@All The PNW Wolfpack is in the process of building the first heathen Hoff from the ground up on land that we own. We are breaking ground on March 5th. We currently have a fundraiser to purchase some building material that we need to complete the build. We are currently at about 45% of our goal. I wanted to share this fundraiser with this group and if you are able to help us build something great for our folk in the Pacific Northwest and The children to come in the future, please consider donating and helping us reach our goal.

You can donate here: https://pnwkindreds.com/campaigns/pnw-wolfpack-hof-fundraiser

The Staffordshire Saxon.

The Frithstead is officially apolitical, but given the circumstances, European folk need to let it go & stop the bloodshed. Let us unite in our diversity and preserve & strengthen ourselves in all our cultural expressions. Hail our folk, for we are all one extended family and if we continue to kill, or play power-politics with each other, then all hope is lost and I, for one, choose to remain hopeful.

Traditionally, if a woman wore a Mjölnir pendant it would be on her belt as a fertility rite.
A woman's grave excavation in Guilton in England’s southeastern county of Kent, showed this. These were dated to 6th century the women had miniature Thor's hammers on their belt.

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 1

Flateyjarbók records that in times of grief, our forebears hung a mourning banner:

“The men sat drinking as long as they liked that night, and then went to bed ; but after they had left the hall Queen Thyri took down the hangings, and instead put up black and grey cloth until all was covered. She had done this because it was the custom in those days when tidings of grief came to do as she did."

Our sources tell us that a “black and grey cloth” was used, but was there a symbol that represented death & mourning?

Culturally, the Yew tree has served this purpose.

What does the past say of these symbols?

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 2

The Yew Tree in the Rune Poems

The Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
ᛇ Eoh byþ utan unsmeþe treow,
heard hrusan fæst, hyrde fyres,
wyrtrumun underwreþyd, wyn on eþle

ᛇ The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate

The Icelandic Rune Poem:
ᛦ Ýr er bendr bogi
ok brotgjarnt járn
ok fífu fárbauti.
arcus ynglingr

ᛦ Yew
bent bow
and brittle iron
and giant of the arrow.

The Norwegian Rune Poem:
ᛦ Ýr er vetrgrønstr viða;
vænt er, er brennr, at sviða.

ᛦ Yew is the greenest of trees in winter;
it is wont to crackle when it burns

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 3

In looking at the Yew tree within the rune poems, they speak of its strength, “Bent bow” and “Giant of the arrow”, of “Greenest of trees in winter” and of its strength, “hard and fast in the earth”, & when burned, a “Guardian of flame”. Yews are associated with the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, as not only does it live for thousands of years, but its drooping branches of old yew trees can root and form new trunks where they touch the ground. Since ancient times, Yews were planted around religious sites and cemeteries, to both keep out wandering livestock and the believe that the trees’ toxic needles would prevent the appearance of ghosts or apparitions by sucking the nourishment from the dead. Carrying over into medieval times, the dead were buried with yew shoots, with yew leaves covering the graves and bodies.

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 4

The Yew as a symbol of death?

The English, in agreement with the Icelandic rune poem, “bent bow
and brittle iron and giant of the arrow”, used the Yew to make their famous longbow, which was the driving force behind major military tactical changes during the Hundred Years War (1337 CE –1453 CE). So strong is the cultural connection of the Yew tree with death, Shakespeare, in his play, The Tragedie of Macbeth, described a poisonous drink from the Yew’s toxic needles being brewed - “slips of yew, silvered in the moon’s eclipse”. And Germany, the ᛦ Ýr (Yew) rune was placed on death certificates and headstones beside the date of death (with the upright Younger Futhark ᛘ Maðr rune next to the person’s birth date).

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 5

In the Anglo-Saxon rune poem, the Éar rune speaks of death. Could this have been used?

ᛠ Éar byþ egle eorla gehwylcun,
ðonn[e] fæstlice flæsc onginneþ,
hraw colian, hrusan ceosan
blac to gebeddan; bleda gedreosaþ,
wynna gewitaþ, wera geswicaþ.

The grave is horrible to every knight,
when the corpse quickly begins to cool
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away and covenants are broken.

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

CHANNEL PROMOTION

Check out these recommended channels for all things, pagan, lore, permaculture, homesteading, farming, history, anthropology & archaeology of ancient Europe; arts & craft, tailoring, trade, fitness and much more.

https://news.1rj.ru/str/hyperboreanradio (Paganism, folklore, folktales, culture, uncensored truth, legends, fitness, etc.
https://news.1rj.ru/str/BCNeanderthalMindset (Paganism, folklore, culture, history, fitness, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/AnAmericanSpirit (All things American: urban legends, holidays, culture, folktales & heroes, etc)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/GeeDunkNautica (All things nautical: urban legends, piracy, tales of the Seven Seas, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/tribeofthefox (Northwest-European paganism, history, culture, folklore, folktales, YT videos, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/THEOLDWAYS (All things paganism and current affairs, as well as advocator of indigenous European rights and more. Thank the gods!
https://news.1rj.ru/str/folkwisdom (Paganism, folklore, history, current affairs, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/EuropeanTribalism (Paganism, mythology, European culture, survival, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/Ravn_Brann (Paganism, folklore & tales, culture, history, current affairs etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/hilltophomesteadME (Paganism, homesteading)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/TheFrithstead (Paganism, culture, European history, folklore & tales, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/staffordshirefolkloreofficial (Paganism, English history & culture folklore & tales, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/ChannelArtIst (Curator of American & European artwork)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/AEHTEMEN (Paganism, culture, folklore & tales, history, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/frekismal (Paganism, culture, folklore & tales, history, tribal attire, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/TribalEuropa (Paganism, culture, European tribal history, folklore & takes, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/manamoria (Paganism, culture, permaculture, homesteading, folklore & tales, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/britsloreuk (Paganism, English culture & history, folklore & tales, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/TheMoonraker (English author and possibly the next J.R.R. Tolkien, English culture and lore.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/greyhornpagans (I believe this is a discussion board of all things paganism)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/skogarvordurinn (Paganism, culture, history, folklore & tales, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/frithandfolk (Paganism, culture, history, folklore & tales, etc.)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/Hearth_and_Helm (Homesteading and permaculture)
https://news.1rj.ru/str/slavaslovjanom (A channel dedicated to Slavic paganism, culture, history, folklore & tales, etc.)

Phew! I hope that covers everyone. If, by any chance, I have omitted you from the list, please do not hesitate to message me so that I can add you to the list – especially if you are a small channel. I want to help you grow - no strings attached!

T-shirt promotion will be set for tomorrow.

Take care and have a fabulous day, everyone!

From the White Marsh Gealdrabóc -

Wes þu Móna hál ~ Sunnas broðor
Wassail Moon, Sun's brother
Mundelfæras baern ~ micel metodere,
Mundulfari's child, the great measurer
líx þín léoht ~ láh on ús,
shine your light low upon us
líx þín léoht ~ dún on úre swefna,
shine your light down on our dreams
heah on swegl ~ scínende breoht
high in the sky, shining bright
þú liht úre niht ~ licest neorxnawang
you light our night, like paradise,
geunne ús wearm nihtas ~ giefe ús welig dagas
grant us warm nights, give us wealthy days.

The Landsker Line is a language border dividing Pembrokeshire and part of Carmarthenshire in south west Wales. 'Landsker' is an old English word denoting a land barrier of some kind.

Fascinatingly, not only does the Landsker Line divide Pembrokeshire by language, but seemingly by blood too; with those south of the Landsker Line being genetically indistinguishable from the southern English.

The accepted explanation for the Landsker division is that when the Normans arrived in England they colonised this part of Wales with Saxons, Normans and Flemings to form a stronghold. William of Malmesbury even claimed that all the Flemings of England were forced into an area of Pembrokeshire called 'The Hundred of Roose' (because England was apparently 'overburdened' with them). It is also suspected that some Norse and Irish settled in the region voluntarily, prior to the Norman invasion.

The Norroena Society presents:

Trúnaðarbók: The Loyalty Writings

By Folcweard Lárġyfa

With Foreword by Mark Puryear

Using the illustration of concentric circles, Trúnaðarbók is a series of essays discussing how we define and prioritize our levels of loyalty

Order here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09R3HG63K/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_b09r3hg63k

And be sure to check out Folcweard’s other platforms: https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

After reading Trúnaðarbók: The Loyalty Writings, be sure to leave a review!

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 6

ᛠ Éar can mean sea or ocean, but it can also mean earth (as seen in the Anglo-Saxon rune poem). Éar is derived from the PGmc *auraz, which also had a dual meaning, albeit a more nuanced one: wet sand or earth and mud and also liquid, water, and or sea. The Old Norse cognate is Aurr, meaning moist earth, wet clay, and or mud (or loamy soil). In essence, Éar is fertile soil. What’s interesting about this term, is that it’s found throughout the Lore, such as:

Aurglasir (Yggdrasill)
*Éarglæsiġ (Eormensýl)

Aurgelmir (Ymir)
*Éarġerár (Ġyme)

Aurkonungr = Hœnir
*Éarcyning (Hanwer)

Éar = Sea, Ocean, earth
Aurr = Wet Clay or Loam

To the Northern Teutonic folk, predominately the Anglo-Saxons and Norse, Éar carried deep religious, spiritual, and philosophical meanings.

Other, possible connections might include Lithuanian Jáura (Marsh), Jū́ra (Sea), Old Prussian Wurs (Pool), & Sanskrit वार् (vā́r, Water; Pond, Pool)

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A big thank you to the Sacred Stew for the shout out and promotion of my book, “Trúnaðarbók: The Loyalty Writings” (at the 10:25 time stamp)

As a preview, more publications ahead this year, so keep an eye out & spread the word!

The Sacred Stew-Episode 9

James and Anthony move into the epic stories of Thor and how the Jotun test his strength, attempt to kill him and steal his hammer. We also begin diving into ritualistic association of Thors hammer with death and marriage and James gives a brief explanation on his theory about who and what Ostara is in Germanic mythology. Join us for a deep dive into authentic Germanic theology for the modern pagan.

Listen now on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIjPqHVUjU

Or listen on your favorite podcast player here: https://anchor.fm/the-sacred-stew/episodes/Thor-Is-Tested-Raises-the-Dead-And-Sanctifies-Marriages-e1fbh9j

If you like our content please give us a thumbs up, a follow and a share! Help us spread authentic Germanic Theology!

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 7

There’s many several examples of Éar, and it’s cognates, but the most important is recorded in Vǫluspá 19:

I know an ash stands,
which is called Yggdrasil (Eormensýl)
a tall tree, sprinkled
with white auri (éar);…
…it stands for ever over the green Urðarbrunnr (Wyrdeburne)

Éar originates from Wyrd’s spring, where she sprinkles it on the roots of Eormensýl. When the the sons of Byre (Wóden, Hanwer, & Léod) killed Ġyme. He was ground up in the world mill & his flesh became the fertile Éar. From Éadhumol, his flesh was saturated with her primal creative-powered fertile milk; thus, Éar & its cognates’ double meanings of earth and sea or moist earth, wet clay, and or mud (or loamy soil) becomes clearer to understand

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 8

In its essence, ᛠ Éar is similar to the ᛇ,ᛦ Yew tree in its cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. When Fate ends our earthly life, we return to the soil (Éar). We then traveling the Hell-ways, thus returning to the sea (Éar) within Wyrd’s realm, to be judged before receiving life anew. In the underworld, the great Eormengrund, there are three springs: each containing the waters of creation, and it is this water (Éar) that cleanses Éarglæsiġ’s roots, thus sustaining the world tree. Death has no sting nor any reason for us to fear, for it is a passing into the next life, where we will meet the gods and walk with our forebears. The cycle of fate presses ever onward, for she always goes as she shall.

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead

A Teutonic Symbol of Death? - Part 9

Our sources tell us that a “black and grey cloth” was used & we have cultural examples of the Yew tree representing death & mourning. With yews planted around religious sites & cemeteries, to the dead buried with yew shoots & its leaves a covering for graves & bodies, & the it’s use in longbows to Shakespeare’s writings & German headstone markers, the yew consistently holds its symbolism. The rune poems sources strengthen its significance. Éar in English sources & its cognate Aurr, in Norse sources are deeply imbedded terms within the core concepts of Teutonic polytheism. The most important aspect of Éar/Aurr is the fertile sea that waters & nourishes Eormensýl’s roots & the place where we travel upon our death where we stand before the gods at the Hellþing & rejoin our family line; thus, completing our cycle of fate (wyrd/orlæġ)

What is our symbol of death? We have two valid, source-backed, culturally relevant symbols. What say you?

https://linktr.ee/TheFrithstead