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The Official Telegram Channel of the Norrœna Society www.norroena.org https://the-norroena-society.myspreadshop.com/
Sumarmál Raffle – Possible because of donations!
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be holding a raffle during Sumarmál! The raffle will feature donations from various artists and craftsmen, with all proceeds helping us put on this event and plan for the next one. Every donation, whether it's money or crafted items is a blessing from the folk that we truly appreciate!
If you’d like to contribute, please reach out to us at blackhillsheathenry@gmail.com. We ask that all donations be submitted by April 15th so we can properly promote the generous businesses and artists supporting our gathering.
Thank you for helping make Sumarmál a success!
"He had a large temple built in his hayfield, a hundred feet long and sixty wide. Everybody had to pay a temple fee. Thor was the god most honoured there. It was rounded on the inside, like a vault, and there were windows and wall-hangings everywhere. The image of Thor stood in the centre, with other gods on both sides. In front of them was an altar made with great skill and covered with iron on the top. On this there was to be a fire which would never go out - they called it sacred fire. On the altar was to lie a great armband, made of silver. The temple godi was to wear it on his arm all gatherings, and everyone was to swear oaths on it whenever a suit was brought. A great copper bowl was to stand on the altar, and into it was to go all the blood which came from animals or men given to Thor. They called this sacrificial blood and the sacrificial blood bowl. This blood was to be sprinkled over men and animals, and the animals that were given in sacrifice were to be used for feasting when sacrificial banquets were held. Men whom they sacrificed were to be cast into a pool which was outside by the door; they called it Blotkelda (Well of Sacrifice)."
-Kjalnesinga Saga takes place in both Norway and Iceland.
"xxvi(26). That folk has a very famous temple called Uppsala,* situated not far from the city of Sigtuna and Bjórkoó.? In this temple, entirely decked out in gold, the people worship the statues of three gods in such wise that the mightiest of them, Thor,* occupies a throne in the middle of the chamber; Wotan and Frikko have places on either side. The significance of these gods is as follows: Thor, they say, presides over the air, which governs the thunder and lightning, the winds and rains, fair weather and crops. The other, Wotan—that is, the Furious—carries on war and imparts to man strength against his enemies. The third is Frikko, who bestows peace and pleasure on mortals. His likeness, too, they fashion with an immense phallus. But Wotan they chisel armed, as our people are wont to represent Mars. Thor with his scepter apparently resembles Jove. The people also worship heroes made gods, whom they endow with immortality because of their remarkable exploits, as one reads in the Vita of Saint Ansgar** they did in the case of King Eric."
- HISTORY OF THE ARCHBISHOPS OF HAMBURG-BREMEN ADAM OF BREMEN
Defining Culture: The Importance of Tradition and traditions
In Germanic society, culture is not simply a collection of customs—it is an interwoven system built on Tradition and traditions. The foundation of our worldview is upheld by four pillars of society: Law, Lore, Religion, and Ancestry. These pillars shape our understanding of justice, history, spirituality, and identity, ensuring continuity between past and future generations.
Law governs our sense of duty, atonement, and Orlög, the weight of past actions shaping our future.
Lore preserves our mythology and history, keeping the wisdom and customs of our ancestors alive.
Religion manifests through rituals, rites of passage, and sacred symbolism, reinforcing the bond between the folk and the divine.
Ancestry ties us to our house, clan, and tribe, grounding us in the lineage that defines our people.
From these pillars emerge local traditions, the unique expressions of culture that give life to our worldview. Artwork, clothing, music, and food all serve as reflections of deeper meaning, while combat, games, and customs reinforce values such as honor, skill, and kinship. Even spiritual practices and architecture manifest the sacred within the material world.
Every tradition, no matter how small, is an extension of a greater Tradition—a link in the unbroken chain of our people’s identity. Understanding and preserving these elements ensures that we do not simply exist within our culture, but actively live it, embody it, and pass it forward.
Dressing with Purpose for Blóts
In European folk traditions, attire reflects cultural identity and reverence. Germanic Heathenry should follow suit. Blóts are sacred rites, not casual gatherings—present yourself with pride and intention. Move beyond the backyard BBQ look and embrace meaningful symbols, traditional styles, and colors that honor our heritage.
If anyone is inclined to help us raise some extra cash before our event we would be forever grateful.
Support Sumarmál – Even from Afar!
Can’t make it to Sumarmál in the Black Hills? You can still be part of the festivities by donating! Your support helps fund activities, games, and gifts for kids, making the event even more special.
Every contribution counts! Donate here:
https://square.link/u/yixEQ7O0
Thank you for helping us celebrate!
RIP Valgard Murray.
Out of respect we let the mourning banner fly. May he join the halls of the ancestors. May the gods watch over your family and the folk come to their aid.
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.
-Flateyjarbók
NEW EPISODE — The Bog — Folkism w/ Kyle Davis
https://hearthfireradio.com/watch?v=NPkbcHFL
Folkism—or folkishness—is starting to eclipse universalism as a paradigm for paganism. This just means that paganism is becoming more historically accurate because there never was a historical universalist paganism. But what exactly does folkism mean? What does it demand of us? The Boglords ask Kyle Davis of the Norroena Society, and get some enlightening answers.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/65910/65910-h/65910-h.htm
For those who haven’t yet delved into The Religion of Our Forefathers by Rasmus B. Anderson, I highly recommend you do. Anderson, the founder of the Norroena Society and the Norroena Library, played a pivotal role in preserving and translating the lore of our ancestors into English. His lifelong dedication to Norse and Germanic studies not only made these texts accessible to a wider audience but also helped shape modern understandings of our ancient traditions. A scholar, historian, and diplomat, Anderson was instrumental in popularizing Norse mythology in America and advocating for the recognition of Leif Erikson as the true European discoverer of North America. We owe him a great debt of gratitude, for without his work, much of our knowledge of the old ways might have remained locked away in untranslated manuscripts, hidden from those who seek to reconnect with their ancestral faith.
Who are the Gods of Germania?
This is the full interview between Pagan Revivalism and author/ researcher William P. Reaves, featuring guest appearances from the Norrœna Society: Kyle Davis, Keith Osgood & Mark Puryear.
This interview is broken up into four distinct parts: Introductions, Foundations of Germanic Faith, Deep Epic Analysis, Rapidfire Analysis.
An accompanying table of contents will be posted separately so you can skip to a particular part you are interested in.
We went over deep theology, using sources and methods intrigal to the Rydberg Epic Method, which is used in research into Germanic faith as well as the bedrock for their revived practice of Heathenry today.
Some of the basic and most profound questions of theology are basic questions to anything, such as: who, what, when, where, why & how. Yesterday we covered Who are the Gods of Germania.
You may not agree with some of their conclusions, but this shows our faith is maturing into a highly revived & professional state!
Gods love you
Shakespeare borrowed from Norse mythology.
Merchant of Venice – wherein a Jewish usurer named Shylock wants the payment owned of a pound of flesh, closest to heart, from Antonio. Portia tells Shylock that he may have the flesh but not a single drop of blood could be shed. This effectively saves Antonio and Shylock’s plans are thwarted.
In Norse mythology, there were two dwarf families who were accomplished craftsmen of fine metals, Ivaldi and Sindri. They conpeted to make wonders for the gods at Loki’s request. Loki wagered his own head against the work of the Sindri dwarves.
Upon completion, each of the gifts received praises of the Gods. But those of Sindri clan were considered best. The dwarf Brok demanded his prize, Loki’s head, which he had wagered.
“Thy head is mine,” exclaimed Brok, who prepared to cut it off.
“Thine indeed is the head, answered Loki, “but not the neck.”
Brok appealed to the Gods, but they gave judgment that favored Loki. They told Brok that he might take the head, but the neck he must not injure.
In her explanation of traditionalism as a characteristic of ritual Catherine Bell gives us a very insightful quote. One that highlights the importance of rituals maintaining a form of traditionalism in order to be seen as authentic and valid.
Traditionalism can be explained as the intentional and reverent adherence to practices that reflect the collective memory and values of a family or community. This continuity gives rituals authority and legitimacy, creating a connection between the present and their sacred origin.
"Most rituals appeal to tradition or custom in some way, and many are concerned to repeat historical precedents very closely. A ritual that evokes no connection with
any tradition is apt to be found anomalous, inauthentic, or unsatisfying by most people. Thus, traditionalism is an important dimension of what we tend to mean and identify as ritual, while activities that are not explicitly called “rituals” may seem ritual-like if they invoke forms of traditionalism."
RITUAL PERSPECTIVES AND DIMENSIONS by Catherine Bell
An Eldskál "fire bowl" burns before an image of a god
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Fatalism is the most prevalent philosophical ideal with Heathenism. Don't believe me? Here are some quotes:
Voluspa 20: "Thence come maidens, much knowing, three from the sea, which stands under the tree; Urd the one is named, Verdandi second, on the wood they scored, Skuld the third. Laws they established, life allotted to the sons of men, and pronounced urlag."
orlög, n. pl. fate, doom, fortunes.
Grimnismal 29-30: "Kormt and Ormt and the two Kerlaugar: these Thor must wade each day, when he goes forth to pronounce dooms (domari) beneath the ash-tree Yggdrasil; for the ash is on fire, the holy waters boil. Glad and Gyllir, Gler and Skeidbrimir, Silfrintop and Sinir, Gisl and Falhofnir, Gulltop and Lettfeti; on these steeds the Aesir ride each day when they go to pronounce dooms at Yggdrasil's Ash."
Skirnismal 13: "There are better choices than whining for him who is prepared to die: for one day my age was decreed, and my whole life determined."
Lokasenna 29: "You are raving, Loki! In recalling your foul misdeeds. The fate of all does Frigg know well, although she says it not."
Lokasenna 21: "You are raving, Loki! And have lost your wits, in calling Gefjon's wrath on you, for, I believe, she knows the fate of men even as well as I."
Alvismal 10 and so on as a refrain: "Tell me Alvis, for I presume you, Dwarf, know the fates of all men-"
Baldr's Dreams 2-3: "His (Baldur's) sleep was most afflicting to that God, his good dreams seemed to be gone. They asked the Jotuns, wise seers of the future, whether this might forebode calamity. The responses said that Ullr's kinsman, dearest of all, was destined to die..."
Fjolsvinnsmal 23: "From it fruit, which shall be borne on fire to expecting women, shall that come out which was held within, so it is with the Manna Mjotudr (Fates of Men)."
Fjolsvinnsmal 48: "I am called Svipdag, Solbjart is my father, thence the winds drove me on the cold ways. No one may deny Urd's decree, however lightly spoken."
Helgakvida Hundingsbana I v. 2-3: "It was night, Norns came, they who did shape the fate of the nobleman, they proclaimed him best among the Budlungs, and most famed among princes. With might they twisted the urlag-threads, that he will settle burghs in Bralund; they arranged the golden thread and fastened it directly beneath the moon's hall."
Helgakvida Hundingsbana I v. 4: "In the east and west they hid the ends, there between the chief should rule; Neri's kinswoman (the Norn) sent one thread northward and bade it hold forever."
Helg. Hund. II 27: "Console yourself, Sigrun! You have been a Hildr to us. Kings cannot conquer fate."
Gripisspa 25: "I shall now openly speak to Sigurd, since the chieftain compels me to do so: you will surely find that I do not lie. A certain day is decreed for your death."
Gripisspa 52: "Now we part, so farewell! No one wins over fate. Now you have done as I asked of you, Gripir, you would have gladly foretold me of a happier end of my life's days, had you been able."
Gripisspa 53: "You shall find comfort in this leader of hosts! This fortune is alloted to the hero's life: no man shall be considered on earth or under the sun's abode, more renowned than you."
Reginsmal 2: "I am called Andvari, my father is Oinn, I have fared in many floods; in ancient times I was doomed by Norns to wade in the water."
Reginsmal 14. "I will nurture the bold-hearted prince, now Yngvi's kinsman has come to us; he will be the most powerful king under the sun, his urlag-thread is spun to spread over all lands."
Fafnismal 11: "The fate of the Norns you will find before the headland, you weak-minded fool, you shall drown in the water if you row against the wind, all danger is near to death."
Fafnismal 44: "There may you see the helmed maiden, who rode forth from the fight on Vingskornir (a horse); the victory-bringer shall not break her sleep, you Skjoldungr, so the Norns have set."
Sigurd and Brynhild Fragment II 19: "And you are destined to be my wife with my father's consent. I have ridden through the vafrflames at your requisition."
Spirituality vs. Tradition
One common theme we have seen with people wanting to make things up in their practice is the idea that their personal experience trumps ancestral faith. How it has “worked” for them means they are successful and therefore their way is the correct way.
What they are describing is the idea that their spirituality comes before the tradition. In actuality, it is the other way around. After all, if personal experience with the Gods came before ancestral teachings, and the former were to dictate the latter, is there anything at all that is not arbitrary and capricious? Would the religion not then be subject to the whims and fancies of whoever claimed some “personal experience?”
The tradition guides the spirituality, always. This means learning the ancestral ways, understanding the sources, and developing practice from it. It is our fundamental purpose in rebuilding this religion that it is actually a religion, and not just the desires of modern practitioners made into whatever they want. The argument that their faith is built on feelings is probably the worst theological argument ever made.
Religion must be built on truth, and our truth lie in the Primal Endowment, which was given to us through Heimdallr’s Æfinrùnar, the most ancient teachings to our earliest ancestors. It is our holy duty to restore that endowment, for it is the theological basis for everything we do.
Spirituality is your way of experiencing the tradition, it is using the lore and the rites to connect to the Gods and feel their presence in your life. The feeling comes in connecting to your ancestors and the orthopraxy left behind. It is our legacy, and in so doing we develop that divine relationship.
We do not believe that this represents a chain of symbols that merely reflect an idea of fertility, but rather specifically denotes a sacred substance that our ancestors saw as being a part of the very world they lived in.
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At this year’s Sumarmál festival, we will be holding a Sigrblót, a ritual for victory. As part of this, we will perform the smyrja rite—an anointing ceremony in which oil and nine sacred herbs are applied to the Odin statue. This practice is meant to honor the gods and imbue the statue with presence and power.
I currently have three new hand-carved wooden statues in progress, including one of Thor, which is still in its early stages. These statues will play a role in our future rites, continuing our dedication to tradition and sacred craftsmanship.
#Æfinlǫgr #clan #germanic #norse
~The power of the Clan~
Christianity disrupted our ancestral traditions, leaving a void that many Europeans sought to fill with ideology. But ideology is fragile and dangerous, it can be manipulated, weaponized, and turned against those who adhere to it. It often drives individuals to labor for outcomes they neither understand nor intend.
Tradition is organic. It grows from the repetition of meaningful actions that bring people together and cultivate a shared sense of purpose. When you build robust traditions, you create a living bond that inspires people to contribute to their community and safeguard its well-being.
Tradition nurtures growth, loyalty, and collective strength. Ideology, however, is imposed. It elevates the architects of its ideals to that of masters while relegating others to servitude. Manipulation becomes its lifeblood, and propaganda its driving force. Where tradition unites, ideology divides; where tradition uplifts, ideology exploits. Build deep and enduring traditions, and you build a future that empowers your people. Build ideology, and you build chains.
You can trust in family. Even if your family has been poisoned by the decay of modernity, this is no reason to abandon the institution itself. Family is the cornerstone of continuity and the vessel through which values are passed to the generations ahead. By marrying, raising children, and instilling your principles in them, you hold the power to shape the future. The values you teach today will become the foundation of tomorrow’s world. This is why ideologues prioritize targeting children. Why else would schools become battlegrounds for agendas, or propagandizing youth be a multi-billion-dollar industry? They understand, as you must, the immense influence of shaping young minds. The choice before you is stark: instill your values in your children and anchor them to something lasting, or surrender that role to outsiders who do not share your interests. For once the latter occurs, the damage cannot be undone, and the path toward healing is a steep slope indeed.
Protecting your family and their legacy is not just an option, it is your duty and your power.
......(follow the link: https://norroena.org/the-power-of-clan/ )
#Æfinlǫgr #Law #Germanic #norse
~OUTLAWRY~
The idea behind becoming outlawed was a serious undertaking, one that typically threatened the life of the one convicted, while at the same time underpinning a fatalist aspect of the society. The state was rarely seen to be active in execution (although this did occur), but rather the results of the judgment were left up to fate. Certainly, this typically led to the criminal being hunted down and killed by those they had offended, but if their resources and intelligence allowed them to escape such an end, this was the will of destiny. We could see the same concept in the custom of child exposure when unwanted children were left in forests to die. Tales developed of such children being raised by trolls, or animals, or kind humans, to make the ordeal less emotionally stressful.The idea was that fate could intervene on behalf of the child, just as it could for those who may be convicted of a crime.
In any case, outlawry is seen throughout the ancient law codes as a fundamental aspect of the legal system, and was seen as the foremost punishment. It separated one from family and clan, and was likely viewed as making one accursed, a plague that must be avoided at all costs. We find such concepts in the terminology of the sentence, as when one violates sacred steads they are called Vargr í véum, an “outlaw in the Vé,” with the term vargr being synonymous with that of a wolf. When wolves would attack farm animals or harm the locals, that wolf would have to be hunted down or trapped and slain. The same would be the case with an outlaw.
…..( it follows in the link below)
https://norroena.org/outlawry/
Why We’re Asking for Donations
Our Sumarmál festival is free for kids, including lodging and food for the weekend. We want to make this event even more exciting by adding games and activities that teach Norse lore and culture.
One of our games is a scavenger hunt, inspired by Thor and Loki’s journey to Útgarða-Loki. In the story, Thor hides in a glove, and kids will help the gods on their quest by finding them along the way.
Your donations will help us provide better gifts and prizes for the kids and contest winners, making this a truly special experience. Thank you for your support!
I’ve heard that one of our dearest elders, Valgard Murray has passed into the next world.
Valgard was a hugely influential figure in the revival of our faith. Unfortunately, he did much of his work before the internet so some younger folks may not be familiar.
He founded the Asatru Alliance in 1988 and published the Vortru magazine which was an incredible resource for many of us.
I had the honor of hosting him on an episode of Steve McNallen’s old podcast and spoke with him over the phone a few times.
One of the most unique, imaginative and inspiring men to walk the earth.
Hail Gothi Valgard Murray
One correction I would make is that I misspoke and called the blót clothing a skikkja which is a cloak. The blót clothing is called Blótklæði.
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https://norroena.org/aefinl%c7%abgrthe-book-of-sedian-law-reconstructing-our-law/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yJEwvnkTew
Æfinlǫgr: The Book of Sedian Law https://a.co/d/eHj42Y5
The show many of you have been waiting for is here!
Who are the Gods of Germania?
The goal of this is very ambitious. Nowhere, to my knowledge, is there a single show which covers every single God & Goddess in Germanic faith.
On the 25th of July, in the 25th year of this millennium, when many are celebrating Misseri Yule, and all the planets being visible in the evening sky, this interview you won't want to miss.
Our main guest is author & researcher, William P. Reaves. Along side him are returning guests Mr. Davis & possibly Mr. Osgood and Mr. Puryear of the Norrœna Society, they will go over theories & thoughts on the Gods & Goddesses of the Poetic Edda, using the Rydberg Epic Method. The insights & arguments they'll share are the basis for their practice of Heathenry today.
After the interview, our guests will do a short Q&A from the audience. This interview will be recorded, so if you can't catch the whole thing, you'll have it.
Join us at: /channel/Pagan_Revivalism?livestream
"The Norse mythology, we say, then, shows what the religion of our ancestors was; and their religion is the main fact that we care to know about them. Knowing this well, we can easily account for the rest. Their religion is the soul of their history. Their religion tells us what they felt; their feelings produced their thoughts, and their thoughts were the parents of their acts. When we study their religion, we discover the unseen and spiritual fountain from which all their outward acts welled forth, and by which the character of these was determined."
The Religion of Our Forefathers By Rasmus B. Anderson
Who are the Gods of Germania?
On January 25th at 12pm eastern standard time, I will be interviewing the accomplished scholar & author William P. Reaves on who are the Gods of Germania? Mr. Reaves will cover all the Gods and Goddesses, using the research & method of Viktor Rydberg. After the show, Mr. Reaves will take some questions from the audience in a Q&A
This is a show you won't want to miss, only here on Pagan Revivalism channel. And I want to give a great thank you to Mr. Reaves for sharing his insights towards the revival of Germanic Faith & Ways!
Gods love you
Sigurdarkvida Fafnisbana IV: "Of the words I have uttered I now repent; he is Gudrun's consort, and I am Gunnar's. The hateful norns have decreed long suffering for us."
Oddrunargratr 17: "He asked that I be adorned in red-gold, and be given to Grimhild's son in the south. He said no more excellent maiden could be reborn in the world, if fate did not will it otherwise."
Oddrunargratr 34: "You sit and listen, while I recount to you many and evil fates, my own and theirs. Each one lives as best he may."
Atlamal in Groenlenzku 46: "I sought by symbols to prevent your leaving home, no one may resist fate, and yet you must come here. She asked wisely: can they not be appeased? No one consented, all answered no."
Hamdismal 10: "Weep for your brothers, and your dear sons, your nearest kin, drawn to the strife: you shall also have to weep for us both, Gudrun, who sit here on our steeds, fated to die far away."
Hamdismal 31: "We have fought well, we stand on slaughtered Goths, and those fallen by the sword, like eagles on a branch. We have gained great glory, though we shall die now or tomorrow. No one lives til eve against the Norns' decree."
Gunnars Slag 1: "Of old it happened that Gunnar, Gjuki's son, was doomed to die, in Grabak's halls."
Gunnars Slag 11: "The Norns have appointed a lifetime for us, Gjuki's sons, at Odin's will; no one may provide against fate, nor, bereft of luck, trust in his valor."
- Mark Puryear
The tenets are now available in posters and stickers.
Poster 18x24 | The Norroena Society https://the-norroena-society.myspreadshop.com/sedian+tenets
Many new agers of the brosatru crowd have a hard time accepting that Germanic heathens did in fact kneel before their gods. This is attested many times from histories, to the Eddas, and sagas. All polytheistic religions had forms of prostration, all people found it acceptable to do so before their gods.
This Grevensvaenge figurine is dated from 800-500 bce. Depicting a kneeling figure. The second image of a of a Roman bronze statue of a Germanic man with a Suebian knot, also kneeling.
"Another observance shows their reverence for this grove. No one may enter it unless he is bound with a cord, by which he acknowledges his own inferiority and the power of the deity. Should he chance to fall, he may not raise himself or get up again, but must roll out over the ground. The grove is the centre of their whole religion. It is regarded as the cradle of the race and the dwelling-place of the supreme god to whom all things are subject and obedient. The Semnones gain prestige from their prosperity."
-Tacitus' Germania
"The moment their boats reach this dock every one of them disembarks, carrying bread, meat, onions, milk and alcohol (nabīdh), and goes to a tall piece of wood set up <in the ground>. This piece of wood has a face like the face of a man and is surrounded bv small figurines behind which are long [10] pieces of wood set up in the ground. <When> he reaches the large figure, he prostrates himself before it and says, "Lord, I have come from a distant land, bringing so many slave-girls <priced at> such and such per head and so many sables <priced at> such and such per pelt." He continues until he has mentioned all of the merchandise he has brought with him, then says, "And I have brought this offering," leaving what he has brought with him in front of the piece of wood, saying, "I wish you to provide me with a merchant who has many dīnārs and dirhams and who will buy from me whatever I want <to sell> without haggling over the price I fix." Then he departs. If he has difficulty in selling <his goods> and he has to remain too many days, he returns with a second and third offering. If his wishes prove to be impossible he brings an offering to every single one of those figurines and seeks its intercession, saying, "These are the wives, daughters and sons of our Lord." He goes up to each figurine in turn and questions it, begging its [11] intercession and grovelling before it. Sometimes business is good and he makes a quick sell, at which point he will say, "My Lord has satisfied my request, so I am required to recompense him." He procures a number of sheep or cows and slaughters them, donating a portion of the meat to charity and taking the rest and casting it before the large piece of wood and the small ones around it. He ties the heads of the cows or the sheep to that piece of wood set up in the ground. At night, the dogs come and eat it all, but the man who has done all this will say, "My Lord is pleased with me and has eaten my offering."
-The Rusila of Ibn Fadlan
"There was one thing in him which the King disliked, and one only: he would never bow down to heathen Gods, and he set his mind firmly against all sacrifice."
-Olaf Tryggvasson's Saga ch. 57
"And when he got to the assembly, then some of the farmers had arrived. Then they saw a great multitude of farmers coming to the assembly and carrying between them a huge image of a person, adorned with gold and silver. And when the farmers that were at the assembly saw that, then they all leapt up and bowed down to this monstrosity. After that it was placed in the middle of the assembly field." -Olafs Saga Hins Helga ch. 113
" The same thing is said about the decoration of Þorgerður Hölgabrúður: They then went to the temple and the earl all fell to the ground in front of her statue. There he lay for a long time. wanted to get hold of her, but it seemed to Sigmund that she had bent the spear, and the earl took a great deal of silver." -Færeyingasaga ch. 108
The Aurr and Blót
We have made quite an interesting discovery revolving around what could be a sacred ceremonial practice. In looking at our lore there seems to be a substance that our ancestors held to be extremely sacred, so much that many entities in the lore are named after it. This is the Aurr, which means “clay,” “mud,” “gravel,” or “loam.” It is a primordial substance that has its origin in our creation myth, and develops from the rime (hrimr) that poured into Ginnungagap. The interesting thing is that the names themselves seem to play out the story, as I will demonstrate.
After the rime creates the first world, Audhumla licks the primal ice of creation, which is so saturated with fertile power a God grew out of the ice just by her licking. This rime then fills her with this creative force and she thus becomes the AURochs (Aurr-Ox). After this, Ymir drinks from her milk and he becomes so filled with the creative force that he sweats beings from his body. The three brothers Odin, Hoenir, and Lodur then kill Ymir and from his flesh make the soil of the land. This was the first soil and was saturated with Audhumla’s milk, thus making it fertile. Ymir is then called AURgelmir (Aurr-roarer). The land in the Underworld first created and fertilized using his flesh is called AURvangr or AURvangaland (Fields of the Aurr, or Land of the Fields of Aurr).
Hoenir, as a God of fertility who helps in the delivery of children through the Manna Mjotudr (Yggdrasil’s Fruits), rules over this land and is thus called AURkonung (Aurr-King).
Then, we see the Norns pour a substance upon Yggdrasil which is called Hvita Aurr or “White Aurr.” We are told in the Prose Edda that “these Norns who dwell by the Well of Urdr take water of the well every day, and with it that clay (Aurr) which lies about the well, and sprinkle it over the Ash, to the end that its limbs shall not wither nor rot; for that water is so holy that all things which come there into the well become as white as the film which lies within the egg-shell.” (Gylfaginning 16) This is then related to Völuspá 19, which states: “An ash I know, | Yggdrasil its name,
With white Aurr (Hvíta Aurr) | is the great tree wet; Thence come the dews | that fall in the dales,
Green by Urth's well | does it ever grow.“ This tells us that the substance, especially when mixed with Urd’s mead, is incredibly sacred and important. Once the tree becomes doused with the liquid, it’s change of color makes it radiant, and by the above example, possibly explaining it as invisible. Because of this it is called AURglasir (Aurr-Resplendent). In Volundarkvida Sinmara is called Eir Aurglasir, the Eir (Healer) of the tree. This either makes her identical to Urd or gives her a duty that is the same.
Now, if this substance of Aurr originated as Audhumla’s milk and the Hrimr within it, it justifies milk
as a sacred element within the rite. We know that there are Indo-European elements that are shared here, as well as the notion of the sacred cow.
One of the more difficult names to
understand in this is that of AURboda, whose name means “Aurr-offerer.” She is identical to Gullveig, but this name may refer to her when she lived among the Goddesses and brought fertility, as we see her do in Volsungasaga ch. 2. Here she is called “The Daughter of Hrimnir,” whom we know is Gullveig-Heid-Aurboda. What we see here is that the chaotic element of the rime (hrimr) stays alive through her and her father (Hrimnir). When the Gods burn her and Loki eats her heart it is called ursvöl or “primeval cold.” This element is what would allow her to regenerate and may be the same element the Gods use with Saehrimnir the regenerating boar whose name means “Sea-Rime.” Hvergelmir, the Underworld well also has the name Svalkaldur Sær, which means “Cool-Cold Sea.” The sval- being identical to the -svöl in ursvöl and the Sær being the same as in Sæhrimnir.