe re nt k in dre ds h av e d iffe re nt c ~s ~ to th e a nc es to rs a nd h ero es w hi le

O din , th e se co nd to G od s a nd the thir . d iv id u al i ns p ir a ti on s . Ano th e r

ro un ds a ft er t ha t a re b as ed p ure ly u po n m t he s ec on d to t he a nc es to rs a nd

m eth od is to g iv e o ne ro un d . t o : ~~~SPiration A nother w ay is to give the

heroes, and a th~d is left to m l~hu and the mkd to Frey and Freya and

rus t to ast to O din , the se con d.~ od ' ld ua ls Y ou m ay u se th e o pp ortu nity to d olea ve su bse qu ent to asts u p to m IV I U. o ur w ay

'cal k hen the hom comes Y .personal magi wor w d e complete and the inspiration has

5. Leaving: A fter the roun s ar d and declares the purpose of thewaned, the speaker calls an end to the roun s .

s um ble t o h av e b ee n completed- . t k ee p th e G od s a nd a nc es to rsT he s um ble a nd m em ory -d ri nk in g s er ve 0

alive i n our hearts and m inds. d AIMead . Me at a n e .

e re t yp ic al ly c on sumed a t b le ssmgs

In days of yor.e b oth m ea~:r~~o be consum ed at the ritual feast, not

and sum bles. A nim als w ere uld be burned off for the Gods, usually

to b e throw n a wa y. S om e. p arts w ~s ten de d to lik e to e at.

p a rt s o th e r than those w hich hum f ho practice the ritual slaughter of

N ow ad ay s t he re a re v ery fe w 0 us : O W to ritu al ly s la y a n animal without

anim als. In the old days pe?ple ~ew 't w as the practice to be able to slay a. it t d ea th In a nC Ie nt u me s 1 . . it

tortumlg 1 .0· . u ld fe el n o te rro r or p am in1s

sacri f ic ia l an imal in such a W % :a~t ':unal it w ould be indirectly suffered

death. Ifthis\>Jere to be suffer Y e th e e ss en ce o f t he a nima l.b y the G od o r G o dd es s v .: ho c o~ e:~ ~d s o :'d S a re in ca pa ble o f k illin g a n

.E ve ~ th e fe w o f u .s W Ith n :e r. T he !fo re w e u su ally g et m ea ~ fr9m th e

a nim al m an aP hP ro pn atwentto h av e me at in our blessing feast. , .su perm ark et w e n w e

35

L iq uid s su ch a s m e ad , a le a nd b ee r a re th e m ost c ommo n sa crific es giv en

in ble ssin gs. W e u sua lly u se th e b est ale s a nd b ee rs a va ila ble - im po rte d

f rom G e rmani c c ou nt ri es w h er e p os si bl e.

M ea d is th e m ost p riz ed drink in su mb le s a nd b les sin gs, b ut it is a ls o

q uite ra re . T he re a re fe w c omm er ci al m ea ds , s uc h a s M er ry do wn , s o w e h av e

to brew o ur o wn . In A pp en dix A y ou w ill find instru ctio ns fo r bre win g y ou r

ow n m ead at hom e. S om e folks do not like alcohol and som e are opposed to

d rin kin g it e ve n in s ma ll q ua nt iti es a s a m atte r o f p ri nc ip le . A pp le j ui ce m ay

b e h ap pi ly s ub st itu te d. Y o u m ay e ve n try non- al cohol ic b eer s.

W he el o f th e Y ea r

T he G erm an ic fo lk o rd ere d tim e in term s o f c yc le s. T he y ea r is a c yc le ,

the day is a cycle, life is a cycle. T his is not to say that one year or life is

ju st lik e a no th er in a ll re sp ec ts . W h il e o ne y ea r w il l b e s tru ctu re d ju st l ik e

a no th er o n a c osm ic le ve l, th ere w ill b e va ria tio ns o n the m un da ne le ve l th at

r ad ic al ly d is ti ng ui sh o ne y ea r f rom ano th er . T he e ff ec ts o f t he se v ar ia ti on s

carry o ve r fro m o ne y ea r t o t he n ex t c re atin g th e a pp are nt l in ea r s er ie s o f

e ve nts w e c al l h is to ry . T he G er ma nic p eo ple s k new t wo b as ic s ea so ns :s umm er a nd w in te r. T he g re ate st fe stiv al s o f th e y ea r t en de d t o o cc ur a t th e

m id -p oin t o f th e t wo s ea so ns : m id su mm er a nd m id wi nte r. T he T eu to nic f ol k

h ad a n um be r o f o the r s ea so na l fe stiva ls. B ut it is im porta nt to k no w a nd to

r em embe r t ha t h is to ri ca ll y t he s ea so na l f es ti va ls o ft en v ar ie d w id el y f rom

tr ib e to t rib e a nd fro m re gio n t o re gio n.

T he R in g o f T roth h as a do pte d th e e ig ht sp oke d d iv is io n of th e h oly y ea r.

F ig ur e 7 .1 s how s t he a pp ro xim at e t id es ( pe ri od s) d ur in g w h ic h t he se f es ti va l

occasions fa ll . Ina nc ie nt t im e s t he re w e re v ar yi ng s ys tem s f or d et erm in in g

th e e x ac t ti me a t w hic h a s ac rif ic ia l fe as t w ou ld b e c ele bra te d. T he y m ig ht b e

o rd ere d s tric tl y a cc ord in g t o t he c yc le s o f th e m oo n, o r t he y m ig ht b e

d ete rm in ed b y th e o bs erv at io n o f c erta in o rg an ic o r n a tu ra l e ve nt s s uc h a s th e

sp yin g o f th e first sw allo w o r ro bin o f sp rin g, or th e b loo ming of a c erta in

flo we r i n a s ac re d m ea do w. A ga in , t he t ra di ti on s v ari ed f ro m tri be t o t rib e a nd

fro m a re a to a re a o ve r th e w ho le o f th e G erm an ic t errit ory . It is w or th

rememb erin g th at th e v ery s urv iv al o f o ur a nc es to rs w as o fte n d ep en da nt o n

c or re ct o bs er va ti on o f organic e ve nts so th at th ey w ould k now th e e xa ct

t im in g o f c ert ain a ctio ns p erta in in g t o h un ti ng a nd fa rm in g, o f fi sh in g a nd

h erd in g. T he se o bs er va tio ns w ere s ig ns o f th e c ha ng in g o f c yc le s e ss en tia l t o

p hy sic al a nd e co nomic s urv iv al o f th e fo lk . T he o bs erv ati on o f p ure ly

m ec na mc at e ve nts in th e he av en s (su ch a s w he n th e su n e nte rs a sig n o f th e

a re la rg ely irre le va nt to the a ctua l c yc le s o f n a tu re ~ is p la ne t.



36

Yule-Tide

Winter Nights Disting

Harvest

Thing's Tide Walburga IMay Day

Midsummer

Figure 7.1: E ig htf old T im in g o f t he B le ss in gs

N ow ad ay s w e u su all y g ath er w he ne ve r it i s m o st c on ve ni~ n~ to t he mo st

p eo ple - u su ally o n a w ee ke nd . In th is w e a re s im pl y re co grn zm g t he new

fact o f o u r e co no mic e xis te nc e: th e fiv e-d ay w ork ~ ~k ~ d w ~k en d c yc le .

T he a nc ie nt a gri cu ltu ra l m o de l o f c yc lic al p ~u ctl Vl ty 1 Sc ert ain ly m ~ re

o rg an ic , a nd c lo se r t o s pi ri tu al t ru th c on cemmg t he c yc le s o f h ow . t hi ng sn • t bein g n b ut t he s oc io ec on om ic fa ct s o f o ur c ult ura l e X1 ste nc es a scomemo , . od a dit is to day can not b e ign ored in sha ping a practical fa ith fo r t y an

tomorrow which is in harmony w ith o ur p ast. .. . ..F ull o utl in es o f t he p erf orm a nc e o f t he se u su al ly p ub lic ly h e~ d B le ss in gs

a re g iv en in A B oo k o f T ro th . U s in g th e n in ef old s tru ct ure s up pli ed o n p ag e

1 38 o f th at b oo k y ou c an c re ate y ou r o wn ritu al, o r, if y ou h av e th e fe el fo r

th e p erfo rm an ce o f B le ssin gs, y ou c an le ad a sp on ~~ us ~ orm ~ f t he m ore

pub lic r i tuals. In s uc h B l es si ng s t he s pe a ke r( s) l et tnspuanon gu .t d e t h~m and

sp ea k a s th ey are m ov ed a t a pp ro pria te p oin ts . W he n I a m w ork in g w ith asm all g ro up o f fa milia r p eo ple w ho k no w h ow to d o B le ss in gs , I o ft en m a ke

ro om a t e a ch ste p o f th e ritu al fo r th e re st o f th e g ro up to s pe ak a s th ey a re .

m o ve d. E ve n i n th e c on te xt o f w rit te n ri tu als w e o fte n a ll ow e ve ry on e to

37

contribute to t he c al l b y a dd in g calls to Gods l eft o ut b y o th er s pe ak ers , o r b y

e xp an din g o n c all s t o t he G od s a nd G od de ss es a lr ea dy n am e d.

T yp ic ally a H ea rth w ill h av e its o wn s ch ed ule o f su mb le s a nd m em ory -

d rin ki ng s to h er oe s a nd a nc es to rs . S om e o f th e h er oe s i nc lu de d in t he o ld

Asatru F re e A ss em b ly c ale nd ar a re : K in g Radbod o f F r is ia , Eyv in d K inn r if i,

R au d, R ag na r L od bro k, t ho se w ho s ac ke d L in di sfam e, E ri k th e R ed , Leif

E rik ss on a nd th e E in he rja r, A t t he I rm in sfil H of w e h old s um bl es w ho se

. p u rp os e i s o fte n n ot k no wn u nt il w e a re u nd erw ay .

T he H amm er W o rk in g

T he H am mer W orking is the m eans by w hich a stea d is hallow ed and

w a rd ed ( gu ar de d) f or h ol y w o rk , T h is s et s t he s te ad a p ar t f rom o rd in a ry a ff ai rs

to b rin g o n ritu al o r m yth ic tim e a nd sp ac e. A t th is tim e p artic ip an ts sh ou ld

e nte r th ei r h ig he st a nd m o st g od -l ik e f ram e o f m in d.

T his is th e firs t p art o f th e b le ssin g a nd b eg in s w ith th e fo lk g ath ere d

a bo ut a nd t he s pe ak er s ta nd in g a t t he h arr ow f ac in g n ort h. T he s pe ak er tu rn s

c lo ck wi se t o e ac h o f t he c ard in al d ire cti on s (e as t, s ou th , w es t a nd b ac k to th e

north) and m akes the sign of the ha mm er in the air in front of him w ith a

g an d (w an d) , h amm er to ke n, o r o uts tre tc he d th re e fm g ers . B eg in w it h y ou rarm s tre tc he d o ut s lig htl y a bo ve y ou r h ea d p oi nt in g n or th . D raw t he g an d

dow n to trace the h aft of th e ham mer sign as show n in figure 7.2. S ee and

fe el h oly p ow er ru sh in g th ro ug h th e g an d a nd in to th e air. W hen you have a

g lo win g v ertic al lin e b efo re y ou , d ra w b ac k y ou r a rm a nd m ov e th e g an d to

th e r ig ht o f th e g lo win g h aft a nd m ov e th e g an d a nd tra ce a h oriz on ta l lin e

.. ju st u nd er th e lo we r tip o f th e v ertic al lin e to tra ce th e h amm er h ea d. T he n

i ma gi ne t he c om pl et ed h amm er s ig n h ov erin g b efo re y ou . A s o r a ft er y ou

tra ce th e sig n y ou m ay re pe at a fo rm ula su ch a s "H amm er in th e n orth (e ast,

s ou th , w es t, a bo ve , b elo w) h al lo w a nd h old th is h oly s te ad ." T he re a re o th er

f orm u la s u se d in O din is t c irc le s a s w ell .

begin

!w i ~ t e _ t ! f B f I i I m ) i i l e .- . - , . en~

F ig ure 7 .2 : T ra cin g o f th e H amm er S ig n



38

S ig ni ng S um b le

D urin g th e b les sing and su mbles, it is n su al th at w hen th e drink c ome s. t o

. it ith a ham mer or another holy sign This m ay be done witho u, y ou sign 1 W1 '.

yo ur fin gers, fist, a h am mer tok en , o r so me o th er ho ly sig n. T he h ~er 1S

t ra ce d o ve r t he drink a nd h ov ers o ve r th e drink glow mg. ~eel the ~ght of the

h am mer flow in to th e drink. A s yo u drink i ma gi ne t he might held m thedrink fillin g y ou u p c om ple te ly w ith s ac re d p ow er.

A B le ss in g fo r A ll th e G od s a n d G od d es se s

A s a n e xa mp le o f a c om ple te b le ss in g f or mu la , 'w ~ic h c an be u se d f or a ny

s ac re d p ur po se , s uc h a s m ak in g a s ite h oly o r ce le bra tin g o n~ o f th e G re at

Blessings (Yule a nd M id su mm er) , w e p re se nt th e c om ple te n tu al o f a f or ma l

b le ss in g a s u se d in th e R in g o f T ro th .

1. Hallowing

T he h amm er -r ite is p er fo rm ed , a t th e c on clu sio n o f w hic h th e s pe ak er

~ . AsthG~"This stead is hallow ed for our w ork here today (tonight). . e

H e im d al l w a rd s th e Bifrost B rid ge , s o th is s te ad is w ard ed a ga ms t all *unholy

w ig hts a nd w a ys ."2. Reading (Lay) .

A a pp ro pr ia te p oe m o r o th er re ad in g f ro m th e P o et ic E d da o r o th e r

m y th ol og ic al s ou rc e is r ea d.

3. Rede

T he s pe ak er s ay s:

" Th is d ay ( nig ht) w e g ath er to ge th er. a s in d ay s (n ig hts ) o f y ore to g ree t a nd

ho nor th e G od s an d G od desses w ho d well in A sg ard. W e call u po n them to

m ake ripe their m ight and m ain in our lives. W e call upon them all- the

. h oly m an y -liv in g as a w ho le as is O din 's L aw ."

4. Call

T he s pe ak er m ak es th e fo llo win g c alls . A fte r e ac ~ c all, ~e g ath ere d fo lk

g iv e we lc ome to th e G od o r G od de ss s b ein g c alle d with their n am e, a nd a dd

th e w or ds : "We g iv e th ee w elc om e! "

O din , w e a re a we d by the y cra ft,

Ty r, we s ta y tru e to the e f o reve r, .

B ald er, th y brig htn es s a n d bo ld ne ss gu id es u s,

F rigga , thy fru it a nd w is do m ke eps u s a ll,

Id un n a, th in e a pp le s w ard o ur w ay s,

T ho r, th y th un d er w ard s o ur w ay s,

F re ya , w e ge t f re ed o m fro m th y f ro lic,

F re y, fro m the e w e ge t a ha rv es t o f frith.

----:-For ;fullu nd ers ta nd in ;- of th e c on cep t o f " ho ly ~a nd h en ce

" un ho ly ") s ee E dr ed T ho rs so n's e ss ay e ntitle d " Th e H oly " in G re e n R ti na (pp.

46-50).

Ii!

39

T he n a lita ny o f d iv in e a ttr ib ute s o f th e G od s a nd G od de ss es ju st c alle d is

re cite d b y th e s pe ak er . A fte r e ac h th e g ath ere d fo lk s ho t: "We g iv e th eewelcome!"

Rune-Lord ,

O n e- ha n de d G o d,

H o ld e r o f t he H rin gh o rn ;

La dy o f t he Go ds and Godde s s e s ,

K ee pe r o f th e A pp le s,

Guardian 0/Asgard ,

H o ld e r a /t he B ris in ga m en

G od o f t he W an e.

Aga in w e ca ll to yo u in a ll yo ur n am es , be a mo ng u s here to da y (to night) a sthe ha ve co me to give y ou the gifts o /frien dsh ip: .

H ail a ll the G od s, ha il a ll the Go dd esse s,

ha il a ll th e ho ly o ne sw ho d w ell t og et he r.

5. Loading

T he s peak er p ou rs m ead (o r o th er drink) in to th e h om , lifts it aloft an dsays:

"W e giv e y ou th e gifts o f o ur w ork s w ov en an d b len ded w ith the m ig ht an d

m ain of this m ead. It lends us - Gods and folk: t ogether _ help in or

s triv in g to wa rd s th e s hin in g p la in w he re th e w orld s a nd w ig hts d we ll inwholeness."

6. Drinking

T he sp eak er then d rin ks fro m the ho m an d po urs th e rem ain der in to th e

b les sing b ow l on the h arro w o r stall. T he h om is th en refilled an d pas sed toeach o f the g athered folk . E ach m ak es the sig n o f th e h am mer of th e rim of

th e h om b ef or e d rin kin g. E ac h tim e th e r em ain de r o f th e m ea d o r o th er drinkis p ou re d in to th e blessing b ow l b y th e s pe ak er.

. 7. Blessing

T he s peak er no w sp rin kles the h arro w o r stall an d th e g ath ered fo lk w iththewords :

"The blessings of the G ods and all the G odd ess es o f o ur folk be up on u s!"

8. Giving /

A ft er t he blessing is c om ple te d, th e s pe ak er p ou rs th e c on te nts o f th e

blessing b ow l o ut up on th e b are g ro un d to th e east of th e h arro w w ith th ewords:

" To Od in , T yr , B ald er , F ri gg a, Idunna, F rey a, F rey and to all the G od s anduocoesses o f o ur f olk . "



40 41 .

C ha pte r 8

F EA ST S, D AN CE S, D RAMA AND GAMES. LeavingT he sp eak er re tu rn s to th e h arro w o r stall a nd says:

"Thus the w ork is o nce again w roug ht. It ren ew s or hearts t? do w orthy d

d eed s a nd to striv e to ward o ur g oa ls w ith m ig hty m oo ds, wise w or ds , a n

trust in our ow n pow ers- ever ho lding ou r oath s to o urselves and to our

folk.!"

In h ea th en tim es th e m ajo r b lessin gs w ere th e tid es o f th e g re at h olid ays

a nd c ele bra tio ns. B le ss in gs w er e a cc om pa nie d b y g re at f ea sts in w hic h th e

s ac ri fi ci al f oo ds w e re e at en . T he y m ig ht a ls o i nc lu de d an ce s, s ea so na l d ramas ,

a nd sacred g am es. T ho ug h m an y o f th ese ev en ts w ere h ard ly so le mn , th ey

w ere n ev erth eless h oly. G oo d ch ee r a nd k in sh ip are h oly in th eir o wn rig ht.

L ov e, frith an d g oo d c heer are sig ns o f a su ccessfu l b lessin g. H ere let u s lo ok

at w ays th ese p re- an d p ost-b lessin g festiv itie s are, a nd can b e, m ad e a p art o f

today ' s Troth ce lebrat ions .

T he feast typ ica lly fo llo ws th e b lessin g. T he se c an b e as sim ple o r as

e la bo ra te a s y ou w an t. Ifyou d o not have th e w herew ithal to cook an

e la bo ra te f ea st, h allo w a n o rd in ar y m ea l. I n d oin g w ha t y ou ca n y ou a re b ein g

t rue . T he s ac ra lity w ill b e im pa rte d b y its a sso cia tio n w ith th e b le ss in g.

Ifyou w ant to go "w hole hog," you can try to c oo rd in ate th e fo od s w ith

th e th em e o f th e b le ssin g. Y ou m ig ht also try to m ak e a f ea st o f tra ditio na l

Eu ropean foods . Ify ou w an t to m atc h y ou r f oo ds w ith th e b le ssin gs ', c on sid erth e s ea so n a nd w hic h h oly p ow er s a re sin gle d o ut fo r s pe cia l o r s ole a tte ntio n

d ur in g th e r ite . L oo k th ro ug h th e E dd as, s ag as , a nd o th er r ele va nt m ate ria ls

in clu din g E uro pea n fo lk lo re to fm d id eas o n fo od a nd fea stin g- esp ecia lly a s

it relate s to th e G od s an d se aso n o f th e b lessin g.

T he m ajo r d eities are k no wn to h av e b een asso ciated w ith c e r t a i n animals,

some o f th em s ac rif ic ia l a nim als th at w er e e ate n a t th eir b le ssin gs . F re y m ay

b e c on ne cte d w ith a ny a nd a ll fo od s, b ut e sp ec ia lly th ose r ais ed in f ie ld s

. w h er e F re y is c alle d u po n f or g oo d h ar ve st (dr). C attle , b oa rs a nd h or se s a re

a nim als h oly to F re y. T he re fo re a ll b ee f a nd dairy p ro du cts, a ll p or k a nd

sa usa ge p ro du cts , a nd h or se fle sh m ay b e f ea tu re d in f ea sts d ed ic ate d to F re y.

F rey is a lso a G od o f th e fru its o f th e field . B arley , w hea t a nd o th er g ra in s

m ay b e fe atu re d in h allo we d b re ad s a nd c ak es.

F re ya is ele gan t an d h er tastes so ph istic ated . P ork m ay b e fe atu red in a

Fre ya fea st, b ut yo u m ay also fm d so me e xo tic a nd e xp en siv e fo od s to h on or

h er. A pp le s m ay also b e h allo wed to h on or h er. W ed din g cak es m ig ht b e .

h allo we d in h er n am e.

O din and T yr m ay both be honored w ith horse flesh . In V alhalla the

einherjar [ ay n- he r- ya r] e at fr om a g re at p or k a t n ig ht w hic h re g~ e'r ate s its elf

d ur in g t he d ay . T h ey drink m ea d an d ale. O din also drinks w in e in th e f ash io n

so uth ern E uro pe. S uch m ig ht b e co nsu med a t a fea st sa cred to O din .

T ho r h as tw o g oa ts w hic h w ou ld r eg en era te th em se lv es a fte r b ein g

sac rifice d a nd c on su med - th at is after th ey h ad b een p ro perly h allo wed b y th e

h ammer o f th e G od - M io lln ir [m yo ll-n eer]. T hese g oats o nce d ro ve h isch ario t, b ut th ey w ere lam ed w he n a fe aste r b ro ke o pe n a b on e to g et th e

CTn" 'r-r rmu (T he m arr ow w as ty pic ally g iv en to th e G od s a nd G od de sse s a lo ne .

th is is a m yth ic p ro hib itio n ag ain st tak in g w hat b elo ng s rig htly to th e



42

G od s.) G oa t m ea t a nd dairy p ro du ct s a re g oo d f or T ho r- bl es si ng s. T h or i s a ls o

known to have liked herring and oatmeal. .F rigga is linked to spinning, so it is to sheep and lam bs that she IS

partial. I idIdunna w ould be a great one to honor w ith apple pie and hot app e C l er

a fte r th e a pple h arv est. N uts m ig ht a ls o b e e ate n in h er h on or a s sh e w asb ro ug ht b ac k fro m E tin -H om e in th e form o f a nu t.

S alm on o r o th er fis h m ig ht b e e ate n to ho no r d wa rv es or th e a nc esto rs .

In h on or o f H el (th e G od de ss o f d ea th ) y ou m ig ht e at sn ak e.

O th er fo od s o f s pe cia l s ig nifi ca nc e i nc lu de l ee ks a nd re la te d p la nt s s uc h a s

o ni on s, v en is on , c ra nb erri es a nd a ny th in g ta ke n f ro m y o~ o wn h al lo we d

g ard en . L ee ks a re c on sid er ed a h ig hl y m a gi~ p la nt. A nc le n~ w ord s f? r le ek

a pp ea r o n s ev era l ru nic i ns crip tio ns . C ra nb em es u se d to b e i nc lu de d m ale s

a nd m ea ds. V en iso n is a g re at m ea t fo r su mb le s to a ll th e G od s a nd t~ h on or

S ig urd - th e g re ate st h ero o f ou r fo lk w ho w as ra ise d in in fa nc y b y hinds,

The G ods feast on beasts of the hunt as w ell as ox, boar, goat, and so on.

T o hallow a feast you m ight sim ply m ake the sign of the ~am iner over

it. In fa ct, e ac h o f th e fe aste rs m ig ht h allo w h is o r h e r sh are W Ith t he h amm ersign. Y ou m ight also say a short or long prayer o:er the m eal. O n the other

h and , y ou m ig ht m ak e th e e ntire c oo kin g p roc es s in to a sa cre d e ve nt a nd sa y

p ra ye rs o r lo ad in gs o ve r e ac h o f th e m aj or in gre ?i en ts .a nd re la te th em a ll t o

t he t hem e o f t he b le ss in g a nd e ve n t o t he o th er in gre di en ts .

~T he C ele br atio n o f m a jo r b le ss in gs is o ft en a cc om pa ni ed b y th e p la yi ~g o f

g am e s. N um e ro us g am es a ss oc ia te d w ith p art ic u~ h oly ti m~ s. ha ve s urv iv ed

in fo lk c us to m. O ri gin all y th ey h ad m yth ic m eam ng a nd r elig io us

s ig nif ic an ce w hic h h as b ee n lo st o ve r ti me o r b ee n re in te rp re te d in te rm s o f

C hristia n m yth s. A t o ne tim e, sa cre d g am es m ay h av e b ee n n ea rly a s.

important to the celebrations as the bleSsi~gs th~mselve~. .Few of the heathen sacrificial gam es live on m A merica other th~ m

i so la te d c omm un itie s o f G er ma nic e th nic s to ck . T he E as te r e gg h u? t I S ?n e

su ch g am e p ra ctic ed n atio na lly in A me ric a M an y g am es h ave su rv iv ed m to

the m odem era in E urope. T he T roth bases m any of its gam es on these. In

th e m o dem re viv al, k in dre ds emp ha siz e th e p hy si ca l c on te sts , ~ ut c on te st s o f

w it a nd w isd om w ere a lso m uc h a p art o f o ur a nc estra l c ele bra tio ns. T he typ-

ic al A sa tn i F re e A ss em b ly A lth in g u se d to fe atu re a n a xe th ro w, a .c ab er to ss ,

a nd a n o bs ta cl e c ou rs e k no wn a s th e c ut a nd p ill ag e c ou rs e. F or c hi ld re n th ~re

w as e gg to ss w he n th e A lth in g w as h eld a t th e E aste r-tid e. T he c ab er to ss IS a

S co ttis h c on te st to s ee w ho c an th ro w a l arg e h ea vy p ol e t he fa rth es t.

M o st o f t h€ -..g am es te nd to b e li nk ed to s pe ci fic s ea s~ n~ e ve ~ts . a nd

b le ss in gs . S uc h c us to ms a s h are p ie s cram ?le ~, b ottl e.k ic kin g: li fti ng a ndh oc kti de c us to ms a nd p an ca ke ra ci ng o r s kip pm g a re l in ke d W Ith t h e E as te r

e ve nt. B ottle k ic kin g is lik e a nu mb er o f o th er stre et g am es su ch a s th e

H ax ey H oo d g am e, b ut it is p la ye d w ith a sm all iro n h oop ed b arre l o r b ottle .

43

Two t eams o f i nd et erm in ate n um be rs , a nd n ot n ec es sa ril y e ve n o ne s, s tr iv e t o

get a football, bottle - or whatever to their own goal line. The team s are'

so me tim es m ad e u p o f r iv al d is tric ts a nd th e g oa ls so me tim es tw o o r thre e

m ile s a pa rt. T he g am e g oe s o n u ntil s om eb ody w in s, a nd th is c an ta ke

several hours .

W re st li ng w as a no th er c omm on p hy sic al c on te st . In t he V ik in g A ge

d ri nk in g c on te sts w ere s om e ti me s h el d a t fe as t. T he w in ne r w ou ld b e e xp ec te d

to h old h is d rin k. S ta gg erin g d ru nk w ou ld n ot d o.

According to th e R om an h is to ria n T ac itu s th e G erm an s w ere so fo nd o f

g am bl in g w ith d ic e th at t he y w ou ld s om et im e s g am b le awa y t he ir v ery

f re ed om . F or t he G erm an s s la ve ry w as g en era lly h eld t o b e w ors e th an d ea th ,

so th e w ag erin g o f on e's fre ed om w as a mo ng th e g re ate st o f risk s. W e d o n ot

k no w th e e xa ct n ature o f th e e arly G erm an ic d ic e g am es, bu t m ode m on es a re

in t he s am e s pi ri t.

L iftin g is a c usto m in w hic h w om en -fo lk fo rc e m en -fo lk into c ha irs a nd

tie th em u p a llo win g th em to b e ra nso me d w ith k isse s o r m on ey . H oc ktid e

custom s involve a day in w hich w om en chase dow n m en and tie them w ith

ro pe s a llo win g th em to ra nso m th em se lv es w ith m on ey o r k isse s. T hef ol lo win g d ay th e ro le s a re r ev ers ed a nd m en c ha se w om en .

In pancake racing w om en race w ith a pancake in a pan w hich they m ust

f lip a t l ea st t hre e tim e s b ef or e re ac hi ng th e fin is h l in e.

_ N um ero us o th er fo lk g am es a re p ra ctic ed th ro ug ho ut E uro pe a nd e ve n in

so me p arts o f A me ric a. T he se m ay b e re co ve re d fro m s ourc es su ch a s

Gomme's Bri ti sh Folk- lore .

I nt el le ct ua l g am e s i nc lu de r id dl e c on te st s, p oe tr y c on te st s, m a n-ma tc hi ng

a nd lo re c on te sts. R id dle s w ere a c omm on m ea ns o f te stin g w it a mo ng th e

e ar ly G er ma nic p eo ple s, t ho ug h th e a rt is li ttl e d ev elo pe d t od ay . A t s om e o f

th eA l th in gs th er e w ere o cc as io na lly fo lk s w ho w ou ld t es t e ac h o th er w it h

r id dle s fo r h ou rs : T he b es t s ou rc e fo r th e fo rm at fo r g oo d h ea th en V ik in g A ge

r id dl es i s t he He idrek 's Saga . Itc on ta in s th e rid dle s o f G estu mb lin di. T he .

r id dle s a re p re se nt ed in t he fo rm o f a ri dd le c on te st b et we en k in g H eid re k a nd

G es tu mb li nd i, w ho i s re all y O din in d is gu is e, T he se ri dd le s m ay b e c on ce rn ed

w ith a ll s ort s o f n at ur al p he nome na , b ut a re all c onn ec te d w ith the h oly \.

a sp ec ts o f th es e th in gs , m u ch li ke k en ni ng s a re . A ty pi ca l ri dd le fro m th ~s ou rc e g oe s a s f ol low s:

A dw eller in the soil

I s aw p as sin g

a corpse on a corpse there sat

b lin d u po n b lin d on e

to t he b il lo ws ri din g

o n a ste ed w ith ou t b re ath it w as b orn e.T h is r id dl e p on de r,

o k in g H e id re k!

S olutio n: A d ea d sn ak e o n a d ea d h orse o n a n ic eflo w flo atin g d ow n a riv er.



44

P oe try is c urre ntly re ad m ore a t sum ble s th an in c on te sts, bu t as

f am ilia ri ty w ith th e m ea nin g a nd fo rm o f tru e G erm an ic p oe try in cre as es , s o

w il l t he o cc ur re nc e o f c on te st s.T he Irm insfll H of in A ustin p la ys a lore g am e c alle d M im ir's H ead G am e

th at i s b as ed o n O di n's l ore c on te st w ith th e g ia nt V afth ru th ni r (s ee

"Vaf th rU thni sma I" i n t he Poetic E d d a ) . We ty pic ally h old th e g am e ind ark ne ss b y c an dle o r fire li gh t a s w e w ou ld a s um ble . W ho ev er s eems th e

m os t v ers ed in lo re is d es ig na te d th e c hi ef. T he c hi ef h as b efo re h im a

d rin ki ng h om th at s ym bo liz es h is c hi efd om . T he c hi ef c ha lle ng es e ac h o f th e

o th er p la ye rs w it h q ue st io ns o r r id dl es r eg ar di ng ma tt er s o f e ld er l or e.

T yp ic ally w e ag re e to lim it th e g am e to a sin gle p oem fro m th e P o e ti c E d da .

A ll c om e p re pa re d. T he c hi ef f rame s a q ue st io n a nd a sk s i t o f t he firs t p ers on

t o h is r ig h t. Ifth at p ers on a ns we rs c orre ctly , a s j ud ge d b y th e c hie f, h e s ta ys

in t he c irc le a s a p la ye r, ifn ot h e h as lo st h is h ead a nd pa rtic ip ate s n o m ore .

T he c hi ef th en a sk s th e s ec on d a nd th ird a nd s o fo rth . O n t he s ec on d ro un d,

th os e w ho a ns we r th e c hi efta in ri gh tl y m ay a sk th e c hie f. If th e c hie f a ns we rs

rig htly th en h e a sk s th e s ec on d. If th e c hie f a ns we rs w ro ng ly , th en h e is o ut

o f th e ga me a nd the o ne w ho a sk ed th e qu estio n tak es h is plac e. If the.chiefc an g o n in e ro un ds w itho ut g ettin g kn oc ke d ou t, h e is c alled "th e H igh O ne ."

T he H ig h O ne is a ble to d ec ide w hic h b ody o f l ore w ill be c ov ere d o n t he

n ext s e ss io n .T he H ig h O ne is o nly re du ce d to th e status o f c hie ftain ifhe is unable to

a ns we r a q ue sti on rig htly . T he a sk er o f th at q ue st io n m ay th en a sk th e c hie f

ano ther ques tion to a tt em pt to .k no ck h im o ut a nd b ec om e c hi ef in h is s te ad .

If th e c hie f fa ils he is ou t, a nd ifh e a ns we rs rig htly h e m ay re co ve r h is H ig h

O ne s ta tu s a llo win gth e c ha ll en ge r to a sk him t hr ee qu es ti on s and an swe ri ng

t hem ri gh tl y. H e m ay o th er wis e r ec ov er H ig h O ne s ta tu s b y g oin g th re e m ore

ro un ds a s ch ie f. T he H igh O ne m ay p ro po se n ew ru le s. E ach w ho w ould

c ha lle ng e th e n ew ru le s m ay a sk th e H ig h O ne th re e q ue st io ns . Ifth.eHighO ne a ns we rs a ll ri gh tl y, h is ru le b ec om es la w. W e h av e fo un d that-in

prep arin g fo r the se ga me s w e w ind u p kn ow in g the p oem s q uite w ell. W e are

. p ro posing tha t w e ha ve a y ea rly c on te st in w hich th e g am e is op en to a ll

E dd ie lo re . W e m ay h ol d th es e M im ir's H ea d G am es a t n at io na l O sta ra

gatherings.~

T he s qu are a nd ro un d d an ce s o f m od em E uro pe an fo lk d an cin g a re

s ur vi va ls o f t he s ac re d d an ce s m ade a ro un d h ar row s, t re es , m a y- po le s a nd

o th er h oly p la ce s. T yp ic al o f fo lk d an cin g is a tu rn in g. c ir cl e o f c ou pl es w ho

t hems elv es s pi n c lo ck wis e w hi le m ov in g in a l arg e c irc le th at m ov es

w id de rs hi ns ( co un te r c lo ckw is e) . T ho se w h o k now t he s ac re d t hr ou gh r it ua l

w ork w ill fm dth at o ur fo lk -d anc es fe el lik e a ritu al an d g iv e a n e asy lin k toth e h o ly fra me o f m ind . N o w on de r the C hurch w as so ad am antly op po sed to

d an ci ng . B y i nt eg ra ti ng f ol k- da nc in g b ac k i nt o o ur b le ss in gs a nd fe as ts w e '

w il l r ec ov er a nd u nd er st an d t he l os t l an gu ag e o r r it ua l d an ce a nd d ram as . If

45 .

y ou h av e th e o pp ort un it y, e xp eri en ce th e p ol ka , a nd th e v ari ou s fo rm s o f

G erm an , E ng lis h, a nd S ca nd in av ia n fo lk -d an cin g. T ho ug h w e c an p erh ap s n o

l on ge r i nt el le ct ua li ze a nd v er ba li ze t he s ig ni fi ca nc e o f t he g es tu re s a nd

m otion s o f the d an ces, w e c an fe el th em , a nd th at is w ha t is m ost im po rtan t.

.In th e c on te xt o f r itu al, v erb ali ze d m ea ni ng s a re m ere ly a no th er c ha nn el t o, o r

li nk w it h, th e fe el in g o r d ire ct k no wle dg e o f t he s ac re d.

~Anci ent s eas ona l and i ni ti at or y dramas h av e s ur vi ve d in fo lk d rama s s uc h

a s t he m umm in g p la ys , M o rris d an cin g, s wo rd d an cin g, a nd v ario us c us to ms

in vo lv in g th e g re en m an , th e h obb y h orse a nd th e Ja ck in the G re en .

T he ce ntra l the me fo r n um ero us fo lk -p la ys is a c om ba t b etw ee n tw o

ch am pio ns an d the d eath a nd re birth o f o ne of th e c ha mp io ns. S om etim es the

co mb at is o ver a w om an suc h a s th e M aid M ario n. T hese a re o fte n c on ne cte d .

to s ea so na l fe stiv als c ele bra ti ng th e re newa l o f th e y ea r, b ut s om e a re a ls o

a ss oc ia te d w ith i ni tia to ry rite s. D ia lo gs t o m umm in g p la ys a nd o th er fo lk

d rama s a re re co rd ed in fo lk lo re t ex ts . A n um be r o f t he d ia lo gs fro m th e

p oems o f th e P o e ti c E d da m ay be a dop te d to m od em h oly pla ys.

)



46

C ha pte r 9

DAILY HOLY WORK INGS

T he w ay s in w hic h w e re ne w o ur c on nec tio n w ith the h oly du ring o ur

d ai ly ro un ds v arie s g re at ly fro m o ne in div id ua l to a no th er. S om e f ol ks h av e a

s et o f d ail y w ork in gs a nd lo r m ed ita tio ns th ey d o a t d iffe re nt tim es o f t he -d ay

in o rd er t o c en te r th em se lv es a nd re new th eir a wa re ne ss o f th e s pir itu al in

t he ir liv es . O th ers le t s uc h awa re ne ss c om e a nd g o a s i t w il l. D ail y w or ki ng s

e nc ou ra ge a r eg ul ar r ea li za ti on o f t he d iv in e a nd b ri ng i nc re as ed k now le dg e o f

t he h oly in e ve ry da y li fe .

In A Bo ok o f Tro th d aily w ork in gs a re g iv en fo r sta rtin g a n ew d ay ,

n oo n-tid e, e atin g a nd re tirin g to s le ep . H ere w e w is h to e xp an d o n th e

ma te ri al p re s en ted t he re .

W ak in g is a g oo d tim e to g et off o n th e rig ht fo ot, literally . P uttin g th e

rig ht sh oe o n ftrst, o r th e left ifyou prefer, so long as it is done in a

c on sc io us a nd i nt en ti on al m ann er , i s a t ra di ti on al w a y o f p re pa ri ng y ou rs el f

to b e m ind fu l of ta king th e righ t ste ps th ro ugh out th e d ay . P ut y our rig ht

foo t fo rw ard a nd ju mp in to th e fra y. A s an a lte rn ate to the gre etin g to S unn ag iv en i n A Bo ok o f Tro th , you m ay use the "hailing of D ay" given in the

" Si gr dn fumal " o f t he Poe t ic Beida:

Ha il Da y ! Ha il the so n s o f D a y !

H ail N ig ht a n d th e d au gh te rs o f N i gh t!

Lo ok o n u s with frie n dly e y e s

a nd g iv e v icto ry t o t ho se s ta nd in g h ere .

H a il the /Es ir, ha il the Asy n ju r!

ha il to him o n the kin d ea rth!

G ra nt u s h ea lin g h an ds w hile w e liv e!

As y ou re cite th is p ra ye r, strike a p osture w ith y ou r a rm s lifte d o n high

. a nd s pr ea d i n a V -s ha pe .

D on nin g y ou r T hor's H amme r o r o th er ho ly to ke n sh ould a lso b e d on e

d e li be ra te l y and p e rh aps be a cc om pa nie d b y a fo rm ula s uc h a s " Th is d ay s ha ll

b ri ng n ew wo nd er s, g re at d oi ng s, b ou nd le ss l uc k a nd h ap pi ne ss u ne nd in g-

b y th e m igh t of th is h amm er!" T he a ctivitie s o f the c om in g d ay mig ht

w arra nt a sp ec ia l form ula to se t y ou r be ing for th e w ork a he ad a nd to c all o n

t he s tr en gt h o f t he a pp ro pr ia te d ei ti es .

T he d ay s o f t he w eek a re d edic ate d to o ur G erm anic G od s a nd still b ear

th eir n am es. T ue sda y is th e d ay o f T iw (o r T yr), W edn esd ay is th e d ay o f

W od en (o r O din ), T hu rs da y is th e d ay o f T hu no r (o r T ho r) , w hile F rid ay is

th e da y o f F rig ge (o r F rig ga ). M on day a nd S und ay a re the da ys o f th e m oona nd s un re sp ec tiv ely , w hile S at ur da y is n am ed a fte r th e R om an G od S atu rn .

InI ce la nd ic S at ur da y i s k n own a s laugardagur , wh ic h me an s "wa sh in g d ay ." It

47

c us to ma ry t o b ath e a nd c le an t hi ng s o n t ha t d ay . Inpr inciple Satu rday

b e a d ay d ed ic at ed to a G od de ss o r a no th er w ig ht o f y ou r c ho os in g. T he

G erm an ic w ee k ha d o nly ftv e d ay s, so o th er n am es w ere a dd ed in

mo re mo de rn t im e s.

Y ou c an inc lu de a n a ck no wled gm en t o f th e d eity of th e da y in y ou r

lllVUlLl~ fo rm ula . D urin g th e d ay y ou m igh t also lo ok to se e th e in flue nc eso f t he d eity in th e e ve nts o f tha t d ay.

T o bless your food or drink you m ay sim ply m ake the sign of the

ha mm er o ve r th e fa re . Y ou m ig ht a lso re cite so me fo rm ula to c all u po n g od ly

m igh t a nd v isu alize or fe el th e m ig ht be ing lo ad ed into th e fo od o r drink. Feel

th is m igh t a s it is in ge ste d. S om e sim ply sign th e h amme r o r re cite a p ra ye r

t o r em in d th em se lv es o f th e s ac ra lit y o f t he e ve nt .

The ham mer m ay be signed w ith the hand or a ham mer token. It is also

c ommon a mo ng tru e folk to ble ss th e m ea l in the n am e of a p artic ular d eity ,

suc h a s F re y or N erth us, sig nin g w ith a sy mb ol a pprop riate to th at G od a nd

to in vo ke tha t G od 's po we r. Y ou m ay also g ive so me sm all tok en p ortio n o f

yo ur fo od to n atu re o r to a n a pp rop ria te a nim al as a sa criftce . G iv in g it to a

h ou se ho ld p et o r to a stray do g o r c at c an se rv e, ify ou s ee fit, Ifdonep ro pe rl y, th ro win g s cr ap s i n a c om po st h ea p o r in to th e g ard en c ou ld s er ve a s

a o ff er in g t o t he g ar de n's w ig ht s.

Pe rs on a l h ygi en e , ifd on e c on sc io us ly , h as a g re at s pirit ua l v alu e. T hi s is

a n o pp ortu nity to w as h awa y i ll-w ill a nd e vi l in flu en ce s a nd to m ak e

a dj us tm ent s t o e nc ou ra ge w ant ed i nf lu en ce s a nd mo od s. Wa sh in g may

b ec om e a n o pp ortu ni ty to w as h awa y i ll-w ill o r u nri gh t th in kin g a nd w ay s.

. T he se a re w ay s th at d o n ot m ove y ou to wa rd the a ch ie vem en t of y ou r g oa ls .

Ify ou fe el a ny illn ess o r ill-te mpe r, de pre ssio n, an d so on , y ou m ay try to

w ash th em a wa y w ith th e b ath o r sh ow er w ate r. A fo rm ula su ch as th e

fo ll ow in g m ay a cc om pa ny th is a ct o f v is ua li zin g a nd fe elin g t he

d is ha rm on io us in fl ue nc es i n y ou r lif e a nd m oo d fl ow in g d ow n th e drain."W ater w ash aw ay all ill-w ill from m y heart and hidge." .

Y ou can also do this w ashing in a w ater basin and then take it to a

p re fe rre d p la ce of d isp osa l. Y ou m ig ht th en re tu m it to the e arth of yo U( o wn

yard and c all o n it later f or protection. .)

T he d is po sa l o f h air a nd n ail p air in gs is a ls o h an dl ed i n a s ac re d m an ne r.

T he y a re g en era lly g iv en b ac k to th e e arth . In th e G erm an ic m yt ho lo gy th e

e arth i s s aid t o h av e m ad e o f th e fl es h o f th e p rim ev al F ro st G ia nt(R im e-

T hu rs ), Y m ir. F in ge rn ail s m ay b e c on si de re d t o be f le sh . T re es w e re

fa sh io ne d fro m Ym i r's h air s o it is a pp ro pria te to d is po se o f s ho rn h air n ea r a

tre e o r i n a g ro ve . In fo lk lo re F ri da ys a re s aid t o b e a us pic io us d ay s fo r t he

c li pp in g a nd d is po sa l o f n ai ls . In t he Eddas ca re le s sl y d i sca rd ed n a il p a ir in g s

a re s aid to c on trib ute to t he fo rc es o f n on -c on sc io us c ha os ama ss in g fo rR agn ar6 k- o r th e fm al co nfla gra tion o f th e w orld.



48

! ..,

I

IlI.t!

I:

~ .

Meditation

T he re a re a v arie ty o f w ay s to m ed ita te fo r th ose w ho h av .e th e tim e ~ or

m o re in vo lv ed fo rm s o f p ra ye r. M e dit ati on c an b e a w ay o f s im p ly re la xin g

a nd c en te rin g o ne 's s elf o r it c an in vo lv e r efl ec ti on o n th e h oly a nd th e w ho le

of life. . ' .

Ify ou liv e a b usy life th at a llo ws little o r n o tim e fo r p nv ate P ~S U 1tss uc h a s l en gth y m ed ita tio ns , y ou c an d o y ou rs el f g re at g oo d b y f in din g a

p la ce to b e a lo ne fo r a fe w m in ute s a d ay to c en te r y ou rse lf a nd g ath er y om :

t ho ug hts a nd r en ew e ne rg y b efo re j um pi ng b ac k i nto th e fr ay . Ifp ark l an d I S

a va il ab le s ee ify ou c an 't s pe nd a fe w m in ute s t he re d uri ng a b re ak , lu nc h

h ou r o r a fte r w ork . C le ar y ou r h ea d o f t he d ay 's b us in es s a nd re la x, w atc h a nd

liste n. C le ar y ou r h ea d o f a ll th ou gh t w ha te v~ r f~ r a fe w ~ om en ts . .T he re a re a n um b er o f re la xa ti on a nd m e dit atI on t ec hm qu es n ot d ire ctly

f ou nd i n G en na ni c s ou rc es p ra ct ic ed to da y t ha t c an b e u se fu l. S om e o f t he se

a re s o u niv ers al a s t o b e o f g en er al u se , w hil e o th er s a re fa irl y fre e O f.a n~

c ult ura l b ia s a nd c an b e fr ee ly a da pte d b y t ru e fo lk . T he i mp ort an t ~ ng l~

th at y ou c an g et in to a re la xe d s ta te in w hic ~ y ou c an c le ar y ou r m in d o f I ts

u su al p re oc cu pa ti on s to g ain a cc es s t o o th er inner re so ur ce s. .T hin k d ee ply o n o ne o f th e m yth s fo un d in th e E dd as . Think a bo ut w ~ o

is d oin g w ha t a nd w hy . Y ou w ill lik ely c om e u p w ith ,~ nu mb er o f q ue stIo ns.

L oo k in to y ou r o wn l if e fo r c om p ara bl e in ci de nts a nd c rrc um sta nc es a nd

c om p are th e b eh av io r o f th e m y th ic fig ur es : vit h th os e fro m ~ ou r m em o ry .

S ee k to u nd ersta nd th e m otiv es o f th e m yth ic fig ure s b y lo ok in g. a t U 1 e .

m otiv es o f th e fig ure s in y ou r o wn m em ory . W ith th is te ch niq u~ y ~u w ~

g iv e m ea nin g a nd life to th e m yth a nd it m ay g iv e m ea nin g a nd m SI~ ht in to

so me o f th e e ve nts o f y ou r o wn life . In th is w ay th e m yth b ec om es lin ke d

w it h re al l ife s it ua ti on s fo r y ou . W h en y ou a re t hin ki ng a bo ut th es e e ve nt s

p ut y ou rs elf in th e p la ce o f th ose y ou u nd ersta nd le ast. T he g re at v alu e o f .

m y th ic e ve nt s i s t ha t t he y a re s tr uc tu ra ll y a rc he ty pa l. T h ei r s tr uc tl tr es , t he irv er y f orm s, u nd er li e t he c omp le x t ap es tr y o f o ft en s eem in gl y i rr el ev an t

e ve nts th at m ak e u p o ur e ve ry da y l iv es . T he b et te r w e u nd er sta nd t he se

s tr uc tu re s a nd th e b ett er w e c an re co gn iz e th em in t he h ap pe ni ng s a ro un d u s,

the better we w ill be able to do right and to take effective action. .T he " Hft vama I" i n th e P o et ic E d da i s, o n o ne l ev el, t he l ea st m et ap ho nc al

o f a ll t he E dd ic p oems . M u ch o f i t i s s tra ig htfo rw ar d a dv ic e o ~ c o~ du .c ti ng .

d ay to d ay a ffa irs . T he p ro ble m fo r u s i s th at th is sp ec ific a dv ic e IS g Iv en m a

p art ic ul ar c ult ura l c on te xt a nd w e n ee d t o r eth in k th e a d vic e i n ~ rm s o f

s it ua ti on s i n t he 2 0t h a nd 2 1s t c e nt ur ie s. Ify ou p on de r t he a dv ic e o ~ th e

"H av ama l" d ee pl y, y ou w il l b ec ome a de p t a t f in di ng t he mo de rn e q ui va le n ts

t o t he situatiops a nd e th ic al p ro bl em s d es cri be d in th e p oem.

49

C ha pte r 1 0

'LANDTAKING

T hi s c ha pt er i s a bo ut c la im in g n ew la nd , l ea vin g o ld p ro pe rty , n ew

h ou se s, a n d w a rd in g t he l an d a ga in st u nw ant ed i nf lu en ce s. Wh et he r y ou a re

m ov in g in to a n ew a pa rtm en t fo r a fe w m on th s, o r a re se ttlin g d ow n fo r a

life tim e, y ou w ill w an t to m ak e th e la nd a nd th e sp ac e y ou r o wn fo r th e tim e

o f t he s ta y.

O ur m o st d is ta nt c ul tu ra l a nc es to rs - t he s em i-n om a dic I nd o-E uro pe an

tribesm en w ere a tnigrating lot T hey m oved from place to place of ten-

m od ern A me ric an s a re m uc h lik e th em in m an y w ay s. B ut th e sp iritu al c en te r

of the folk - to be found ultim ately not in the land but in the heart of the

folk itself- is w here ever the folk is at that tim e. T he center of the w orld is

a m ob ile o ne - th is is a fa ct th at w e a ll so me ho w u nd ersta nd . Iti s inher i ted

f rom our fo ref a ther s.

V ik in g A ge s ou rc es g iv e u s t he b as ic s a nd fo lk -w ay s g iv e u s a dd iti on al

fa cts f or t he re co ns tru ct io n o f t he l an dta kin g c er em on y o f t he T eu to ns . I n O ld

N ors e th is p ro ce ss i s k no wn a s l a n dndma . D uri ng th e V ik in g A ge fire an ds ac re d f urn itu re fro m th e o ld d we lli ng w ere b ro ug ht to th e n ew la nd . T he fire

is b orn e a ro un d th e p eri me te r o f th e n ew t err it ory a nd th e s ac re d furniture,

mo st ty pi ca ll y th e h ig h-s ea t o r p or ch p ill ars , is in sta lle d a t th e s ite o f th e

n ew h ea rth . T he h ig he st p illa rs se em to h av e b ee n th ose th at sto od a t th e

s id es o f t he b en ch w he re t he h ea d o f th e h ou se ho ld p re sid ed o ve r fe as ts i n t he

,h all . T he y m a y h av e b ee n p il la rs t ha t s up po rte d th e ro of a nd t he p or ch p ill ars

w er e li ke ly th os e t ha t s to od b ef ore t he main e nt ra n ce o f t he hall. These p i ll a rs

, m ay h av e b ee n d ed ic at ed to d eiti es a nd h av e b ee n c arv ed w it h s ac re d m ot if s.

S om e of these -'- especially those sacre d to the G od T hor - w ere also

stu dd ed w ith " go dly n ails." Y ou m ay w an t to carry f ire f ro m t he h ea rth a t th e

o ld d we llin g to th e n ew site to b ea r it a bo un d th e p ro pe rty in a p ro ce ssio n a nd

re kin dle th e fla me s o f th e n ew h ea rth a nd sta ll. O ne w ay to carry t he f lame

o ve r s h ort d is ta nc es i s b y m e an s o f a p ro pa ne la nte rn o r o th er k ot ec te d a nd

sa fe fla me . A no th er o ptio n is to k in dle th e fla me s a fre sh a t th 6 n ew ste ad a s

y ou m ig ht re kin dle th e fla me o f th e y ea r a t th e Y ule -tid e. T his w ou ld m ost

t ra di ti on al ly b e a n ee d- fi re g en er at ed b y f ri ct io n b e tw e en two p ie ce s o f w o od

b ym e a ns o f a d ev ic e s uc h a s a fi re -d ril l, t ho ug h t his i s h a rd ly e ss en tia l.

W hen the new fire is ready, it should be borne in a procession m ade up of

th e n ew in ha bi ta nt s a nd p erh ap s s om e o f t he ir fri en ds a nd family, Th e

p ro ce ss io n s ho uld n ot o nly g o a ro un d t he b ou nd ari es o f th e p ro pe rt y, b ut

s ho ul d a ls o g o a ro un d th e h ou se it se lf - i ns id e a nd o uts id e. A pa rtm e nt

dwe ll e rs n eed on ly carry th e fi re a ro un d i ns id e. T ak e s pe cia l c are t o ta ke t he

fi re to th e t lt re sh ol ds , th e fo ur m o st e xt rem e c orn ers o f t he d we lli ng a nd th eh ea rt h. B eg in a t th e m ai n t hre sh old a nd e nd a t th e m ai n tl tre sh old . S ta nd in g a t

th e t ltre sh old th e sp ea ke r m ay sa y su ch w ord s a s a re g iv en in A Book o f

i l . ~Ir

I

I ;

I'i

, I

:1ii,



50

Troth f or th is o cc asio n, o r w ha te ve r w or ds se em m ost r ig ht. B e su re to sta te .

y ou r n am e(s) a nd th at y ou h av e so me fo r th e p urp ose o f ta kin g th e ste ad u po n

which you w ill thereafter rightly dwell. ..

T he la nd m ay also b e h allo wed w ith th e H amm er W ork in g. W h ile

w alk in g a lo ng e ac h sid e o f th e la nd y ou m ay m ak e th e sig n o f th e . ha mm ~;

an d sa y "T he h amm er o f T h un ar (T ho r) h allo w th is lan d a nd ,:a rd It w ell.

T he o th ers in th e p ro ce ssio n m ay re sp on d: "B y tro th th e la nd IS t ak en a nd

w el l it is w ar de d! " O th er w o rd s m a y b e s ub stit ut ed , o f c ou rs e. Ifsever~

p eo ple p la n to liv e o n th e la nd a re ta kin g it to ge th er, th e fo lk m ay statio n

th em se lv es a t i n te rv al s a nd r ela y th e f ir e, o r t ak e tu rn s b ea rin g th e f la me a s

t he y a ll p ro c ee d t og e th e r.

A t th is tim e y ou sh ou ld a lso m ak e a n o ffe rin g to th e. w ig hts th at a lre ad y

d well o n th e la nd , o r to d riv e so me o r a ll o f th em a wa y, if th at .se em s n ee ded .

It is u p to y ou r o wn in tu itio n, d iv in atio n o r fe elin gs to d ete rm ~e w heth er

th ere are any w igh ts o r influ ences lin gerin g o n ~ e lan d th at w ill b e a .

h in dra nc e to yo ur g oa ls o r se em in co mp atib le W ith y ~u r w ay s. S ok ee p m

m ind th at in m ov in g you w ill b rin g so me o r m any w ig hts o f y our o wn an d

ar e g oin g to in tr od uc e th em to th e n ew la nd , ify ou c an .T hat lan d-w ig hts are b ro ug ht in the heart and so ~ of th e fo ~ an d are n ot

p er ma ne nt ly p la nte d in th e r oc ks a nd s oil o f th e p hY S l~ all~ d, 18 clearly

sh ow n in th e h isto ry o f th e landndma in I ce la nd . T h e n nm ig ra nt s ( wh o b eg an

a rr iv in g o n th e la rg ely u ni nh ab it ed is la nd a ro un d th e y ea r 8 70 C E) b r? ug h~

w ith t he m th e a nc ie nt a nc es tr al l an d- wig ht s, e lv es a nd dw ar ve s o f th eir n at iv e

la nd s in S ca nd in av ia T h is tells-us c le ar ly t ha t w h en t he E u ro p ea n a n ce st o~ s

o f m o dern A mericans cam e to this so -called N ew W o rld th ey to o - ev e~ if

u nc on sc io usly - b ro ug ht th eir an ce str al sp irits w ith th em . T he se d we ll m ,

'a nd a re e xp res sed th ro ug h, th e p eo ple m ak in g u p th e cu ltu re m ore th an th e

land they live on. .. . .In sh ou ld b e b orn e in m in d th at m an y o f th e W ig hts a lre ad y in ha bitin g th e

la nd o f N o rth Am er ic a a re lia ble t o b e li nk ed t o n a ti ve Am er ic an c ult ur es ..So me o f these m ay be v ery firmly ro oted in th e l an d an d it m ay b e b etter to

learn to liv e w ith them - to m ak e p eace b etw een yo ur fo lk -w ig hts an d th ose

of the A merin dian s - rig ht from the start.

S ta nd in g a t th e m ain th re sh old o f th e d we llin g, th e sp eak er sh ou ld ta ke u p

a h or n o f a le a nd se t d ow n th e fir e o r h an d it to a no th er c ele bra n~ T h~ sp ea k~ r

th en says: "G lad g reetin gs an d h ail to all yo u w ig hts w ho d well m ~ s stead .

W e giv e yo u h on or as in the d ays o f yore. L et th ere b e am ong u s frith an d

g rith a nd n au gh t o f strife ." T he n th e sp ea ke r d rin ks fro m th e h orn a nd th en

th e o th er c el eb ra nt s a fte r th e s pe ak er . T he h or n i s r e tu rn ed to th e s pe ak e~ w h o

p ou rs th e r em ain de r o n th e g ro un d to th e w ig hts a nd sa ys: "C o~ e ye w ig hts

t o g et t he g if ts a ll ot te d to y ou ! B rin g w ea lth a nd :-v eal, me ~ W !t an d mirth to

th is h om e!" T he sp ea ke r m ay th en c on clu de th e n te b y saying: . N ow th e

w ork h as been w ro ugh t, m ay th is h om e an d all w ho dw ell h erem k now .

n au gh t b ut g oo d a s lo ng a s th e T ro th h as a bo de w ith in !" T his is th e b aS IC

51

r ite , b ut th er e a re m a y p er so na liz ed v ar ia tio ns w ith in t he g en er al tr ad it io na l .format,

Ju st b y m ov in g y ou r o ld fu rn itu re , a rt a nd h oly th in gs, yo u w ill in tro du ce

w ig hts f rom y ou r o ld dw ell in g. B e c ar ef ul to s el ec t t he in flu en ce s a nd w ig hts

y ou w an t. Y o u m ay w an t to d o so me k in d o f b an ish in g rite a s d esc rib ed

a bo ve to g et r id o f th os e th at w er e h in dr an ce s. Ift he re a re o bje cts y ou k now

a re a ss oc ia te d w ith u nw an te d w ig ht s o r in fl ue nc es , y ou m ig ht w an t to le av e

th em in th e o ld h ouse o r sell them to som eo ne else at a g arage ale o r g iv e

th em to G oo dw ill. Y o u ca n fin d th e o dd est th in gs a t G oo dw ill.

B e sure an d d o a blessin g to th e w ig hts fro m th e old stead th at yo u w an t

to cu ltiv ate in th e n ew p lace as so on as p ossib le. Y ou m ay p erfo rm a

b le ss in g f or e ac h o f th e d if fe re nt k in ds o f w ig ht s s ep ar ate ly a nd g iv e t he mso me a re a o f th e p ro pe rty to th em .

T o k ee p th e h ar m on io us in flu en ce s a li ve in yo ur h ou se , y ou n ee d to

p re ve nt t he i ntr us io n o f d is ru pt iv e i nf lu en ce s a nd q uic kly d riv e a w ay t ho se

th at d o g et in , a nd in ev itab ly th ey w ill g et in , j ust a s su re a s d ust a nd dirt.

L ik e d us t a nd dirt, t he se c an b e c o nt ro ll ed b y w a tc h fu ln e ss .

T o w ard y ou r ste ad a gain st u nw an te d w ig hts a nd w ay s, yo u ca n se t

c ha rm s a b ou t t he e x tr em i ti es o f t he p rem is es , e sp ec ia ll y t he t lr re sh o ld s.

W h ee ls a nd b ir ch b ra nc he s a re c ommo nl y s et o ve r th re sh old s. Y o u m ay a ls o

d esig na te so me w ig hts a s w ard en s a nd m ak e c ha rm s c allin g o n th eir m ig ht to

w ard th e d wellin g a ga in st e vil. T he h ea ds o f b e asts, su ch a s th ose fo un d o n

th e p ro ws o f V ik in g sh ip s, m ay b e a tta ch ed to p arts o f th e h ou se o r fe nc es.

B e c are fu l a bo ut se ttin g th em u p o n p oles , le st th ey b e ta ke n fo r N id in g

p ole s. N id in g p ole s lik e th e m on stro us h ea ds o f th e sh ip p ro ws, h ad a n

o ff en si ve p ur po se w el l b ey on d p ro te ct io n a nd w er e u se d to d riv e a wa y th e

h elp fu l w ig hts a nd lu ck o f a n e ne my 's h ea rth a nd h om elan d. T he fu nc tio n o f

s uc h im ag es d ep en ds m or e o n th e p ur po se to w hic h th ey a re g iv en in th eir

in itia l sh ap in g a nd lo ad in g th an o n th eir sh ap es. S ee c ha pte r 1 9 fo r m ore o nthis.

Moving

W hen m ov ing in to a n ew ho me, it is custo mary to sen dlin a pet o r o ther

animal first, T his is po ssib ly a m em ory o f th e tim e in whi y!. s a cr if ic e s we r e

g iv en to n ew ab od es a nd th eir re ma in s b urie d b en ea th th e h ea rth sto ne . It is

th ou gh t b est to m ov e in to a d we llin g d urin g th e w ax in g o r fu ll m oo n. S ku lls

. a nd b on es o f h o rse s a nd o th er a nim als h av e b ee n e xc av ate d fro m b en ea th th e

. h ea rth s a nd f ou nd atio n w all s o f m a ny a nc ie nt T eu to ni c d w elli ng s.

B rin g sa lt an d b rea d in sid e a s yo u m ov e in a nd y ou w ill n ev er la ckp rovi si ons and p ros per it y.

Ifyo u sho uld hav e th e rare o pp ortu nity to h ave yo ur h om e b uilt u p o n an

em pty lot, go o ut and w ork a blessin g to th e w igh ts an d p ou r ou t lib ation s o fb le ssin g a le o r b ee r o nto th e site w he re th e fo un da tio n is to b e la id . A s th e

stru ctu re is b ein g ra ise d y ou m ay v isit a t n ig ht w he n th e w ork ers a re a wa y

a nd c ar ve s pe ll s i nt o th e t im b er s a nd p ut ta lis ma ns b eh in d th e w all s. Ifyo u

53



52

don't perform a blessing, you m ay just ~ur ~eer or ill:e ou~ o nto the .

f o und at io n s it e. Ind oi ng s uc h a f ou nd at io n n te y ou m ig ht i nc lu de a re ad in g

a nd re de fro m th e s to ry o f th e fo un di ng o f A sg ard o r a no th er g re at e di fic e.

T he fi rs t fru it s o f t he h arv es t fo r t he y ea r, tr ad iti on al ly fo ur k er ne ls o f

g ra in , a re p la ce d in t he fo ur e xt reme c or ne rs o f th e h ou se . N ow ad ay s w e m ay

use coins, paper money or o ther tokens of our l abor. .W he n e nterin g a n ew h ou se , sa y: "L uc k in h ere !"

C hapter 11

L IFE -T IDES AND INI TIAT ION

T he rite s o f c ro ssing o ve r fro m o ne sta ge o f life to a no th er a re a n in teg ra l

p art o f m o st tr ad iti on al s oc ie tie s. T he tra ns itio n fr om o ne s ta tu s to a no th er

i nv ol ve s r ep la ci ng o ne s et o f t ho ug ht a nd b eh av io r p at te rn s t ha t t he i nd iv id ua l

h as in te rn al iz ed a nd li ve d b y w it h a no th er s et o f p a tte rn s m ore s uit ed t oa no th er s ta tu s i n s oc ie ty . T he d if fe re nc es c an be v er y p ro fo un d b etwe en o ne

s ta tu s a nd a no th er. T he c on se qu en ce s o f f ailu re o f i nd iv id ua ls t o a dj us t to n ew

s oc ia l p o sit io ns c an h av e s ev er e c on se qu en ce s fo r th e p ers on a nd s oc ie ty .

. T he sin gle g re ate st c ro ssin g-o ve r is th at fro m c hildh oo d to a du lth ood . In

o ur s oc ie ty t he re i s n o lo ng er a ny s ig ni fic an t d em arc at io n b etw ee n t he se tw o

sta te s o f b eing . T he c lo se st th in g w e h av e to a rite o f p a ssa ge in to a du ltho od

is li ke ly t he h ig h s ch oo l g ra du ati on c eremo ny , t ho ug h t he re a re m an y o th er

p oin ts p rio r to g ra du atio n w hic h m ay a lso b e se en a s su ch . T he se in clu de th e

a cq uis itio n o f a d riv er's lic en se , t he fir st c ar, t he fir st jo b, th e fir st rifl e, a nd

s o o n . U n fo rt un at ely th es e te nd t o s er ve a s a s erie s o f p re pa ra ti on s fo r th e

[m al a ct of m ov in g o ut o f th e p are nta l h om e, a nd a lso m ay se rv e a s a se rie s

o f f al se s ta rts in t ha t t he y a re n ot n ec es sa ril y a cc om pa nie d b y re al le ga l a nd

s oc ia l re sp on sib il it ie s. T he c lo se st th in g t oa p ri mit iv e rit e o f c om in g to

a du lt ho od t he m o de rn Am eric an is l ik ely to e xp er ie nc e in m a in str eam c ultu re

i s t he J ew is h B a r M i tz va h ceremony.

T he t hr ee fo ld s trn ctu re o f th e rit e o f p as sa ge i nc lu de s a p erio d o f

s ev er an ce , a l im i na l p er io d, a nd a re -e ntr y s ta ge . S o th ere a re r ite s o f

s ep ar at io n, t ra ns fo rm a ti on , a nd r e- in te gr at io n. P ri or t o t he a ct ua l r it e t he re

m ay be a l on g p er io d o f p re pa ra to ry i ns tr nc ti on . Int he s ev er an ce p ha se

iil it ia te s s ym bo li ca ll y c ut a ll t ie s w it h fam ily a nd s oc ie ty a nd o fte n

s ym bo li ca ll y d ie . In it ia te w il l th en id ea lly liv e a pa rt fr om s oc ie ty i n a li min al

sta ge d urin g w hic h th ey c om e to te rm s w ith , a nd in te rna liz e, th eir n ew ro le in

t he w orl d. A p ar t o r a ll o f t he lim in al p eri od c an in vo lv e c om ple te is ola tio no r c o nta ct o nly w ith o th er in itia te s a nd a du lt g uid es o r m as te rs . W ith t his

s ymbo li c d eat h i ni ti at es s ymbo li c al ly kill w hat the y o nc e w ere , c ut a ll tie s

w it h e ve ry th in g i n th eir o ld liv es . In th e li min al p ha se , in it ia te s fo un d a n ew

o rd er o f b ein g a nd p la n th ei r fu tu re b eh av io r, o r a ll ow th ei r g hld es to d o th is

fo r them. Inre -e ntr y i niti ate s a re re bo rn a new in to th e s oc ie ty a nd a re fr om

t ha t t im e f or wa rd e xp ec te d t o a ct i n a cc or da nc e w it h t he b eh av io rs a pp ro pr ia te

to th ei r n ew s ta tu s. T he y a re a ls o tre at ed w ith th e r es pe ct d ue t o in div id ua ls

o f t ha t s ta tu s. T he re -e nt ry p ha se m ay b e c ha ra ct eriz ed b y a d ec la ra tio n o r

purpose b y th e in itia te s a nd g es tu re s o f a cc ep ta nc e b y th e p ub lic .

T he lim in al p erio d is a tim e in w hic h a ll th e old ru le s o f so cie ty h av e

d is ap pe are d a nd in itia te s li ve o uts id e th e b ou nd s o f s oc ie ty a s a n ou t law. (One

o utsid e th e b ou nd s o f la w o r so cia l no rm s.) T his is th e tim e in w hic h

a re i ns ti lle d w it h a n ew v is io n a nd p urp os e. T ho se w ho i so la te



54

t hems elv es i n t he w ild ern es s m ay h av e t he o pp ort un ity to e sc ap e th e b on ds o f

so ciety in a pro fou nd w ay , a nd to liste n to the ir inn er re des. T he lim in al tim e

i s a ls o a tim e o f te sts a nd o f li te ra l tra ns fo rm atio n. T he p ers on m ov es fro m

o ne fo rm o f b e in g to a no th er. It is h ere g uid es in do ctrin ate in itia te s w ith t he

lo re a nd se cre ts o f th eir n ew s ta tu s a nd t es t th em o ve r th ei r k no wl ed ge a nd

skills.T he m ore i mp orta nt life -ti de s, o r lim es o f life , w ill b e d is cu ss ed -in th is

s ec ti on i nc lu di ng t he r it es o f b ir th , w ed lo ck a nd d ea th . T he s am e p ri nc ip le s

m ay b e a pp lie d to rit es fo r c ro ss in g i nto m id -li fe , o ld a ge a nd d iv orc e, a s w ell

a s i ni ti at io n i nt o special s o ci et ie s and o rd e rs .

C om ing into th e C la n

T he re are fo ur w ay s b y w hic h a n in dividu al b ec om es pa rt of a fa mily o r

c la n: by birth, b y m arriag e, by a do ptio n, a nd b y blood-siblinghood, A s the

T ro th i s a k in d o f trib al o r n atu ra l fo lk -re lig io n, in di vid ua ls c an n ot re all y b e

"c on verte d" to it. T he y a re eithe r b orn to it a s a p art of the he rita ge of th eir

b lo od , o r t he y e nt er it b y m arria ge , a do ptio n o r blood-siblinghood, :

Birth-Rites .

It is as a part of the rituals perform ed at the tim e of a child 's birth that ac hild is g iv en o ffic ial e ntry in to th e fa mily an d so ciety- a nd in to the h um an

ra ce it se lf . P rio r to n am in g, a c hil d s ta nd s o uts id e th e p ale o f h um an ity ,

w ith ou t a c om pre he ns iv e h um an s ou l. T he w ork in gs o f n am in g a r e c ru ci al t o

p ro pe r in te gra tio n o f t he c hild in to th e family b y e ns urin g th e s uc ce ss fu l

" en so ul me nt" o f th e c hil d w ith a n a nc es tra l h am in g a nd fe tc h. T he c ore tra its

o f a c hi ld 's b ein g a re d ete rm in ed b y th e a nc est ra l s ou l(s ) m an ife st ed d urin g th e

birth p roc ess. It m ay be tha t a c hild is m arke d o ut for a pa rtic ula r so ul fro m

th e m om en t o f c on ce ptio n, o r b efo re . U p on n an iin g, th e c hi ld is re co gn iz ed

a s th e re birth o f a c la ni c a nc es to r fro m e ith er th e m oth er's o r fa th er's s id e o f

t he f am i ly .

B efo re a c hil d is e ve n b orn , e ve n b efo re c on ce ptio n, it is p os sib leto

planto e nc ou ra ge th e re birth o f a p art ic ula r a nc est or. D urin g th e p erio d o f

p re gn an cy , a family m ay e nc ou ra ge th e re birth o f a p art ic ula r a nc est or b y th e

r et el li ng t he p er so n's d ee ds i n r it ua l c on te xt s, b y h ol di ng memo ry -d ri nk in gs

in th e pe rson 's h on or a nd oth er ritua l w orking s. E ac h c lan ha s its ow n

tra dit io ns a nd w ay s in th ese m atte rs . W he n.a family is n ot s et o n th e re bi rth

o f a p ar ti cu la r a nc es to r, o r if th e o me ns a re n ot fa vo ra ble fo r th e re bi rth o f th e

a nc es to r th e family is lo ok in g to h av e r eb orn , d iv in atio n m ay . b e emp lo ye d t o

d isco ve r the id entity o f th e an cesto r. S om etim es it is sim ply kn ow n w ho is

g oing to b e re bo rn , e spe cia lly in th e ca se o f a c hild bo rn after th e d eath o f its

fa th er, in w hic h c ase it is q uite lik ely tha t a son w ill b e th e fa th er reb orn.

To find out w ho is trying to be reborn in a child you m ight try reciting

a nc es tra l n am es o ve r a c hild u ntil it, o r so me th in g in t he immed ia tee nv ir onmen t, g iv es a s ig n. In s ome t ra di ti on al s oc ie ti es , a nc es tr al n am e s a re

re cite d o ve r a b ab y a nd i ts c ry in g te lls th e family w he n t he rig ht a nc est or h as

b ee n n am ed . E ve n w ith a ll th e w ork in gs a nd d iv in atio n, it is s till p os si ble

55

tha t th e b ab y is give n the w ro ng na me. T his w ill be c le ar w hen a s th e c hild

g ro ws a nd h is b eh av io r fa ils to a cc ord w ith t he c ha ra cte ri stic s lin ke d to h is

n ame . I n t he s ag as c hi ld re n a re s ome time s r en amed u nd er t he se c ir cum st an ce s.

Ifit is not clear just who the child really is, it m ay be necessary to go

t hr ou gh a d iv in at or y p ro ce ss a ga in .

In e lde r tim es, a fa mily m igh t c on sult a spa-wife a bo ut t he n at ure a nd

d es ti ny o f a c hi ld . T he se s ee re ss es t ra ve ll ed a ro un d t he c ou nt ry si de v is it in g

tho se w ho inv ite d the m. In th e O ld N orse ta le Nornagests p a t t r ( Ta le o f

N orn ag est ) th re e w om en tra ve llin g t og et he r a s " noms " lo ok ed in to th e d es tin y

ofa baby. O ut of spite one of them lay a curse on the boy, though another

m olli fie d t he c urs e. B e c are fu l w ho y ou h av e a ro un d y ou r c hi ld d urin g i ts fir st

days.

T ra ditio na lly , n in e d ay s w ere a llo we d b etw ee n th e tim e th e c hild w as b orn

a nd the tim e it w as ritua lly sprink le d w ith w ater an d na med . T his is th e

p eriod in w hic h th e fa mily div in es a na me a nd de cid es w heth er th e c hild is a n

a pp ro pr ia te v eh ic le f or t he e xp re ss io n o f a p ar ti cu la r a nc es tr al s ou l. Inpre-

in du stria l tim es; th is w as o fte n a tim e in w hich it w as de te rm ine d w hethe r th e

b od y o f t he c hild w as su ite d fo r life in M id ga rd . Ifth e c hild w as d efo rm ed o rin s om e o th er w ay d eeme d ill -su ite d, it w as e xp os ed t o th e e leme nts o f n a tu re

to d ie . T his w as th oug ht b ette r tha n co nde mnin g an an cesto r to th e

de gra dation of living a s an in va lid in a w orld w ith little roo m for tho se w ho

co uld no t h old the ir ow n. N oth ing w ou ld be co nsid ered lost as the so ul tha t

h ad b eg un t o a tta ch its elf w ou ld b e fre ed u ntil it w as c alle d a ga in b y a no th er

b irth in the fam ily. T he re st is re tu rne d to the n atura l orde r from w hic h it

s pra ng . T his a ttitu de to wa rd th e s ac ra l n atu re o f a li fe o f q ua lit y h el d b y o ur

a nc es to rs c an a ct a s a g uid in g p ri nc ip le in c erta in i ss ue s fa cin g famil ie s

tod ay- suc h a s de ath w ith d ig nity, o r ab ortion .

If the a nc estor h as a G erm anic n am e, e ven if it is a m iddle nam e, this is

the re al na me, a nd this is th e na me th at sho uld b e a p art o f th e c hild 's n am e.

C el tic n am es a re n ex t in o rd er o f p re fe re nc e, a nd o th er E uro pe an n am es a fte r

t ha t. A ce rt ai n ha r m on y b etw ee n th e n am e a nd th e fle sh an d bo ne s it

d e si gn a te s i s d e si rab le .

T he h am ing a nd th e fetc h a re th e pa rts o f th e sou l th at a r9 re bo rn. T he

i nd iv id ua l c .o ns ci ~u sn es ~ a n~ memo ry d o n ot t en d t o s ur vi vo /t he t ra ns it io n.

T he m em orie s o f p ast liv es a re p re serv ed b y the c la n a nd a re im pa rte d a ga in

t o a n i nd iv id ua l t hr ou gh f am il y t ra di ti on .

T he h am in g a nd fe tc h be com e p ow erfu l a s th ey pro gress th ro ug h m ore

c la n liv es. T he h am in g h as th e e xp erie nc e g ai ne d fro m a ll t he p re vi ou s l iv es

a nd h ar bo rs t he v it al it y o f a ll t he d ep ar te d. In t he V ik in g A g e o ne g en er at io n

w as e xp ected to o utdo th e d ee ds of the pre viou s on e. Itw as h op ed th at th e

so ns w ou ld s urp as s th e w ork s o f th ei r fa th ers . In th is w ay th e c la ni c h am in ga nd fe tc he s w ere th oug ht to b e e ve r in crea sin g in the ir p ow er. In na min g a

so ul in to a c hild the fa th er a nd m oth er m ay w an t to c on sid er th e k in d of lu ck

th ey w an t to b rin g i nto t he family . D iffe re nt n am es a re a ss oc ia te d w ith



56

d iffe ren t k in ds o f lu ck an d p ow er. S om e n am es m ay b e c on nec te d to lu ck in

b us in es s, o th er s w ith g oo d h ar ve sts i n a gr ic ultu re , a nd o th er s w ith l uc k in

f is hi ng , s cie nc e o r m ath em atic s. T he h am in g o f c er ta in n am e s m ay a ls o h av e

th eir o wn s id es in c er ta in s itu ati on s, a nd th es e n ee d to b e c on sid er ed ..

B ot h t o p ro vid e s om e s ug ge stio ns f or a uth en tic ally G er ma nic , y et

tr ad itio na lly A ng lo -S ax on , , n am es w e h av e p ro vid ed a li st o f b oth m en 's a ndw om en 's n am es. Y ou m ig ht a lso n otice h ow m an y o f th ese n am es are a lso

k nown i n t he ir I ta lia n a nd S pa nis h f or ms; f or e xa m ple : A do lf o, F re de ric o,

C arlo , a nd so o n. T his is b ec au se th e G oth s esta blish ed k in gd om s in b oth

S pa in a nd I ta ly d ur in g t he M ig ra ti on A g e ( fif th to e ig hth c en tu rie s) a nd th ei r

n am es h av e b ec om e w ell lik ed in th ose la nd s.

T hese n am es c an b e u se d in se lec tin g a n am e fo r a ch ild , o r in re na min g

y ou rs elf f or s ac re d p ur po se s. A ls o, it is in te re sti ng to le ar n th e h er ita ge o f

yo ur o wn g iv en n am e. A stu dy o f th e n am es o f o ur trad itio na l a nc esto rs g iv es

u s a v isio n o f th eir v aln es a nd g oals in life . F ro m th ese w e c an le arn m uch .

S om e M en 's N am e s

N ote th at m an y o f th e m en 's n am es a ls o h av e f em in in e v ers io ns , fo r e xa mple

C a rl a fo r C a rl, o r Edwi na f or Edwi n.

Adol ph : " N ob le Wo lf '

Alaric: "All-ruler"

Albert : "Noble-br ight "

A lf re d: " El f i n C o un c il "

A n se lm : " G od ly H e lme t"

A r ch ib a ld : 'N o bl y B o ld "

A rn old : " Str on g a s a n E ag le "

A th els ta n: "N o ble S to ne "

B a ldw in : " Bo ld o r C o ur ag eo u s F ri en d "

B e rn ar d: " Bo ld a s a B e ar "

B e rt hol d : "B ri ght Ru le r"

B e rt ram : " Br ig h t R a ve n "

Car l/Charl es: "F ree -man"

Con rad : "Bol d Counc il "

Cu thber t: "No te d B r igh tne ss "

E a rl : " N ob le M a n"

E d ga r: " Sp ea r o f T r ea su re "

E dmund : " De fe nd er o f t he T re as ur e"

E dwa rd : " G ua rd ia n o f t he T re as ur e"

E dw in : " G ai ne r o f T re as ur e"Egber t: "Br ight -edge"

E l dr ed : "Anci en t Counci l"

E lm e r: " Famou s i n N obi li ty "

57

E ve ra rd : " Str on g a s a B oa r"

F r ank lF r anc is : " F re e -man"

F re de ri ck : " Ru li ng i n P ea ce "

Gerald: "Spear-wielder"

G er ar d: " Str on g w it h a S pe ar "

G il be rt : " Br ig h t W i sh "Goddard: "God-st rong"

God fi ey :" P ea c e o f God"

G odw in : " Fr ie nd o f G od "

.Herold (Harald) : "Army- leader"

H e nr y: " Ru le r o f a n E n cl os ur e"

H er be rt: " Gl or y o f th e A rm y"

H e rma n: " Army-man " (w ar ri or )

H ow ar d: " G ua rd ia n o f t he G ra v e-mou n d" ·

H u be rt : " Br ig h t M i nd "

H ugh lH u go : "M in d "

K e nh elm : " Bo ld H e lm "

L ambe rt : " Il lu st ri ou s w it h L a nd e d P o ss es si on s "Leonard: "Strong as a L ion" .

L eo po ld : " Bo ld f or th e P eo ple "

Lu the r: " Il lu s tr iou s Wa r ri o r"

Marvin: "Sea-friend"

Norbe rt : "N jo rd' s B r igh tne ss "

No rman : "No rt h -man"

Osber t: "Godl y b r igh t"

O sm u nd : " Pr ote cti on o f G od "

Raymond : "Wis e P rot ec ti on"

R eg ina ld :" S tr ong Ru le r"

R ic ha rd : " Str on g lik e a R ule r"

R od er ic : " Ri ch in F am e "

R og er : " Fa mo us w ith th e S pe ar "

R ola nd : " Fam ou s o f th e L an d"

R ob er t: " Br ig ht in F am e "

S~W~d ~ ~igurd): "Guardian of V ictory" )S ig fr id : P ea ch t hr ou g h V ic to ry "

. S igm un d: " Pr ote cto r o f V ic to ry "

T h eo b al d: " Bo ld f or t he P eo p le "

T h eo d er ic : " Ru le r o f t he P eo p le "

T h ur st on : " Th o r's S to n e"

W al te r: " Ru lin g th e A rm y"

. W i lf re d: " D es ir e f or P ea ce "W i ll iam : "W il lf ul H e lm e t"

Winfred: 'Win-peace"



58

S om e W om en 's N am es

N ot e t ha t from t he se w ome n 's n ame s it b ec om es c le a r t ha t t he a n ce st or~ m :d av ery d iffe re n t v ie w o f whai it w as to be a " re al w o ma n" th an la te r C hris tia n

c u lt u re wou ld h a ve u s b e li ev e .

Adel ai de : " Of N obl e Rank"

Adel in a: " Of N obl e B ir th "

Alda : "Powerful"

A l fr eda : "E lven P e ac e "

Amel ia : " Indus tr ious"

A st ri d: " Of D iv in e P owe r"

Ber tha : "Br ight "

B runnb il d a: "B re a st -p la te o f B a tt le "

Emma: "He al er "

Erda : "Earth ly "

E t he l: "Nob l e"

F r ie da: " P ea c e"

Gerda : "Protected"

Ger trude : "Spear -maiden"

Hedw ig : " S tr if e"

He lga : "Hol y"

Hi lda : "Ba tt le r"

H i ld aga rd : "Enc lo s ur e o f B a tt le "

Ma th il d a: "M igh ty B a tt le -ma id "

M i ld r ed : "Gen tl e Counc il "

M i ll ic e nt : S t rong"

S ig r id : " v ic to r y r id e r"

Starr: "Star"Sw an h il da : " Sw a n o f B at tl e"

Ul r i ca : "Al l- ru ling"

V ald a: "S he w ho R ule s"

W i ni fr ed : " Fr ie nd o f P ea ce "

Winol a: "L it tl e F r ie nd"

Y r s a: " She -Wo l f'

T he re a re o f co urse , h un dre ds o f o th er n am es th at co uld b e g iv en . F or

more you can consult a good book on the subject of gi.ven n ames: ..

U nfo rtu na tely , th ere a re v ery fe w g oo d o nes. M ost a re m ac ~u ra t~ m th e

"tra nslatio ns" th ey g iv e fo r th e n am es. B e su re yo ur so urce ~ sfairly r ec en t a nd

w as w ritte n b y a re co gn iz ed sch olar in th e field o f onomas t ic s ( th e stu dy o f

names).

59

Im med iately after a child w as bo rn , it w as set dow n on the gro und to gain

co ntac t w ith th e u ltim ate m oth er- M oth er E arth (O ld H ig h G erm an : E rd a,

O ld N orse : Jo r3 -). O ne tra ditio n h as it th at a ch ild sh ou ld b e p lac ed o n its

r ig h t s id e f ir st .

O n th e n in th n ig ht a fte r b irth , th e m oth er a nd fa th er a nd p erh ap s so me

o th er m em b er s o f th e f am ily g at he r a ro un d th e h ou se ho ld s ta ll o r h ea rth .

I de al ly t he s hr in e s pe ci al ly d ed ic at ed t o t he a nc es to rs w il l a ls o b e- pr es en t. If

n ot, b e c ertain th at m em en to s th at b elo ng ed to o th er an ce sto rs w ho b ore th e

n am e th e ch ild is a bo ut to re ce iv e a re p re se nt. O ne o f th ese, o r a no th er o bje ct

o nce p ossessed b y o ne o f th e an ce sto rs afte r w ho m th e c hild w as n am ed ,

s ho uld se rv e a s a n am in g- gif t. T he n am in g- gif t f ix es th e s pir itu al q ua litie s o f

th e n am e to th e c hild .

A fte r th e rec itatio n o f so me o f th e d ee ds a sso ciate d w ith th e fo lk s a fter

w hom th e child is nam ed , the m other bring s the child to the father w ho takes

it in his arm s and sets it to rest in his lap. H e then sprink les th e child w ith

pure spring w ater an d speaks the n am e o f t he child in such w ords as seem

rig ht. T he fo llo win g q uo tes fro m Ice lan dic sag as te ll u s m uch ab ou t h ow th is

rit ua l s pe ec h s ou nd ed . "T hi s b oy s ha ll b e c alle d In gir ou nd , a fte r h is m o th er 'sfath er and I loo k for lu ck (ham ing) in biro b eca use o f h is n am e." O r: "T his

b oy sh all b e ca lled T ho rstein n, a nd I w ish th at lu ck m ay gow it h h is n ame ."

B y th is ac t th e fa th er b rea th es th e so ul in to th e ch ild a nd th e ch ild h as tru ly

en tered th e c lan an d so cie ty as a re al h um an b ein g. A lo ng w ith th e n am e, th e

fa th er in sp ir es th e c hild w ith l uc k, str en gth , w il l, c ha ra cte r a nd o th er e ss en ti al

q ua litie s lin ked to th e n am e. T he ch ild m ig ht th en b e p rese nted w ith an

h eir lo om a sso cia te d w ith its n am e to q uic ke n th e g ro wth o f th e a nc es tr al

bam in g in the new being. In o lden tim es a father m ight p lace a sw ord in a

b ab y's h an d to m ak e it b ra ve. T he reu po na ll p resen t m ig ht h ail th e ch ild b y

its n am e, p erh ap s rep eatin g th e w ord s o f th e fath er. In th e c ase o f a d au gh ter

it is som etim es kn ow n that the m other w ill sit the ch ild o n h er knee and

. n am e her. O ne form ula co nnected to such a nam ing read s: "G od m ake thee a

g oo d w om an !" T his p ra ctic e is e ch oe d in a n E ast A ng lia n f olk -tr ad itio n w hic h

h as it th at th e first p erso n to k iss a c hild after th e p aren ts w ill le av e h is

te mp er am en t o n th e c hild .

T he sharin g of foo d is another w ay peo ple m ay share luck and pow er. T he

sbaring of foo d is a w ay to fo rg e lin ks b etw ee n p eo ple , m uch as sh arin g fo od

an d drink w ith th e G od s, w ig hts an d an cesto rs stre ng jh en s th e tie s b etw een u s

a nd th em . G iv in g a ch ild re gu la r h um an fo od (so me th in g o th er th an m oth er's

milk) is an oth er m ean s b y w hic h a c hild is e stab lish ed a s an en so uled b ein g

w ho sh aresin th e lu ck o f th e c lan . In A ltfrid 's Life 0 / S t . Ansgar , a fa th er issa id to b e a ng ry w he n h is w ife b ears a no th er g irl after h av in g b orn e n o so ns.

T he fath er c on de mn ed th e b ab y to d eath . H e o rd ered th e b ab y ta ken fro m th eb efo re i t c o ul d h av e m oth er 's milk. A n eig hb or in g w om an s na tc he d

th e baby from the servan ts w ho to ok the child an d ran to her ow n kitchen and



60

fed th e b ab y so me h on ey. W hen th e p ursu ers fo un d h er th e b ab y w as lick in g

its lip s an d th ey co uld n ot, b y th eir h eath en cu sto m, k ill it.

T he im po rtan ce o f sh arin g fo od as a m ean s o f sh arin g fam ily lu ck an d

crea tin g a b in din g e ffect is w ell illu strate d b y th e V ik in g A ge c usto m o f

"b en ch -m ates" (th at is, th ose w ho w ou ld sh are a p lace a t a b en ch o r tab le in

th e h all o f a lo rd ) in a retin ue w ho w ill th eir p ossessio ns to o ne an oth er w henthey were far from family. '

It is cu sto mary to g iv e achild a g ift w hen it teeth es. N am in g sh ou ld

a lw ay s b e a cc om pa nie d b y a g ift c alle d a n am e- fa ste ne r ( Old N or se nafnfestr).

T he p ractice o f th e fath er p uttin g a sw ord in a b ab y b oy's handto m ak e h im

b ra ve su rv iv ed w ell b ey on d th e V ik in g A ge . E ve n th ose g iv en n ic k- na me s

h av e b een k no wn to a sk fo r g ifts o f th eir n am e-g iv ers. In th e V ik in g A ge

n ic k - na me s w ere e xtr em ely im po rta nt a nd w or ke d m uc h lik e s ir -n am es d o

t od ay . T h e n ic k- name h ig hl ig ht s s ome d is ti ng ui sh in g a sp ec t ofan individual

c ha ra cte r. Y o u m ig ht h av e th e a nc es tr al n am e R ag na r a nd y ou r n ic k- na me

"A ce " sets yo u ap art fro m all th e o th er R ag na rs in th e fam ily lin e a nd in th e

t own o r d is tr ic t.

A n E ast A ng lian trad itio n h as it th at ch ild ren b orn o n th e ch im e h ou rs o fth re e, s ix , n in e o r tw elv e w ill b e g ifte d w ith p ro ph etic p ow er s.

N am in g B le s si n g

T he father of the child is seated in a chair next to th e sta ll o r h ar ro w. T he

m oth er en te rs th e ro om c arryin g th e b ab y. It is m ost u su al fo r th e fath er to b e

th e c hie f r ea de r in th is c er em on y, b ut a n E ld er c an a ls o s ub stitu te .

1. Hallowing:

T he ste ad is h allo wed in th e u su al m an ner w ith a H ammer W ork in g.

2. Reading:

R ead o r rec ite a p assa ge o n th e w ork s an d v irtu es o f th e a ncesto rs w ho h eld

th e n am e in q ue stio n b ef or e th e n ew re cip ie nt.

3. Reder

D ec la re th e p ur po se o f th e g ath er in g in s tr aig htfo rw ard te rm s. H er e is a n

ex am ple o f h ow su ch a sp eec h co uld g o: "W e g ath er h ere in th is h allo wed

stead to bring this boy into the clan w ith the lu ck of the nam e E dw ard that

w as g iv en to h is g re at g ra nd fa th er b efo re h im , a nd h is g re at g re at g ra nd fa th er

b efo re th at. B y th ese n am es an d th e n am e (h ere in se rt clan ic o r su rn am e) th e

m ig ht a nd main o f o ur h oly h am in g sh all b e b re ath ed in to th is b oy an d g iv e

h im th e rig ht stu ff ."

4 Call:

"H ail all th e h ig h an d h oly G od s an d G od desses o f th e JE sir an d V an ir! H ail

th e h oly d ise s, th e e lv es a nd th e la ndwig hts o f o ur f olk ! H ail o ur f or ef olk !"

T hen m ak e a.sp ecific ca ll to th e sp irit o f th e n am e an d to th e sp ecial talen ts

o r ab ilities th at are to co me w ith th e n am e. T o co ntin ue w ith th e ex am ple,w e m ig ht f in d:

" Ha il E dw ar d Ja ck D ie tr ic k, h e w ho f ou nd ed f or ge s a nd f ash io ne d to ng s! W e

b id t he e we lc ome! "

61

Ina lik e m an ne r lis t o th er im po rta nt a nc esto rs, in clu din g th ose a fte r w hom

th e c h ild is to b e n am ed . A lso in vite a nd h on or an y w ig hts th at are esp eciallys ac re d t o t he c la ns .

5. Loading:

T he h oly w ate r is c harg ed w ith th e m ig ht o f th e cla n an d th e b lessin gs o f th e

G od s. A drink m ig ht also b e lo ad ed . L et th e m ig ht an d main o f o ur f am ilyand the luck of our folk be in this w ater, and the blessin gs of our G ods an dGodde ss es , t oo .

6. Drinking:

.Ifa drink h as b een lo ad ed a s w ell, th en it is drunk a nd s ha re d w ith th e c hild .7. Sprinkling:

T he ch ild is p rese nted to th e fath er b y th e m oth er. S he h an ds th e b ab y to h im

and he places it in his lap. The baby is then sprin kled on the top of the h ead

w ith th e h oly w ate r. A s th e w ater is s prin kle d th e f ath er n am es th e c hild w ith

w ord s su ch as: "I sp rin kle yo u w ith w ater an d g iv e y ou th e n am e E dw ard ,

a ft er y ou r g re at g ra nd fa th er , a nd h is f at he r b ef or e h im ."

8. Blessing:

~y rem aining w ater is pou red out on to the gro und or into the aux iliary bow l~ the nam es of the po wers and div in ities w ho have been called upon in thente.

9. Leaving:

"T hu s th e w ork is w ro ug ht, so it is d on e."

. T here a re o th er fo lk ish cu sto ms o f h eath en o rig in th at h av e b een p ra cticed

m to th e m od ern era T he re are n um ero us trad itio ns co nc ern in g th e k in ds o f

gi ft s g iven to ch ild ren . M an y are sa id to b e g iv en to h elp p rev en t th e c hild

from being m ade a changeling by an elf o r dw arf. T his is likely a

r ei nt er pr et at io n o f a n o ld t ra di ti on i n w h ic h a nc es tr al s pi ri ts w er e e nc ou ra ge d

to fin d th eir w ay to a ch ild . O f co urse , o ne w an ts to d isc ou rag e th e u nw an te d

w ell a s e nc ou ra gin g th e d esir ed in flu en ce s f rom a ff ec tin g o ne 's c hild . T he

k~y is the m ost com mon gift to be bestowed on a baby and put it in its

cn b- u su ally to k ee p th e elv es a nd u nw an ted w ig hts a way. Sw ord s an d

k niv es w ith th eir p oin ts stick in g o ut m ay b e p ut in th e crad le fo r sim ilar

p urp oses. It is n ot alw ays said th at th ese th in gs a re g iv en fo r a ny p urp ose

o th er th an lu ck . O th er item s m ay b e g iv en t~ iriflu en ce a c hild 's lu ck in

s pe ci fi c a re as o f l if e. I de al ly y ou s ho ul d try , t o e nc ou ra ge th e k in ds o f lu ck

th at ten ds to ru n in yo ur fam ily w ith th ese g ifts. P en nie s an d o th er m on ies

m ay b e g iv en to h elp e nsu re th e c hild 's f utu re p ro sp erity . B re ad m ay be given

to en su re th at fo od w ill n ot b e lac kin g. F or th is p urp ose yo u m ay also p la ce

such gifts in the child's first bath w ater. A pen m ay be put in its bath w ater

to h elp .it le arn fast, an d a n e gg w ill g iv e it a clea r v oic e. T hree p en nies m ayb e p ut m th e b ath fo r w ealth . N atu ra lly, m an y o th er item s m ay be g iv en a s

to a ff ec t o th er a ttr ib ute s. T he b ath w ate r m ay be e mp tie d u nd er a g re en

63



62

To bring a child health, pass it through a hole in the earth or over the

h ea rt h, t he s ta ll , o r a n a nc es tr al b ur ia l p la ce .

N um ero us o th er c us to ms a re to b e f ou nd in th e re co rd s o f re gio ru il

E u ro pe an f ol kl or e. O ft en t ra di ti on s a re c on tr ad ic to ry a nd g iv en a Ch ri st ia n

i nt er pr et at io n. T hi s i s t o b e e xp ec te d d ue t o h is to ri ca l c ir cum st an ce s. T h e r ea l

s ig nif ic an ce o f m uc h o f th is w ill re ve al its el f in ti me a ft er s om e p ra cti ca l

e xp erie nc e in th e c usto ms ha s be en ga in ed. B oo ks c an n ot te ach yo u th e tru e

m eaning of the custom s- only actual practice can do that - and do it

directly. Mea nw hi le , i f y ou a re p art ia l to a ny p arti cu la r re gio n, s ay th e p arts

o f E u ro pe fro m w hic h y our o wn a nc esto rs c am e, lo ok in to th e fo lk lo re o f

t ha t s p ec if ic r eg io n .

C h ap te r 1 2·

H O LY WEDLOCK

B y w ed lo ck tw o c la ns o r fa milies m ay b e j oin ed to ge th er a nd o ne pa rtn er

m ay o ffi cia ll y b ec om e a p ar t o f th e o th er p artn er's c la n o r famil y. T yp ic all y,

it is the w om an w ho joins the clan of her husband, though the m an m ay also

c ho se to jo in th e w om an 's fa mily. B y w ed lo ck tw o fa milie s o r c la ns c an b e

b ou nd to ge th er to fo rm a tru e tri be . In G erm a ni c c ul tu re w ed lo ck i s a s oc ia l

m ore th an l eg al fa ct Ifa c ou pl e i s c oh ab it in g t he y a re c on si de re d ma rr ie d

re ga rd le ss o f t he p re se nc e o r a bs en ce o f le ga l o r rit ua l fo rm ali tie s. T his is

c us to ma ry i n G erm an ic o r E ng lis h " co mm o n la w," h en ce th e p hra se

" common l aw marr iag e. "

A w ed din g m ay b e c ele bra te d i n p ri va te a nd in vo lv e li tt le m or e than th e

e xc ha ng e o f r in gs a nd th e s ha rin g o f b rid al a le a nd g ift s, o ath s o f b et ro th al,

a nd a n e mb ra ce a nd k iss b efo re a w itne ss. T he se a re th e b asic e le me nts o f th e

b et ro th al. B ec au se o f th e p ro fo un d i mp lic at io ns o f th e a ct o f w ed lo ck fo r th e

famil y a nd fri en ds o f b ot he r c on ce rn ed , it i s t yp ic al fo r t he w ho le to g ath er t o

se e th at th e b ind ing o f th e c ou ple a nd th e tw o fa milie s is b ro ug ht a bo uts uc ce ss fu ll y a nd i n g oo d c he er a nd g oo d f rit h. A c ou ple m ig ht c ele bra te b oth

a p ublic a nd p riva te c ere mo ny . In a nc ie nt tim es it w as o fte n c ustom ary to a

p air t o g o th ro ug h a b et ro th al c eremo ny a nd a p erio d o f b e tro th al b efo re th e

ac tu a l ma rr iag e ce remony .

Id ea lly , an E ld er o f the R ing o f T roth w ho is le ga lly e ntitle d to b in d

c ou pl es i n m arri ag e w il l b e p ro cu re d fo r a p ub li c w ed din g.

T he re are a v arie ty o f fo lk c usto ms c on ce rn in g th e m ost a usp ic io us a nd

i na us pi ci ou s t im e s f or a w edd in g. J ud gi ng b y t he many c on tr ad ic to ry

tra dit io ns it s eem s th at i t i s re al ly u p t o e ac h in di vi du al fam ily to d ec id e

ac co rd ing to its o wn n ee ds w ha t th e tim e a nd p la ce o f th e w ed din g sh ou ld b e.

W itn esse s sh ould b e a va ila ble to spe ak o n be ha lf o f b oth p artie s to vo uc h

fo r t he ir c ha ra cte r a nd th e n ob ili ty o f th eir fo re fo lk s. T he b rid e a nd h erw itn esse s a nd fa mily sh ou ld sta nd to o ne sid e o f th e sta ll, w hile th e g roo m

an d h is fa mily a nd w itn esse s s ta nd to th e oth er s id e o f th e sta ll.

T he E ld er th en su mm on s th e G od s to w itn ess, e sp ec ia lly tho se w ho ta ke

a s pe cia l i nte re st in m a rria ge s s uc h a s F rig ga , L of n, S io fn , V arr F re y, F re ya ,

!h or a n~ th e li ke . T he ~ ld er m ay s in gle ~u t th es e d eit ie s f or s pe cia l a tte nti on

m a c allin g o n a ll th e W Ig hts o f A sg ard end Wan e-H om e, o r m a y sin gle o ut

o ne o r m ore w ed di ng re la te d w ig hts i n t he c all in g.

T he n th e E ld er c alls fo r th e w itn esse s to te ll of the g oo d w orth of the

b rid e. E ac h ste ps b efo re th e h arro w o r s ta ll to sp ea k an d re tu rn s to h is o r h er

p la ce . T he n t he g ro om 's w itn es se s d o t he s am e.

A bow l of ale is then hallow ed in the nam e of the G ods called upon and ap ortio n is p ou re d in to a ho rn o r a no th er v esse l fro m w hic h b oth b rid e a nd

. g room drink. R em ain in g p or tio ns m a y b e d is tri bu te d amo ng th e g at he re d fo lk



64

an d th e la st p ou red o ut in h on or o f th e G od s. A s in m ost sa cred fe asts, a le is

b est c on su me d in m od era tio n. A s th e H ig h O ne ca utio ns: "T he b est fe ast is

t ha t w h ic h o n e c an r emembe r a ft erwa rd s, a nd r ec al l e ve ry th in g t ha t h a pp en e d. "

T he c ou ple th en e xc ha ng es fin ger rin gs. A t th is m om en t e ac h sw ea rs to

w ed an d p lig ht tro th in th e o th er. T he g ro om m ig ht u se th e fo llo win g w ord s

t ha t w e re l aw f ul ly u se d i n a nc ie nt I ce la n d: "We d ec la re o u rs el ve s w it ne ss es t oy ou (h ere th e n am e o f th e w itn esse s) b in d m e in law fu l b etro th al, a nd w ith

tak in g h old o f h a nd s y ou p ro mise m e d ow ry a nd u nd ertak e to fu lfill a nd

o bserv e th e w ho le o f th e c om pac t b etw ee n u s, w hic h has b ee n n otif ie d i n th e

h ea rin g o f th e w itn es se s w it ho ut g uile o r c un nin g, a s a r ea l a nd a uth or iz ed

compact ."

T he gro om then p resents th e b ride w ith a set of k eys to the ho useho ld as

a s ym b ol o f h er d om in io n o ve r d om es tic a ff air s. Inman y in sta nc es th is m ay

n ot b e d ee med a pp ro pria te a nd m ay b e left o ut. In th e V ik in g A ge, w hen th is

w as e sp ec ia lly p ra ctic ed , t he w om en o ft en r an t he f ar ms w h ile th e a ble b od ie d

m en w er e o ff in V ik in g e xp ed itio ns . N owa da ys b ot h p ar tie s o fte n sh ar e equal

r es po n si bi li ti es i n t he d omes ti c a nd o cc up at io n al s ph er es .

T he n th e E ld er h allo ws th e w ed lo ck b y m ak in g th e sig n o f th e h amm erb ef or e t he c ou p le .

T he y th en e mb ra ce a nd k iss.

A fter th e cerem on y there sho uld b e a g reat feast at w hich th ere m ay be a .

r itu al e atin g o f a s ac rif ic ia l c ak e o f w h ic h a ll p ar ta ke . T his s ac rif ic ia l c ak e i s

th e o rig in o f th e im p or ta nc e o f t he m o dem " we dd in g c ak e" in c ur re nt p ra ctic e.

A s e xp la in ed e ar lie r, s ha rin g f oo d is a m ea ns b y w hi ch p eo pl e a re b on de d

t og et he r. T h er e a re n umer ou s t ra di ti on s s ur ro u nd in g t he w e dd in g c ak e. T h e

cake is in so me p arts o f E nglan d w rap ped up to b e sent aw ay to th ose w ho

w ere u na ble to a tte nd th e fe ast. P iec es m ay b e retain ed to b e g iv en b ac k to th e

field s a s w ell. F or g oo d lu ck n in e p iec es o f th e c ak e m ay b e p asse d th ro ug h

t he w e dd in g r in g s.

L ittle is k no wn fro m V ik in g A ge so urc es a bo ut th e p ro per a ttire fo r th e

b rid e an d g ro om . T he "L ay o f T b rym " in th e P o e tic E d da men tio ns a v ei l a nd

b rid al lin en b ut d oe s n ot e la bo rate . S om e o f th e tru e fo lk in E ng la nd th in k

is m ore ap pro priate fo r w ed din gs th an w hite , a s th is is m ore em ble ma tic o f

p as sio na te l ov e. T his is a m a tte r o f p er so na l c ho ic e.

T ra diti on al ly a p ro ce ssi on f or ms s om e p ar t o f th e c er em o ny . U s ua lly t he

p ro cessio n w en t fro m th e h ou se o f th e b rid e's fam ily to th at o f th e g ro om .

N owa da ys th e p ro ce ss io n m ig ht b e f rom th e s ta ll b ef or e w hic h th e c ou ple

w as m arried to th e place o f the recep tio n- o r th e cars that tak e th em to the

r ec ep ti on . H er e t he b rid e a nd g ro om m ay b e sh ow er ed w it h g ra in to e ns ur e

t he ir g oo d l uc k, p ro sp er ity - a nd if th ey w is h, f er tilit y.

W hen th e co up le first a rriv es at th eir n ew ste ad , th e g ro om c arries th e

b rid e o ve r t he th re sh ol d a nd f rom th er e to a nd a ro un d th e h ou se ho ld h ea rt h o r

stall.

65

T he m orn in g a fte r th e c on su mm atio n o f th e m arriag e th e g ro om g iv es th ebride a "bridal g ift. " .

It is ty pic al fo r th e fa milie s o f b oth b rid e a nd g ro om to p ro vid e th e c ou plew it h w e dd in g g if ts .

A W ed din g R ite

T he fo llo win g ritu al w as th e b asis fo r th e first R in g o f T ro th w ed din gperf0rn:ed f or a c ou pl e o f d ea r f rie nd s. C ele br an ts s ho uld a lw ay s f ee l f re e to

a lte r th is o r a ny o th er rite to su it th eir o wn n ee ds. W hat is m ost sa cred a re th e

general structures a nd se qu en ces o f e ve nts a nd sy mb olic a cts, n ot so m uc h th e

. ac tu al f or m o f th e w or ds s po ke n o n e ac h o cc as io n.1. Hallowing:

T he g ro un ds are h allo wed w ith a H amm er W ork in g. T he E ld er fac es n orth

an d tra ce s th e sig n o f th e h amm er in th e air a nd sa ys: "H amm er in th e N orth

hallo w an d h old th is stead !" T he E ld er th en turn s to th e east an d traces th e '

s ig n o f th e h amm er in th e air w hile sa yin g: "H amm er in th e e ast h allo w a nd

h old th is ste ad !" T he n th e E ld er tu rn s to th e so uth a nd tra ce s th e sig n o f th e

h amm er in th e air an d say s: "H amm er in th e so uth , h allo w a nd h old th is

ste ad !" T he E ld er th en tu rn s to th e w est an d tra ce s th e sig n o f th e h amm er inth e ~ w hile sa yin g: "H amm er in t he w es t, h allo w a nd h ol d th is s te ad !"

F ac mg .n orth a g~ n th e E ld er h allo ws th e sk y a bo ve a nd th e g ro un d b en ea th

~ y t racm gthe S Ign o f the h am mer in th e air above and below saying: .

H amm ers ab ov e u s an d b elo w u s, h allo w a nd h old th is stea d!" F in ally th e

E Id ~r ~ ay s: " Th is s te ad is n ow r ig htly w ar de d a ga in st u nh oly w ig ht s a nd w ay s

a nd I t 18 h allo wed fo r th e h ig h a nd h oly w ork o f W ed lo ck ."2. Reading:

H ere p assag es e sp ec ia lly m ea nin gfu l to th e b rid e a nd g ro om o n th is

? cc as io n m a y b ~ r ea d inp ar t o r in t he ir e nt ir et y. T h e p o et ic r ea di ng mo st

n np or ta nt m yth ic al ly to th is r ite is th e " Th ry m sk vi da " f rom t he P o e tic E d da .3. Reder

T he E ld er s ay s: "We a re g ath er ed h er e to da y t o w itn es s th e w ed din gt og eth er o f ( na me b rid e) a nd ( na m e g ro om ).

4. Call:

T he E ld er s ta nd s b ef or e th e h ar ro w a rm s u pr ais ed a nd le ad s th e g ath er edf ol k i n a r es po n se r ea di ng :

E ld er s ay s:

F ri gg a w e call thee!

L of n w e c all t he e!

S io fn w e c all th ee !

V ar r w e call thee!

F re y w e call thee!

F re ya w e c all th ee !

T ho r w e c al l t he e!

A l l r e sp~nd:

F rig ga w e g Jv e th ee w elc om e!

L ofn w e g iv e th ee w elc om e!

S io fn w e g iv e th ee w elc om e!

V ar r w e g iv e th ee w elc om e!

F re y w e g iv e t he e w elc om e!F re ya w e g iv e t he e w elc om e !

T ho r w e g iv e th ee w elc om e!



66

5. Loading:

The Elder pours mead (or other drink) into the horn, l if ts i t aloft and says:

"Into "thismead is blended the bonds of troth and love between man and

woman and between the world of the Gods and folk together."

6. Drinking:

Mead is hallowed and shared by the bridal couple. The mead is distributed

among the gathered folk. One horn is hallowed especially for the bride and

groom who drink i t all . The other is hallowed for the Gods and the folk. All

share this.

Work ing a /Wedd ingA. Witnesses: The Elder asks who will speak in behalf of the bride: The

bride's witnesses stand next toher in the order they will speak. The groom's

witnesses, arrayed likewise next to the groom in the order the will speak then

speak in behalf of the groom. The witnesses speak of the individual's

integrity and other good qualities and vouch for the subject's character. The

Elder says: "Do you give your word that (name groom) is a good man. The .

witnesses may say words such as: "Ihave known (name groom) for a longtime and he has always been worthy. His friendship has been fast and true

through thick and thin. Good he gives to all kin and friends. He issteadfast .

forthright. free and true. He is hearty, hardy and a hard worker, yet ever of

good cheer."

B. The couple exchange vows.

C. The couple exchange rings.

D. The couple drinks the wedding ale .

E. The couple kisses.

7." Blessing:

The Elder calls down the blessings of the Gods and wight upon the couple

and the gathered folk.

"Skathi, Varr , Freya, Frigga, Syn, Lofn and all the .£sir and all the Vanir,

we call and welcome you at this hallowed stead and welcome your blessing

on thewedding of (name bride) and (name groom). Let this wedlock be

blessed ever with love, harvest. frith, might, right, and wisdom. All hail

(first name of bride) and (first name of groom). Here the gathered folk hail the

couple with the cheer: "Hail (flfStname of bride) and (flfStname of groom)!"

This is repeated by all three times.

8 Giving:

After the blessing is completed, the Elder pours the contents of the

blessing bowl out upon the bare ground to the east of the harrow with thewords:

"To Frigga, Lofn, Siofn, Varr, Frey, Freya, and Thor! "

67

? Leaving:

The Elderreturns to the harrow or stall and says:

"Thus the work of wedding is wrought. I t renews the hearts of all who have

witnessed it to be steadfast in their troth one with the other."

)



68

C ha pt er 1 3

BLOOD -BROTI ff iR AND - SI S1ERHOOD

In this day and age - perhaps indeed a W olf-A ge in w hich the fam ilies of

h um anity a re in w id esp re ad d isso lu tio n - the re is o nc e a ga in n ee d fo r a

p ro fo un d r ite u se d in a nc ie nt t im es in s uc h tim e s o f s oc ia l a nd p er so na l

s tre ss . A W o lf -A ge is o ne in w hic h t he s oc ia l o rd er o f h um an ity b re ak s d ow n

a nd a n ew o rd er b as ed o n v olu nta ry a ss oc ia tio ns i s c a lle d fo r. T he o ld h um an

o rd er is re pla ce d b y a w olf is h o ne . T he w ay to d o th is h as t ra dit io na ll y b ee n

th ro ug h ri te s o f b lo od -s ib lin g h oo d. B ut it is a ls o e ve n m ore u su all y

u nd ert ak en o n p riv ate le ve ls b y tw o o r m or e i nd iv id ua ls w ho w is h t o b in d

th em se lv es t og et he r in w ay s a s ti gh t o r e ve n t ig hte r t ha n if t he y w e re

g en et ic al ly r el at ed t o o ne a no th er . If th e h ea ds o f c la ns o r fam ili es d o th is , i t

is a w ay of binding tw o w hole clans together- w hich form s the basis for a

n ew t rib e o f p eo pl e.

W h at w as d on e r eg ul arl y in a nc ie nt ti me s p er ha ps n ee ds to b e re in stit ute d

to da y: th e b in di ng o f fam il ie s a nd c la ns i nt o n ew tri ba l o rg an iz ati on s. S om e

o f t he m os t i mp orta nt o f t he o ld G erm an ic tr ib es , fo r e xamp le th e S ax on s(w ho w ere e ve nt ua ll y to b e th e m aj or t rib e s et tli ng i n E ng la nd ) a nd F ra nk s

(w ho w ere to e sta bl is h t he n ati on o f F ra nc e) w er e th e re su lt o f s uc h

" ar ti fic ia l" tri ba l c re ati on s. B y th e w ay , t he em bl em s o f th es e tw o tri be s, a

s ho rt s in gl e- ed ge d swo rd ( sa x) a nd a k in d o f s ho rt s pe ar (frank) we re t he

s ym bo ls o f t he se n ew t rib es b ec au se t he se w ere th eir fa vo ri te w ea po ns .

So two c la ns m ay b e b ro ug ht t og et he r b y t he r it e o f b lo od -s ib li ng ho od .

In th is rite tw o p eo ple m ay jo in fa milie s a nd sh are c la nic h am ing a nd

o bl ig at io ns . T he tw o s ib lin gs h av e th e s am e o bli ga tio ns to wa rd s o ne a no th er

a s th os e b orn a s n atu ra l s ib lin gs .

In the V iking A ge a long piece of turf w as cut and raised w ith a spear to

fo rm a n a rc he d lo op , u nd er w hi ch th e s ib li ng s w ere to b e j oin ed . T he y g o to

th eir k ne es a nd s pill so me o f th eir b lo od in to th e gro un d a nd mix it w ith th ee arth . T he y c alio n the G od s to w itn ess a nd th en c la sp h an ds , sta te the te rm s

o f th e o ath a nd sw ea r to th em .

A m odem rite m ight involve a pit in the ground w ith w alls built up out

o f t he e xc av ate d e art h a nd p erh ap s ro ofe d w ith a p ie ce o f w oo d c ov ere d w ith

e arth . T he e ss entia l id ea is th at the sib lin gs a re re bo rn fro m th e w om b o f th e

sa me m oth er- M oth er E arth . It se em s th at b loo d sib lin gh oo d w as m ore

o fte n u nd er ta ke n fo r t he p urp os e o f b o nd in g th e s ib li ng s t og eth er f or t he

p ur po se o f i ns ti ll in g t ru st a nd l oy al ty i n t he f ac e o f d if fi cu lt c oo pe ra ti ve

unde r tak in g s s u ch as V iki ng exped it io n s.

In th is d ay .a nd A ge it is n ot w ise to m ix b lo od w ith a no th er h um an

b ein g. I n a ny e ve nt, th is w as n ot n ec es sa ry in t he a nc ie nt ri te . B oth

p artic ip an ts b lo od w as m ix ed w ith th e E arth - w hic h g av e b irth to e ac h o f

th em a ne w. In this w ay th ey w ere tru e b ro th ers, bo rn o f th e sa me M oth er.

69

F ew w ord s n ee d to b e sp ok en fo r th e c om ple tio n o f su ch a rite .

. It is u p to in div id ua ls a nd g ro up s to d o m ore p ra cti ca l e xp eri me nta tio n i n

th is a re a o f w ork . R esu lts w ill p ro ve th em se lv es. B ut it se em s th at in th is

~ ew W ? lf-A ge .th ere i s a n ee d fo r ti es o f n ew b lo od w hic h w il l re pl ac e t he o ldtie s w hi ch a re m m an y w ay s d is so lv in g.

)



70

C ha pte r 1 4

FOS1ERAGE

A do ptio n is a no th er m ea ns b y w hich a n o utsid er m ay b ec om e a m em be r

o f a fa mily . H ere th e a do pte d c hild is b ro ug ht in to th e fa mily s o a s to sh are

fu lly in its fri th , lu ck , h on or, m em ory a nd ¢rl6g ( or " fa te ") . T he a do pt ed s ono r d au gh te r i s fo r all i nt en ts a nd p urp os es a t ru e s on o r d au gh te r. As a p art of

a n ew c la n, th e a do pte d c hild a cq uire s a ne w b ein g a s it is i ns pi re d w it h t he

h am in g o f th e n ew famil y._

T he fo ca l a ct of a G erm anic a do ptio n rite is th e se ttin g o f th e c hild u po n

th e k ne e o f th e n ew f at he r. Inmed ie va l N orw ay i t w as c us to ma ry fo r th e ,

a dop tin g fa mily to s la ug hte r a n o x a nd m ak e a b oot fro m its h id e. A t a

s ac ri fic ia l f ea st a t w hi ch t he o x w as e at en , th e b oo t w as s et p ro min en tl y i n

th e m a in p art o f the roo m. T he m em be rs o f the fa mily w ou ld th en ste p in to

th e b oo t o ne a fte r t he o th er . T he a do pt in g f at he r w ou ld g o firs t a nd th e

a do pt ed s on a fte r, th en t he rema in in g famil y m em be rs w ou ld fo ll ow . T he

a do pti ng fa th er c on firm ed t ha t th e c hil d w as n ow famil y w it h t he w ord s: " I

le ad this m an to th e g oo ds Ig av e him , to g ift a nd re pa ym en t, to c ha ir a nds ea t, to fm e a nd rin gs, to a fu ll m an 's righ t, a s if h is m oth er h ad b ee n b ou ght

w it h a b ri da l g if t. "

A no th er fo rm ula f or a do pti on c eremo ny t ha t h as c om e d ow n to u s r ea ds :

"W e ta ke h im in to th e c la n w ith u s." Itw as c us to ma ry fo r th e w ho le fami ly

t o b e p re se nt to c on fi rm a n a do pti on a nd it w as e xp ec te d t ha t th e c hil d w ou ld

b e in fu se d w ith ha min g fro m b oth the fa th er's a nd th e m oth er's fa mily a s a

r es ul t o f t he c er emo ni al w o rk in g.

Ina m od ern c on te xt, th e c hild m ig ht b e p la ce d in th e fa th er's la p in th e

c ase o f a sm all ch ild , b ut a n o ld er ch ild m ig ht ste p into a sp ec ia l sh oe . A

f am ily fe as t s ho uld ta ke p la ce s ho rt ly a ft er th e w ork in g. T he c hild s ho uld a ls o

b e g iv en S ig nifi ca nt g if t d ur in g th e w ork in g o r th e fe as t.

A noth er m od el fo r an a do ptio n is p ro vid ed in th e S alic L aw c ode o f th e

e arly 6 th c en tu ry. T his w as a c od e of la w a mo ng the F ra nk s alo ng th e R hin e

r iv er. T he fa th er a nd s on c om e to ge th er b efo re t hre e w itn es se s a nd tw o lo ca l

o ffic ia ls, o ne o f w ho m is k no wn a s a T hu ng in us b eca use h is fu nc tion is

r ela te d to th at o f th e " Th in g" o r le gis la ti ve a ss em bly . T he th re e w itn es se s a sk

th e fa th er o ne qu estio n e ac h a nd th e m an th ro ws a s ta ff into th e la p o f th e l ad

a nd s ta te s th e a mo un t o f p ro pe rty th e b oy is to in he rit a nd h ow h e is to ge t

it Then the w itnesses visit the m an at his hom e to see that the m an does in

f ac t h av e a s mu ch p ro pe rt y. Itis im p or ta nt t ha t th e w itn es se s b e tre at ed a s

g ue sts a nd fe d. A ft er t ha t th e fa th er m us t g o b efo re a r eg io na l o rro ya l c ou rt

a nd p ro cl aim- th e t erms o f i nh er it an ce b ef or e a r oy al o ff ic ia l. T h e t hr ee

w i tn e ss e s w i ll be re qu ire d to te stify a s to th e te rm o f th e a gre em ent if thearrangement is ever con tes ted r Ifa bo y is to b e a n h eir th en the m od ern

a do pt io n r it e s ho ul d i nc lu de t he g iv in g o f a s ta ff t ha t s ymb ol iz es a ut ho ri ty

71

o ve r son :e o f ~ e prop erty of the fa th er a s o ne o f th e gifts o f a do ptio n.

In this, as m so m uch else inG erm an ic ri tu al a nd re li gio us c us to m, w e

fm, d ~ e s ac re d s ~g ni fi ca n~ e o f w i t n esses who make r it ua l o r s ymb ol ic a ct io ns

o bj ec ti ve ly r ea l m t he SOC Ia lw o rl d, a nd ofj inances wh ic h make s uc h a ct io ns ,o bj ec ti ve ly r ea l i n t he e co nom ic w o rl d.

)

72



C ha pte r 1 5

W AK ES A ND G RA VE

C rema ti on w as m o re p rom in en t i n tr ad iti on al E ur op ea n so cie ty th an it is

n ow , b ut b urial w as co mm on a lso . W he th er a b od y w as b urn ed o r b urie d, th e

re ma in s w ou ld b e u su ally b e in te rre d in a m ou nd a lo ng w ith c erta in

possessions.

W ak es a nd p ro pe r b uria l p ra ctic es en su re th at th e p arts o f th e so ul o f th e

d ec ea se d f md t he ir a pp ro pr ia te p la ce s in th e n in e w o rld s. T he s uc ce ss o f th e

b urial rites is essential to th e h ealth and lu ck o f th e clan - th e h am ing and

lu ck a nd fe tc h(e s) o f p ow erfu l p er so ns n ee d to b e re bo rn in th e c la n; T he

h am in g p ro vid es th e b asic n um in ou s p ow er. T he fe tc h p ro vid es a lin k with

th e a nc es tr al m emo ry w he re by th e in te lle ct a nd o th er e le me nts o f th e c ha ra cte r

o f t he d ep ar te d ma b e r eg en e ra te d.

T he ly ke s c an e ith er b e in te rr ed w h ole , o r in cin er ate d. B ur nin g is m o st

a pp ro pr ia te f or d ev ote es o f _ ,E sir ic G o ds w hi le b ur ia l is m o st a pp ro pr ia te f or

d ev ote es o f V an ic G o ds a nd G o dd es se s. Ine it he r c as e t he r ema in s a re i nt er re d

an d so me kin d of m ark er is erected su ch as a m ou nd o r a m nesto ne o r b oth . Itis id ea l if th e re main s c an b e in te rred o n fam ily p ro pe rty o r in p ro xim ity to

th e g ra ve s o f o th er f am ily m emb er s.

T he d ead sh ou ld be b uried w ith so me of th e th in gs o r types o f thing s th at

w ere e sp ec ia lly im po rta nt to h im o r h er d urin g life . O ne su ch th in g m ig ht b e

a n h eir lo om a ss oc ia te d w ith th e n am e o f th e d ec ea se d. S uc h h eir lo om s w ou ld

b e d isin tere d w hen th e n am e o f th e d ea d p erso n is a gain g iv en to a n ew bo rn

m em ber of th e fam ily . T he o bject is th en giv en as a g ift to the childr ec ei vi ng t he n ame . T h is f ac il it at es t he t ra ns fe re nc e o f t he h am in g c on n ec te d

w ith th e nam e to th e child w ho receiv es the nam e and fasten s it to th e ch ild .

A lo ng w ith th ese k in d o f g oo ds, o bje cts a sso cia te d w ith su ste na nce in

d aily lif e s uc h a s e at in g a nd d rin kin g v es se ls , d rin k, a nd g ra in , c an a ls o b e

interred . -

Ifa ru nic m on um en t is to be carved , yo u m ig ht w rite to the R ing o f

T ro th o r th e R un e-G ild to se e if yo u c an g et an E ld er o r D r ig hte n to e xec ute

th e c ar vin gs. T he sto ne sh ou ld b e e re cte d b etw een n in e m on th s a nd a ye ar

a fte r th e d eath . T he re a re m an y sto ne s stan din g to day to d ra w u po n fo r

models . An O di an m ig ht c on sid er h av in g a s to ne m o num en t m o de lle d a fte r

a ny n um b er o f r un es to ne s ty le s, in cl ud in g t he p ic to ria l s ty le o f th e G o tl an d

s to ne s w h ic h s how s ce ne s o f t he d ea d a rr iv in g in V alh al la g re ete d b y v al ky rie

an d a rriv in g o n S le ip nir. L ik ew ise , y ou m ig ht se e a bo ut g ettin g a n E ld er o r

D rig hte n to p erfo rm th e fu ne ra l rite s, th ou gh th ese c an b e p erfo rm ed b y a

m em ber o f the.family a s w e ll . Itis m ost tra ditio na l fo r a so n to p erfo rm th e

fu ne ra l rite s fo r h is fa th er-ju st a s th e fath er h ad p erfo rm ed th e b irth rites fo r

h is s on .

73

T he f un er al its elf sh ou ld f oll ow s ho rtl y a ft er d ea th . F un er als c on sis t o f

f iv e ba s~c pa rt s: 1) Hallowing, 2) C all to th e G od s, G od de ss es a nd a nc es to rs ,

3 ) S en din g th e d ea d o n th eir jo urn ey , 4 ) d rin kin g th e m yn e-h orn in h on or o f

_ th e d ep arted 's m em ory m uc h a s o ne w ou ld drink to an a nc esto r in a su mb le. 5) leaving, in which all bid t he departed farewell '

T he fu ne ra l ce re mo ny itse lf m ig ht b e fo llo we d b y a w ak e (a ritu al ale

d ri~ g) in ho nor of th e d ep arted. T he w ak e is com prised o f a feast, p erhap s

so me n tu al g am es, a nd a m yn e-d rin kin g in h on or o f th e d ep arte d. H ere a sk ald

o r m u sic ia n m ay re cite p oem s o r so ng s re co un tin g th e w orth y d ee ds o f th e

d ec ea se d. T he c lo se st r ela tiv es , o n, f ath er s, m o th er , d au gh te r, a nd s o o n, a re

e xp ec te d to m a ke th e m a in c on tr ib uti on s. In la rg e w ak es it m ay b e th at o nlyth e c lo se r el at iv es m a ke to as ts a t th e s um b le .

F or in te rm en t, th e ly ke is d re ss ed i n its f me st c lo th in g, i nc lu din g j ew elr y

a nd a p o ck e t full o f c as h, c re dit c ar d, c he ck bo ok a nd o th er s ym b ols o f w ea lt h.

C orp se a nd a sh es a re ty pic ally in te rre d in so me fo rm o f v eh icle, sy mb olic o r

r ea l. C of fi ns m ay b e m a de f rom c an oe s, r af ts , s ma ll r ow b oa ts , c ar s, c ar ts ,

w ag o~ s, a nd s o ~ ~r th . If th e ac tu al v eh icle is n ot in clu de d, a set o f k ey s m ay

b e. It I also tra ditio na l to sh ap e a g ra ve lik e a sm all V ik in g-sty le sh ip . T hism ay be do ne b y bu ild in g up a m oun d o r b y su rrou ndin g th e g rav e w ith ston e

m ar ke rs th at c re at e a c on fig ur at io n s ha pe d lik e a s hip .

A sh es a re typ ic ally in terre d in u rn s m ad e u p o f so ap sto ne , c la y,e ar th enw ar e, w o od a nd i ro n .

In so me re gio ns it is c usto ma ry to ca rry a n ew ly d ead b od y th re e tim es

a ro u nd i ts h o us e. In th e V ik in g A ge it w as c omm on to p erfo rm a N ab ia rg ir

o n a n ew ly d ea d c or ps e. In th is r itu al a cti on t he e ye lid s a nd n os tr il s w er e

p re ss ed c lo se d to p re ve nt m is fo rtu ne s f rom o cc ur rin g to th ose w h o c om e i nt o

th e p r es en ce o f th e c or ps e. Ifs om e on e d ie s in th e h ou se ho ld it w as c us tom ar y

to ta ke th em o ut o ve r th e th re sh old h ead fir st in so me re gio ns. S om etim e it

w as th ou gh t it b est to re mo ve th e d ea d th ro ug h a w in do w ra th er th an ta ke

th em o ve r th e th re sh old a t a ll. A 9 th c en tu ry m an ua l o f w ha t C hristia n

s in ne rs m u st d o .to a to ne th eir si ns ( a p en ite ntia l) w ar ns a ga in st b ur nin g g ra in

f or t he d ea d. T hI S w a s p re sum ab ly d on e a t o th er tim e s t ha n th e b ur ia l it se lf .

Y ou m ig ht also set an im ag e o f a d ov e on a po le an d p oint it in the d irectio ninwh ic h t he d ep a rt ed d ie d.

A fter the cerem on ies, som e m em entos m ayb e giv en o ut to clo se or

in te re ste d r ela tiv es to s et o n th jir f am il y s hr in es .

75



74

Chapter 16'

T II E THRESHOLD

Part ill

Ho ly S te ad s

T he t hre sh ol d i s t he g at ew ay b etw ee n y ou r h ou se ho ld a nd t he o ut er w orld

o r t he c omm un ity a s a w ho le . B eh in d th e th re sh old lie s th e h av en o f y ou r

h ea rth , a n is la nd o f y ou r o wn p ers on al s pa ce . T hre sh old m a gi c i s u s ed t o w ar d

t he s an ct ua ry o f t he h ea rt h a ga in st u nw ant ed " in fl ue nc e s, " " sp ir it s" a nd o th er

in va sio ns o f o ur sp iritu al sa nc tu ary . A t th e sa me tim e it is u se d to m ak e

w an te d i nfl ue nc es w elc om e. T hre sh old m a gic is a ls o u se d to a id in t he

t ra n si ti on b etw ee n p u bl ic a nd p ri va te d oma in s. I n a l ik e m ann e r, t hr es ho ld

m ag ic is u se d to m ark o ff o ne ro om fro m a no th er. Int he t ru e h ou se ho ld , e a ch

ro om is s et a pa rt fro m th e.o th ers b y its o wn m oo d o r "sp iritu al e ne rg y" th at

h elp s g en era te a pp ro pria te sta te s o f m i nd in th ose w ho e nte r th e ro om o r

sp ac e. W he n y ou e nte r y ou r g ara ge , th e m ag ic o f th e th re sh old h elp s y ou to

c as t o ff a ll d is tra cti ng th ou gh ts y ou m ig ht h av e w it h t he a ct iv iti es o f th e

s tu dy o r o th er r oo m s. E ffe ct iv e t ra ns it io ns l ik e t his w ill h elp y ou t o " ge t

in to " th e a ctiv itie s o f a g iv en ro om a nd to d o th em w ith h ea rt, to d o th em

w ell, to d o th em in a sa cre d m an ne r.T he th re sh ol d b etw ee n t he in ne r s an ctu ary o f th e h ou se ho ld a nd th e w orld

o f t he c omm un ity is p erh ap s th e m ost im po rta nt. W he ne ve r y ou h av e so me

tr ou bl e g et ti ng a cro ss y ou r t hre sh old a s y ou l ea ve , e sp ec ia ll y a s y ou l ea ve to

e ng ag e in so me im po rta nt b usin ess , su ch a s g oin g to a d ay 's w ork , it is a

s ig n t ha t y ou m ay n ot b e m ak in g a g oo d tra nsitio n in to th e p ro pe r sta te o f

m in d o r t ha t s om e t ro ub le m ay in de ed lu rk a he ad . Ify ou s ho uld t rip , s tu b

y ou r to e, o r y ou r c lo th in g g ets c au gh t o n th e w ay o ut, ste p b ac k in to th e

h ou se a nd r es t f or a fe w m in ute s. G et c om p os ed , r em in d y ou rs el f o f t he

a ct iv iti es t ha t l ie a he ad a nd t he k in d o f s pi ri tu al e ne rg ie s a nd re so urc es th at

y ou w ill n ee d to su mm on . L oo k u po n a ny sy mb ols y ou m ig ht h av e h an gin g

o n o r a ro un d t he t hre sh ol d th at a re m e an t t o fa ci li ta te y ou r tr an si ti on to t he

p ro pe r fr am e o f m i nd a nd re ga in y ou r c om po su re ..T he e xa ct k in ds o f s ym bo ls y ou se t o n o r b y y ou r th re sh old w ill d ep en d

o n y o ur o wn t em p eram en t a nd o cc up ati on s .

. C ha rm s s et o ut sid e c an b e u se d to f ac ili ta te t he t ra ns it io n i nto th e

h ou se ho ld m o de , b ut a re m o st e sp ec ia lly d es ig ne d t o p ro te ct th e p remi se s a nd

to e n co ur ag e th e p re se nc e o f ~ en dlY w ig hts a nd fe eli ng s. C ommon c ha rm s

. this purpose includ e settin g a birc h branc h over the doo r to keep aw ay the

. of ill-w ill from w ithou . Jagged lines, like lightening strokes or

SOl'Vllo'-runes m ay b e c arv ed o ve r th e th re sh old , o n o r a bo ve th e lin te l, to

cnn>"Plnt d es tr uc ti on b y l ig h te ni ng o r f ir e a c co rd in g t o mo de rn p ra ct it io ne rs o f

tr ad iti on . L ik ew is e c ar vin g o r p la cin g a c ro ss w it h fo ur d ot s .+ . o ve r t he

d oo r or in th e d oo r ja mb m ay be u se d to p ro mo te g oo d lu ck . E ig ht o r s ixs po ke d w he el s a re a ls o h un g o ve r th re sh old s fo r t his p ur po se . S ym b ols o f

l uc k o r h am in g o r s o-c al le d P en ns ylv an ia D ut ch h ex -s ig ns m a y a ls o



76

b e s et o ut to p ro m ote lu ck a nd p ro sp eri ty . (An e xamp le o f a D ut ch h ex -s ig n

c an b e s ee n in fi gu re 1 6.1 .)

F ig ure 1 6.1 : A D ut ch H ex -S ig n fo r P ro sp er ity

,,

r

O n nig hts w he n a nc estra l sp irits a re tho ug ht to ro am th e w orld in

a bu nd an ce - d ue to a thin nin g o f th e w alls b etw ee n th e w orld s o f th e fo lk s

o f M id ga rd a nd t he r ea lm o f v ar io us k in ds o f a nc es tra l s pir its , in clu di ng e lv es

and trolls - sun w heels m ay be scratche d on the doors to keep aw ay

u nw ante d v isito rs. Y ou m ay a lso w an t to se t a p la ce a t th e ta ble fo r, a nd

formally invite in, the ancestral spirits of your own clan. .

T o h elp m ak e the tra nsitio n b etw ee n o ne m od e a nd a no th er, y ou m ig ht

set som e sym bol or som e w ords of w isdom on or over the door. If you

c ho os e a q uo ta tio n fro m th e " Ha vam al" to p os t o n o r n ea r a d oo rw ay , y ou

m ig ht re cite it o ut lo ud w hile th in kin g o n th e d oin gs th at lie a he ad .

E sp ec ia lly re ca ll th e fe el in gs y ou g et w he n y ou a re d oi ng t he se a ctiv iti es

w el l. E ve nt ua ll y, y ou w ill g en era te t his s ta te o f m in d s im p ly b y e nte rin g thero om w ith th e inte nt to e ng ag e in c erta in a ctivitie s. T he w ay y ou fu rn ish a nd

decora te a room w ill have m uch to do w ith the m ood of a room .

T he m ain th re sho ld , w he th er y ou r fro nt d oo r o r th e g ate to y ou r y ard , m a yb e u se d to s ym bo liz e g re ate r t hre sh old s a nd tr an sit io ns , s uc h a s th at b etw ee n

tim es o f th e y ea r a nd th e tid es o f life . T he m ain g ate m ay b e a lte re d for

s pe c ia l o cc as io ns s uc h a s Wedd in gs , f un er al s, s ea so na l f es ti va ls a nd o th er

o f p a ssa ge . P ro ce ssio ns m ay b e m ad e th ro ug h th e ga te to p ass fro m o ne sta te

to a no th er sy mb olic ally . W he n y ou a re a bo ut to e mb ark o n a new p ro jec t,

y ou m ig ht w ra p a to ol o r o bje ct a sso cia te d w ith th e pro je ct in lin en a nd se t i t

o n th e th re sh old a nd w alk o r d riv e o ve r it. L in en is a m ag ic al sy mb ol o f

v it ali ty a nd in cr ea se i n p ow er . W ra pp in g a n o bj ec t w ith it a nd m ak in g

p ro gr es s o ve r it c ha rg es th e s ym b ol o f t ha t a ct io n w ith in cr ea se a nd

dynamism.

77

An o ld E ng lish c usto m h as it th at ifyo u fo rg et w ha t y ou a re g oin g to

sa y, y ou c an ste p o ve r th e th re sh old o f th e h ou se a nd y ou w ill b e a ble tor eca ll i t.

T hre sh ol ds a re t he s ym bo li c g at ew ay s b etw ee n th e s piri tu al w or ld o f o ne

ro om a nd a no th er, a nd th e m a gi c o f e ac h d oo rw ay s ho ul d fa cil it ate th e

t ra ns iti on b etw ee n a nd amo ng th e v ari ou s m o de s o f b ein g a nd a cti ng

r ep re se nt ed b y t he d if fe re nt r oom s inany given house. .

)

78



C ha pte r 1 7

H OU S EH OLD S TA LL S

T he h ou se ho ld s ta ll (o r a lt ar) i s th e m o st im p orta nt s in gle s it e f or a n

i nd iv id ua l's d ail y a nd n ig ht ly o bs erv atio n o f t he T ro th . I t is t ha t p la ce in t he

h ou se w he re t he s pi ri tu al fo rc e o f t he G od s, a nc es to rs , a nd o f t he l iv in gfa mily m em be rs is fo cu se d. It a cts a s a k in d o f w in do w o r d oo rw ay to th e

w orld o f th e a nc esto rs a nd G od s, a s w ell a s a p oin t fo r th e sp irits o f th e

liv in g fa mily m em be rs to m ee t a nd m in gle . T he sta ll b ec om es th e liv in g,

a ct iv e emb od im en t o f th e c la n (o r tri be ) l in ki ng t he p as t w it h t he p re se nt, a nd

b rin gi ng t og eth er a ll e leme nt s o f th e p re se nt to f org e a s tro ng link w it h t ha t

w hich is yet to be.

T he n at io na l re lig io n o f J ap an , S hin to , h as s om e ti me s b ee n c all ed th e

" si ste r r eli gio n" o f t he T ro th . T his is q uit e a pt , a s b ot h a re a nc es tra l

religions. In th e ty pi ca l J ap an es e h ou se ho ld th er e m a y b e o ne o r tw o s hri ne s.

O ne u su al ly S hi nto in n atu re , th e o th er B ud dh is t. T he J ap an es e h av e n o

p ro blem in b ein g b oth S hin to a nd B ud dh is t. W e s us pe ct th at m a ny T ro th ers

w ill n ow a nd in t he fu tu re fi nd th em se lv es a dh ere nt s o f m o re th an o ner eli gio n a s w el l. T he S hin to s hr in e c on si sts o f a s he lf (ka m i -da n a ) upon

w hic h a m in ia tu re v ersio n o f a sh rin e is p la ce d. In fro nt th ere is o fte n a sm all

m irro r, o n e ith er sid e o f w hic h a re sm all la nte rn s a nd a sp rig o f sa ka ki .

A bo ve a nd a cr os s th e s hrin e i s a s tr aw r op e w ith ta lis ma nic p ap er p en da nts .

In si de th e m in ia tu re s hri ne i s a t ali sm an o f t he G ra nd S hri ne o f I se . A ls o

in cl ud ed in t he s hr in e a re t ali sm an s o f v ari ou s k a m i ( di vi n e b e in g s) . Th e re

m a y a ls o b e a s ep ar ate s he lf fo r th e ta lis ma ns o f a nc es tra l s pir its . T he a ve ra ge

Ja pa ne se S hin to ist m ay p ay little a tte ntio n to th e sh rin e o n a d aily b asis, b ut

" it is m a in ta in ed w it h d ig ni ty , a nd is v is ite d o n s ol em n o cc as io ns . T he m or e

p io us Ja pa ne se w ill p ay a d aily v isit to th e sh rin e a nd m ak e sim ple

o bs er va nc es , p er ha ps m aki ng o ff er in gs o f r ic e c a ke s.

N ow a nd in th e fu tu re th e a ve ra ge T ro th er m ay a lso p ay little re gu la r

a tte ntio n to th e fa mily sta ll- th is is a sh am e, b ut it is re alis tic . T he "

ance stors and G ods have so m uc h to offer us- w e should at lea st

a ck no wle dg e th is d eb t o n a re gu la r b as is . A s th e a nc ie nt H in du s s ay : " Th e

m an w ho d oe s n ot sa crific e is a th ie f!" T his is b ec au se th e G od s g iv e a nd

g iv e, a nd if w e d o n ot g iv e in re tu rn , w e a re ste alin g fro m th em . A ls o, if w e

d o n ot re pa y t hem fo r th ei r g ifts , t he ir b le ss in gs b ec om e m o re a nd m o re

d im in is he d. N ot n ec essa rily b ec au se th ey w an t to g iv e s le ss- b ut sim ply

b ec au se th ey h av e le ss to g iv e if w e d o n ot re pa y th em .

T he p urp os e o f th e s ta ll is to b e a p la tfo rm fo r th e re gu la r d isp la y a nd

a rra ng em e nt o f-o bje cts s ym b oli c o f th e f am ily 's l in k w ith it s a nc es try a nd

w it h th e G od s, a nd t o a c t a s a fo ca l p oi nt fo r r eg ula r d ai ly a nd s ea so na lr eli gio us o bs erv an ce s. I t is a s ym bo lic s yn th es is o f t he o ff ic ia l s ac re d s ta ll

a nd th e h ou se ho ld h ea rth . T he sta ll is u su ally p la ce d in th e liv in g ro om o f a

79

h ou se , b ut it c an b e p la ce d in a ny ro om o f th e h ou se w hic h s ee ms a pp ro pria te

( ex cep t a b a th ro om). Ify ou a re a l on e T ro th er liv in g in .a n u nt ru e h ou se ho ld ,

set the stall up in your ow n room . B y setting up a stall and w orking before it

re gu la rl y y ou w ill d ram ati ca lly s ho w t he v irtu ou s n atu re o f th e T ro th to a ll

w ho w ou ld o bs erv e y ou .

A ty pic al d esig n for a sta ll is sh ow n in fig ure 1 7.1 . It is p re fe ra ble to

c on stru ct th e sta ll o ut o f w oo d, a lth ou gh a ny su bs ta nc e w ill d o. T he sta ll

m ay b e little m ore th an a ta ble o r c ab in et in a pp ea ra nc e, b ut it sh ou ld b e a

p erm an en t fe atu re o f th e ro om it is d esig ne d fo r, n ot s om eth in g th at is p ut u p

a nd ta ke n d ow n fo r c erta in o cc asio ns . T he sta ll m ay b e a s la rg e, o r a s sm all

a s y ou w ish . Its d im en sio ns re ally d ep en d o n th e siz e o f th e ro om , a nd th e

n um be r o f o bje cts it is to h old . T he sta ll s ho uld b e a ble to h old a d rin kin g

h om (o r c up ), a b le ssin g b ow l, a sp rig o f e ve rg re en , a nd a v ess el o f liq uid

use d in the rites. M em entos of the ancestors can be kept out on the top of the

stall, at the back of it on the w all, or som e of them m ay even be kept inside

t he s ta ll . Im a ge s o r s ym b ols o f t he G od s a nd G od de ss es e sp ec ia ll y re ve re d b y

th e fa mily s ho uld a pp ea r a t th e b ac k o f th e sta ll.

F ig ure 1 7.1 : T yp ic al D esig n o f a S ta ll



80

An elaborate design fo r a h ou se ho ld s ta ll is sh ow n in fig ure 1 7.2 . T his is

m ore th e ty pe o f d e sig n o ne m ig ht e xp ec t to fin d a s a p art o f a H oC ,o r p la ce

o f o ffi cia l w or sh ip in th e R in g o f T ro th . T he re i s n o " off ic ia l" s et -u p fo r s uc h

a s ta ll- e ac h H of, e ac h G ar th , a nd e ac h H ea rt h w il l h av e a s li gh tl y d iffe re nt

v ersio n. T he d esig n o f th e sta ll w ill a ls o b e s ee n to c ha ng e a s th e fam il y

grow s in know ledge of the Troth. .

F ig ur e 1 7. 2: E la bo ra te S ta ll D e si gn

W o rk in g w it h th e S ta ll

B efo re y ou u se th e s ta ll fo r th e firs t tim e it sh ou ld b e m ad e h oly , o rc on se cra te d, f or it s in te nd ed p ur po se . T o d o t his , y ou s ho ul d p er fo rm a

g en er al b le ss in g fo r a ll t he G od s a nd y ou r a nc es to rs . A ls o, d ur in g t he

w ork in g p ortio n o f th e b le ssin g rite , y ou sh ou ld b rin g a fla me fro m th e

81

h ea rt h ( sto ve , f ir ep la ce , o r s om e o th er s ym b ol o f th e h ea rt h fir e) a nd li gh t a

l am p o r c an dl e o n th e s ta ll. T hi s e ffe cti ve ly u nif ie s t he s ym bo l o f th e s ta ll

a nd th e h ea rth . F ro m th at m om en t o n th e sta ll fu nc tio ns a s th e s ac re d h ea rt

a nd c en te r o f th e sp iritu al life o f th e fa mily o r g ro up liv in g in th at h ou se o r

apar tment.

From that tim e on it is your sacred duty to keep the stall clean a nd w ell

a tte nd ed . T he m os t d utifu l a nd tru e w ill p ay a v isit to th e sta ll o n.a d ailybasis- som e even go three or four tim es a day- upon rising, a t noon, at

s un se t a nd j us t b efo re g oi ng to b ed . S il en t m ed ita tio n b efo re th e s ta ll i s all

th at i s n ec es sa ry , a lth ou gh s om e m a y m ak e sma ll o ff eri ng s o f g ra in o r b ak ed

g oo ds . T he se a re l eft f or a t we nt y-f ou r h ou r p eri od a nd t he n f ed to t he

h ou se ho ld a nim a ls or to t he w il d a nim a ls (s uc h a s b ird s) o uts id e th e h ou se .

Ifyou are fortun ate enough to ha ve an E lde r of the R ing of T roth in your

a re a w ho is h old in g th e G re at B le ssin gs o f th e y ea r a t h is o r h er H of, th en

y ou s ho ul d c e rt ai nl y a tt en d t ho se . H ow ev er , ify ou r H ea rt h o r G ar th l iv e awa y

fro m a w ork in g H of, th e s ta ll (o r o utd oo r h arro w a s d isc uss ed in th e n ex t

c ha pt er) b ec om e s th e f oc us o f th e re gu la r o bs erv an ce o f th e b le ss in gs o f th ey ea r. T he b le ss in g fo rm u la s g iv en i n A Book of Troth c an b e emp lo ye d

d ire ct ly o r m o d if ie d f or th e i nd iv id ua l u se o f t he H ea rth o r G art h. T he

fo rm ul as u se d fo r A Book of Troth a re th ose ta ke n fro m th e V ik in g A ge

s ou rc es w e h av e. T he re a re n o o ld er c om pl ete d es cri pti on s o f j us t h ow

G erm a nic fo lk c el eb ra te d t he ir b le ss in gs - s o th es e f orm u la s h av e b ee n t ak en

a s t he o nl y a ut he nti c s ou rc es w e h av e. F ro m th es e a ut he nti c s ou rc es ,

h ow ev er, t he in di vid ua l o r H ea rt h o r G art h m emb er s a re c ert ai nly fr ee to

im p ro vi se a nd in no va te . B ut w e w ou ld r ec omm en d th at y ou try th e

a ut he nt ic at ed fo rm ul as f irs t a nd g iv e t hem a c ha nc e to s pe ak to y ou d ire ctl y.

82 83



C ha pte r 1 8

Y ARD A ND G ARD EN

Many s ub urb an ite s a nd f olk s l iv in g in ru ra l a re as , o f c ou rs e, h av e s om e

o pe n la nd a rou nd th eir h ou se s- e ve n if it is o nly a sm all p atc h o f g ra ss

b ehi nd t he ir condo s. In th is s pa ce a tru e h arro w, o r o utd oo r alta r, c an b e se t

u p. T he h arro w is a n a lta r u su ally m ad e o f ston e or so me o th er m in era l

s ub sta nc e- a lt ho ug h a w oo de n s tru ctu re c an a ls o b e p re ss ed in to s erv ic e h ere

a s w ell. F or th e m ost p art th e h arro w fu nc tion s a s a n o utd oo r v ersio n o f th e

sta ll. H ow ev er, th e h arro w is n ot a s e la bo ra te a nd d oe s n ot h av e to b e fitte d

o ut a nd m ain ta ine d in th e sa me w ay th e sta ll d oe s, T he h arro w is m ain ly u se d

fo r s ea so na l b le ss in gs - e sp ec ia ll y th os e f alli ng in th e S U ID ID er a lf o f th e

y ea r (fro m E aste r th ro ug h H arv est). B ut it is a lso a p la ce w he re y ou c an g o

o utd oo rs to c ommu ne w ith th e fo rc es of na tu re u nd er th e o pe n sk y in a ho ly

enclosure.

In p hy sic al a pp ea ra nc e th e h arro w c an b e a p ile o f sto ne s o r b ric ks (a bo ut

3-4 ' h ig h) w ith a flat to p su ita ble fo r a cting a s a n a lta r. A b arb ec ue p it o r

s tru ctu re m od ele d o n s uc h a n o bj ec t is id ea l f or m or e e la bo ra te v ers io ns o f t heh arrow . A ty pic al d esig n is sh ow n in fig ure 1 8.1 .

F ig ur e 1 8. 1: T yp ic al H a rr ow De si gn

B efo re yo u u se th e h arro w fo r th e firs t tim e it sh ou ld b e m ad e h oly , o r

c on se cra te d, f or it s in te nd ed p urp os e. T o d o t his , y ou s ho ul d p erf orm a

g en era l b le ss in g f or a ll th e G od s a nd y ou r a nc es to rs o f t he k in d y ou w ou ld

p er fo rm to c on se cra te a s ta ll in do ors . F ro m th e ti me o f th e c on se cra ti on o n

th e h arro w fu nc ti on s a s th e s ac re d li nk o f 't he s piri tu al li fe o f th e g ro up w it h

th e o ute r w orld o f th e G ods a nd w igh ts o f n atu re .

T hose not blessed w ith land of their ow n m ay find a public park, in oro ut o f to wn , o r s om e o th er c on ve ni en t p atc h o f n a tu re f or a b rie f r ec on ne cti on

w it h th e la nd a nd i ts w ig ht s. S uc h m om en ts o ffe r a r es pite fr om th e p re ss ure s

a nd p re oc cu pa tio ns o f th e d aily ro uti ne a nd re new a s en se o f v ita li ty . F or

s ome , n at ur al s et ti ng s a re g at ew ays t o p ro fo un d s ta te s o f t ra ns ce nd en ce a nd

c omm un io n w ith w ig hts a nd in flu enc es o f th e la nd . T his se em s to h av e b ee n

th e c as e w ith th e e arly G erm an s w ho fo un d p ow erfu l a nd d ire ct c on ta ct w it h

th e h oly in a ll o f n atu re w hic h s urro un de d t hem , fm din g t re es , g ro ve s a nd

s prin gs e sp ec ia lly v ib ra nt c ha nn el s to n um in ou s p ow er. A cc or din g t o th e

R om an h is to ria n T ac it us , t he e arly G erm an s f ou nd th ei r temp le s i n g ro ve s

a nd a t s prin gs a nd n ot in a rti fic ia l e nc lo su re s. C ert ain g ro ve s a nd o th er n at ura l

site s w ere m arke d o ff a s h oly , b ut th ey d id n ot su rro un d th em w ith w alls o r

c ov er th em w it h ro ofs .

Ify ou r sa cre d na tu ra l se ttin g is o n p ub lic la nd , th en y ou m ay h av e p ic nic s

a nd b le ssin gs in th e p ark th ou gh y ou m ust b e c are fu l to o bse rv e p ark

policies, Ify ou h av e y ou r ow n la nd , y ou a re fre er to m od ify th e la ndsc ap e a nd

to h ol d b le ss in gs a nd fe as ts a s y ou p le as e w ith ou t i nt erfe re nc e f ro m p ark

au thor it i es and s t rangers ', Ify ou d o n ot h av e o ut do or la nd y ou m ay c ult iv ate

p lants indoor s .

~T he tre e is pe rha ps the sing le m ost h oly s ym bo l fo r th e G erm an ic

p eo ple s. T he tre e is th e p rim ary sy mb ol fo r th e c osm os a nd th e so ul. A

c urs ory re ad in g o f m y b oo k G ro ve a n d G a llo w s - a c ol le cti on o f G re ek a nd

R om an te xts re la tin g t o G erm an ic re li gio n - re ve al s th e a ll -p erv as iv en es so f t he g ro ve a nd sa cre d tre es in the w orsh ip o f th e h oly , In th e 8 th c en tu ry t he

Irm in sill a t E re sb erg a nd th e G re at O ak o f G eism ar - b oth site s in n orth ern

G erm an y - stoo d a s c en te rs fo r G erm anic re lig io us w orsh ip in th e fa ce o f

re pre ss io n. T he Ir min sfi l m ay h av e b ee n a g re at lo g s trip pe d o f it s b ar k a nd

branches, like a M aY -fIe, but the O ak of G eism ar w as a living giant of

g re at a ntiq uity. T re es d g ro ve s a re th e m os t n atura l site s for h arro ws a nd

tre es c an s erv e a s h arr w s t hem se lv es . Ify ou a re b le ss ed w ith tre es in y ou r

y ard , t he n y ou c an d es ig na te a tre e a s t he fo cu s o f o ut do or w ors hip .

M emo ri es o f s ac rifi cia l p ra ctic es in w hic h tre es s er ve a s h arr ow s a re s till

to b e fo un d i n E ur op ea n fo lk -w ay s a nd d oc um en te d i n s om e m ed ie va l s ou rc es .

T he a nc ie nt b le ss in g t yp ic ally in vo lv ed a g iv in g o f b ot h f oo d a nd d ri nk . T he

drink w as ty pic ally p ou re d fro m th e b le ssing b ow l o ve r th e roo ts o f th e tre e

a nd th e fo od w as se t in the fo rk s of the b ou gh s o r h u ng in th e b ra nc he s.



84

A pp le tre es are still w assaile d in so me p arts o f E ng la nd w ith b oth a bo wl of

s pic ed c id er a nd t he n c ak es a re s et in th e b ra nc he s a nd t he liq uid c on te nts o f

t he b ow l a re p ou re d o ve r th e ro ots . P ro ce ss io ns a nd ro un d d an ce s a re

t rad it io n al ly p e rf ormed a round t re e s and co lumns, e sp eci al ly du ri ng spr in g

fe stiva ls. G ifts m ay also be b urie d n ea r or am on g th e ro ots of a h oly tre e.

G a r d e n s

T he fo lk -w ay s o nc e a pp lie d to th e fie ld s a re n ow rig ht ly w ork ed in t he

g ard en . T he g ard en m ay n ow be as m uc h a n orn am ent a s a so urc e o f

s us te na nc e, b ut i s n ev er th el es s r ig ht ly t re at ed a s y ou r f ie ld e ve n i f y ou r

h arv es t is o nl y in th e b ea uty o f t he g ard en it se lf. T he fie ld , lik e th e t re e a nd

w ell , is a c os mic s ym bo l: th e fie ld s ym bo liz es g en era tiv e a nd s us ta in in g

p ow ers o f M oth er E arth a nd th e rit es o f th e fie ld a re m ai nl y s ea so na l. T he

fo lk -w ay s c on ce rn in g th e fie ld s a re p erh ap s th e m os t n um ero us i n th e lo re a nd .

th en to h ang on in h isto ry m uch lo ng er th an othe r kin ds o f rite s.

T o en su re the fe rtility o f a fie ld, m ake a pro ce ssion a ro un d it in ea rly

M ay . Y ou m ig ht stop a t th e m ain b oun dary m arke rs a nd fla il th em w ith

stic ks in o rd er to w ak e th em up . T his is k now n a s "be ating th e b ou nds" in

Engl is h cu st om . Ify ou d o n ot ha ve a fie ld o r g arde n, yo u m igh t sim ply w alka ro un d y ou r y ard o r t he in sid e o f y ou r a pa rtm en t. It is a pp ro pria te o n th is

o cc as io n t o c ar ry h ol y r el ic s, w h ic h includesacred ima ge s, w it h y ou a ro un d

the fie ld s. It is high ly tra dition al to dra w a n im age o f th e Earth Mo th er , o r

p erh ap s a M ay -Q ue en o r M ay -L ord , a ro un d t he fie ld s in a c art o r w ag on . S uc h

d eitie s o fte n lo ok ed a fte r th e la nd o f a n e nt ire c omm un ity o r s ev era l.

ill th e 1 st c en tu ry C E th e E arth G od de ss , N ert hu s, w as d ra wn y ea rly

th ro ug h th e f ie ld s o f s ev era l T eu to nic trib es in w ha t is n ow n orth ern

G erm any a nd D en ma rk . Im ag es o f F re y, th e L o rd , w ere b orn e ou t in a sim ila r

, m an ne r d urin g th e V ik in g A ge in S we de n. S uc h im ag es w ere a cco mp an ie d by

p rie sts o r p ri es te ss es w ho l oo ke d a fte r th em fu ll-t im e. T he p rie ste sse s w ho

a cc om pa ni ed F re y's im ag e w ere s aid t o b e m ar rie d to th e G od .

A t som e p oint th e fie ld s an d th e G od s an d w ig hts of th e fie ld s sho uld b eb le ss ed w ith g iv in gs o f c ak es a nd a le . G ift s s ho uld b e m ad e t hro ug ho ut t he

y ea r a t th e o ut do or s hr in e o n a pp ro pri at e o cc as io ns, s uc h a s sp rin g a nd

s un un er b le ss in gs w h ic h a re o ft en c el eb ra te d o ut do or s. Ify ou k now a ne wly

m ar rie d c ou ple , h av e th em r un b are fo ot a cro ss th e s oil o f y o ur g ard en .

T he la st she af from the ha rv est is typ ic ally ke pt u ntil the n ext y ea r an d is

o fte n m ad e in to a n a nth ro pomo rp hic o r a bs tra ct s ha pe c al le d a " com d olly "

a nd giv en a n am e or title su ch a s th e O ld W om an.

T he he rb s a nd plan ts form y our g ard en m ay b e u se d in sa cre d c oo king an d

m ag ic al w ork . L ee ks an d on io ns a re o f sp ecial w orth fo r m ag ic in th e

Germanic t r ad i tion.

P erio dic al ly , i t i s g oo d t o h on or y ou r s ou rc e o f w ate r. illea rl ie r t imes

w ell s a nd s prin gs w ere g iv en g ifts a nd d ec ora te d. N ow ad ay s a fa uc et o r w ate r

c oo le r m ay s erv e a s a w ell. T ho ug h g ifts c an no t b e th ro wn i nt o th es e s ou rc es

o f w a te r, s uc h o ff er in gs m ay b e b ur ie d n ea rb y; G if ts h av e t ra di ti on al ly

85

i nc lu de d mo ne y, w e ap on s a nd c er ta in p ar ts o f s ac ri fi ci al a nima ls . O ft en t he se

w ere th e s po ils o f b a tt le . T od ay o ffe rin gs o f m o ne y a nd t he c ak es a nd a le

b le ss in gs a re g iv en t o h oly w at er s. O fte n g ifts a re g iv en i n e xc ha ng e fo r

w is he s. O ur w is hin g w ell c us to ms a nd b elie fs a re p erfe ctly h ea th en . W he n

. y ou se e a ll tho se p en nie s a nd oth er c oin s in th e ta ck y little fo un ta in s in th e

neighborhood mall- y ou a re s ee in g t he c on ti nu an ce o f p er fe ct h ea th en

pra ctic e. W ,e still d o the se th in gs- w e ju st often d on 't k now why..

Wate rs dra wn fro m sa cre d spring s o n E aste r a nd o n Y ule e ve n a re

e sp ec ia lly h ol y a nd u se d in s pri nk li ng s, h ea lin gs , i n b le ss in gs a nd f or

mag ica l wo rk in g s.

W ell s a re o ft en th e s ite s o f o utd oo r s hrin es a nd a re li nk ed w ith w ate r

w ig hts su ch as F osseg rim a nd o th er k in ds o f tro lls. T hese w ig hts m ay b e

h on or ed in b le ss in gs a t th e w ell.

H ol y w e ll s a re " dr es se d" o r " de ck ed " ( co ve re d) a nn ua ll y i n "Wel l-

D re ss in g" c eremo nie s. T he e xt eri or o f th e w ell s o r p um p h ou se s a re d ec ke d

w it h f lowe rs , g ar la nd s, a nd g re en b ra nc he s a nd /o r b ri gh tl y c ol or ed p ie ce s o f

c lo th . W el ls a re a lso d ec ke d w ith m yt ho lo gic al s ce ne s a nd h ea th en s ym bo ls

c re ate d o n s ha llo w w oo de d tra ys c ov ere d w ith w et c la y i nto w hi ch a m os ai cm ad e u p o f le av es , flo we r p eta ls , p in e c on es a nd ro ck s, s ee ds , b errie s a nd

o th er s uc h t hi ng s, i s c re at ed .

)

86



C ha pt er 1 9

A RT IN T IIE H EA RT II

A rt a nd fu rn is hin gs p la y a p ow erfu l ro le in s ha pin g th e m oo ds a nd

e ne rg ie s o f y ou r p la ce s o f r es t, w ork a nd w ors hip .B y m eans of art a nd fu rn ish in gs , m ore th an a ny th in g e ls e, y ou c an se t th e

m oo d of a room . In t his c ha pt er w e w ill l oo k a t g en er al p ri nc ip le s. W e w il l

d isc us s ty pe s o f sty le s a nd th e in itia tio n o f n ew s ty le s a nd th en w e w ill

c o ns id er a pp ro pr ia te m e an s o f d ep ic ti ng G o ds , G o dd e ss es a n d my th ic s ce n es .

In th e c ha pte rs o n in div id ua l a re as o f th e h ou se w e w ill e xp lo re w ay s in

w hic h fu rn is hi ng s a nd m y th ic t hem es m a y b e o rc he str ate d fo r a p ow erf ul a nd

resonan t ef f ect .F or th e first c ou ple o f m ill en ni a o f t he d ev elo pm e nt o f n or th ern E ur op ea n

art, i t w as g en er al ly n on -re pre se nt at io na l. T ha t i s to s ay , i t w as n ot in te nd ed

t o r ep re se nt t hi ng s in th e n atu ra l w orld - o r a t le ast to re pre se nt th em a s th ey

wer e ac tu a ll y seen in th e n atu ra l w or ld . It w as ra th er t o c re ate m o od s a nd

fe elings in the view er, m uch as m usic m ight do . T his is not to say tha t th e

art w as p ure ly " de co ra tiv e" a nd w ith ou t m e an in g, o r th at i t w a s n ot in te nd edto e ch o p he no me na in th e o bje ctiv e w orld . T he art wa s s imp ly h ig hl y

a b st ra ct a n d s ymb o li c. T he s tu d y a /t he m ea n in g a /th e im ag es (called

i co no g ra p hy b y art h is to ri an s) o f a n ci en t E u ro pe a n art fo rm s i s s ti ll w id e

o pe n. T he re a re v er y f ew s ch ol ars a nd e ve n fe we r T ro th er s w ho a re s eri ou sly

in ve st ig at in g t he i co no gra ph y o f o ur a nc ie nt s ym b ol s. In j ud gin g a bs tr ac t art,

me an in gs t ha t c an b e p ut in to w or ds o r i nt ell ec tu ali ze d a re o f s ec on da ry

im p or ta nc e, s in ce th e r ea l m e an in g is b ey on d th e c ap ac it y o f o rd in ary s pe ec h

a nd s pe ec h- ba se d th ou gh t p att ern s to c on ve y. T he m e an in g li es i n th e d ee pe r

r ea lm s o f i nn er e xp e ri en c e. A n y i nt el le ct ua li ze d me an in g i s o nl y v a lu a bl e

i ns ofa r a s i t h e lp s v ie we rs g et in to uc h w it h t ra ns ce nd en t a rc he ty pa l r ea lm s o f

t he ir ow n, a nd w it h c ol le c ti ve , i nn e r k now le dg e . Itm ig ht b e s ai d t ha t a bs tr ac t

Germanic art fu nc tio ns m uc h a s p oe try , m yth a nd ritu al in h elp in g u s to s in k

b ac k t o o ur ro ot s, d ow n in to th e w ell s o f a nc es tr al a nd a rc he ty pa l m emo ry -

in to th e W ell o f M im ir.In th e first m ille nn iu m B CE th e p eo ple o f n orth ern E uro pe b eg an to b rin g

t he ir a bs tra cti on s c lo se r in a pp ea ra nc e to t he n at ura l w or ld . T he y d id th is w it h

th e u se o f a nim al o rn am en t in w hic h th e k no tw ork a nd in te rla ce w as m ad e u p

of interweaving serpentine beasts. -D uri ng th e f ir st c en tu ry C E th e R om a n h is to ri an T ac it us (Germania ch .

9 ) r ep orte d th at th e G erm an s d id n ot k ee p im ag es o f th eir d eitie s in

s an ctu ari es , a lt ho ug h h e d id m e nti on s om e s or t o f c ult e ffi gy o r o bje ct c arr ie d

a ro un d t he c ou nt ry si de i n a w a go n in t he w ors hip o f a n E ar th G od de ss ,

N ert hu s. O n th e o th er h an d, e arl y a nd l at e m e die va l C hu rc h s ou rc es , a s w el la s v ar io us V ik in g A ge s ou rc es , a re fu ll o f r efe re nc es t o th e s ta tu es o f th e

G o ds a n d o th e r s ac re d im ag es :

87

U ltim at~ ly , th e in ~v i~ ua l tru e fa mily is fre e to u se w ha t e ve r sty le o f

r ep re se nta tio n t he y W is hm t he c re at io n o f o bj ec ts to b e t he c en te r o f

w o rs hi p. T h es e w il l ~ an g e . fr om h ig h ly a bs tr ac t f orm s t o v e ry n a tu ra li st ic

o ne s. T he re a r~ c er tam a tt nb ut es c ha ra cte ri st ic o f e ac h o f th e h ig h G od s a nd

~ o~ es se ~ w hic h s ?o ?ld b e o f so ~~ h elp in c re atin g y ou r a uth en tic , y et

_ m dl :~ du ali ze d, d ep ic ti on o f t he d eit ie s w or sh ip ed a t y ou r s ta ll o r h ar ro w. L et

tr ad iti on b e y ou r g uid e, b ut in div id ua l in sp ira ti on b e y ou r ru le . -H ere a re s om e t ra dit io na l h in ts fo r t he ic on og ra ph y p er ti ne nt

to e ac h o f t he d ei tie s:

Frey

A cc ord in g to A da m o f B re me n (a C hu rc hm an ), th e

s ta tu e o f F re y a t U p p sa la w as e nd ow ed w ith a h ug e

p ha llu s. T he re is a sm all b ro nz e e xa mp le o f s uc h a

fi gu re f ou nd i n R a ll in ge , Sw ed en . F re y, li ke h is s is te r

F re ya , is a sso cia te d w ith th e b oa r. T his a nim al a nd th e

h ors e a re h is s ac rif ic ia l a nim a ls . T he b oa r, o r i ts tu sk ,

m ay se rve a s a sym bol fo r F re y. F rey is said to ride a

b oa r n amed G u ll in bu rs ti ( "g o ld -b ri st le ") , o r i n a c h ar io t

draw n by this m yth ic an im al. It too is said to hav e bee n

fa sh i~ ne d o ut o f g old b y th e d wa rv es - th at is b y a rtific e.

F re y IS ~ o me tim es a lso lin ke d w ith c attle , a n a rc ha ic s ym bo l o f w ea lth . A ll

c on ve ntio na l s ym bo l~ o f w e~ th m ay b e a sso cia te d w ith a n im ag e o f F re y.

F re y m ay a lso b e d ep ic te d W ith a n a ntle r, sin ce h e is s aid to fig ht th e a rc h-

g ia nt, S urt ("th e B la ck -O ne ") w ith o ne a t th e e nd o f tim es .

Freya

F re ya i s k n?wn f or h er e xq ui si te b ea ut y a nd th e B ris in g n ec kl ac e o r g ir dl e

(o r b elt ). A ny Im a ge o f F re ya s ho ul d em ph as iz e t he se a ttr ib ute s. T he p re se nc e

o f c a ts o r a s he -b ~a r a re a ls o d is tin gu is hin g f ea tu re s o f th is G od de ss . T he c at s

a nd b o~ th e a nc I~ nts h ad in m in d w ere m uc h m ore fie rc e c re atu re s than th ed ?m e stI ca te d. v ~rs lO ns o f t he se a nim a ls , b y th e w ay . F re ya m ig ht a ls o b e

p ic tu re d p re sid in g o ve r a h al l o f w ar ri ors m u ch a s O din ru le in V al ha ll a. T hi s

IS be :a us e sh e ta ke s h alf th e b attle d ea d to h ers elf in h er h all c alle d F lk v

("P la in o f th e W arb an d"). F re ya s ho uld lo ok a s s ed uc tiv e a s P o ss ib le ~ a ng

Fo lk va ng s ho u ld a pp e ar v er y l ux u ri ou s.

) Thor

. !h ~r is c ha ta ct er iz ed m o st p ro mi ne ntl y b y- his h amm er ,

M io l~ . O th er fe atu re s in clu de a red b ea rd a nd s ha rp o r

fl as hin g e ye s. B es id es h is h amm er , h e m a y b e d ep ic te d w it h

_g lov es an d a b elt. H e is som etim es k now n to ride in a

w ag on o r c ha rio t d ra wn b y tw o g oa ts. T he g oa t is T ho r's

s ac ri fi ci al a n im a l. G re at w o rk s d ep ic ti ng T h or i n mo dem

t im e s i nc lu de H eur i F u se li 's d ep ic ti on o f him a nd t he M i dg ar d-

S er pe nt a nd A rb o's p ai nti ng o f T ho r r id in g h is c ha ri ot t hro ug h



88

th e c lo ud s b as hin g e tin s. T he h amm er a nd th ur s- ru ne s m ay s er ve a s a bs tr ac t

s ym b ols o f T ho r. T he f ylf ot ($) o r s wa sti ka m a y s er ve as a sym bo l of the

h am mer as w ell as a sym bo l o f th e sun .

Odin

O din m ay a pp ea r in a n um be r o f d iffe ren t g uise s b ut th ere are a n um ber o ff ea tu re s w hi ch s et h im a pa rt . O d in c ar rie s a s pe ar c alle d G u ng nir a nd u su ally

h as a g ra y b eard . H e h as o ne. ey e an d m ay w ear a b ro ad -b rim m ed h at a nd a

b lu e o r b lac k clo ak . H e m ay b e a cc om pa nie d b y th e rav en s H ug in ("M in d")

a nd M u nin ( "M em o ry ") a nd b y tw o w o lv es G er i ( "G re ed y" ) a nd F re ki

( "R av en ou s" ). A ls o h e m ig ht b e se en o n h is e ig ht- le gg ed st ee d c alle d S le ip nir

( "S li pp e r" ). T h e r in g D r au p ni r ( "D r ip p er ") m i gh t a ls o b e p rom in en t.

T his m ay b e in terp reted a s a o ath rin g w hich is ty pica lly

large en oug h to b e w orn on the arm . A n eag le is ano th er

sym bol of O din . O din m igh t also app ear in th e com pany of

v alk yr ie s o r w ild h un te rs . N o os es , f et te rs, k no ts a nd t he

v al lr nu t ( "k n ot o f t he f al le n" ) a re p owe rf ul s ymbo ls a ss oc ia te d

w ith th is G od. T he eye - w hich h e sacrificed for a drink ofwisdom - is also a sym bol of O din . Som e say the northern

st ar is t he s te ad o f O din 's a ll -se ein g e ye .

Heimdall

H eim dall is th e w atc hm an o f th e G od s an d m ay b e re co gn iz ed b y th e

G iallarh orn , a h ug e h om b y w hich h e a wak en s th e in ha bita nts o f A sg ard in

tim es o f d an ger a nd th ro ug h w hich h e listen s fo r a pp ro ac hin g d an ger in th e

m ean tim e. H eim dall is sa id to h av e tak en th e fo rm o f a se al w he n h e fo ug ht

w ith L ok i f or t he B ri sin g n ec kla ce , w hic h Loki h ad sto len fro m F re ya . H is

-hall o r g ua rd -h ou se st an ds a t th e h ea d o f th e r ai nb ow b rid ge Bifrost

C 'Q u iv er in g- Ro adw ay ") . T he re h e s it s d rin ki ng m ea d. N ot e th at in th e

"V o lu sp a" th e G ia lla rh orn is sa id to re st a t M i mir's w ell, th e w ell o f

m emory, a well of m ead beneath the root of the world tree. -

Niord

N io rd is a no th er G od o f w ealth . H e is a G od m ore sp ec ific ally o f sh ip s

a nd c arg o, a s w ell as a bu nd an ce g ath ered fro m th e sea o r la kes. N o c ult

sta tu es o f N i ord h av e b een d escrib ed . A ll w e k no w fo r su re a bo ut h is

appearance is th at h is fe et a re m uch m ore h an dso me th an th ose o f th e o th er

G od s- an d m ore so th an th e rest o f his o wn b od y. N io rd m ig ht b e d ecked

o ut in n av al v estm en ts. S in ce h e is th e fath er o f F re y an d F re ya , h e m ig ht b e

d ep ic te d a s r a th er m atu re , p er ha ps w ith a w hite b ea rd .

ldunna

S he is id en tifie d b y th e a pp le s sh e has in h er ca re . T hese a re th e a pp le s o f

e te rn al v itality . T he se m ay b e sto re d in a w oo de n ch est. A n a pp le lea f o r a nap ple tree m igh t also serve as her sym bo ls. A n ut m ig ht also b e seen as a

s ig n o f I du nn a. T he S ka ld sk ap am al s ec tio n o f th e Prose Edda t el ls t he my th

o f L o ki lu rin g Id un na o ut o f A sg ard w ith h er a pp le s w here sh e is sn atc hed u p

89

b y th e e tin n am e d T hia ss i a nd ta ke to E tin -H om e, Int he a bs en ce o f I du n na

and her app les the G ods b eg in to g row o ld . So L oki is ord ered to go and fetch

h er b ac k. F or th is h e n ee ded F re ya 's fa lc on sh ap e. H e u se s this to f ly to E tin -

. H om e an d there tu rns Id un na in to a nu t and brin gs h er b ack to A sg ard in th atform.

Si f

T he m ost rem ark ab le v isib le fea tu re o f S if is h er lo ng g old en h air w hich

is s aid to h av e b ee n f ash io ne d b y th e dwa rv es .

Tyr

T yr is e asily re co gn iz ed b y his m iss in g r ig ht h an d o r a rm . T he T yr -r un e

m ay serv e as an ab stract sym bol for T yr- as h is n am e is id en tical w ith that

of the run e. M odem leg al sym bo ls m ay o ccu r in the con tex t o f a w ork o f art

ab out T yr. T yr, lik e O din and T ho r, m ig ht also b e seen to bear an o ath ring .

S ty le s o f Art

S tyle is th e lo ok o f an a rt o bje ct. T he sty le itse lf c an co mm un ic ate as

m uc h as th e c on te nt (su bjec t m atte r) itself. T he sa me su bje ct m atte r ca n te ll a

t ho u sa nd d if fe re nt s to ri es d ep en d in g o n t he a rt is t's i nt er pr et at io n . H ig hwestern art, a s d ef me d b y th e R en ais sa nc e m as te rs , is c la ss ic al o r

M e di te rr an e an i n s ty le . T h e c la ss ic al a p pr oa ch r eg ar ds s imp li ci ty , c la ri ty ,

s ymm etr y, b al an ce , n ar ra tiv e c on te nt ( it h as . t o te ll a s to ry ) a s th e h allm ar ks

o f f me a rt. A lm o st a ll o f o ur w es te rn r ep re se nta tio na l a rt is r oo te d p rim ar il y

in th e c la ss ic al a pp ro ac h. T he n or th er n a pp ro ac h is m u ch m o re a bs tr ac t

T he a rtist w ho w ou ld c re ate h oly G erm an ic art fo r th is n ew p ha se o f th e

T ro th h as a n um be r o f o ptio ns o pe n. T he re are a n um ber o f G erm an

R om an tic s w ho p ai nte d s ce ne s o f T eu to nic m yth olo gy . T he ir w or ks m a y

se rv e a s m od els a nd in sp iratio n fo r th ose w ho w ish to w ork in a h ig hly

n a tu ra li st ic ( re al is ti c) r ep re se n ta ti on a l s ty le w h ic h d ep ic t r ea l t hi ng s f rom t heob je c ti v e wo r ld .

A n ot he r a pp ro ac h i s t o l oo k f or i ns pi ra ti on f rom r ic h n o n- re pr es en ta ti on al

a nd a bstra ct m eth od s o f h ea th en E uro pea n a rt. T he n ew a rt o f th e T ro th w ill

b rin g lif e th e a nc ie nt E ur op ea n tr ad itio n a nd p ic k u p w he re it le ft o ff a nd f us e

it w it h th e m an y c la ss ic al p er mu ta tio ns o f th e G er ma nic a rtis tic s pir it .

S cu lp to rs in t he 2 0th c en tu ry s uc h a s L ip ch it z, A rc hip en ko , B oc cio ni a nd

A rn e V in je G u nn er ud m a y p ro vi de m o de ls f or a bs tr ac tio ns in th e s ha pi ng o fg o dl y im ag es t od a ~.

So me o f the ~ ges used to day are basically w ood en lo gs w ith faces and

o th er d is tin ct iv e f ea tu re s c ar ve d in to th e s ur fa ce o r a dd ed o n. Insom e c as es th e

h ea ds a re p ra cti ca lly in th e r ou nd , w h ile s om e o th er s it is a lm o st in r elie f.

T ho se w ho w ish to c arv e im ag es, o r to cre ate tra ditio na lly b ased art fo r

o th er p ur po se s m ay w an t to in ve stig at e th e a rt s ty le s o f th e a nc ie nt G er ma ns .

R og er H in ks g iv es a g oo d s umm ar y o f th e p rin ci ple s th at c ha ra cte riz e

n or th er n E ur op ea n a rt a nd s et it a pa rt f rom o th er a rt st yle s. H e e sp ec ia lly

s how s h ow it d if fe rs f rom th e M ed ite rr an ea n o r c la ss ic al a pp ro ac he s to f or m.



90

T he se n or th er n t en de nc ie s c on tin ue d to e xe rt t he m se lv es in th e n or th er n w ay

e ve n a fte r th e c on ve rsi on to C hr ist ia nity w ith its a tte m pt to r ep re ss th e n at iv e

nor the rn cul ture .

T he se s ty lis tic te nd en cie s s ee m to e xe rt th eir in fl ue nc e m o st p ow er fu lly a t

tim e s w he n th e n or th er n c ou ntr ie s a re m o st in de pe nd en t o f th eir s ou th er n

n ei gh b or s. M o re d et ai le d a nd d e fi ni ti ve d is cu ss io n s o r n o rt he rn a rt s ty le s a re

f ou nd in th e w or ks o f A dam a v an S ch elte m a a nd H ein ric h W o lf lin n. In these

b oo ks y ou w ill f in d th e g re ate st q ua nt ity o f d et ai le d d ep ic tio ns o fM i gr ati on

A ge (from arou nd 40 0 to 8 00 C E) art o bjects. Y ou m ig ht also lo ok at Viking

Ar t b y K li nd t W i ls on . Th e S utto n H oo S hip B uria l c on ta in s g o od

p ho to gr ap hs o f s om e f in e A n gl o- Sa xo n j ew elr y.

T ho se w ho w ant to lo ok to m ore m odem app roaches w ould do w ell to

s tu d y G e rma n R oman ti ci sm a nd E x pr es si on ism . S ome e xc el le nt p h ot og ra ph s

o f R om an tic a nd o th er m o dem w or ks th at d ep ic t G er ma ni c h ea th en c ultu ra l

them es are to b e fou nd in T he N o rt he rn W o rld e dite d b y D av id M . W il so n.

S om e o f th e a rti sts w h o h av e tr ea te d n or th er n c ult ur al t he m es in clu de :

A u gu st M a lm s tr om , C o ns ta nt in H a ns en , C h ri st of fe r W i lh elm E c ks be rg ,

Pe ter Nicola i Arbo, E r ik We re ns ki ol d, E dw ar d B u rn e- Jo n es , D a ni el M a cl is e,T hom as B ru un , Jo ha nn es F Ii nto e, H en ri F us eli, P ete r C or ne le iu s, A x el

R ev old , N . A. A bilg aa rd , M . E . W in ge , A rth ur R ac kh am a nd N ils

B loommer .

Y ou can try to get co pies o f artistic w ork s, you can h av e th em do ne b y

c ur re nt a rtis ts , o r, b es t o f a ll , y ou c an m ak e th em y ou rs elf . F or s ac re d

p ur po se s o ft en th in gs m ad e b y' o n e's o wn h an d h av e s pe cia l p ow er a nd

meaning.

T he re a re s ev er al a pp ro ac he s to s ty le a nd c on te nt o f art The na tura l iz ing

, c la ss ic al a p pr oa ch i s e x ce ll en t f or c re at in g s ce n es o f h is to ri ca l a nd my th ic

e pis od es . T he a bs tr ac t s ty le s a re e sp ec ia lly w ell s uite d f or im a ge s a nd

d ec or atio n to b e u se d in h ol y p la ce s. H is to ric al p ain tin g i s g oo d f or

r em in din g u s o f th e h er oic d ee ds o f t he a nc es to rs a nd th e n ob le q ua liti es a nd

g oa ls fo r w hic h o ur G od s a nd G od desse s sta nd an d th e w ay in w hic h th eir

p ow er s e nte r o ur h ea rts a nd liv es .

Abstract art i s g oo d f or c re atin g in tr os pe cti ve s ta te s in w hi ch o ur so uls

m ay g et in t ou ch w ith n on -o rd in ar y m o od s a nd m em o rie s. T he se n on -o rd in ar y

m em ories m ay b e th e so rt o f th in g y ou w ou ld o th erw ise o nly e xp erie nc e o r

re me mb er in a d re am state. P erh ap s y ou w ou ld n ev er b e aw are o f th em at a ll.

B es id es c re atin g a p ro fo un d s en se o f a we , k now le dg e o f th es e b ea utie s a nd

w on de rs c an g iv e y ou in sig ht in to th e w ay th ese m oo ds, th ou gh

u nrec og niz ed , h av e a d ee p in flu en ce o n th e w ork in gs o f o ur so uls an d th e

w or ld . T he se f ee lin gs a nd m o od s, o nc e m ad e c on sc io us , m ay b e in co rp or at ed

in to o ur w ak in g liv es a nd d ra wn u po n f or in sig ht, c re at iv ity , a nd s tr en gth o f

s ou l. F or th is r ea so n, a bs tr ac t f or ms s ee m e sp ec ia lly a pp ro pr ia te f or p la ce s o f

me di ta ti on , w o rs hi p a n d ma gi ca l w o rk in g .

91

When fu rn ish in g yo ur h ou se w ith art, fu rn itu re , p lan ts an d so o n, try to

c oo rd in ate th em s o th at th ey a ll c on tr ib ute t o th e o ve r a ll d es ir ed e ff ec t. T he

h ard est p ar t o f th is w ill c erta in ly b e d ecid in g ex actly w ha t m oo d y ou w an t to

en co urag e in a g iv en ro om . Y ou w ill h av e to c on sid er th e ty pe o f a ctiv itie s

yo u w ant to fo ster in a g iven sp ace. M ore than l ik e ly , t h is i s p r ede te rm i ned

fo r yo u b y p re vio us h ab it. Y ou n eed th en to d ete rm in e w hich ' a ctiv ity o ra ctiv itie s yo u w an t to en co ura ge m ost in th e v ario us ro om s o f y ou r h ou se.

P ossib ly in tak in g su ch an in ven to ry yo u w ill d isc ov er th at y ou w ill w an t to

r e- as si gn c er ta in a ctiv itie s. M o st p eo ple w il l h av e s pe cia l s pa ce s a ss ig ne d to

c oo kin g, to sl ee pin g, f or e atin g, a nd f or s oc ia li zi ng . I f y ou a re a s tu de nt, o r

h av e c hild re n liv in g w ith yo u w ho a re , y ou m ig ht w an t sp ec ia l are as fo r

s tu dy a nd p er ha ps a ls o s pe cia l a re as f or r ec re at io n. S om e w ill h av e s pe ci al

, w or k s pa ce s f or p ur su in g a rts , c ra fts , o th er h ob bie s a nd a utom ob ile c ar e a nd

r ep air . S om e f olk s e ve n h av e sp ec ia l r oom s f or se xu al a dv en tu re s.

N ow le t u s co nsid er so me d ec isio ns yo u m ig ht m ak e in fu rn ish in g so meo f y ou r r oom s.

T he L iv in g R oo m

In m ost h ouses this ro om , alo ng w ith the d in in g ro om , w ill serve as thec en tr al f oc us f or f am ily g ath er in gs f or b us in es s o r p le as ur e. T hi s m a y b e th e

h ea rth r oom in s om e h ou se ho ld s a nd th er ef or e a c en te r f or r eli gio us a cti vit y

a s w e ll a nd m ay d isp lay a h ou seh old sh rin e o r stall. If th e l iv in g r oom s er ve s

as th e m ain fam ily roo m as w ell as th e m a in roo m fo r th e recep tio n and

e nte rta inm en t o f g ue sts , th en y ou m a y c on si de r g iv in g a d ua l p er so na lity to

t he r oom b y le av in g th e s hr in e f air ly in co nsp ic uo us f or d ay to d ay a ctiv itie s,

b ut b rin gin g o ut sp ec ia l f ur nis hin gs to r ed ec or ate th e sp ac e f or th e p ur po se o f

h o ld in g b le ss in g s, s umb le s a n d o th er r it ua l a ct iv it ie s.

It is m ost lik ely th at th is ro om w ill b e g iv en o ver first to c omm un al

f am ily a cti vit y a nd s ec on da rily to th e r ec ep tio n o f g ue sts . T he se tw o

a ctiv itie s c an b e b ro ug ht to geth er in so far as m an y o f th e g ue sts, a t l east th e

o ne s w ho f re qu en t th e h ou se ho ld , w ill a ctu ally b e f am ily , o r g oo d f rie nd s

w ho are as go od as p art o f th e fam ily . T he pu rpo se of the liv ing ro om th en is

t o f o ste r h ar mo nio us in te ra cti on , lo ve a nd lo ya lt y a mo ng in a nd to e st ab lis h a

se nse o f fa mily id en tity. A d ee p se nse o f fa mily id en tity is a b oo n to th e

family frith, lo ve a nd g oo d ch ee r. T he fa mily ro om , as w ith th e a nc estral

s hr in e, is a g oo d ~ la ce f or p or tr ait s o f k in a nd m em e nt os o f a nc es to rs ,

e sp ec ia lly th os e ; rh o e xemp lif ie d t he h o~ se ho ld g ~a ls a n~ i de al s: o r t ho se

n oted fo r g reat d eed s. If yo u hav e a family c re st , d is pl ay I t p r om in en tl y i n t he

liv in g ro om a s w ell as o ve r o r o n th e an ce stra l sh rin e. Ify ou a re r ela te d to

a nc es to rs , h ow ev er d is ta nt , w ho to ok p ar t in g re at e ve nts i n h is to ry , th eir

p or tr aits s ho uld b e d is pla ye d p rom in en tly o ve r y ou r h ea rth o r f am ily s hr in e.

S om e m em be rs o f th e fa mily sh ou ld k ee p trac k o f th e fam ily lo re an d b e a blet o te ll th e t al es a ss oc ia te d w ith t he v ar io us p ho to s a nd m eme nto s a ro un d th e

h ou se . In m od em tim es th is m ean s th at y ou w ill h av e to stu dy a nd lea rn yo ur

fa mily lo re in o rd er th at y ou m ay p ass it o n to yo ur h ou se bo ld . T he fa mily



92

l or e w il l b e f ai rl y e ff ec ti ve ly t ra nsm it te d b y t he t el li ng o f t al es a nd r ec it at io n

o f p oem s o r e ve n s on gs a t s um b le s, f ea sts , a nd m y ne -d rin ki ng s.

T he a tm o sp he re o f th e r oom s ho uld be c on du ci ve to g ro up s oc ia l

i nt er ac ti on . T h is ma y be b ro ug ht a bo ut b y th e u se o f w arm c olo r scb em es

a nd s of t f ur nitu re s uc b a s c ou ch es , l ov e s ea ts , e as y c ha ir s o r e ve n " be an b ag "

c ha ir s. Y o u m ay lo ok fo r furniture w ith so ft c urv es an d ro un de d e dg es. O f

co urse, so me m ay fin d it su its th eir fam ily sp irit b etter to h av e h ig hly

d yn am ic a nd e ne rg iz in g a tm o sp he re s c re ate d b y s ha rp a ng le s, c ol d o r h ot

colors and exotic furnish ings. . . .

Fam ily m otto s an d rem in ders o f du ty to k in and fo lk and so fo rth m igh t

b e p ro min en tly d isp la ye d in a liv in g ro om . O ne e xa mp le m ig ht be th e s ix

g oa ls d is pla ye d i n a s ix sp ok ed w h ee l. Or th e n in e n ob le v ir tu cs dis pla yc d o n

a n e ig ht sp ok ed w he el w ith t he o ne m o st c he ris he d o r c ha ra cte ri st ic o f th e

f am i ly a t t he c en te r.

S om e p ain tin gs a re c on sta nt r em in de rs o f t he i de as th ey c on ve y.

P ain tin gs o f t ha t k in d s er ve a s r em in de rs o f f am ily id ea ls a nd i de ntity s bo ul d

g ra ce th e liv in g r oom w al ls . Ifp ai nti ng s o f th e G o ds a nd d iv in e s ub je cts a re

a va ilab le to yo u, th en y ou m ig ht w an t to in clu de sc en es o f th e G od s a tb an qu ets , o f G o dd es se s su ch a s F r ig ga , I du nn a,F re ya a nd o th er G o ds a nd

G od de ss es p ar tia l to d om e stic a ff air s. A ls o in clu de p ain tin gs th at s how

d if fe re nt k in ds o f b er oi sm o r v ir tu e m e an in gf ul t o th e f am ily . O th er th em es

o f r el ev an ce to g en er al f am il y in te re sts m ig ht a ls o b e i nc lu de d.

D utc h h ex -sig ns a re a b ea utifu l k in d o f G erm an ic h ou se ho ld m ag ic . H ex -

sig ns a re a so rt o f "m an da la " b rig htly p ain te d o nto a c irc ula r b oa rd o r o nto th e

b ou se i ts el f. T be se a re e ve n c omm er ci al ly a va ila ble a t v er y r ea so na ble r ate s.

E ac b d esig n is g iv en to so me p urp ose su ch as b ealth , lu ck , p ro sp erity , p eac e,

. h arm on y, lo ve p ro te ctio n, a nd so o n. If th e sig ns a re th ou gh t o f in th eir

m ag ic al m ea nin gs o n a c on sc io us le vel- a nd th en fo rg otten as th ey fa de in to

th e g en era l re sth etic en viro nm en t o f th e h ou se - th ey w ill g iv e g oo d re su lts.

S om e t yp ic al h ex -si gn d es ig ns a re :

1

Love

2

Strength

3

Tranquil i ty

4

Abundance

I n m o re s pe cia liz ed r oom s, th e p ic to ri al t he m es a nd th e f ur nis bi ng s c an be

geared to f ac il it at e p ar ti cu la r k in d s o f w o rk . Ifyo u h av e a p lac e w he re y ou

w o rk o n c ra ft p ro je cts , y ou c ou ld h an g p ic tu re s o f g re at c ra fts me n, o r p ic tu re s

o f th e w ork s y ou reg ard a s g re at e xa mp le s o f cr aftsm an sh ip , o r im ag es o f

r ela tiv es o r a nc es to rs s kill ed in t he arts. Y o u m ig ht a lso k ee p p ic tu res o f yo ur

o wn w or k a ro un ?.A n a re~ g iv en to a c ra ft w o ul d b en ef it f rom dw ar ve n

p re se nc e. A p pr 9P na te s ub je cts f or a rt- wo rk f rom th e E dd as in clu de th e

m a ki ng o f th e B ris in g n ec kl ac e, t he f or gin g o f M io lln ir ( Th or 's h amm er ),

G ra m (th e sw ord o f S ig mu nd a nd S ig urd ), G un gn ir (O din 's sp ea r). A ny p art

o f th e sa ga o f W aylan d th e S mith w ou ld b e a pp ro pria te . O th er th em es m ig ht

in clu de th e dw ar ve s f or gin g t he c or d th at b in ds th e F en ris -W o lf , o r D va li n a nd

D ur in f or gin g T yr fi ng ( th e sw o rd o f A n ga nty r) .

95



94

Y ou m igh t foc us on ce rta in d warve s w ho m ad e so me of th e sam e k in ds of

ob je cts yo u w ork on . A je weler m igh t loo k to th e d warv es w ho m ade the

Brisinga-men, a mon g w ho m is the d warf, D valin. A ny o bje cts thathelp to

b ri ng th e p re se nc e o f th e d ark e lv es a liv e in th e ro om w ou ld b e w elc om e. If

yo u ha ve a ny too ls tha t y ou use e spe cially for 'ho ly o r m a gic al w ork, su ch a s

th e c arv in g o f im ag es , ritu al to ol s o r o th er furnishings f or s an ct ua ri es o r

tem ple s, y ou m ig ht h av e the m ha llo wed in a b le ssing to the dw arve s or so me

o th er w ork in g in w hic h t he d wa rv es a re c al le d u po n.

Good t rad i tional art requires: 1) th e a bility to p la n a nd de sig n a w ork

(m ea su re ) a lo ng w ith th e te ch nic al sk ill to e xe cu te t he p la n, 2) the insp i ra t ion

or mania (w ode ) to infu se the w ork w ith sou l, a nd 3) it m us t b e a n im ita tio n

of so me high er prin ciple for w hich th e a rt-w ork ac ts as a co nd uit in to th e

w o rl d o f t he s en se s.U s ed e ff ec ti ve ly , c ar ef ul a nd c on sc io us c ho ic es a bo ut t he f ur ni sh in gs

su rro un din g yo u a nd th e w ay yo u a rran ge th em c an a llo w y ou to ad ju st or

c re ate th e a tm os ph ere s a nd m oo ds o f y ou r h ou se ho ld to fa cilita te s om e k in ds

o f a ct iv it ie s a nd t o d is co ur ag e o th er s.

. Chapter 20

HO F AND HARROW

T his c ha pte r d ea ls w ith t he g en era l p rin cip le s b eh in d th e o rd erin g o f

a nc ie nt h oly s te ad s a nd h ow th ese p ri nc ip le s m ay b e a pp li ed in a rra ng in g

s ac re d s it es to da y a nd to mo rro w. W hil e t his i nfo rm atio n m ay n ot b e o f

imm ed ia te u se to a ll re ad ers , a s it p erta in s t o th e s ettin g u p o f s ub sta nt ia l

p hy sic al si te s, i t is im po rta nt to th e g en era l k no wl ed ge o f th e fa it h. B es id es,

those w ho aspire to Eldership in the R ing of T roth w ill want to set up a holy

s ite o f s om e k in d fo r th e re gu la r p ra ctic e o f b le ss in gs .

~

Th e vi [v ay ], th e h arro w a nd ri tu al its elf a re m od el s o f th e c osm os -

p hy si ca l, s oc ia l a nd p sy ch ol og ic al ( or " sp ir it ua l" ). L ik ew is e t he r it ua ls t ha t

t ak e p la ce w it hi n t he s ac re d e nc lo su re ar e r e- en ac tm ent s o f g re at " ev en ts " i n

th e c osm ic c yc le s o r re alit y. M uc h o f th e s ym bo lis m o f t he a nc ie nt G erm an ic

t emp le , r it ua l a nd a rt i s l ef t t o b e d is co ve re d o r r e- di sc ov er ed . All o f it w ill

ne ver be fully kn ow n, an y m ore th an a ll the w ork ing s of the un iv erse

s ym bo li ze d in th e im ag ery w ill e ve r b e " kn ow n." N ev erth ele ss , th ere is m oreto b e said on th is su bjec t e ve n n ow tha n e asily ca n be pre sse d in to a sin gle

volume.

W hen yo u a re in th e pro cess of d esign ing a nd b uildin g a vi,or w hen you

g o to the b le ssin gs a t a local vi, a nd y ou th in k d ee ply o n th e m ea nin gs o f th e

m yth s, th e m ysterie s o r th e ord ering o f the vi w ill be gin to rise ou t of th e

g ro un d, th e s to ne s, a nd t he w oo d-w ork s a ro un d y ou a nd i nto y ou r h ea rt a nd

soul.

Th e vi is b asi ca lly a n o pe n air plac e se t a pa rt fo r w orsh ip . It is a p lac e for

th e m ee tin g o f t he fo lk a nd G od s. B y e sta bl is hin g re gu la r tim es fo r.m ee tin g

at a specific place, both G ods and folk know w here and w hen to m eet. It is a

s it e w he re t he w all s b etw ee n M id ga rd a nd th e e ig ht w orld s b ey on d a re t hin ne r,

it is a space that partakes of both M idgard and the outer realm s- it exists in

he ave n a nd on e arth . In the do in g o f b le ssing s, w e g o in to th e first o f

tim es- an d th e la st o f tim es tog ethe r. W e a re in the "tim e" re flec te d in th e

"V olu spa ." T his is the ho ly tim e tha t a lw ays w as a nd a lw ays is, the tim e

w hen m yths a re so v ery rea l. In th is tim e w e ren ew ou rselv es a nd th e w orld.

H ere w e go to ~e heart of things to know our deeper selves, to com e into

k no wle dg e o f ~ '- p arts o f o urs elv es th at a re e te rn al a nd b ey on d th e e xp erie nc e

o f o ur m un da ne e go s.

R oc ks , tre es , g ro ve s, h ill s, s prin gs o r w el ls a nd g ra ve m ou nd s a re m os t

b as ic a nd a bid in g ty pe s o f s ite s c ho se n fo r c on ta ct w it h th e h oly w ig hts .

F ro m the 1 st c entu ry to the V ikin g A ge, o utside rs c on siste ntly te ll of suc h

n atu ra l h oly p la ce s amo ng t he G erm an ic p eo ple s. (S ee Gro ve a n d G al lo ws byJames A. Chisholm.)

97



96

Frithyard (Fence)"

Kettle for

Cooking Meat

Table forFeasting' .

andSumble

F ig u re 2 0 .1 : S imp le v e a nd H a rr ow A rr an g eme nt

T he b ou nd arie s o f su ch sites w ere ty pic ally m ark ed o ff b y a fe nc e o r w all.

S uc h fen ce s c ou ld co nsist o f little m ore th an a serie s o f eig ht stak es, set in a

. c ir cle , s qu are o r r ec ta ng ula r a ro un d th e h ar ro w o r r oc k, tr ee , w ell , o r s pr in g

a nd co nn ec ted b y tw in e, ro pe s o r c ha in s. In o ne in stan ce , su ch a ch ain fe nc e

w as c alled a "frith garth " o r "p ea ce y ard ." O ne su ch p ole m ig ht se rv e a s

aMay- Po le i n t he s pr in g c el eb ra ti on . If th e site is a large m oun d o r h ill, the

fence m ay b e set up o n th e su mm it w ith a h arro w at the center. W e kn ow

th at sta ke s fo r su ch y ard s w ere so metim es m ad e o f h aze l, b ut w oo d fro m o ak ,

ye w, ash , p in e o r w hate ve r w oo d is lo ca lly u se d a s sy mb olic o f Y g g dra sill

m ay b e u sed . O ne a dv an tag e to th e sta ke sy stem is tb atth e fe nc e ca n b e ta ke n

d own b etwe en e ve nt s ifd es ir ed . S uc h a f en ce c an a ls o be portable.

Ifreso urce s allo w, m ore d ura ble fen ce s m ay b e b uilt o f w oo d, sto ne ,

c em en t a nd o th er m ate ria ls. S ta nd in g s to ne s m ay a lso be se t in a c ir cl e,

r ec ta ng ula r o r b oa t s ha pe d c on fig ur at io ns to m ar k th e b ou nd ar ie s o f th e h oly .

F en ce s m a y a ls o c on sis t o f h ed ge s o r tr ee s p la nte d n ea r o ne a no th er .

W ith in th e ya rd (g arth ) th ere sh ou ld b e a h arro w a t th e lea st T he h arro w

is basically an altar. It is th e center o f h oliness, o r right n ex t to it If a ro ck ,tre e o r w ell is a t th e ce nter, b ut is n ot sh ap ed su ch th at b le ssin g b ow ls; m ea d

ho rns and o ther ritual g ear m ay be set on it, th en a h arrow o r tab le m ay b e set

up b esid e it. T he harro w m ay be m ade of a m ou nd of ston es, sto nes set w ith

c em en t, o r it m ay be mad e e nti re ly o f c em en t. P or ta ble .h ar ro w s, s uc h a s

fo ld in g ta ble s m ay a lso b e u sed ifn e ce ss ar y. T h es e ma y b e e sp ec ia ll y

a pp ro priate fo r o utd oo r sites th at y ou w ish to le av e in a n atu ra l sta te m ost o f

t he t im e .

An o utd oo r site sh ou ld h av e a p lac e fo r a fife . C an dle s d o n ot w ork v ery

w ell o utd oo rs. F ire p its an d o utd oo r g rills w ork v ery w ell an d a llo w y ou to

co ok in the v e . S mall c ast iro n p ots m ay so me tim es b e o btain ed fo r b urn in gtw ig s a nd tin de r. O th er fu els th at m ay b e b urn ed o n th e h arro w in clu de jelly

fu els a nd a lco ho l, w hic h m ay b e u se d in do ors as w ell as o ut.

Rope,W o od o rStone

1R op e o r

W o od en F en ce o rStoneWall

\/Wooden S t ake s,Be ams o r P i ll ar s

F ig ur e 2 0.2 : P os sib le C on fig ur at io ns o f a F rith ya rd



98

Th e vi ma y a ls o in clu de b en ch es o r ta ble s f or f ea st in g a nd s um b le .

A n oth er t yp e o f v e i s th e c en tr ally p la nn ed s or t w hic h c ou ld b e c ir cu la r,

o ct ag on al o r h ex ag on al a nd a rr an ge d a bo ut a c en tr al c olum n w ith b ea m s

ra dia tin g o ut fro m th e six o r e ig ht c olu mn s th at su pp ort th e r oo f, if th e vi is

to b e c ov ere d. It m ay b e le ft p artly o pe n an d w alls b uilt b etw ee n so me o f th e

c olu mn s w hile sp ac es b etw ee n o th er c olu mn s a re le ft o pen . T he w alls m ay b e

u se d to h an g b an ne rs o r p ain te d w ith h oly art a nd s ym b ols . A f ir e a nd /o r

h arro w m ay b e p la ce d in th e so uth , ea st o r n orth .

In o utd oo r se ttin gs y ou m ay also in clu de a p ost to sy mb oliz e th e W orld

T re e a nd t o f un ct io n a s a M ay -P ole f or s pr in g a nd s umm er c er em o nie s.

S ta tu es o r c arv in gs o f G od s a nd h ero es o r o th er sa cred sym bo ls m ay b e p la ce d

a b ou t t he vi a s ee m s m o st a pp ro pr ia te . R ep re se nt at io ns o f d iv in e p er so na s a re

n ot n ec es sa ry a nd s om e f olk s f in d th em d is ta ste fu l. T he R om an h is to ria n

T acitu s tells u s th at th e G erm an s o f h is d ay s d id n ot h av e re pre se nta tio ns o f

th eir G od s o r te mp le s a t a ll.

TheHof

In sp ite o f w ha t T acitu s sa ys, w e h av e n um ero us re po rts o f g re at a nds ple nd id te m ple s a m on g th e G er ma ni c f olk i n la te r ti me s. W h en ev er th e

C hu rc h m ov ed in to a G erm an ic reg io n, it w as fa ce d w ith th e ta sk o f

d es tr oy in g th e n um e ro us t em p le s a s w ell a s th e s ac re d g ro ve s, w ell s,a nd

o th er n at ur al s ite s. T he o rn ate ly c ar ve d s ta ve c hu rc he s o f N o rw ay a re g oo d

m o de ls f or m o dem H o f a rc hi te ct ur e, a s th es e b ea utif ul d es ig ns w er e e m pl oy ed

f or h ea th en te m ple s b ef or e t he y w er e u se d f or c hu rc he s ..

T he sim ple st fo rm o f H of w ou ld b e a b asic sq ua re o r rec ta ng ula r b uild in g

w ith a h arro w in th e c en te r o r a t o n e e nd (p ref era bly th e n orth en d). T his is

. th e sh ap e o f m an y o f o ur te mp le b uild in gs w ill lik ely ta ke in th e ea rlier ye ars

o f o ur -d ev elo pm en t, s in ce th e a rr an geme nt c an b e f or me d f rom a s in gle r oom

in a h ou se , g ara ge , o r p ro pe rty lea se d fo r th e p urp ose. Id ea lly, th ere w ill b e a

p la ce fo r f ire , su ch a s a fire pla ce, a w oo d b urn in g o r c oa l b ur nin g sto ve, a nelec tric o r g as sto ve , o r a t l ea st a p la ce fo r c an dle s o r a b ow l o f alco ho l o r

so me je lly fu el. In V ik in g A ge te mp les an d h alls th e fire s w ere typ ic ally in

th e m id dle o f th e flo or th ou gh it is n ow m ore p rac tica l fo r h ea rth s an d o th er

s ac re d f ur nitu re to b e p os itio ne d a ga in st a W a ll.

O ne v ery tra ditio na l w ay to se t u p su ch h oly h alls is to p ositio n a lo ng

o ne w all a table that is slig htly raised o n a p latform ab ou t a fo ot o r a fo ot an d

a h alf in h eig ht. T wo r ow s o f b e nc hes m ay th en b e se t p e rp en dicu la r to th e

h ig h- se at ta ble . T wo c olu mn s m ay b e se t to eith er sid e o f th e h ig h-sea t. In

an cie nt h alls lo ng fire p its ra n th e len gth o f th e b uild in g in th e ce nte r o f th e

h all . T ho ug h t hi s is g en er ally im p ra ctic al n ow , c an dle s o r la nte rn s m ay b e s et

o n ta bles a s a su bstitu te . T he su mb le h om is p asse d o ve r th ese fire s w he n it

i s ha l lowed.

So me V ik ing A ge h ofs had a ro om ad jo in in g th e m ain h all. Itw as in th is

sm al le r r oom t ha t t he s ac ri fi ci al a n im a ls w e re s la u gh te re d a n d t he b le ss in g

99

fe ast w as p rep are d- it w as so meth in g like a s ac re d k itc he n. I n m o dem

hous eh o ld s it ua ti on s t he k it ch en /d in in g r oom a rr an g eme n t g e ne ra ll y f it s t hi s

a ncien t m od el. In b uild in gs b uilt to b e p ub lic h ofs th ere sh ou ld b e k itc hen

f ac ili tie s f or f ea sts . T o e ith er s id e o f th e f ir es , n ea rly a ga in st th e r ow s o f

b en ch es, th ere w ere ty pic ally a ro w o f co lu mn s ru nn in g d ow n th e ro om fro m

th e h ig h-sea t p illar s. E no ug h ro om sh ou ld b e le ft b etw ee n th e fire s a nd th e

b en ch es to a llo w f or p ro ce ss io ns a nd d an ce s a ro un d t he r oom . A cc or din g to

th e Eyrbryggja Saga th e p illa rs to th e e ntra nc e o f a te mp le o f T ho r w ere

s tu d de d w i th " re g in n a il s" o r " go d ly n ai ls ." Ifth e p illa rs w er e c ar ve d, a nd a n

im ag e o f T ho r w as in clu de d it is p ossib le th at th ese n ails m ig ht serv e to

sym bo liz e th e w he tsto ne th at w as lo dg ed in T ho r's h ea d d urin g h is fig ht w iththe giant named Hrungnir. -

F or in do or s ite s, e sp ec ia ll y th os e w h ic h a re u se d f or d aily a cti vit ie s m o st

o f th e tim e, yo u m ig ht m ake a foldin g three pan el screen to set u p in fron t of

t he h ar ro w. S uc h a s cr ee n c ou ld b e p ain te d o r o th er wi se d ec or at ed w ith h ol y

sym bols. If the h of has a sym bol of its o wn , th is sym bo l sho uld tak e a

c en tral p la ce. L ik ew ise , if th e h of is g iv en to th e w orsh ip o f a p artic ula r

d eity , th en a n im ag e p artic ular to th at d eity o ug ht to h av e a c en tra l p la ce a sw ell. R ep re se nta tio na l im a ge s o f t he G od s a nd G o dd es se s, s uc h a s p il la rs

c ar ve d w ith th e l ik en es se s o f th e d eit ie s m ig ht b e in cl ud ed , t ho ug h th ey a re

c e rt ai n ly no t ne ce s sa r y. Ifit is f or a p riv ate H ea rth le ve l, h arro w im ag es a ndto ke ns o f k in sm e n p as t m ig ht b e in clu de d.

] J .~ch •.0 " e 0

~ c : I I ! I] I:: ~~ fire fire r J J , t \ l ; il _ g o e.c ~ (g !:l'"'01) : : ; 3 ' 2 8

:: E I I I 0

o Q : ;

o = qoucq 0 .0 0 0.F ig ure 2 0.3 : T yp ica l H of P la n

HarroW Furnishings

F or b le ssin gs, a h arro w sh ou ld h av e fire o n o r n ear it an d a liqu id , su ch as

m ea d, a le o r a pp le ju ic e. T his liq uid sh ou ld b eg in th e b le ssin g in a b ottle o r

jug to be poured later in to a hom or bow l from w hich it is given to the

g ath er ed f olk . T he re s ho ul d th en b e a b le ss in g b ow l in to w h ic h t he r em a in de r

is p ou red fro m the h om . T he liqu id is then po ured fro m th e b lessing bo wl ou t

on to th e earth or into an aux iliary b ow l o n th e flo or in do ors- and later

p ou re d o nto t he e ar th a ft er th e b le ss in g is e nd ed .



100

A lo t-tin e, w hich tak es th e sh ap e o f a sp rig o f e verg re en sh ou ld b e o n th e

h ar ro w f or sp rin klin g th e b le ss in gs f rom th e b le ss in g b ow l u po n th e h ar ro w

a nd f olk . O th er ite ms m ig ht in clu de a n o ath -r in g ( la rg e e no ug h f or th e w ris t

o r a rm ), a h amm er, o r a w an d m ig ht b e in clu de d fo r h allo win g p urp ose s. T he

rin g is o n th e h arro w fo r th e sw earin g o f o ath s. A ll so rts o f o th er th in gs

might also b e p la ce d u po n t he h ar row a cc or di ng t o i nd iv id u al p re fe re nc es .

In th e b lessin gs o f th e d ay s o f yo re fire w as used to cook or boil the foo d

th at w as to b e h allo we d fo r th e fe ast N ow ad ays th e fires a re u su al ly smal l

an d p lac ed o n th e h arro w itse lf, th ou gh th e u se o f la rg e c oo kin g fires is n otun know n. W hen a sum ble hom is filled or refilled, it is cu sto mary to p ass it

o ve r th e fire and sig n it w ith the ham mer m ark to h allow it.

Small fires to be set ato p h arrow s m ay be best placed in iron or

e arth enwa re f ife p ots . I t i s p oss ib le to u se tw ig s a nd h er bs f or in do or f if es ,

th ou gh it is ad visa ble to ex perim en t w ith th e av aila ble w oo ds to se e w hich

b urn m o st c le an ly . J elly fu el a nd r ub bin g a lc oh ol m ay be u se d a s w ell. T he se

b urn c lea n an d co ol. C an dle s a nd in ce nse m ay a lso se rv e as fire a t i nd oo r

blessings.

O ve ns, h ea rth s, a nd w oo d b urn in g sto ves m ay a lso serv e a s sac re d fife sfo r in do or rite s. T he p ilo t lig ht o f a g as sto ve m ay b e re gard ed as th e

e qu iv al en t o f a n e te rn al h ea rt h f lame.

O utd oo r fires m ay b e se t in fife p its a nd o utd oo r g rills fo r c oo kin g

sac rifIc ial m eals. O ve r p its yo u m ay set a sp it fo r ro astin g m ea t o r h an gin g

kettles.

T h es e g en er al g ui de li ne s a re b as ed o n l it er ar y a nd a rc ha eo lo g ic al e vi de nc e

fro m th e first c en tu ry th ro ug h th e V ik in g A ge. C ertain in no vatio ns, su ch as

th e u se o f so me jelly fu el o r alc oh ol fo r h arro w fire s are m ad e fo r th e sa ke o f

p ra ctic ality in th e m od em w or ld . I nn ov atio n is h ea rtily e nc ou ra ge d a s is

d raw in g i ns pi ra ti on f rom a nc ie nt mode ls .

PartID

R in g o f T ro th

102



Ch ap te r 2 1

TH E R OLE O F ELD ER S

T he T ro th h as n o p op es , n o d ogma s a nd n o h ere si es . E ld ers , o r " prie sts "

are no t re spo nsible, a s it is w ith so me faith s, to p ro vide a link between th e

w orld s o f th e d iv in e a nd t he m un da ne re ah n. Itis no t the p la ce o f E ld ers to

t el l tr ue fo lk h ow to th in k a bo ut t he G od s a nd G od de ss es . It is e xp ec te d-th at

in a ro om w ith th re e d iffe re nt tru e fo lk th er e w il l b e fo ur d iffe re nt o pin io ns

o n t he olo gi ca l m atte rs . T he fo urth o pi ni on is s om etim es a h arm on io us

c om bin at io n o f th e fi rs t t hre e. B ein g h um an , m an y a re e ve n li ab le to b eli ev e

t ha t e ve ry bo dy w ho h ol ds a d if fe re nt o pi ni on i s a ll w ro ng -h ea de d a nd s ho ul d

d e si st f rom spr ead in g t he ir e rr or -f tl led i dea s.

Ifth ere w ere a n o ffic ia l p ro no un ceme nt b y th e E ld ers hip o n m atte rs o f

the olo gy , it w ould b e th at all a re en title d to h old th eir o wn be liefs a nd to

w ors hi p in th ei r o wn m an ne r. Ifa p erson de cla re s tha t h e o r sh e is true to th e

e ld er G od s a nd re lig io us w ay s o f th e n orth ern trib es, th en t ha t p ers on i s tr ue

a s f ar a s th e E ld ers hi p is c on ce rn ed . T ro th is b as ed o n u nd ers ta nd in g, a nd

e ve ry bo dy h as a s li gh tl y d if fe re nt e xp er ie nt ia l a nd c on ce pt ua l b as is f romwh ic h t o a ss es s t he ir e xp er ie nc es a nd , h en ce e ac h a rr iv es a t a s li gh tl y d if fe re nt

c on clu sio n re ga rd in g th e n atu re o f d iv in ity a nd th e m ea nin g a nd u se s o f m yth

and ritual. -

F urt he rm ore , th e in te rc ed in g o f E l de rs is n ot re qu ir ed fo r o ne to h av e

k no wle dg e o r e xp er ie nc e o f th e h oly a s p r ie sts a re re qu ire d in th e C ath oli c-

C hu rc h fo r c on ta ct w ith th e s ac re d a nd th e C hris tia n G od . E ld ers sp ec ia liz e in

c al lin g o n th e G od s fo r g ro up c ele bra ti on s, b ut th eir p re se nc e is n ot r eq uire d.

Y ou m ight then ask w hy w e have Elders at all if w e value freedom of

b el ie f a nd w o rs hi p s o d ea rl y. T he re a re s ev er al r ea so ns w hy trained E lde rs a re

im po rt an t a t th is p oin t in th e (re - )d ev elo pm en t o f t he T ro th . T he ft rs t i s t ha t

o ur re lig io n is a fo lk re lig io n w ho se c on ti nu ity w as s er io us ly d is ru pt ed b y

f or ce d c on ve rs io ns a nd me th od ic al s up pr es si on . T he a tt emp te d s up pr es si on o f

the T ro th is still go in g o n tod ay- n ow C hu rc h o ffic ia ls still a ttem pt to ta ke

a wa y ou r "C hristm as tree s" a nd E aste r b un nie s- see in g th em fo r w ha t th ey

are: s u rv iv a ls o f t he h ea th en h er it ag e. Bu t f or tu na te ly C h ur ch d ogmat is ts n o

lo ng er c omm an d t he p ow er o f t he s ta te in e nfo rc in g t he ir d oc trin es . B es id es

th ey w ou ld m ee t w ith l ittl e m ore s uc ce ss t ha n t he ir p re de ce ss ors w ho h av e

t ri ed t o s tamp o ut s uc h s ur vi va ls f or c en tu ri es .

B ut b ec au se of th e to ta l d isru ption in o ur ow n lo re fe w o f o ur fo lk ha ve

b ee n ra is ed in th e T ro th a nd a ll m us t le arn a bo ut th e tr ad it io ns a new fr om

a ca dem ic r es ea rc h a nd p er so na l e xp er ie nc e a nd e xp er im e nt at io n. Mo st f ol ks d o

n ot ha ve th e tim e o r in clin atio n to lea rn ho w to re ad th e o ld la ng ua ge s in

w hi ch o ur p ri ma ry s ou rc es e xis t, o r e ve n to p lo ug h t hro ug h a ll th e m at er ia li n m o dem E ng li sh a nd s yn th es iz e it fo r p ra ct ic al u se . M o st fo lk s w ou ld ra th er

h ave a cce ss to so meo ne w ho ha s d eep k now le dg e of th e l ore a nd w ho h as

103

e xt en siv e e xp erie nc e in a pp ly in g i t t o g et a ns we rs t o b as ic q ne sti on s a bo ut

t he re li gio n, th e m yt hs a nd th ei r re le va nc e t o d aily life i n M id ga rd , th an t ak e

s ev era l y ea rs o ut o f th eir o wn li ve s to g o th ro ug h th e p ro ce ss th em se lv es .

R ig ht n ow w e a re a t a s ta ge w he re p ra ct ic al ly e ve ry bo dy w ho s in ce re ly w an ts

to prac tice the w ay o f the T ro th h as to stu dy ha rd ju st to ge t the b asic s, a nd

h arde r still to g et a t de ep er m ea ning s o f the m yth s a nd ritu als, or e ve n to

r econs tr uc t t he r it ua ls .

W he n E ld ers a re n um ero us, a nd p eo ple w ith th e k now led ge of th e

f ou nd in g E ld er s a re c ommon pl ac e, t he r ud im ent s c an b e mo re r ea di ly a cq ui re d

a s th e ra w m ate ri al h as b ee n m ad e p ra ct ic al . T hu s b as ic k no wl ed ge o nc e m ore

w ill becom e easily available by w ord of m outh- just as it w as in olden

ti me s. B ut n ow ad ay s, m an y p eo ple w an t a ns we rs t o q ue sti on s a bo ut t he lo re

th at th ey d o n ot fe el e qu ip pe d to h an dle th em se lv es d ue to th eir la ck o f

t ra in in g i n l an gu ag e, h is to ry , l it er at ur e, my th ol og y o r p ra ct ic al e xp er ie nc e o f

t he fa it h. T he y w ou ld g la dly s ee k th e a dv ic e o f s om eo ne t he y trusted a nd w ho

h ad th is e xp erie nc e. S om e p eo ple h av e a d iffic ult t im e m ak in g th e T ro th

"wo rk " f or t hem a t f ir st . H e re a ga in a cc es s t o a n e xp er ie nc ed E ld er c er ta in ly

w o ul d b e w e lc omed._tis th ro ug h a n um be r o f p eo ple w ith a th oro ugh k no wle dg e o f th e

a uth en tic o ld er tra diti on th at th e T ro th w ill a ga in re ac h th e s ta ge w he re it is

a n o ra l t ra di tio n le arn ed s im ply b y b ein g a p art o f th e c ultu re . In th es e in itia l

sta ge s, h ow ev er, w e ne ed to b e su re th at the p eo ple w ho h ave the m ost

t ho ro ug h u nd ers ta nd in g o f th e o ld re li gi on a nd w ay s a re th e o ne s w ho a re

m os t a cti ve in h elp in g o th ers to u nd ers ta nd a nd p ra ctic e t he re lig io n to da y.

O nc e th e sta ge ha s be en re ach ed w he re th e T ro th is a ga in a relig ion of the

fo lk a nd re li gio us e du ca tio n is a ga in i n th e h an ds o f th e famil y a nd lo ca l

c ommu nity , th en w e w ill n o lon ge r b e in su ch g re at ne ed o f E lde rs to a ct a s

educators.

W he n th e T ro th is a ga in a folk re ligio n in fa ct a s w ell a s in th eo ry , E lde rs

w il l b e r es po ns ib le f or m ain ta in in g h ou se s o f p ub lic w ors hi p a nd fo ra dm in is te ri ng p ub li c b le ss in gs , e sp ec ia ll y t he g re at s ea so na l b le ss in gs .

In th e m ea nti me , in o ur s tru gg le s to p ra ctic e th e re lig io n a uth en tic ally ,

w e re sp ec t t h~ kn OW le dg e a nd o pin io ns o f th ose w ho d ed ic ate th eir li ve s to

re co ve rin g t he o ld er T ro th . In Idunna a nd o th er T ro th p ub li ca ti on s, y ou w il l

fm d a v arie ty f op in io ns. T he re de of m ost ind iv id ua ls m ay be re gard ed a s

s imp ly op in io n . An E ld er a cts a s a n o ffic ia l re pre se nta tiv e o f th e T ro th a nd

ha s the p ow er to m ake o ffic ia l pro nou nce me nts on th eo lo gy- bu t o nly

inso fa r a s to say , "T his is the m ost tra ditio nal w ay o f lo ok in g a t this

q ue sti on ." T he se o pin io ns w ill n ot b e d oc trin e a nd n o o ne w ill b e re qu ire d to

b elie ve th em - b ut th ey w ill b eco me a m atter o f p ub lic rec ord. Inf ac t, t he

re de o f t wo E ld ers m ay some tim es b e a t v aria nc e, e sp ec ia ll y ifo ne E ld er is

d ed ic ate d to th e pa th o f, le t's sa y, T yr, a nd th e o th er to th e w ay o f F re y, for

e xampl e. T ak in g d if fe re nt s pi ri tu al p at hs w il l r es ul t i n d if fe re nt p er sp ec ti ve s

o n th in gs . T he E ld er w ill h av e t he a ut ho rit y to d ec la re i de as a nd

104

105



i nt erp re ta ti on s o f th e l ore a s tr ad iti on al o r a uth en ti c. W h en y ou re ad t he

o pin io n o f a n E ld er, y ou c an t ru s t th at y ou h av e re ad th e o pin io n o f so me on e

w ho h as d ed ic ate d a s ig nif ic an t p or ti on o f h is o r h er li fe t o fm d in g o ut j us t

w ha t th e tra ditio n is , a nd to liv in g it in th e m od em w orld .

C ha pte r 2 2

S TART ING HEAR TH S

A ny on e c an sta rt a k in dre d. in th e T ro th . A ll y ou n ee d to d o is g et to ge th er

w it h a no th er tr ue p ers on a nd s ta rt c al li ng y ou rs el f a k in dr ed a nd s ta rt

p erf orm in g th e b le ss in gs o f t he y ea r a cc ord in g to s om e G erm a ni c t ra dit io n.

Y o u a re th en tru e a nd h av e a tru e k in dre d.However , ify ou a nd th e o th ers in vo lv ed in y ou r k in dre d w ou ld lik e to

b ec om e o ffic ia lly a ffilia te d w ith th e R in g o f T ro th , y ou m ay m ak e a n

a pp li ca tio n fo r c ha ng in g y ou r k in dre d o ve r in to a H ea rt h. T hi s is e ss en ti al ly a

s ma ll g ro up o f i nd iv id ua l p ra cti ti on ers o f th e T ro th w ho a re b ou nd to ge th er i n

tru st a nd fe llo ws hip to fo llo w th e tru e w ay s o f th eir a nc es to rs o f th e n orth .

Ifyo u fee l you rse lf to be a lon e prac titioner o f the T roth- alone in a sea

o f p eo pl e w ho ju st d on 't s eem t o u nd ers ta nd y ou r r eli gi ou s lo ng in gs , t ak e

h ea rt. O nc e b ac k in th e e arly 1 98 0s th ere w as a y ou ng m a n h an di ng o ut

re lig io us t ra cts im p lo ri ng h is f ell ow s tu de nts a t t he U n iv ers it y o f T ex as t o

re tu rn to th e re lig io n o f T ho r. W he n h e w as a pp ro ac he d a nd to ld o f th e w ho le

A satni m ovem en t he w as shock ed- h e thought that surely no on e else c ould

h av e th ou gh t th e w ay h e d id !

T o sta rt a k in dre d o r H ea rth ju st b eg in a sk in g a ro un d, p ut u p n otic es a t

b oo ks to re s, p ut a ds in n ew sp ap ers. O nc e y ou g et a c ore g ro up , th e re st w ill

be easy . B ut yo u hav e to get the w ord out to the public in your o wn a rea that

_in fa ct th ere a re fe llo w T ro th ers in th e v ic in ity . T he R in g o f T ro th m ay a ls o

b e a ble to p ut y ou in to uc h w ith o th er p ote ntia l H ea rth m em be rs ify ou a re

y ou rs elf a n o ffi ci al m em b er o f t he R in g.

O nc e y ou h av e y ou r g ro up fo un de d, th e m ain p urp os e o f th e m ee tin gs

s ho ul d fo cu s o n th e p er fo rm a nc e o f t he b le ss in gs a nd t he le arn in g o f t he l ore .

A Bo ok o f Tro th s ho uld p erh ap s b e s tu die d in c on ju nc ti on w ith th e Poe t ic

an d P r os e E d da s a nd a g oo d g en era l in tro du ct io n to t he m y th ol og y (s uc h a s

t he o ne s b y E lli s D av id so n o r T ur vil le -P et re ). L ore a nd t he le arn in g o f lo re i sa lw ay s im po rta nt, b ut it is a lw ay s se co nd ary to p ra ctic e. T he lo re c an o nly b e

u nd er sto od fu ll y o nc e th ere h as b ee n a s ig ni fi ca nt am ou nt o f p ra ct ic e o f t he

b le ss in g s a n d r it es . Itis s om e ti me s h el pfu l to rem em b er th at i n a nc ie nt ti me s

o ur a nc es to r), w ou ld h av e e xp eri en ce d t ho us an ds o f ri te s a nd c us to m s in a

d ir ec t a nd s er ls ua l w a y b ef or e r ea c hi ng a s ta te o f i nt el le ct ua l a nd s pi ri tu al

m atu rity su ffic ie nt to a bso rb th e lo re o f th e m yth s in a m ea nin gfu l w ay .

T ry t o k e ep H ea rth a nd k in dre d g at he rin gs fo cu se d o n do ing rather than

th in kin g. A ny tim e a T ro th er g oe s to a g ath erin g h e o r sh e s ho uld g o a wa y

h av in g h ad a g oo d tim e w ith g oo d c om pa ny . In d ay s o f y ore re lig io us

g ath er in gs w ere a ls o o pp ort un iti es fo r " en te rta in m en t." F or i n t ho se d ay s it

w as s om e tim e s i mp os si bl e t o d is ti ng ui sh b etw ee n w ha t w e call r el ig i on and

e nt ert ai nm e nt to da y. In t ha t re ga rd , J im a nd T ammy w er en 't th at fa r o ff t he

m a rk . E xc ep t i n t his W o lf -A ge , e nte rt ain m en t h as b ec om e a re lig io n w he re

107



106

ro ck stars an d sp orts "h ero es" are th e n ew g od s. T hese w ou ld seem to b e p oo r

s ub st it ut es f or t he r ea l t hi ng s, h ow ev er .

L ea de rs hip o f th e k in dr ed o r H ea rth s ho uld b e d ec id ed in a ny w ay th e

m em be rs se e f it. B ut th er e sh ou ld b e a d es ig na te d le ad er sh ip r ole a s w ell a s

s om e so rt o f n am e f or th e k in dr ed . T his h elp s g iv e d ir ec tio n a rid id en tity to

th e g ro up - b oth facto rs w hich w ill w eig h h ea vily in its fu tu re ch an ces o fsuccess.

Appendix A

MeadW e can tell you how to m ake m ead, but we cannot tell you how to make

a c on sisten t q uality o f m ead . T he o uter q uality o f th e m ead h as m uch to d o

w it h t he s pi rit ua l c ir cum st an ce s s ur ro un di ng it s f erme nt at io n. B es id es , i n t he

context of a sum ble all m ead tastes good- even the m uddy dregs from the

b otto m o f th e ju g.

T he b asic in gr ed ie nts fo r m ea d in clu de h on ey , w ate r a nd y ea st. S om e

b rew ers u se o nly the b asics. M ost h av e m ore co mp lex fo rm ulas- so me

ma de w it h c ra nb er ri es a nd b ee r i ng re di en ts . A rc ha eo lo gi ca l e vi de nc e s how s

th at V ik in g A ge m ea ds w er e b ee r- me ad s w ith se ve ra l k in ds o f b e rr ie s th ro wn

in . B eers seem to h av e b een m ad e w ith b erries as w ell.

T his re cip e is d es ig ne d fo r a f iv e g allo n b atc h. T o m ak e s ma lle r b atc he s,

r ed uc e th e in gr ed ie nts p ro po rtio na te ly . B ig b atc he s c ost a lo t a nd c an b e a b ig

w aste o n th ose rare o ccasio ns w hen th ey g o c om pletely fo ul. B ut if they turn

out w ell you can afford to be very generous w ith it. Ifyo u m ak e a o ne g allo n

b atch yo u h av e g ot h ard ly en ou gh fo r a sum ble. O ne g allo n b atch es are g oo d

fo r te stin g d arin g n ew re cip es a nd th at is ab ou t it. A fiv e g allo n b atch w illget a small H ea rth th ro ug h s ev er al b le ss in gs a nd p erh ap s tw o o r th re e

sumbles.

Basic Dry Mead

1 0- 15 lb s. h on ey

U se p ur e ra w h on ey r ath er th an p aste ur iz ed h on ey ifpossible.

5 ga llo ns o f sp rin g o r p ure w ater

S om e w ell w ashe d lem on p eels o r 1 0-1 5 tsp . o f m allie acid .

4 -6 tsp . o f stro ng tea o r 7 -8 tsp . o f tartaric a cid

5 tsp, y ea st e ne rg iz er o r y ea st n ut ri en t

1 -2 p ack ets o f C ham pag ne o r m ead ye ast

M ea d M ak in g T oo ls

1. G et a b ig k ettle th at w ill h old 3 -5 g allo ns. It sh ou ld b e v ery clean . T he

sm oo th er th e b e~ te r. E name l c oa te d p an s c le an b ette r th an a lumin um b ec au se

t he y a re smoo th er . An a lumin um p an w ill r eta in th e fla vo rs o f a ny th in g e lse

it h old s an d is lik ely to im part th is to yo ur m ead . E nam el can b e clean ed o f

m ost flav ors o f th in gs p rev io usly co ok ed in p ots c oated w ith it.

2. A big bucket or crock that can hold 7-8 gallons. Som etim es you can find 7

1 1 2 g allo n b uc ke ts m ad e e sp ec ia lly f or th e p ur po se o f b re win g. T he se in clu de

a lid a nd a n a ir lo ck .

3 . A fiv e g allo n w ater jar w ith a n arrow n eck an d sev eral sm aller b ottle s.

4 . S ev er al a ir lo ck s. T he se a re so ld w he re ve r w in e a nd b ee r m ak in g su pp lie s

a re s o ld .

108

109



5 . S av e u p a la rg e n um be r o f w in e a nd b eer b ottles a nd g et co rk s a nd ru bb er

s to pp er s w it h h o le s f or air lo ck s. M ak e su re th at th e co rk s a nd sto pp ers fit

yo ur b ottle s. Y ou w ill n ee d to air l oc k a bo u t 2 g allo ns , b ut y ou w ill n ee d

b ottl es a nd c or ks f or a bo ut 7 gallons.

Procedures

W arm . u p ov er half the w ater in the p an an d m ix in the ho ney and all the

o th er in gred ien ts e xc ep t th e ye ast. S tir it an d h eat it u ntil it is a bo ut t o b oil,

th en d um p it in to the plastic b ucket or crock. T hen h eat u p the rest o f the

w ate r a nd ad d it to th e b ucket. D o no t bo il you r m ead or else th e go od

b rew ers w ill m ak e fu n o f yo u. T hey w ill sh ak e th eir h ead s an d say : "B oile d

m ead!" L et th e liq uid in the bu ck et cool for a d ay and then add th e yeast as .

d irec ted b y th e in stru ctio ns o n th e b ac k o f th e ye ast p ack et. K ee p it a t r oo m

te mp eratu re- lo ok a t th e ye ast p ac ke t fo r id ea l te mp era tu re ra ng es. P ut an air

lock on th e lid. In a day or tw o it w ill be ferm enting. It w ill co ntin ue to

ferm en t fo r se ve ral d ay s afte r w hic h it w ill slo w d ow n. P le ase n ote : T he air

lo ck sh ou ld h av e so me w ate r in it. Its fu nc tio n is to a llo w th e g asse s

p ro du ce d a s a r es ul t o f th e f er me nta tio n p ro ce ss to e sc ap e w hi le p re ve nt in g

b ac te ria fl oa tin g in th e air f rom g ettin g in to th e m u st.W he n th e ferm en tatio n slo ws d ow n it is g oin g in to th e se co nd ary

fe rm en ta tio n stag e. A t th is p oin t it sh ou ld b e sip ho ned o ut o f th e b uc ke t a nd

in to th e 5 g allo n ja r a nd o th er b ottle s. T he se b ottle s s ho uld h av e air l oc ks . B e

su re to lea ve th e m ud dy sed im en t at th e b otto m o f th e b ottle . S ec on dary

fe rm en ta tio n m ay g o o n fo r se ve ral m on th s, afte r w hic h th e m ea d m ay b e

s ip ho ne d o ff in to th e w in e and. b eer b ottles fro m w hic h it w ill b e d isp en sed at

a f ea st o r s um bl e.

T ho se w ho a re p atien t a nd p artic ula r m ay w an t to sip ho n th eir m ea d a

. s ec on d t im e a fte r s ev er al m o nth s in o rd er to e nsu re i ts c la rit y. T ra ns fe rr in g

m ea d fro m o ne b ottle to a no th er is k no wn in b rew in g ja rg on a s "ra ck in g."

F or b est re su lts yo u sh ou ld sto re yo ur m ea d in th e d ark a t r oo m tem peratu re ,

B e su re to c or k t he b ottle s. If th e m ea d is n ot r ea lly finished f erm en ti ng , t hecork s m ay po p ou t, or the bottle w ill p op andemit gas w hen you op en it.

A lw ay s k eep yo ur e qu ip me nt cle an . S teriliz e a ll yo ur to ols b efo re y ou u se

it. R in se it w ell so that n one of your soap or bleach or sod ium b isulfate g ets

in y ou r b re w. Inmed ie va l F ra nc e th e d ea th p en al ty w as a dm in is te re d t o

s loppy brewers .

Ifall th is see ms lik e it w ou ld b e fu n, th en in co rp orate it in to th e ru nn in g

o f y ou r t ru e h o us eh o ld . Ifit se em s to b e a lo t o f b oth er, th en b uy M erry do wn

o r s om e o th er c omm er cia l m ea d, a le o r a pp le ju ic e.

P lea se n ote: M ea d ten ds to b e ra th er stro ng in co mp ariso n w ith a ll th at

th in b ee r w e areu se d to h er e in th e S ta te s. M ea d is a ctu all y a h on ey -w in e,

an d h as a n a ve rag e o f 1 2% alc oh ol.

AppendixB

Booklis t

B au sc ha tz , P au l C . The W ell an d the Tree: W orld an d Tim e in Early

G e rm a n ic C u lt ur e. Amhe rs t: U n iv er si ty o f M as sa ch use tts P re ss , 1 98 2.

[ De fin it iv e in tr od uc tio n to b as ic p ri nc ip le s o f G er ma nic c os mo lo gy

b eg in nin g w ith t im e a nd s pa ce .]

B or d, J an et a nd C olin . S acre d W ate rs : H oly W ells a nd W at er L ore in B rita ina n d I re la n d . London: Granada, 1985.

C ham be rs, E . K . T he M e die va l S ta ge . L on do n: O xf or d U n iv er sity P re ss,

1 90 3, 2 v ols.

[An e xc elle nt d is cu ss io n o f th e c on tin ua tio n o f h ea th en d an ce , drama an d

o th er fe stiv e a ctiv ity in to th e C hristia n M id dle A ge s. It co nta in s a n in -

d ep th t re atm en t o f s ea so n al c us tom s a nd f es ti ve a ct iv it ie s. ]

Chisholm, J ame s A ll en . G ro ve a n d G a llo w s. ( U np u bl is he d MS ).

[A c ollec tio n o f m an y o f th e refe ren ce s to G erm an ic re lig io n c on ta in ed in

th e w ork s o f a a nc ien t G ree k an d L atin a uth ors.]

------------. EDDA: Keys to t he N orthe rn M ys te rie s .( U np ub lis he d M S ).

[ Th is is a t ra ns la tio n o f th e Elder or P o e ti c E li da d es ig ne d to g iv e th e

rea de r m ax im um in sig ht in to th e m in d o f th e p oets an d in to th e c ultu re

th at p ro du ce d th e tex t. M uch o f th e tec hn ica l re lig io us term in olo gy th at

c an no t b e tr an sla te d a cc ura te ly b y a ny m o de rn e qu iv ale nt i s re ta in ed in th e

- tr an sla tio n a nd e xp la in ed in n ote s a nd g lo ss ary .]

D a vi ds on , H il da R. (Ellis). Th e Ro ad to H el. Cambri dge : C ambri dge

U n iv er sity P re ss , 1 94 3.

[An i ns ig htf ul d is cu ss io n o f G er ma nic b ur ia l p ra ctic es a nd w ay s o f

thinking abou t t he w o rl ds b ey on d M id g ar d. ]

-------. God s an d My ths o f No rthe rn Eu ro pe .

H armo nd sw or th : P en gu in , 1 96 4.

[ Th is is o ne o f th e b es t a nd m o st w id ely a va ila ble in tr od uc tio ns to

Ge rma ni c r el ig io n i n E n gl is h.]

D umez il , G e or ge s. T he D es tin y o f a W arrio r. tr. A. Hi l tebe it e l. Chicago:

U niver~ty of C hicago Press, 1970. .

----I-j - - - . F ro m M yth to F ictio n: Th e S aga o f H ad in gu s. tr . D .

Coltman. Chicago: U niversity of Chicago' Press, 1973. .

[B y sh ow in g stru ctu ral sim ilarities b etw ee n so me o f th e m yth s o f th e

V an ic G od s, e sp ecia lly N io rd , a nd so me o f th e sto ries o f H ad in gu s,

D um ez il o ff ers in si gh ts in to th e n atu re o f th e V an ir .]

-------. Go ds o f t he A n cien t No rthmen . E . H au gen, ed .

B erk el ey : U n iv er sity o f C alif or nia P re ss , 1 97 3.

[ Th is c on ta in s D um e zil's g ro un d b re ak in g th es is o n th e I nd o- Eu ro pe an

t ri fu nc tio na l s oc ia l m o de l a s it a pp li es to th e G er ma nic p an th eo n.]



110

.Finch, R. G. The S aga o f the V olsu ngs . L on do n: N els on , 1 96 5.

[T hi s is th e m at eria l fro m w hic h W a gn er 's Ring cy cl e i s u lt ima t el y

d eri ve d. T he re is s o m uc h to b e g ain ed c on ce rn in g re lig io n a nd e th ic s

fro m th is sa ga th at it is im pos sib le to su mm arize it a ll h ere . T his is

thewhole s to ry o f S i gu rd , t he D r agon- S lay er .]

G a st er , T he od or H . The New Go lden Bo ugh: A New Abrid gem en t o f theC la ss ic W ork by Ja me s F ra ze r. N ew Y ork: S . G . P hillips , 1 95 9.

[T his is n ot m ere ly a n a brid gem ent, bu t a lso a re visio n. M uc h o f th e

m a te ri al h as b ee n u pd ate d. T he b oo k c on ta in s n um ero us a cc ou nts o f

E ur op ea n s ea so na l a nd h ou se ho ld c us tom s o f h ea th en d er iv at io n. ]

G omme , G eor ge L. Bri ti sh Fo l k- lo r e . Lon do n: N a ti on al H omer ea di ng U n io n,1916. '

[An imp re ss iv e c ol le ct io n o f B ri ti sh f ol kl or e, g am e s a nd c us tom s. ]

G rimm , J ac ob . T eu to n ic M y th o lo gy . tr. S . S ta lly bra ss . N ew Y o rk : D ov er,

1 96 6, 4 v ols .

[T hi s i s a tr ea su re h ou se o f h ea th en G er ma nic lo re . It i s s pr in kl ed w it h

u nt ra ns la te d q uo te s f rom t he p rim ar y s ou rc es i n t he ir o ri gi na l l an gu ag es .

T ho ugh m an y o f G rim m 's c on clus io ns m ay b e d ated (th e w ork w aso rig in all y p ub lis he d i n th e e arly 1 80 0s ) h is o bs erv ati on s a re insightful.]

Gr enb ech , V i lb e lm . T he C ultu re o f th e T eu to ns : London : Ox fo rd Un ive rs it y

P ress, 1931, 2 vols.

[T hi s w or k is e ss en tia l t o u nd er sta nd in g t he G er ma ni c s ou l c on ce pts s uc h

as hamingja ( hami ng ) a nd h ow t he y a re i nt eg ra lly ' w ov en in to th e fa bric

o f e ve ry da y l ife in v alu es , e th ic s a nd i de al s a nd a ct ua l p ra cti ce .]

Gu rev ich , A r on . M ed ie va l P op ula r C ultu re : P ro ble ms o f B elie f a nd

Percept ion. Cambr id ge : C amb ri dg e U n iv er si ty P re ss , 1 98 8.

[T hi s c on ta in s a fi ne d is cu ss io n o f th e p ers is te nc e o f h ea th en is m a s

r evea led by Chu rch p eni ten ti al s. ]

H o ll an de r, L ee M . , tr. T he P oe tic E dd a. Au st in : U n iv er si ty o f T ex as P re ss ,

1962, 2nd ed. '

[The P o etic E dd a is t he p ri ma ry s ou rc e fo r V ik in g A ge mythandreligion.

T his w ork d en se a nd a sin gle sta nz a c an b ea r th e w eigh t o f i nan y

m ea nin gs . M u ltip le le ve ls o f m e a ni ng c an no t b e c on ve ye d e ffe ct iv ely in

t ra ns la ti on s in ce mu ch r el ie s o n a pp ar en t w o rd -p la y. H o ll an de r's

tra ns la tio n c ap tu re s th e b ea uty o f t he o rig in al p oe tr y b y u si ng o rig in al

m ete rs a nd b y u sin g G erm an ic E ng lish v oc ab ula ry . T his m ak es for a

s om et im es d iffi cu lt s ty le t o u nd ers ta nd a t f irs t. H oll an de r a ls o o fte n

s tra ys fro m li te ra l t ra ns la ti on a nd n o e ffo rt h as b ee n m ad e to p re se rv e

o ri g in a l r el ig io u s t erm ino lo gy. ]

J o ne s , Gwyn. ' * H is to ry o f t he V ik in gs . Lon do n: O x fo rd U n iv er si ty P re ss ,

1 98 4, 2 nd e d.[ Th i s i s th e d efi niti ve h is to ry o f th e V ik in gs . It is a b it d en se a nd h ea vy

g oi ng f or t he c as ua l r ea de r. ]

111·

J on es , Gw yn , t r. E rik th e R ed a nd o the r Ice la nd ic S aga s. Oxford : Oxford

U n iv er si ty P re ss , 1 96 1.

[T his c on ta in s a n E ng lis h tra ns la tio n o f H ro lf K ra ki's S a ga as w ell ass ev er al f am i ly s ag as .]

Ke leh er , G eo rg ia Dunham . D re am s in O ld No rs e L ite ra tu re a nd the ir

A ff in it ie s i n F o lk lo re . C am bri dg e: C am brid ge U n iv ers it y P re ss , 1 93 5.

[H ere is a de ta ile d stu dy o f ty pe s of d re am s fo un d in O ld N orse s ou rc es.

O ri gi na l O ld N o rs e t ex t a lo ng w it h t ra ns la ti on s a re i nc lu de d.]

Kn igh tl y, Cha rl es . The C us to ms a nd C ere mo nie s o f B rita in : An

En cy clo pa ed ia o f L ivin g Tra ditio ns w ith a C ale nd ar o f C usto ms a nd a

R e gi on a l G a ze tt er . L on do n: T ham es a nd H ud so n, 1 98 6.

[T hi s c on ta in s b ri ef a cc ou nts o f h un dre ds o f a nc ie nt a nd liv in g c us to ms

w ith d is cu ss io ns o f th eir o rig in s a nd d et ails o f th eir p ra ct ic e. T his

in clu de s c ha rts s ho wi ng w he n a nd w he re th e c us to ms a re p ra cti ce d.]

P als so n, H erm an n a nd E dw ard s, P au l, tr . a nd e d. S ev en V ik in g R om a nc es .

Ha rmo nd sw o rt h: P e ng ui n, 1 98 5.

[ Th is is a c oll ec tio n o f " sa ga s o f a nc ie nt tim e s." T he se a re d is tin gu is he d

fro m th e "fa mily sa ga s" in th at the y a re ro ote d m ore in m yth th an inh is to ry .. Th ~s ~ n d .o f s ag a s up plem en ts th e m yth s, w hil e th e fam ily

sa ga s g iv e insight m to d aily l ife a nd th e p ra ct ic e o f re lig io n a nd e th ic si n h eat hen I ce land. ]

Pb i lpo t ts , Ber tha . T he Elder E d d a and A nc ie n t S ca n din a via n D ram a.

Cambr id ge : C ambr id ge U n iv er si ty P re ss , 1 92 0.

P o rt er , E . Th e F o lklo re o f E as t A nglia . Lo nd on : B a ts fo rd , 1 97 4.

S im ps on , J . The F o lk lo re o f S u ss ex . Lon do n: B a ts fo rd , 1 97 3.

. . Everyda y Life in the V iking Age . N ew Y o rk : D ors et P re ss ,1967.

S t ur lu s on , Snor ri . Edda. t r. A nth on y F au lk es . R utl an d, V T: T utt le , 1 98 7.

[ Th ~s i s t h~ mo st ~ omp le te t ra ns la ti on o f t he P ro se E dd a cu rr en tl y w ide l y

a va ila ble m E ng li sh . I t e ve n in clu de s th e u su al ly o mitt ed H att ata l s ec tio n.S n or ri 's w o rk i s e ss en ti al t o u nd er st an di ng t he a nc ie nt S ca nd in av ia nmythology.]

Th~ rs son , Ed red . A Bo ok o f Tro th. S t. P au l, MN : L le we lly n, 1 98 9.

[f lli e o rig in al d efi ni tiv e b oo k o n th e p ra ct ic e o f th e o ld er T ro th in to da y's

w orld , a nd th e fi rs t o ffi cia l b as ic m an ua l o f th e R in g o f T ro th .]

Tu rv il le -Pe tr e , E .O.G . M yth a nd Re ligio n o f the No rth. N ew Y o rk : H ol t,

R in eh art a nd W in sto n, 1 96 4.

. [T his i s th e b es t g en era l i nt ro du ct io n to G er ma nic re lig io n in E ng li sh .]

V ne s, Ja n d e. Al tg ermanische Rel ig ionsg eschicht e . Berlin: de Gruy te r, 1 956 -5 7,2 v ols.

[T his is a bs olu te ly th e b es t a nd m os t c om pl ete o ve rv ie w o f G erm an ic

re li gi on a va il ab le in a ny la ng ua ge . T he te xt i s i n G erm an .]

112

113



V ri es , J an d e. A lt no rd is c h es e ty m o lo g is c h es W ( Jr te rb u ch . L e id en : B ri ll , 1 96 1.

[T hi s G erm a n la ng ua ge e ty mo lo gic al d ic ti on ary o f O ld N ors e is

, i n dis pe ns ab le fo r t he s tu dy o f t he lo re fr om t he o rig in al O ld N ors e

sources.]W i ll iams , Mar y. S o cia l S c an din av ia in the V ik in g A g e . N ew Y o rk :

Ma cM i ll an , 1 93 0.[T his b oo k p re se nts a g oo d o ve rv ie w o f th e m ate ria l a nd so cia l life o f

S c an di na vi a a t the e nd o f t he h ea th e n p er io d. ]

AppendixC

Glossary

IE si r , sg . A s s : T he G od s a nd G od de ss es o f c on sc io us ne ss in th e G erm a nic

p an th eo n, g ov ern in g th e p ow ers o f s ov er eig nt y a nd p hy sic al fo rc e.

cett, pl . cettir: F am ily o r g en us, u se d a s a n am e fo r th e th re efo ld d iv isio ns o f

th e fu th ark a nd e ig ht d iv isio ns o f th e h ea ve ns. A lso m ea ns a g ro up o r

division of eight.' .A sg ard : T he e nc lo su re o f th e G od s, th e r ea lm w he re t he G od s a nd G od de ss es

e x is t. ( ON Asg a r i t r )

b in d- ru ne : Tw o o r mo re r un es ta ve s s up er imp os ed o ve r o ne a no th er ,

s om e tim es u se d t o f orm g al do r- st av es .

b le ss in g: T he a ct o f s ac ri fi cin g a nd d is tr ib ut in g th e p ow er o f th e G od s a nd

G od de ss es in M id ga rd . (O E blotan an d blet si a n , to sacri f ice)

boast; A ritu al d rin kin g to th e h on or o f a G od , G od de ss, o r a nc esto r, o r

d pn kin g to s ea l a n o ath fo r fu tu re a ctio ns. A ls o a "to ast." (O E be ot )

calk.The p art o f a ritu al in w hic h th e d iv in e fo rc es to ta ke p art in th e b le ssin g

a re i n vok ed .

d is , p I. d is es : A nc es tr al f em al e d iv in it ie s t o w hom W in te r N ig hts a nd D is ti ng, a re h oly . (O N dis; dfsir)

d rin ki ng : T he p ar t o f a r it ua l i n w hic h t he li qu id c ha rg ed w it h th e d iv in e

fo rc es i s in ge ste d b y t he g ath er ed fo lk .

earth: 1) T he n at ur al , p hy si ca l a sp ec ts o f t he u ni ve rs e, 2) T h e p la n et E a rt h, 3)

soil.

e tin : A "g ia nt," w hic h is a liv in g e ntity o f g re at a ge , stre ng th , a nd o fte n

k no wle dg e. (O N s g. jotunn; pI . jotnar)

fe tc h: A n um in ou s b ein g a tta ch ed to e ve ry i nd iv id ua l, w hi ch is th e re po sit ory

o f a ll p as t a ct io n a nd w hi ch a cc or din gl y a ffe ct s t he p ers on 's l ife : t he

p e rs ona l d iv i ni ty .

f olk : 1 ) T h e T eu to nic o r G erm a nic n ati on (a ll p eo pl e o f T eu to nic h eri ta ge ,

G er ma n, E ng lis h, D ut ch , S ca nd in av ia n, e tc .), 2 ) T he p eo pl e g ath er ed f ora h ol y e ve nt.

f rit h: T he t ru e G erm a nic w or d fo r " pe ac e" w hi ch c arri es w ith i t t he

, 'im p li ca tio n o f " fre ed om ."

g ald ,o r: 1 ) A m ag ic al in ca nta tio n o r m a ntr a. 2 ) A fo rm o f m a gic w hi ch o ft en

u se s r un es ta ve s a s a m e th od o f o bj ec ti fy in gv erb al c on te nts a nd th us

o bj ec ti fy m agi ca l i nt en t. ( ON g a ldr , pI . g a ldr a r )

g an d: T he m a gi ca l w an d. (O N g a n dr )

g iv in g: T he p art o f a ritu al in w hic h th e re ma in de r o f th e c ha rg ed liq uid n ot

c on su me d b y th e g ath er ed fo lk is r etu rn ed t o th e d iv in e r ea lm . A ls o c al le d

the"yielding."

g ri th : A no th er w ord f or " pe ac e" w hic h c ar ri es th e im p li ca tio n o f " se cu ri ty ."

hallow ing: T he p art of a ritual in w hich the sp ace w here the ritual is to be

p erf orm e d i s m a rk ed o ff fr om th e p ro fa ne w orld , m a de h oly ; a nd p ro te cte d.

114



h am in g: D eriv ed fr om ON ha m i n g j a : Mo bi le m a gic al f orc e ra th er lik e t he

m a n a o f o th er t ra di ti on s. O ft en d ef in ed a s " lu ck ," " sh ap e- sh if ti ng f or ce ,"

o r " gua r di an sp ir it ."

h ar row : 1 ) An o utd oo r a lta r us ua lly m ad e o f sto ne , 2 ) A g en era l te rm o f th e

a lt ar in a t ru e w or ki ng . (O E hea r g )

h oly : T he re a re t wo a sp ec ts t o t his te rm : 1 ) th at w hic h is fi ll ed w it h d iv in e

p ow er, a nd 2 ) th at w hic h is m ar ke d o ff a nd s ep ara te fro m t he p ro fa ne .

how e: A grave. O ften in the form of a burial m ound built over a pit.

h id ge : T he c og nit iv e p art o f t he s ou l, t he in te ll ec t o r " min d." A ls o c all ed

h ug h. (O E h y g e ) .

h yd e: T he q ua si -p hy sic al p art o f t he s ou l w hi ch g iv es a p er so n s ha pe a nd

f orm . ( ON h a m r )

l ea vin g: T he fo rm a l c lo si ng o f a r it ua l.

lo ad in g: T he p art o f a ritu al in w hic h th e s ac re d p ow er tha t h as b ee n c alle d

u po n i s c ha nn ele d in to t he h oly d rin k.

lo re : T he tr ad iti on in a ll i ts a sp ec ts .

ly ke : T he p hy si ca l p art o f th e s ou l- bo dy (p sy ch o- ph ys ic al) c om p le x. A ls o

c al le d l ic h. ( OE Ire)Mid ga rd : th e d we ll in g p la ce o f h um an ity , th e p hy sic al p la ne o f e xis te nc e.

A ls o, M id -y ard , t he e nc lo su re in t he m id st o f a ll. ( OE M i dda n g ea r d)

Meddler t .

m ig ht : N ot o nly p hy sic al p ow er b ut a ls o s piri tu al fo rc e.

m oo d: T he e mo tio na l p art o f th e s ou l c lo se ly a llie d w ith th e w od e. (O E mad)

mul tiv e~ se : T he m an y s ta te s o f b ein g (w orld s) t ha t m ak e u p t he u niv er se .

U se d w he n fo cu sin g o n th e m ultip lic ity o f b ein g.

m yn e: T he re fle cti ve p art o f th e s ou l, th e m emo ry : p ers on al a nd

. transpersonal. (OE m y n d ; ON minni)

nin e n ob le virtue s: A se t o f e thic al p re ce pts in th e m od ern T ro th . T he y a re : 1 )

c ou ra ge , 2 ) t ru th , 3 ) h on or, 4 ) fi de lit y, 5 ) d is cip lin e, 6 ) h os pit ali ty , 7 )

i ndu st ri ou sne s s, 8 ) s e lf -r el ian ce , and 9 ) p e rs eve ran ce .

n om : O ne o f th e th re e fe ma le w ig hts w ho e mb od y th e p ro ce ss o f c as ue a nd

e ff ec t a nd e vo lu ti on ar y f or ce .

er iog: ON L ite ra lly a na ly ze d th is m ea ns "p rim al la ye rs" (p rim alla ws ~ th e

p as t a cti on o f a n in di vid ua l o r th e c os mo s) th at s ha pe s p re se nt re ali ty ,

a nd th at w hic h s ho uld c om e a bo ut a s a re su lt of it. Its ro ot c on ce pt is th e

s am e a s E ng lish w yrd o r w eird .

r a g n a r ok: ON L ite ra lly th is m ea ns th e " ju dg me nt o f th e G od s," it is a n e nd o f

a cycle of existence. .

re ad in g: T he p art o f a ri tu al in w hic h a m yt hic -p oe tic te xt is re ci te d in o rd er

to p la ce th e-g at he rin g in to a m y th ic t im e/ sp ac e, to e ng ag e i n th e m y th ic

f low o f t ime l es sn e ss .re de : T he p art o f a ritu al in w hic h th e p urp ose o f th e w ork in g is sta te d.

s ei th : A k in d o f m agi ca l t ec hn iq ue c on tr as te d w it h g al do r. S e it h i nv ol ve s

a tta in in g o f t ra nc e s ta te s a nd o fte n i nv ol ve s s ex ua lity . S om et im e s th is

115

j.1't

JI'.

in vo lv es s ha pe -s hift in g i nto a ni ma l fo rm s. T yp ic all y i t is p erfo rm ed b yv ol va s w ho w ou ld r oam t he c ou nt ry si de a nd a tte nd

f~ts w here they w ould sit on a w ooden platform a md w ith the aid of thmagIcal songs . e

o f th e~ a ssista nts th ey c ou ld o bta in v isio ns o f th e fu tu re . It is th e kin d

. of m agIC taught to Odin by Freya. . .s IX- fo ld gO .a l:A . se t . o f e t hi ca l. a im s o ~ b eh av io r i n t he mo de rn T ro th . T he y

a re 1 ) r i gh t ( ju s~ c e) , 2 ) W I sd om ( 1l 1t el li ge nc e) , 3 ) m i gh t ( st re ng th ), 4 )h.arvest (prospenty), 5) frith (peace), and 6) love (pleasure). ..

s ou l. 1 ) A g en era l te rm f or th e p sy ch ic p arts o f th e p sy ch o-p hy si ca l c om p le x2) T he po stm orte m s ha de . (O E s a w l) ,

stall: An i ndoor a l ta r.

sta ve : A sp ell o r a ru ne .

s um ~ le : T he s ac ~d rit ua l fe as t a t w hi ch b oa st s a re d ru nk .(O E s y m b l e )

~ urs . A .s tr on g k in d o f g ia nt d ev oid o f in te ll ig en ce .

tid e: A tim e, o cc asio n, a sp an o f tim e w ith a d efin ite b eg in nin g a nd e ndExample: Y ule-tide. .

t in e: A t al ism an .

tro th : R eli gi on , b ein g l oy al to th e G od s a nd G od de ss es a nd c ul tu ra l v alu es o ft he a nc es to rs . ( ON ira, OE t reowp)

tru e: A dje ctiv al fo rm o f "tro th ," c an m ea n "lo ya l." A " tru e m an " is a m anlo ya l to t he G od s a nd G od de ss es o f h is a nc es to rs .

V an ir, sg . ,:,a n: O N T he G od s a nd G od de sse s o f o rg an ic e xiste nc e in th e

Gen :n~ lI l1 cp ant heon, g ove rn i ng t he r ea lms o f o r gan ic procucuon,, e rO ti CI sm , w e al th , c ra ft sm ans hi p, a nd p hy si ca l w e ll -b ei ng .

ve ON An o utd oo r s ac re d e nc lo su re o pe n t o t he s ky .

v ~l va : A fe ~a le m ag i~ ia n w ho s pe ci ali ze s in s eit h m a gic .

W Ig ht.. A b ~m g o r e nt ity o f a ny k in d w ith s om e l iv in g q ua lity .

w ors hi p: L lt ~ra ll y th iS .m ea ns s ~p ly " to g iv e h on or ( wo rt h) to s om e th in g-and that IS ~ that It m eans ill t he te rm in olo gy o f t he T ro th .

wode: An e ~o tiv e, s yn th es iz in g p art o f th e s ou l w hi ch b ri ng s v ari ou s a sp ec ts

to ge th er m a p ow erfu l a nd in sp ire d w ay . R ela te d to th e m o od (O E w od~ ~6~ . ,

wo rl d: T he " ps yc ho -c hr on ic " h uman a sp ec ts o f t he m ani fe st ed u ni ve rs e. ( OEw eor u ld, the age of a m an.) The cosm os.

WOr ld -Tree , see Yggdras il l .

w yr d: T he p ro ce ss o f th e u ns ee n w eb o f s yn ch rO nic it y a nd c au se a nd e ffe ctt hro ug ho ut th e c os mo s. S am e a s w eir d.

Y g g dra sill : T he fr am ew or k o f th e c os mo s w hi ch S up po rt s th e n in e m ajo rr ea lm s o r w o rl ds .

116



A bo ut th e A uth or

Jam es A llen C hisho lm w as th e first Steersm an o f th e R ing o f T ro th, an

o ff ic e h e a ss um ed o n M o th er N ig ht ( De ce m be r 2 0), 1 98 7 ce oH e r elin qu is he d

th at titl e a nd s ac re d o ff ic e a t O sta ra 1 99 2. T he p re se nt w or k w as c om p le te d

d ur in g h is te nu re a s S te er sm an . H e h as si nc e p ur su ed v ar ie d in te re sts in

s ch ol ar sh ip a nd m eta llu rg y. J am es h old s a M as te r o f Arts in H isto ry fro m th e

U n iv ersity o f T ex as a t A ustin an d h as tau gh t Art H is to ry a t th e c olle ge l ev el.

H e p re se ntly liv es in H o us to n, T ex as .

Documents

True Hearth