Our Female Helpers
*Hamingġe, *Hamingġan “(Personified) Luck” Female Guardian Spirit assigned to us at birth, to witness for us at the Hellþing after death; identical to the Folgestran and Idesa.
Ides, Idesa Protecting female forebears; identical to the *Hamingġe, and Folgestran.
Folgestre, Folgestran ”Follower” Mankind’s guardian spirits; identical to the Idesa and *Hamingġe.
(Lesser) *Norn, *Norne “The Proclaimers” The *Hamingġan, Idesa, and Folgestran who attend births and watch over men.
ON Comparison:
Hamingja, Hamingjur
Dís, Dísir
Fylgja, Fylgjur
Norn, Nornir
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
*Hamingġe, *Hamingġan “(Personified) Luck” Female Guardian Spirit assigned to us at birth, to witness for us at the Hellþing after death; identical to the Folgestran and Idesa.
Ides, Idesa Protecting female forebears; identical to the *Hamingġe, and Folgestran.
Folgestre, Folgestran ”Follower” Mankind’s guardian spirits; identical to the Idesa and *Hamingġe.
(Lesser) *Norn, *Norne “The Proclaimers” The *Hamingġan, Idesa, and Folgestran who attend births and watch over men.
ON Comparison:
Hamingja, Hamingjur
Dís, Dísir
Fylgja, Fylgjur
Norn, Nornir
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Wælcyrġe, Wælcyrġan “Choosers of the Slain”. The lesser norns at Wóden’s or Frówe’s command, led by the Norn, Sċyld, who select warriors on the battlefield to die by weapons and convey them through Hell to Ósġeard if they are worthy. They also lead warriors who have died from non-violent causes on the paths to Wælheall. Once there, they serve mead to those who have become Anherġas.
OE-ON Comparison
⁃ Wælcyrġe, Wælcyrġan - Valkyrja, Valkyrjur
⁃ Wóden - Óðinn
⁃ Frówe - Freyja
⁃ Sċyld - Skuld
⁃ Ósġeard - Ásgarðr
⁃ Wælheall - Valhǫll
⁃ Anhere, Anherġas - Einheri, Einherjar
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
OE-ON Comparison
⁃ Wælcyrġe, Wælcyrġan - Valkyrja, Valkyrjur
⁃ Wóden - Óðinn
⁃ Frówe - Freyja
⁃ Sċyld - Skuld
⁃ Ósġeard - Ásgarðr
⁃ Wælheall - Valhǫll
⁃ Anhere, Anherġas - Einheri, Einherjar
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Forwarded from The Fyrgen • ᚫᛚᚢ:ᚢᛚᚫ
I know most of us don't consider tomorrow strictly Yule, but I read this to my daughters this evening before bed and thought it was worth sharing with you all...
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”
~ C.C. Williford
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”
~ C.C. Williford
Friendship - Part 1
Héanmæðel 24
An unwise man
thinks anyone who laughs with him
is his friend.
He doesn’t understand
that the wise are mocking him,
even when he overhears them.
Héanmæðel 25
An unwise man
thinks anyone who laughs with him
is his friend,
but he won’t find these friends
when he goes to court—
no one will speak on his behalf
Héanmæðel 34
It’s a long and crooked walk
to a bad friend,
even if he lives nearby.
But it’s an easy road
to a good friend,
no matter how long the journey.
Héanmæðel 41
Friends should provide their friends
with weapons and clothing;
this kind of generosity shows.
Generous mutual giving
is the key
to lifelong friendship.
Héanmæðel - Hávamál
‘Sayings of the High-One’
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Héanmæðel 24
An unwise man
thinks anyone who laughs with him
is his friend.
He doesn’t understand
that the wise are mocking him,
even when he overhears them.
Héanmæðel 25
An unwise man
thinks anyone who laughs with him
is his friend,
but he won’t find these friends
when he goes to court—
no one will speak on his behalf
Héanmæðel 34
It’s a long and crooked walk
to a bad friend,
even if he lives nearby.
But it’s an easy road
to a good friend,
no matter how long the journey.
Héanmæðel 41
Friends should provide their friends
with weapons and clothing;
this kind of generosity shows.
Generous mutual giving
is the key
to lifelong friendship.
Héanmæðel - Hávamál
‘Sayings of the High-One’
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
I was asked how I translated Hávamál to Héanmæðel.
Háva is the singular weak genitive of hár, i.e. the possessive of ‘High’, so literally ‘High’s’ or ‘The High-One’s’ (a reference to Wóden). In OE, this translates as Héan.
Mál, in this context, is ‘speech’ and ‘mæðel’ is the direct OE cognate, meaning ‘speech’, ‘address’, ‘conversation’, both stemming from the PGmc *maþlą meaning ‘speech’.
Meaning ‘Sayings of the High-One’.
Héanmæðel - /hæ͜ɑːn.ˈmæ.ðel/
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Háva is the singular weak genitive of hár, i.e. the possessive of ‘High’, so literally ‘High’s’ or ‘The High-One’s’ (a reference to Wóden). In OE, this translates as Héan.
Mál, in this context, is ‘speech’ and ‘mæðel’ is the direct OE cognate, meaning ‘speech’, ‘address’, ‘conversation’, both stemming from the PGmc *maþlą meaning ‘speech’.
Meaning ‘Sayings of the High-One’.
Héanmæðel - /hæ͜ɑːn.ˈmæ.ðel/
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Friendship - Part 2
Héanmæðel 42
Be a friend to your friend,
and repay each gift with a gift.
Repay laughter with laughter,
repay treachery with treachery
Héanmæðel 43
Be a friend to your friend and also to his friend, but never be a friend to the enemy of your friend
Héanmæðel 44
If you have a good friend, and trust him, and want good to come of your friendship,
you should speak your mind with him, exchange gifts and visit him often
Héanmæðel 45
But if you have another friend,
and you mistrust him but want to benefit from him, you should speak to him kindly, flatter him, and repay his treachery with your own
Héanmæðel 46
This same friend, if you mistrust him, and suspect him to be false in his words: you should talk with him, laugh with him, but repay just what he gives you
Héanmæðel 51
The friendship among false friends
burns warmly for five days,
but then it’s extinguished by the sixth day, and the friendship is over
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Héanmæðel 42
Be a friend to your friend,
and repay each gift with a gift.
Repay laughter with laughter,
repay treachery with treachery
Héanmæðel 43
Be a friend to your friend and also to his friend, but never be a friend to the enemy of your friend
Héanmæðel 44
If you have a good friend, and trust him, and want good to come of your friendship,
you should speak your mind with him, exchange gifts and visit him often
Héanmæðel 45
But if you have another friend,
and you mistrust him but want to benefit from him, you should speak to him kindly, flatter him, and repay his treachery with your own
Héanmæðel 46
This same friend, if you mistrust him, and suspect him to be false in his words: you should talk with him, laugh with him, but repay just what he gives you
Héanmæðel 51
The friendship among false friends
burns warmly for five days,
but then it’s extinguished by the sixth day, and the friendship is over
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Friendship - Part 3
Héanmæðel 52
You should not give only big gifts;
often a little thing will win you favor. I have won friends with just half a loaf of bread and a bowl of soup.
Héanmæðel 67
I’ve been invited to a friend’s home, as long as I had no need for food, or as long as I could make
my inhospitable host’s cellars
fuller rather than emptier.
Héanmæðel 119
If you have a friend and you trust him, go and visit him often.
Weeds and high grass will grow on a path that nobody travels.
Héanmæðel 122
Never be the first to break
friendship with your friend.
Sadness will eat up your heart
if you have no one you can talk to.
Héanmæðel 124
Men become friends when they can share their minds with one another.
Anything is better than being lied to: a real friend will disagree with you openly.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Héanmæðel 52
You should not give only big gifts;
often a little thing will win you favor. I have won friends with just half a loaf of bread and a bowl of soup.
Héanmæðel 67
I’ve been invited to a friend’s home, as long as I had no need for food, or as long as I could make
my inhospitable host’s cellars
fuller rather than emptier.
Héanmæðel 119
If you have a friend and you trust him, go and visit him often.
Weeds and high grass will grow on a path that nobody travels.
Héanmæðel 122
Never be the first to break
friendship with your friend.
Sadness will eat up your heart
if you have no one you can talk to.
Héanmæðel 124
Men become friends when they can share their minds with one another.
Anything is better than being lied to: a real friend will disagree with you openly.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Wóden’s Ravens - Part 1
(with parenthetical Old English )
Gylfaginning 38
The ravens sit on his shoulders and say into his ear all the tidings which they see or hear; they are called thus: Huginn and Muninn (Hyġe and Myne). He sends them at day-break to fly about all the world, and they come back at undern-meal; thus he is acquainted with many tidings
Skáldskaparmál 60
These are names of the raven: Crow, Huginn, Muninn (Hyġe, Myne), Bold of Mood, Yearly Flier, Year-Teller, Flesh-Boder
And as he sang further:
but the King's heart swelleth,
his spirit flushed with battle,
where heroes shrink; dark Muninn (Myne) drinks blood from out the wounds
Ynglingasaga Ch. 7
He had two ravens, to whom he had taught the speech of man; and they flew far and wide through the land, and brought him the news
Third Grammatical Treatise
Two ravens flew from Hnikar’s (Wóden’s) shoulders; Huginn (Hyġ) to the hanged and Muninn (Myne) to the slain
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
(with parenthetical Old English )
Gylfaginning 38
The ravens sit on his shoulders and say into his ear all the tidings which they see or hear; they are called thus: Huginn and Muninn (Hyġe and Myne). He sends them at day-break to fly about all the world, and they come back at undern-meal; thus he is acquainted with many tidings
Skáldskaparmál 60
These are names of the raven: Crow, Huginn, Muninn (Hyġe, Myne), Bold of Mood, Yearly Flier, Year-Teller, Flesh-Boder
And as he sang further:
but the King's heart swelleth,
his spirit flushed with battle,
where heroes shrink; dark Muninn (Myne) drinks blood from out the wounds
Ynglingasaga Ch. 7
He had two ravens, to whom he had taught the speech of man; and they flew far and wide through the land, and brought him the news
Third Grammatical Treatise
Two ravens flew from Hnikar’s (Wóden’s) shoulders; Huginn (Hyġ) to the hanged and Muninn (Myne) to the slain
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Wóden’s Ravens - Part 2
(with parenthetical Old English )
Grímnismál 20
Huginn and Muninn (Hyġ and Myne)
fly every day
over Jǫrmungrund (Eormengrund);
I dread about Huginn (Hyġe)
lest he never return,
yet I am more afraid for Muninn (Myne)
Wóden fears the day his mind leaves him, he more fears the day he loses his longing & love for life. The Ravens are manifestations of his mind, likely received from his sacrifice when he hung upon the tree. Wóden is a roaming god who searches for knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and answers to that which he seeks. He values his rational mind, but more so cherishes his inner desire to understand that which he does not know.
ON Huginn - the mind (with thoughts); mood, heart, temper, feeling, affection; desire, wish
OE Hyġe - mind, heart, soul
* memory is likely a function of the Hyġe
ON Muninn - the mind; a mind, longing, delight; love
OE Myne - mind, desire, love
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
(with parenthetical Old English )
Grímnismál 20
Huginn and Muninn (Hyġ and Myne)
fly every day
over Jǫrmungrund (Eormengrund);
I dread about Huginn (Hyġe)
lest he never return,
yet I am more afraid for Muninn (Myne)
Wóden fears the day his mind leaves him, he more fears the day he loses his longing & love for life. The Ravens are manifestations of his mind, likely received from his sacrifice when he hung upon the tree. Wóden is a roaming god who searches for knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and answers to that which he seeks. He values his rational mind, but more so cherishes his inner desire to understand that which he does not know.
ON Huginn - the mind (with thoughts); mood, heart, temper, feeling, affection; desire, wish
OE Hyġe - mind, heart, soul
* memory is likely a function of the Hyġe
ON Muninn - the mind; a mind, longing, delight; love
OE Myne - mind, desire, love
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Our gods are a family, connected by mǽġða, oathed in holy tréow, bound by the law of orleġ, and rulers over creation. When we look upon ourselves, our house, our folk - do we emulate our gods? Look around, the time is now to stand up and reclaim what is ours; to rediscover our heritage and work to build our culture. Our children’s lives hang in the balance.
Ós, Ésa - The highest of the divine mǽġða; primarily, though not solely, deities of valor and protection.
Ós, literally means (a) god & is symbolized by the ᚩ rune and represents the letter Oo
Ós “god”
Ésa “gods”
Ósa (one) “god’s”
Ésa (more than one) “god’s”
OE-ON Comparison:
Tréow - Trúnaðr
Ós, Ésa - Áss, Æsir
Mǽġþ, Mǽġða - Ætt, Ættir
*a Mǽġþ is a Clan
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Ós, Ésa - The highest of the divine mǽġða; primarily, though not solely, deities of valor and protection.
Ós, literally means (a) god & is symbolized by the ᚩ rune and represents the letter Oo
Ós “god”
Ésa “gods”
Ósa (one) “god’s”
Ésa (more than one) “god’s”
OE-ON Comparison:
Tréow - Trúnaðr
Ós, Ésa - Áss, Æsir
Mǽġþ, Mǽġða - Ætt, Ættir
*a Mǽġþ is a Clan
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
The Gods of Fertility, Peace, & Love
A man is only as powerful as he can change his environment, strong as his masculinity & virility, and smart as his will to learn. He is as successful, and able to be called a man, as he can provide, protect, teach, & love his wife & children. Oathed to his house in complete loyalty.
A woman is only as powerful as she can change her environment, strong as her femininity & fecundity, and smart as her will to learn. She is as successful, and able to be honored & exalted as a lady, as she can guide, counsel, & love her man, & nurture, protect, teach, & love her children. Oathed to her house in complete loyalty.
Wan, Wanas The Fertility Gods & 2nd highest of the divine mǽġða. Their function is primarily focused on the natural order and regulation of nature & gods of peace and love.
Wan “god”
Wanas “gods”
Wanes (one) “god’s”
Wana (more than one) “gods’”
OE-ON Comparison:
Wan, Wanas - Áss, Æsir
Mǽġþ, Mǽġða - Ætt, Ættir
*a Mǽġþ is a Clan
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
A man is only as powerful as he can change his environment, strong as his masculinity & virility, and smart as his will to learn. He is as successful, and able to be called a man, as he can provide, protect, teach, & love his wife & children. Oathed to his house in complete loyalty.
A woman is only as powerful as she can change her environment, strong as her femininity & fecundity, and smart as her will to learn. She is as successful, and able to be honored & exalted as a lady, as she can guide, counsel, & love her man, & nurture, protect, teach, & love her children. Oathed to her house in complete loyalty.
Wan, Wanas The Fertility Gods & 2nd highest of the divine mǽġða. Their function is primarily focused on the natural order and regulation of nature & gods of peace and love.
Wan “god”
Wanas “gods”
Wanes (one) “god’s”
Wana (more than one) “gods’”
OE-ON Comparison:
Wan, Wanas - Áss, Æsir
Mǽġþ, Mǽġða - Ætt, Ættir
*a Mǽġþ is a Clan
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
❤1
The Nature Artists - Part 1
Ylf, Ylfe - Descended from Mimor and Seonumare and the third of the Teutonic divine Mǽġða. The Ylfe are of lower status, but can rise higher, via deeds or marriage. They are the sworn helpers of the Gods, oathed in loyalty, and the greatest nature artists and heroes.
Landwyht, Landwyhtu - a branch of the Ylfe living in Middanġeard and connected to the land. Some are connected to properties or homes, while others are linked to forests or bodies of water.
OE-ON Comparison:
Ylf, Ylfe - Alfr, Alfar
Mimor - Mímir
Seonumare - Sinmara
Mǽġþ, Mǽġða - Ætt, Ættir
* a mǽġþ is a clan
Landwyht, Landwyhtu - Landvættr, Landvættir
Middanġeard - Miðgarðr
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Ylf, Ylfe - Descended from Mimor and Seonumare and the third of the Teutonic divine Mǽġða. The Ylfe are of lower status, but can rise higher, via deeds or marriage. They are the sworn helpers of the Gods, oathed in loyalty, and the greatest nature artists and heroes.
Landwyht, Landwyhtu - a branch of the Ylfe living in Middanġeard and connected to the land. Some are connected to properties or homes, while others are linked to forests or bodies of water.
OE-ON Comparison:
Ylf, Ylfe - Alfr, Alfar
Mimor - Mímir
Seonumare - Sinmara
Mǽġþ, Mǽġða - Ætt, Ættir
* a mǽġþ is a clan
Landwyht, Landwyhtu - Landvættr, Landvættir
Middanġeard - Miðgarðr
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
The Nature Artists - Part 2
Are the Ylfe our Male Ancestors?
Much of history is indeed lost or obscured, which makes it difficult to reclaim that which we have lost and rediscover that which has been stolen. The idea that the Ylfe are our male ancestors is rooted in the folklore of our forebears. Folklore is a mix of truth and fiction; originally utilized as a way to preserve our history in a way where it could be hidden in plain sight. A folk begins with living in truth, then when obfuscation occurs, we hold on tight to what we know is true, but this is when the obscuring takes place, both intentionally by the offending party and unintentionally by the innocent party. The slide continues until we reach where we are today where the overwhelming masses are amnesiac to their history, have abandoned their culture, forgotten their ancestors, and have embraced chaotic emptiness of degeneracy. The slide is seen as such - Truth is in the Lore and Skaldic Poetry, or any other text written by Heathen authors. Then, sliding a bit further we have the Sagas, where a dual-faith was practiced. This is where we have embellishments, half-truths, and when foreign elements begin to be woven into the truth. It’s just enough to both make a good entertaining story, set hold enough Heathen truth and historical accuracy to be a valuable research tool. Even with the embellishments, the truth is there, in plain sight, for all who seek. Next, is when the folk have forgotten much of their past, having adopted a foreign creed, and it’s various ideologies, but in their subconscious, in their blood, manifested in the traditions they perform, and through the faint whisperings in their ears from their ancestors and gods, folklore emerges. Folklore is seen as fiction, and rightly so, for much of it is, but in its depths are kernels of ancient truths and nuggets of Heathen wisdom. It’s as if the truth sits on the bottom of a lake, resting on the Sandy floor, waiting to be brought to the surface. One just has to make the dive and analyze the texts. One such example is the motif of fairy godmothers, where they work with fate; reminiscent of the Norns of Orlæġ, Wyrd, Weorðende, and Sċyld. Until finally, the stories become pure fiction with tales of Sherlock Holmes, Superman, Lord of The Rings, or the Matrix. Yet even Sherlock inspired us to seek truth, Superman, akin to Béowulf, tells us to be honorable & brave, Lord of the Rings inspires us to remember our ancient ways, and the Matrix begs us to break free from our chains and return home. To complete the circle, I don’t believe that the Ylfe began as our ancestors, but we do have tales of the gods siring children with the daughters of man. It’s possible that this folkloric belief is rooted in the ancestral memory of when the gods sired family lines in Middanġeard. One such example is found in Þáttr Ólafs Geirstaða Alfs, where King Ólaf rides past his forebear and namesake’s burial mound. His forebear, is now called Ólaf Geirstaðaálfr - “Olaf, the Elf of Geirstad.” This noscript implies the ylfen state of Ólaf’s forefather. The text also implies that King Ólaf is the reincarnation of Ólaf Geirstaðaálfr. One thing is certain however, we must never give up in our quest to uncover our past, for in doing so, we wake up to the beauty of life and become as a blind man seeing color for the first time or a deaf child first hearing her mother’s voice. The richness of learning of our heritage is joy unspeakable.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
Are the Ylfe our Male Ancestors?
Much of history is indeed lost or obscured, which makes it difficult to reclaim that which we have lost and rediscover that which has been stolen. The idea that the Ylfe are our male ancestors is rooted in the folklore of our forebears. Folklore is a mix of truth and fiction; originally utilized as a way to preserve our history in a way where it could be hidden in plain sight. A folk begins with living in truth, then when obfuscation occurs, we hold on tight to what we know is true, but this is when the obscuring takes place, both intentionally by the offending party and unintentionally by the innocent party. The slide continues until we reach where we are today where the overwhelming masses are amnesiac to their history, have abandoned their culture, forgotten their ancestors, and have embraced chaotic emptiness of degeneracy. The slide is seen as such - Truth is in the Lore and Skaldic Poetry, or any other text written by Heathen authors. Then, sliding a bit further we have the Sagas, where a dual-faith was practiced. This is where we have embellishments, half-truths, and when foreign elements begin to be woven into the truth. It’s just enough to both make a good entertaining story, set hold enough Heathen truth and historical accuracy to be a valuable research tool. Even with the embellishments, the truth is there, in plain sight, for all who seek. Next, is when the folk have forgotten much of their past, having adopted a foreign creed, and it’s various ideologies, but in their subconscious, in their blood, manifested in the traditions they perform, and through the faint whisperings in their ears from their ancestors and gods, folklore emerges. Folklore is seen as fiction, and rightly so, for much of it is, but in its depths are kernels of ancient truths and nuggets of Heathen wisdom. It’s as if the truth sits on the bottom of a lake, resting on the Sandy floor, waiting to be brought to the surface. One just has to make the dive and analyze the texts. One such example is the motif of fairy godmothers, where they work with fate; reminiscent of the Norns of Orlæġ, Wyrd, Weorðende, and Sċyld. Until finally, the stories become pure fiction with tales of Sherlock Holmes, Superman, Lord of The Rings, or the Matrix. Yet even Sherlock inspired us to seek truth, Superman, akin to Béowulf, tells us to be honorable & brave, Lord of the Rings inspires us to remember our ancient ways, and the Matrix begs us to break free from our chains and return home. To complete the circle, I don’t believe that the Ylfe began as our ancestors, but we do have tales of the gods siring children with the daughters of man. It’s possible that this folkloric belief is rooted in the ancestral memory of when the gods sired family lines in Middanġeard. One such example is found in Þáttr Ólafs Geirstaða Alfs, where King Ólaf rides past his forebear and namesake’s burial mound. His forebear, is now called Ólaf Geirstaðaálfr - “Olaf, the Elf of Geirstad.” This noscript implies the ylfen state of Ólaf’s forefather. The text also implies that King Ólaf is the reincarnation of Ólaf Geirstaðaálfr. One thing is certain however, we must never give up in our quest to uncover our past, for in doing so, we wake up to the beauty of life and become as a blind man seeing color for the first time or a deaf child first hearing her mother’s voice. The richness of learning of our heritage is joy unspeakable.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
The Nature Artists - Part 3
We are a folk of nature, not one of brick and concrete. Although our forebears created and built the world’s greatest and most beautiful architectural wonders, we are most at home when outside. We are at peace when we feel the warmth of the sun on our face or the cool breeze washing over us. The smell of a flower or salty ocean mist can heal our ills. We find inspiration in the birdsong or the sound of windy pines. It is of no surprise that our harrows and sacred henges were in the woods and holy leas. Let us embrace our heritage, feel the homecoming call, and build our culture upon the foundation of Folcsida. It can begin with something as simple as honoring the Ylfe by respecting and enjoying nature and making a habit of leaving offerings to the Landwyhtu and Húswyhtu.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
We are a folk of nature, not one of brick and concrete. Although our forebears created and built the world’s greatest and most beautiful architectural wonders, we are most at home when outside. We are at peace when we feel the warmth of the sun on our face or the cool breeze washing over us. The smell of a flower or salty ocean mist can heal our ills. We find inspiration in the birdsong or the sound of windy pines. It is of no surprise that our harrows and sacred henges were in the woods and holy leas. Let us embrace our heritage, feel the homecoming call, and build our culture upon the foundation of Folcsida. It can begin with something as simple as honoring the Ylfe by respecting and enjoying nature and making a habit of leaving offerings to the Landwyhtu and Húswyhtu.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
The Forces of Chaos - Part 1
The Eotenas are the Eaters, or Giants. There are two Eoten races. The higher-born were created from Wóma’s arms, descended from Mimor & Bæstel, and are deserving of divine honors. In status they are equal to the Ylfe and can rise to a higher status. The lower-born, known as the Þyrsas, were created from Wóma’s feet & are the enemies of the Gods
We must be careful, as trolls walk among us, looking to do harm. I had an encounter with a troll once. He was +/- 5’ 7”; very ugly. Upon sight, you knew what he was. He was looking for someone; maybe me, I didn’t know. I knew he was dangerous. I was wearing my Norse Œgishjalmr hat patch, and necklace. Now, this symbol is debated, but I prayed to the gods for a cloak of invisibility & protection. It worked. He was inches from me and couldn’t see me.
OE-ON Comparison:
Eoten, Eotenas - Jǫtunn, Jǫtnar
Wóma - Ymir
Mimor - Mímir
Bæstle - Bestla
Þrýþġylla - Þrúðgelmir
Þyrs, Þyrsas - Þurs, Þursar (aka Trolls)
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
The Eotenas are the Eaters, or Giants. There are two Eoten races. The higher-born were created from Wóma’s arms, descended from Mimor & Bæstel, and are deserving of divine honors. In status they are equal to the Ylfe and can rise to a higher status. The lower-born, known as the Þyrsas, were created from Wóma’s feet & are the enemies of the Gods
We must be careful, as trolls walk among us, looking to do harm. I had an encounter with a troll once. He was +/- 5’ 7”; very ugly. Upon sight, you knew what he was. He was looking for someone; maybe me, I didn’t know. I knew he was dangerous. I was wearing my Norse Œgishjalmr hat patch, and necklace. Now, this symbol is debated, but I prayed to the gods for a cloak of invisibility & protection. It worked. He was inches from me and couldn’t see me.
OE-ON Comparison:
Eoten, Eotenas - Jǫtunn, Jǫtnar
Wóma - Ymir
Mimor - Mímir
Bæstle - Bestla
Þrýþġylla - Þrúðgelmir
Þyrs, Þyrsas - Þurs, Þursar (aka Trolls)
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
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Forwarded from Æhtemen
Interesting post from The Frithstead above. In christian Anglo-Saxon texts, as well as heathen Norse sagas there are references to a 'Helmet of Invisibility' or Heoloðhelm in Old English. The OE, OSaxon root 'helan' meant 'to hide'. As the Helmet was able to cover entire boats and crews, we know the Helmet of Invisibility was a magical art or invocation -
Thorstein then bade them not to hide him: “For I can make myself a ‘helmet of invisibility,’ that no one may see me.” Goðmundr called that good magical knowledge. - Þorsteins þáttr bæjarmagns, 5
Eyvindr made them a “helmet of invisibility” and a great dark fog, so that
the king and his men should not be able to see them. - Ólafs saga Tryggvasonar, 63
Kerling had command over the host, and she put a “helmet of invisibility”
over the ship while they rowed over the fjord to Hofstaðir - Gull-Þoris saga, 17
Thorstein then bade them not to hide him: “For I can make myself a ‘helmet of invisibility,’ that no one may see me.” Goðmundr called that good magical knowledge. - Þorsteins þáttr bæjarmagns, 5
Eyvindr made them a “helmet of invisibility” and a great dark fog, so that
the king and his men should not be able to see them. - Ólafs saga Tryggvasonar, 63
Kerling had command over the host, and she put a “helmet of invisibility”
over the ship while they rowed over the fjord to Hofstaðir - Gull-Þoris saga, 17
The Forces of Chaos - Part 2
In the chat group, I was asked about my prayer. Was informal; how Xtians “talk” to Jesus. Young in my Heathen path, I lacked knowledge & understood less, but I knew we were in danger. We were at a small club in a big city; hundreds packed shoulder to shoulder. It wasn’t spoken, but I sent out intention and believed our gods would hear. This is magic, sending intention, seeking result, but this was before I understood gift for a gift. The experience encouraged me in my Heathen life; another moment, which led me to to where I am now
The questioner’s response resonated:
“The Allfather must have seen what would come to pass if he protected you, saw that it would gain him a loyal follower and make a measure of progress toward his eventual return, so despite no gift being offered, he must have reasoned that his help would be repaid sufficiently in future”
Trust the gods; they see more than we do. We cannot fight Fate - it marches on
thefrithstead.com
In the chat group, I was asked about my prayer. Was informal; how Xtians “talk” to Jesus. Young in my Heathen path, I lacked knowledge & understood less, but I knew we were in danger. We were at a small club in a big city; hundreds packed shoulder to shoulder. It wasn’t spoken, but I sent out intention and believed our gods would hear. This is magic, sending intention, seeking result, but this was before I understood gift for a gift. The experience encouraged me in my Heathen life; another moment, which led me to to where I am now
The questioner’s response resonated:
“The Allfather must have seen what would come to pass if he protected you, saw that it would gain him a loyal follower and make a measure of progress toward his eventual return, so despite no gift being offered, he must have reasoned that his help would be repaid sufficiently in future”
Trust the gods; they see more than we do. We cannot fight Fate - it marches on
thefrithstead.com
🔥1
The Forces of Chaos - Part 3
The Eotenas are the enemies of the gods and man. The Higher powers are separated by tribal affiliations, just as we are. Allegiances are made and each are bound by that choice. One cannot simply honor the Eotenas because some of the gods are “Part Eoten”. Either we’re loyal to the gods or we’re not. Wóden, Hanwer, and Léod claim descent through both the god and eoten lines; however, when two opposing forces join, a choice will have to be made; one cannot serve two masters. Wóden is the Ealfæder & king of the Ésa. Hanwer, aligned with Wóden and fathered the Wanas. Léod, father of the Ylfe & Dweorgas (Dvergar), however, rebelled and aligned as the Eotenas. We either follow the gods or we do not. Honoring the Éotanas, such as Loga (Loki) or Goldwǽġe (Gullveig) is to declare oneself an enemy of the gods and man and won’t bode well for you at the Helþing. Rise up and take a stand. We cannot walk both paths. Declare your spiritual choice.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead
The Eotenas are the enemies of the gods and man. The Higher powers are separated by tribal affiliations, just as we are. Allegiances are made and each are bound by that choice. One cannot simply honor the Eotenas because some of the gods are “Part Eoten”. Either we’re loyal to the gods or we’re not. Wóden, Hanwer, and Léod claim descent through both the god and eoten lines; however, when two opposing forces join, a choice will have to be made; one cannot serve two masters. Wóden is the Ealfæder & king of the Ésa. Hanwer, aligned with Wóden and fathered the Wanas. Léod, father of the Ylfe & Dweorgas (Dvergar), however, rebelled and aligned as the Eotenas. We either follow the gods or we do not. Honoring the Éotanas, such as Loga (Loki) or Goldwǽġe (Gullveig) is to declare oneself an enemy of the gods and man and won’t bode well for you at the Helþing. Rise up and take a stand. We cannot walk both paths. Declare your spiritual choice.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead