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Embrace the struggle and be the alpha you were born to be.

The Dweorgas, or Dwarves, are the ancient smiths who are the creators of fertility objects and natural vegetation. They came to life in the soil under the earth, finding life in *Ġyme’s flesh, and live in the earth and rocks. They were created by Mimor and Dúren-Sweart. It’s said that the Dweorgas weren’t allowed to drink the sacred mead, which resulted in many of them rebelling against the gods. The Dweorgas are similar to the Ylfe in their role within the cosmos; being nature artists.

OE-ON Comparison

Dweorg, Dweorgas - Dvergr, Dvergar
*Ġyme - Ymir
Mimor - Mímir
*Dúren - Durinn
Sweart - Surtr
Ylf, Ylfe - Alfr, Álfar

A great post (above) from the Frithstead regarding dwarves. As I once posted the term dwarf doesn’t have any non-Germanic cognates – but there is a PIE root *dhwergwhos which meant ‘something small’ – though there maybe a connection with an Old Indian word ‘dhvaras’.

Many of the dwarf names in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings came from the Dvergatal of the Völuspá -

There was Motsognir | the mightiest made
Of all the dwarfs, | and Durin next;
Many a likeness | of men they made,
The dwarfs in the earth, | as Durin said.

Nyi and Nithi, | Northri and Suthri,
Austri and Vestri, | Althjof, Dvalin,
Nar and Nain, | Niping, Dain,
Bifur, Bofur, | Bombur, Nori,
An and Onar, | Ai, Mjothvitnir.

Vigg and Gandalf | Vindalf, Thrain,
Thekk and Thorin, | Thror, Vit and Lit,
Nyr and Nyrath,– | now have I told–
Regin and Rathsvith– | the list aright.

Fili, Kili, | Fundin, Nali,
Hepti, Vili, | Hannar, Sviur,
(Billing, Bruni, | Bildr and Buri,)
Frar, Hornbori, | Fræg and Loni,
Aurvang, Jari, | Eikinskjaldi.

The race of the dwarfs | in Dvalin’s throng
Down to Lofar | the list must I tell;
The rocks they left, | and through wet lands
They sought a home | in the fields of sand.

There were Draupnir | and Dolgthrasir,
Hor, Haugspori, | Hlevang, Gloin,
Dori, Ori, | Duf, Andvari,
Skirfir, Virfir, | Skafith, Ai.

Alf and Yngvi, | Eikinskjaldi,
Fjalar and Frosti, | Finn and Ginnar;
So for all time | shall the tale be known,
The list of all | the forbears of Lofar.

The Wanderers Hávamál by Jackson Crawford

Anglo-Saxon woman in garb - the costume recreation is based on finds from Gipping Valley area. Photo Credit: Wulfheodenas, Ipswich Museum

All rites begin with the establishment of a sacred area, unless they take place in a pre-established space like a temple. This American Anglo-Saxon heathen group uses the Wéonede Song by Swain Wodening. Lyrics in Old English below with translation beneath that.




Fyr ic bere ymb friðgearde,
Ond béode men frið fremman,
Líeg ic bere tó belúcan,
Béode ælwihta fléogan aweg.
Þunor wéoh, Þunor wéoh,
Þunor wéoh þisne ealh.


Fyr ic bere ymb friðgearde,
Ond béode men frið fremman,
Líeg ic bere tó belúcan,
Béode utlaga féran aweg.
Þunor wéoh, Þunor wéoh,
Þunor wéoh þisne ealh.
Þunor wéoh, Þunor wéoh,
Þunor wéoh þisne ealh.


Fire I bear around this sacred site,
And bid all men make peace,
Flame I bear to enclose,
And bid evil spirits to flee
Thor make sacred, Thor make sacred,
Thor make sacred this holy site


Fire I bear around this sacred site,
And bid all men make peace,
Flame I bear to enclose,
And bid outlaws fare away.
Thor make sacred, Thor make sacred,
Thor make sacred this holy site.
Thor make sacred, Thor make sacred,
Thor make sacred this holy site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6mTxvgrBiw

We, as a Northern folk, embrace life’s harshness, no matter how cold and hard it gets. We don’t run or hide from our struggles, but tackle them head on, even when inside we might be crying, feeling crushed, or feel our hope slipping away. Sometimes we have to ‘fake it, until we make it’, but that’s how strength is built, like steel forged in fire; how we become conquerers and creators of beauty, goodness, and life. It’s how we honor, emulate, and carry on that which Háma-Ríg brought us. We forge ahead and be who we are - creators of culture.

Based on the German poem by Otto Ernst, Wintermärchen speaks of a bluebird who stays in the cold northland while the rest fly toward the warm southland sun.

“On a bare rock below the stars
There sat amidst the raw winter wind
A bluebird, and I asked:
'Why don't you wander away?
 
Why do you stay, as the storms
Roll over meadows and fields,
While in the south far away there beckons
A beautiful sunny world?'
 
It gave an answer in a gentle tone
'Because I am not like the others,
Who, with tides and fortunes
Change their lighthearted minds.
 
There, they follow the Sun
Restless, from land to land,
They never have recognized
The still light in their own hearts.
 
It glows inside me with an eternal shine
- even when night falls over the Earth,
I sing, while the snow flakes fall,
Alone, a dreamy song.
 
Your eye also shines brightly,
Though your cheek may be pale;
It does show an inner glance
Into the eternal Realm of the Sun.
 
Let us live here together,
And a song from time to time
Let us sing of a withered bough,
That gloss of eternity.
 
Let us live here together,
And a song from times of yore
Let us sing of a withered bough,
That gloss of eternity”

https://youtu.be/yi9DQTjHOgA

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

The right eye of the Sutton Hoo Mask has a curious feature, and pointed out by Stephen Pollington in 'The Elder Gods'. Both eyes have garnets set around the edges, but the right eye has garnets backed by gold foil. It is doubtful if this is a mistake, but a deliberate means to allow the eye to stand out - when the light of a blazing torch shines on it. In fact this fits exactly with one of the denoscriptions given of Woden - Fyrgoge meaning 'Fire-Eye'.

After more than 1,000 years, this English pub is closing its doors

The oldest English pub in Britain is closing due to financial problems.

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans, just north of London, has been in business since 793 AD. Now, its doors are closed "after a sustained period of extremely challenging trading conditions," according to a statement from landlord Christo Tofalli

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

Anglo-Saxon Religious Leaders - Part 1

Blótere
[blow-tare-eh] • /ˈbloː.te.re/

A Blótere is a noscript for one who sacrifices, or Blóts. For Mǽġþ (Clan) or greater public observances, Blóteras are religious leaders trained in performing Blót. They know the gods, know the lore, and are trained in understanding the connections between the symbols and examples found within the Lore and within the natural world, in order to properly communicate with the gods and relay the information to the folk. In essence, they are the bridge, or conduit, between the higher powers and the folk. In private observances, within the inhíréd, or family household, the elder father or grandfather takes on this role as the de facto Blótere.

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

Anglo-Saxon Religious Leaders - Part 2

Ǽweweard
[æːweh-wærd] • /æːwe.wæ͜ɑrd/

An Ǽweweard is a noscript for a Priest and guardian of the divine law. This noscript is seen in the Old High German, Éowart. Ǽwe or Ǽw means law or that which is established by law. Interestingly, the word was connected to marriage, highlighting the importance of folk-unions. Weard is our modern English word Ward, & carries the same meaning of protecting and guarding in the sense of keeping something safe.
For Mǽġþ (Clan) or greater public religious observances & Þings, Ǽweweardas are religious leaders trained in knowing, understanding, and practicing the law. These are the judges, lawyers, and advisors. They know the gods, religious lore, folk-law, & folk-history. Ǽweweardas are trained in understanding how to lead, administrate, and counsel the folk for their benefit & survival. They work with the gods and the folk-rulers to ensure the safety and maintenance of the folk.
https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead