http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e1NkDAFYoo&feature=related

Not a bad introduction if you can get past the star wars-like run of words. :)

Hi All!

This is a long one I am warning you, but I would greatly appreciate any insights you might have. I am posting on this board because I believe that you all are my best resorice for helping me to understand this better.

Let me preface this with saying that I have been a Pagan for 10 years and have never followed any particular banch of Paganism, I have always been solitary and ecclectic. I have been open to communicating with Gods and Goddesses but it never really happened to me. I have never felt a pull or affinity for any branch of Paganism. I have just always opened myself up to whatever Mother Earth, Father Sky and the Universe needed me to know.

A few days ago an interesting sign came to me. I have a real affinity to Dragons and have written a lot about my experiences with them during meditation in my LJ journal. I have spent several months focusing on them in meditation and trying to learn more about my Spirit Dragons - I have come to learn that they are in essence, the representation of my spirit. There are two past meditations that are starting to come together in an interesting way to me. Here is where I am looking for insight and thoughts.

First, I had a meditation a few months ago during which I felt deep peace and harmony with the universe. I felt like I was floating. I did a very strong and grounding meditation. As I was blowing out the white Earth energy, during a tree meditation I do for grounding, I saw a green field and for a few moments, I was hovering above it, blowing the Earth energies to the earth, I guess kind of using its own energy in healing itself. But then all of a sudden, I was hovering above the planet itself, like I was in outer space. I felt enormous, and I was breathing the Earth's energy on the planet, creating a shield over the planet of white light, Then the white light became a big black Dragon wrapped around the earth, its tail in its mouth. At this point the earth was all white and glowy. Kind of like those "crystal ball" thinges you can buy, except it was not clear. This was a new dragon, one I had not seen before. It was large (obviously), long, black and scaly with small wings or ear flaps. I really liked it. It made me feel safe and made me smile looking at it.

Then within a two week period I encountered a woman in meditation, young, beautiful, with blond hair swirling in the ether. I saw her with a ring of green leaves on her head. I immediately had this hunch or feeling that she was Freyja. I can't explain why, it was just my instinct - like when you recognize someone you met before and say : "oh hi, you are so and so". So was beckoning to me and looking at me and I felt like she was almost saying - "ah, so you seeking understanding, you sure you are ready for it?" I did some research on her and came to find that she is a duality Goddess - a Valkyrie and at the same time a Goddess of love. That is another thing I have been working with lately, my dual nature.

Then two days ago I was looking on the web for pictures of Dragon tattoos. I have decided it was time that I get a tattoo of a dragon, so I started searching for "Sea Serpents" since the black dragon (which I have seen since in other meditations) is kind of long and serpent like (and the other times I have seen it, it has been associated with water) - I thought it would give me a better visual. So the first thing that pops up is Jörmungandr - The Midgard Serpent of Norse Mythology. In the Wikipedia overview it states: "The serpent grew so big that he was able to surround the Earth and grasp his own tail, and as a result he earned the alternate name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent ".
Offsping of Loki, arch enemy of Thor, they kill each other at Ragnarök, etc, etc.

UM YEAH. Then it hit me. I think this is the dragon I saw in Meditation.

I have had a few more interesting encounters that I wrote about in my Journal: http://thistlemoons.livejournal.com/
As well as all the research that I have been able to drum up so far. Some really interesting things. I don't want to write everything in this post and bore all of you, but you can go check it out if you want.

Just wondering if anyone has thoughts about this or knows anything about this serpent. I am doing research, but I am curious if anyone has stories or experiences of their own to share regarding her. Her name can also be spelled: Jormungandr, Jormungand or Iormungand.

 
THANK YOU! :)

I have only ever met one other Asatruar in real life, and being that I live in a very low population area I doubt that I'll ever run into any at random. The other day while hiking my asatruar friend asked, "So, what would we need to do to start some sort of heathen gathering?"

"I... don't know," I answered, "But I'd imagine it would have to begin with having more than two of us."

For those of you in larger kindreds, how did you happen across eachother? Can anybody think of a way to find out if there are other heathens in our area? And if we happen to find others, then what?

I read and I learn but I still feel like I'm stagnating from sheer lack of contact with the heathen world...

I used to have a sword sparring group of friends, but due to some extremely fun nights we, one by one, broke our sparring swords. I couldn't afford to buy a new one so I bought a wooden sword instead.

It's been over a year and I want to get back into practice and I'm wondering, what runes or designs would have been commonly inscribed on weapons? Being that my practice sword is wood I'd like to personalize it a bit.

Without going into too much detail, I am facing the end of a marriage.

Normally, I would ache a bit at the loss, be angry about the effort invested, and move on.  This time, I've gotten nothing but signals that say that it isn't over.  Not only signals, but visits from Freya and Odin both (to either myself or to friends) who tell me to wait, that this isn't over, but that I will be waiting "a while."

I don't know what to think, between the heartache itself, the empirical evidence (that says it's over) and the visits/messages (that say it isn't) I'm finally at a point where I'm just confused.

In a situation like this, how do you know what to trust?  I would like to believe that the gods aren't that fickle, but well, the eddas don't always show them being terribly kind to their "favorites."  So, does anyone have any experience in a situation where the gods were clear about the direction they thought you should take despite the evidence around you?  Which way did you choose, and how did it turn out?  How did you know which way to choose, or did you just chuck all your faith in and take a leap?

This is a question that always burns me.  How, as honorable heathens that keep to our sworn word, that base our honor upon the worth of our words, interact and generally "deal" with others who are not heathens, with people to whom a promise is NOT the basis of their honor, (because honor is more or less a joke to them), and so will break their promises and their word at their discretion.

Example: you have a friend, who makes you promise something.  You agree, and of course, you follow through.  They then in turn promises something.  Forgets about it.  Doesn't think much of it.  Doesn't care about the fact that they just swore that they would <whatever>.

Should we hold our non-heathen friends to our own standards?  Surely if one of us was to promise another heathen something, we would keep to our word, and if another heathen was to promise us something, we KNOW it will be done.  Our Honor's most simplest aspect and foundation is our very word.  So when a non-heathen says "I promise i'll -----," how should we take that?  And when they break their promise, how do we react?

For an example: A friend asks you to help with say, cleaning their apartment.  You think it over, taking into consideration the day and time, if you'll be available, etc.  You agree.  Now you have given your word, and IMO baring any emergency (your mother got hit by a car, your wife is giving BIRTH, etc), any other attempt to take that time frame is null and void.  You can't very well say to him the day before "I gotta go clothes shopping" or "I'm gonna wash my car instead."  So, you go and help clean their apartment (or drive them to the doctor/court, or pick them up from the airport, whatever).
In response, they say they owe you one.  I personally take that literally, and since I for one usually don't ask for help in mundane matters, you respond by saying "help me wash my car," or "help me change my breakpads," or anything else that is of an equal level to the favor done for them.  They agree.  You decide a time and day that works for you both.  They make other plans (going shopping, going to the movies, any number of IMO shitty excuses).

Should we come to expect this, and just ignore it?  Should we take it as a sign, and not trust the person's word at all?  Should we mention it? 

Hail to all within these binary walls,
      I suppose i have lurked here long enough, and it is now time to introduce myself.  Manners, of course.

      My name is Michael, and I have been a devote Heathen for going on nine years now, solitary, although I have come across a kindred in my area, and fully intend in being a part of their gatherings for as long as they'll have me.

      I am forever a student of the runes, acknowledging only one true runemaster; Odin, who sacrificed himself in a way that we cannot to gain their wisdom.  However, not to brag, but merely to state simple observation, I feel i have a better grasp on their subtle meanings than most I have come across.  I will state now, that Freya Aswynn and Edred Thorrson do not know at all what they are talking about.  In fact, i'd dare say there is no author out there that knows what they are talking about.  Instead of reading someone else's misinterpretations, one should look at rune poems, and look at the Poetic Edda.  Their meanings are not clear, but hidden, as well they should be.  "Rune" after all means secret, or whisper.  And one last note, i'd be happy to help anyone with any questions they may have in this regard.

      My knowledge of the lore i feel is adequate, i may not know the names of all the horses in Asgard, but I rarely read the poetic edda for the umpteenth time and get reminded of something i had forgotten.

      On a personal level, I am currently unemployed, 2 weeks until bartending school.  My previous job was as a Seafood Department manager in a major supermarket in my area of Northern New Jersey, USA.  I am single, not really looking for anyone, as I have come to terms that I am a very abrasive fellow because I tell the truth.  And the truth hurts.  I never sugar coat anything.  I have lost friends from this.
I also have a 165lb dog, that is seriously overweight as his breed should only be 90lbs.
I listen to a lot of scandinavian/german music, both metal and folk, and folk metal too!  I also like techno and gothic music.  I used to spin firestaff, and maybe one day I will again, although I no longer have a safety (refer to lost of friendship above).  
      And that's about me in a nutshell.  Oh, and I am a Tribalist Asatruar.

      I most certainly look forward to getting to know all of you, and hope I can be a valuable member of this community.

Hail to the Aesir, Gods of the Sky
Hail to the Vanir, Gods of the Land,
Hail to those who have come before us,
Hail to those who will come after us.

On June 3 at 1:38pm, my friend gave birth to a healthy 6lb 12oz boy, Magnus Julius. He is the firstborn of my friends April and Dave and I wish him a healthy, long life.
I made him a toy sword and stitched his name in runes onto it. I also had some fuzzy red fabric and made a mjollnir pillow for him. I posted a couple months ago about the toy sword and somebody said to post a photo of it so here ya go, in all it's amateur glory (I'm not known for my sewing skills!)


The father is heathen and was very happy with the toy (he says Magnus will learn to read and write in runes probably before he learns his alphabet!). The mother is christian but even she apparently loved the toy.

:)

So, I'm coming to a point in my spiritual and magical path where I feel the need to light the proverbial fire under my ass. I've fallen way behind in my rune studies, and have never really studied seiðr. I've always had an affinity for the runes, and really do ken them, but I hit a point of non-progression a few years back. I've also always had a strong desire to learn about shamanism, especially as it pertains to Nordic culture. So I was thinking that I should start looking to Freyja for guidance. I asked Oðinn to send Freyja into my life, that I might learn seiðr from her, as he did. Since then, I've been thinking that these are not the Christian "give me stuff, Gods" type of gods, and that I need to work towards this goal myself, and seek Freyja out, rather than beseeching her to come to me (or worse, ask Oðinn to send her... OOOOPS!)

I'm not sure where to start, however, and talking to myself via this website (and probably LJ) will be my recourse.

So here we are, at phase one, commitment.

I, Beowulfe, son of Oðinn, do hereby declare my intent and devotion to the study of seiðr, wheresoever that that course may take my Path.

Cross-posted to My own LJ, my website, and a few heathen-oriented LJ groups I belong to.

Okay, so i'm getting married August 8th, and the woman i asked to be the officiant is a wiccan priestess. she's a long time friend of mine whom i hold a very large amount of love and respect for, so it was a natural choice that she would be the priestess doing the wedding.
Now, for the wedding, i've never really come 'out' about my faith to my family; except to my father, who is a pagan, and my brother, who is a wiccan. my family varies in christian beliefs; but most of them are very staunchly "Muggles" (there's really no other term for them. they absolutly despise anything non christian, and my brother has gone through hell trying to win acceptance as a wiccan.)
However, i did want the gods honored at the wedding; so i asked my priestess if she would do a wedding that was Heathen-inspired but not viking like.

Anyway, Jenn (the Priestess) just sent me the 'rough draft' of the wedding. I love it; but i do have a few questions.
Sjofn and Lofn are goddesses i've honored for awhile but, like every other god and goddess, i've never heard their names spoken aloud. there aren't exactly a lot of heathens around me where i live (small oregon town) so most of my heathen life i've been pretty alone other than online heathens.
Now, i've always said their names "S-Yoh-Fin" and "Low-Fin" is this right or have i been saying them wrong?

For anyone interested, this is the wedding rough draft. as i said the priestess is wiccan, and i asked her specifically to have some wiccan elements in it as well; as many of our guests are not familiar with either wicca or heathenry. i figure this is a perfect time to show them that neither religion is evil.
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Hi, Folks,



I'm cross-posting this to several lists so my apologies if you receive this more than once. My new devotional is just out. It's called "Feeding the Flame" and is a devotional to Loki and His family. It's an anthology of international contributions including poetry, prayers, rituals, recipes and more. Right now, it's available at http://www.cauldronfarm.com/market/books.html and www.lulu.com. In a few weeks it'll be up at amazon.



frith,

Galina Krasskova

I tried to order "Northern Mysteries & Magick" by Freya Aswyn in January, and Amazon has finally let me know that they can't get it for me. Does anybody know somewhere that might have it?
Thanks in advance.

My Icelandic friend velvetchamber wrote the following, and has given me permission to pass it along.

"Gleðilegt sumar! (I wish you a summer of merriment and joy)

To-day is the first day of summer according to Icelandic tradition. The first day of summer is always Thursday, at the earliest on the 19th of April, and the latest on the 25th of April. Before the Gregorian calendar was adopted, the first day of summer was also the first day of the year, with the ages of people and livestock measured in winters, which still holds true for livestock. Summer gifts are an old tradition, outdating Yule gifts, and they were in essence equal to the birthday gifts of modern times.

One traditional belief is that if there is frost on the advent night of summer, if winter and summer are joined by frost, then the summer will be good, the ewes' milk will be fat and the weather will be good to those that farm."

Discuss. :)

Some old friends of mine are due to have their first son in early June. I had the idea in mind to sew a small rattle "sword" toy for him. Both parents are martial artists and the father is asatruar, so I can guarantee he'll be playing with weapons from an early age, and I thought a stuffie sword would be a good start!

I was thinking of stitching the boy's name in runes along the length of the blade. His name will be Magnus. But since I'm only beginning to read about runes, I want to ask here: Is there anything negative associated with the runes for Magnus or the combination of them?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

In honor of Spring, I made a set of prayer beads for Gerd. Her myth has really been resonating with me this year. Rather than her being forced into marriage (and maybe I'm just a Freyr apologist!), I see the myth as a warning of what happens if one doesn't realize one's full potential.

The beads are a combination of ceramic and glass. I used a spring green to represent the tender new growth, as well as small white flower beads for the first spring bulbs starting to bloom at this time of year. The gold spacers represent the promise of the harvest to come.



x-posted to own journal

I recently created a community called dark_heathens for those who honor the Jotuns and Rokkr as well as the Gods. Just thought some of you might be interested. :)

Hi, Folks,

I am currently working on a devotional to Mani and Sunna and other Norse Cosmological Deities (Dagr, Nott, even Jord).
I am looking for submissions of poetry/prayers, articles and rituals to these Deities.

This book will include daily rituals for each day of the week, so material for the Gods and Goddesses associated with each individual day is also appropriate (Monday: Mani, Tuesday: Tyr, Wednesday: Woden, Thursday: Thor, Friday: Frigga or Freya –scholars disagree, Sunday: Sunna. I’m not sure what the original attribution for Saturday was as only the Roman (Saturn) has survived. I’ll be researching this). Additionally, I’m seriously considering including a section on seasonal rites.

If anyone is interested in submitting prayers, poems, articles or rituals, please email me at urdabrunnr@yahoo.com OR Krasskova@gmail.com. Unfortunately, I can’t pay for submissions, but I will send every contributor a copy of the book when it is finished.

Deadline for ALL Submissions is September 1, 2008.

Thanks!

Galina Krasskova

The press officer from Uppsala University was kind enough to send me this link:
http://www.newsdesk.se/pressroom/uu/pressrelease/view/vikings-did-not-dress-the-way-we-thought-197993
As for the male outfit, I can see one changing into something like that as one heads east on one's trade route. It could make for good public relations to make a bit of an effort to blend in more.