Woden in his role as Wish-Lord from 'The Saxons in England, Volume 1 (1876) by John Mitchell Kemble'
One of the names of Odin in the Old-Norse mythology is Osk, which by an etymological law is equivalent to the German Wunsch, the Anglo Saxon Wisc, and the English Wish. Grimm has shown in the most convincing manner that Wunsch may be considered as a name of Wuotan in Germany; and it is probable that Wúsc or Wísc may have had a similar power here. Among the names in the mythical genealogies we find Wúscfreá, the lord of the wish, and I am even inclined to the belief that Oisc, equivalent to Ésk, the founder of the Kentish line of kings, may be a Jutish name of Wóden in this form,—ésc, or in an earlier form óski, i. e. Wunsch, Wýsc.
One of the names of Odin in the Old-Norse mythology is Osk, which by an etymological law is equivalent to the German Wunsch, the Anglo Saxon Wisc, and the English Wish. Grimm has shown in the most convincing manner that Wunsch may be considered as a name of Wuotan in Germany; and it is probable that Wúsc or Wísc may have had a similar power here. Among the names in the mythical genealogies we find Wúscfreá, the lord of the wish, and I am even inclined to the belief that Oisc, equivalent to Ésk, the founder of the Kentish line of kings, may be a Jutish name of Wóden in this form,—ésc, or in an earlier form óski, i. e. Wunsch, Wýsc.
Weddings were traditionally held on Frīg’s day and in Anglo-Saxon England, the groom’s keys were often given to the bride as part of their wedding vows. The flowers of the cowslip (Primula veris) are said to represent these keys and to many folk cowslips are held sacred to Frīg, hence why cowslips are also called ‘lady’s keys’. In Iceland the giant cowslip is still known as friggjarlykill (Ice. Frīg's keys).
One of the standing stones that flank the sides of the Wayland Smithy longbarrow has this natural hole in it. Smaller stones with similar holes, often collected from beaches are known as Hag stones, also called Adder or Holey stones. Looking through a Hag stone is said to give you the ability to see witches.
Forwarded from Stiðen Āc Heorð
Not to be confused with Blue-Vervain (an American plant) Vervain is native to Europe and is associated with the Blacksmith and especially Weland the Smith. In OE Vervain was referred to as îsenhearde or Iron-hard and was added to water used to quench iron swords, as it was believed it harden the blade. In Germany the plant valerian was also used in sword quenching and was known as Wielandswurz meaning Wayland’s herb.
Forwarded from Stiðen Āc Heorð
A little plant dedicated to Thunor. This flower is called Bugle, a common plant found across Britain. It's believed that the old English name for Bugle was Ðunorclæfre or Thunor's Clover. In English folklore the Bugle was also known as 'Thunder-and-Lightning' which certainly makes the connection with the thunder God Thunor.
Detail of the ALU stamp markings from one of the cremation urns found at Spong Hill, Norfolk. Each rune contains a mirror of itself so that it can be read left-right or right-left. The mark is sometimes referred to as the Norfolk Tiw Runes due to its resemblance to the word 'TIW'.
The true meaning of the ALU formula remains open to debate however the inclusion of ALU runes on Bracteates that often depict the ALUGOD with ravens and horses suggests a connection to Woden, god of the dead, hence the connection with urns. Bracteates are magical amulets and *aluh meant amulet.
Perhaps distantly related to ALU is the Greek word ἀλύω or alúō which means 'to wander the mind', itself cognate with the Latin alūcināri meaning 'to dream' and the root of the word hallucinate.
The true meaning of the ALU formula remains open to debate however the inclusion of ALU runes on Bracteates that often depict the ALUGOD with ravens and horses suggests a connection to Woden, god of the dead, hence the connection with urns. Bracteates are magical amulets and *aluh meant amulet.
Perhaps distantly related to ALU is the Greek word ἀλύω or alúō which means 'to wander the mind', itself cognate with the Latin alūcināri meaning 'to dream' and the root of the word hallucinate.
It is the full moon tonight (fullest at 4.48am tomorrow morning for those in England) and as usual my family hearth will be honouring gods and ancestors.
Hāl wes þū, Frēa!
Hāl wes þū, Frēa!
Forwarded from 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕱𝖔𝖑𝖐 𝖂𝖆𝖞 :ᚠᛟᛚᚴ•ᚹᚨᛄ:
We've got some strong winds today and I wrote a short stave to Woden as the wind driver, cleansing the land of all ills.
Woden wand'ring
far and wide
all ghouls to gale to far off lands.
In winds that wail
and winds that blow
grant frith to hearth and home.
Some new artwork completed this week. First a new pen drawing of Woden, based on the 'Woden' head that's discreetly hidden in the Sutton Hoo Raven, along with an Anglo Saxon scale pattern from the Staffordshire Hoard.
Also complete are these ALU lino prints, based on the ALU rune formula from burial urns found at Spong Hill.
Also complete are these ALU lino prints, based on the ALU rune formula from burial urns found at Spong Hill.
The Swan-Neck Poem by Charles Kingsley (12 June 1819 – 23 January 1875)
Edith the fair or Edith Swan-Neck was said to have identified the body of Harold Godwinson from his tattoos. The custom of tattooing was described by William of Malmesbury in 1125 who writes in his book ‘Gesta Regum Anglorum’ (Deeds of the Kings of the English) that ‘In fine, the English at that time wore short garments reaching to the mid-knee; they had their hair cropped; their beards shaven; their arms laden with golden bracelets; their skin adorned with punctured designs’.
..for Harold Godwinson who fell October 14th.
Evil sped the battle play
On the Pope Calixtus' day;
Mighty war-smiths, thanes and lords,
In Senlac slept the sleep of swords.
Harold Earl, shot over shield,
Lay along the autumn weald;
Slaughter such was never none
Since the Ethelings England won.
Thither Lady Githa came,
Weeping sore for grief and shame;
How may she her first-born tell?
Frenchmen stript him where he fell,
Gashed and marred his comely face;
Who can know him in his place?
Up and spake two brethren wise,
'Youngest hearts have keenest eyes;
Bird which leaves its mother's nest,
Moults its pinions, moults its crest.
Let us call the Swan-neck here,
She that was his leman dear;
She shall know him in this stound;
Foot of wolf, and scent of hound,
Eye of hawk, and wing of dove,
Carry woman to her love.'
Up and spake the Swan-neck high,
'Go! to all your thanes let cry
How I loved him best of all,
I whom men his leman call;
Better knew his body fair
Than the mother which him bare.
When ye lived in wealth and glee
Then ye scorned to look on me;
God hath brought the proud ones low
After me afoot to go.'
Rousing erne and sallow glede,
Rousing gray wolf off his feed,
Over franklin, earl, and thane,
Heaps of mother-naked slain,
Round the red field tracing slow,
Stooped that Swan-neck white as snow;
Never blushed nor turned away,
Till she found him where he lay;
Clipt him in her armes fair,
Wrapt him in her yellow hair,
Bore him from the battle-stead,
Saw him laid in pall of lead,
Took her to a minster high,
For Earl Harold's soul to cry.
Edith the fair or Edith Swan-Neck was said to have identified the body of Harold Godwinson from his tattoos. The custom of tattooing was described by William of Malmesbury in 1125 who writes in his book ‘Gesta Regum Anglorum’ (Deeds of the Kings of the English) that ‘In fine, the English at that time wore short garments reaching to the mid-knee; they had their hair cropped; their beards shaven; their arms laden with golden bracelets; their skin adorned with punctured designs’.
..for Harold Godwinson who fell October 14th.
Evil sped the battle play
On the Pope Calixtus' day;
Mighty war-smiths, thanes and lords,
In Senlac slept the sleep of swords.
Harold Earl, shot over shield,
Lay along the autumn weald;
Slaughter such was never none
Since the Ethelings England won.
Thither Lady Githa came,
Weeping sore for grief and shame;
How may she her first-born tell?
Frenchmen stript him where he fell,
Gashed and marred his comely face;
Who can know him in his place?
Up and spake two brethren wise,
'Youngest hearts have keenest eyes;
Bird which leaves its mother's nest,
Moults its pinions, moults its crest.
Let us call the Swan-neck here,
She that was his leman dear;
She shall know him in this stound;
Foot of wolf, and scent of hound,
Eye of hawk, and wing of dove,
Carry woman to her love.'
Up and spake the Swan-neck high,
'Go! to all your thanes let cry
How I loved him best of all,
I whom men his leman call;
Better knew his body fair
Than the mother which him bare.
When ye lived in wealth and glee
Then ye scorned to look on me;
God hath brought the proud ones low
After me afoot to go.'
Rousing erne and sallow glede,
Rousing gray wolf off his feed,
Over franklin, earl, and thane,
Heaps of mother-naked slain,
Round the red field tracing slow,
Stooped that Swan-neck white as snow;
Never blushed nor turned away,
Till she found him where he lay;
Clipt him in her armes fair,
Wrapt him in her yellow hair,
Bore him from the battle-stead,
Saw him laid in pall of lead,
Took her to a minster high,
For Earl Harold's soul to cry.
Raven mythology shows considerable homogeneity throughout the whole area [northern regions of the northern hemisphere] in spite of differences in detail. The Raven peeps forth from the mists of time and the thickets of mythology, as a bird of slaughter, a storm bird, a sun and fire bird, a messenger, an oracular figure and a craftsman or culture hero.
- Edward A. Armstrong, 'The Folklore of Birds,' 1958
- Edward A. Armstrong, 'The Folklore of Birds,' 1958