ᛉ Sagnamaðr Stark ᛉ

The way I perform blóts is the result of many, many hours of digging through the Eddas and Sagas. The historical sources for how I perform blóts on a daily basis are; Source of fire: Eyrbyggja Saga, Kjalnesinga Saga, Hákonar saga góða, Indiculus superstitionum et paganarium, Ahmad ibn Rustah referring to the Rus as al-majus; “fire worshippers”. Copper ritual vessel; Kjalnesinga Saga, Strabo’s account of the Cimbri. Passing the ritual vessel across the source of fire: Hákonar saga góða. Pouring or sprinkling a libation: Hyndlujóð, Eyrbyggja Saga, Hákonar saga góða, Ynglinga Saga, Hervarar Saga. Ringing a bell: Gesta Danorum. Offering of alcohol: The Life of St. Columban, History of the Normans. Offering of grain: the Penitential of Theodore, Confessional of Egbert, History of the Normans, Indiculus superstitionum et paganarium. …and of course, these elements are found in many other Indo-European religions. ⴲ

An incomplete Anglo Saxon gilt sleeve gusset plate with a raven head, originally two. The inlaid stone could be a dark amber.

In the Puranas, Prithvi, the Vedic Earth Mother, appears in the form of a cow. Prithu, an avatar of Vishnu, milks her, and her milk provides the Earth with vegetation. In the Gylfaginning, Auðumbla’s milk sustains Ymir. In Germania, Tacitus wrote that a statue of Nerthus was carried in a cart pulled by two cows. Auðumbla could be the primordial form of the Earth Mother, who awakened the Sky Father. In contrast, the Sky Father is often depicted riding a bull; ex. Shiva, Sabazios and Zeus, and Odin is often depicted with a horned headdress.

In Sæmundr Fróði’s Nóregs Konungatal (list of Norwegian kings), he refers to the earth as Odin’s wife multiple times when describing a king ruling over the land. Kennings used; Hárs Vífi: Hárr’s Wife Þundar beðju: Þundr’s bedmate Yggs mani/mani Yggjar: Yggr’s girl

Photo: Franz Stassen “Baldr” (1910-1915)

Remember to practice your ethnic faith today. ⴲ

Finds from an Old Saxon burial ground in Issendorf, Lower Saxony, 5th Century.

Germanic theology in the Eddas I had a follower ask me which sections of Edda literature I thought contained the primary sources for general Germanic theology and belief. Here is a list I came up with. I know that others may disagree thinking there are other areas or text that should be mentioned. However, I intend this for general beginners. The Völuspá: shows a common Eurasian/ Indo-European creation myth that reflects similar things in the Greek tales as well as the Rig Veda Mandala 10. It also shows the cycle of life and rebirth, similar to other Indo-European groups and Samara. As well as the creation of man. Rígsþula: shows the creation of the tripartite caste system. The Hávamál: has proverbial wisdom for daily life and warriors. and Odin's path to Enlightenment / Runes. Grímnismál: 8-10, Helgakviða I-II, and Völuspá 32 stanza describe Valhalla. Helgakviða : Reincarnation Grímnismál and Gylfaginning describe Asgard in general, which can be compared to Elysium and Olympus / Svargaloka / Mt. Sumeru (Meru). Gylfaginning: (as long as someone can decipher the Euhemerism) shows the Order from Chaos, the organization of the Heavens, and the role of the Gods as well as Odin's position as God/Chieftain. Note: I think the Völsunga saga in general presents a majority of the folklore and cultural setting that would represent all Germanic peoples. https://t.me/hammerandvajra

Interesting find from Hornsherred, Zealand, Denmark; an Iron Age pendant depicting a head with a bird’s head sprouting from it. This may depict a type of helmet we have yet to find an intact example of, like unto the boar-crested helmets. Or perhaps…Odin as Arnhöfði. ᚨ

An early Anglo Saxon necklace from the burial ground in Finglesham, Kent, featuring two sun crosses and a horned Woden pendant.