The original song is by Beverly Frederick. While it’s a quite fun song, for use in Heathen celebrations I’ve changed the lyrics to express a more Heathen understanding of the norns. Is, Was, and Shall Be are not particularly good translations of the names Verðandi, Urð, and Skuld (the names given to three female figures in Voluspa who are probably norns); the translation of Urð as “Was” is especially problematic. Also, the norns in pre-conversion Germanic mythology actually don’t seem to do much weaving; when
they do any kind of metaphoric textile working, it seems to be more like twining. Continue reading
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Hail to the Hammer lyrics
Hail to the Hammer
Longing eyes turn into the sun
Low in the winter,
Grey as a wolf, now the wind has come
Cold as a hunter.
Continue reading
Some Interpretations of Hyndluljoð
The handout for our May 2012 discussion.
Some Interpretations of Hyndluljoð
The Manuscript:
The earliest form of Hyndluljoð is found in the Flateyjarbok (“Flat-island book”), a medieval Icelandic manuscript written near the end of the 14th century. The Flateyjarbok was given to Bishop Brynjolfur Sveinsson by Jon Finnsson of Flatey in the middle of the 17th century; the bishop gave it to the king of Denmark, and the book became part of the Royal Library of Copenhagen until it was returned to Iceland in 1971 along with Codex Regius. In addition to Hyndluljoð, the book contains many other sagas and tales, including some not found elsewhere, such as the Groenlendinga Saga (Saga of the Greenlanders) and Sorla Thattr, best known as the source for the ever-popular story of Freyja’s acquisition of the Brisingamen. Continue reading
Midsummer 2009 report
On June 27, 2009 Keeper of Seasons Hall met in the Bosque near the Montaño trailhead to hold the year’s Midsummer Blót. Though this summer had been cooler and wetter than usual thus far, it was still warm enough that we decided, as in previous years, to meet early in the day to avoid the worst of the heat. The unusual amount of rain in the weeks leading up to the blót meant that the plant life of the Bosque was much greener and more lush than last year, and in addition to the usual bird life (including cranes flying overhead), we encountered large numbers of toads, frogs, lizards, insects, and small mammals on our way to the blót site. Continue reading
Spring/Sigrblot 2009 report
With Pete needing to leave soon for training to deploy to Iraq, Keeper of Seasons Hall met on April 11, 2009 for a combination spring and victory blót. The weather during the days was still shifting back and forth from warm spring to lingering winter, but we were done with overnight freezes. In order to include as many Hall members and family as possible, including those who were getting over illnesses or recovering from triathlon participation, and to avoid any possible rain or hail, we decided to meet at one of our member’s homes and have a blót and potluck there. Debbie and I had the honor of hosting the event. Continue reading
Yule 2008 report
For its last official blót of the year, Keeper of Seasons Hall met on December 21, 2008 to celebrate the opening of the Yule season. Though the Hall normally holds its blóts outdoors, Yule is usually an exception; as in previous years, we met at the home of one of the Hall members. For 2008, I had the honor of acting as host for the Hall. Continue reading