The Norrœna Society

The Essence of Clans and Tribalism: Clans are meant to be a close-knit family unit, bonded by blood and shared experiences. They form the foundation of tribal societies, where interrelated clans come together to create a larger community. This interconnectedness, known as tribalism, arises when these clans share a common history and cultural heritage. Tribalism fosters a sense of belonging and identity, allowing clans to support one another and preserve their traditions. Understanding the role of clans and tribalism helps us appreciate the strength and unity that these ancient social structures provide.

I recently finished Tom Rowsell’s “Starting Heathenry” course, and found it to be a refreshing example of pious polytheism at work. Utilizing a “micro learning” technique, the course is easy to work through one bit at a time, and Tom is clear and concise in his explanations of how we practice these ways. It is work like this that will move our faith forward, and it is crucial to our revival that we support these endeavors. Gone are the days of dealing with screeching New Agers demanding that piety never existed amongst our ancestors, and this is a good thing. Throughout the series Tom demonstrates that this is indeed a religion, one that you can begin to explore in its truest form. Since many of the conclusions here overlap our own, we can’t help but to feel overjoyed at the prospect of people being introduced to this religion in a way that is positive and uplifting. From prayer to sacrifice, kneeling and developing rites, a great deal of material is covered here. Given the small bites in each segment, a person wishing to know more about this faith should not have a hard time following along. Advanced practitioners may not agree with every single detail (when do we ever?), but overall you can clearly see that this is a much needed addition to the toolbox of our reconstruction. https://startingheathenry.thinkific.com/courses/starting-heathenry

Arminius: The Liberator of Germania Throughout history, few figures exemplify the spirit of resistance and freedom like Arminius, the chieftain of the Cherusci tribe. Known to the Romans as Arminius and to the Germanic peoples as Hermann, his legacy is immortalized in the decisive Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. Arminius was born around 18 BC into the Cherusci tribe and was raised as a Roman military commander. This experience gave him a profound understanding of Roman tactics and strategies. However, his loyalty ultimately lay with his homeland. When the Romans sought to subjugate the Germanic tribes, Arminius seized the opportunity to unite his people and resist. The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest marked the pinnacle of his life. Utilizing his intimate knowledge of Roman military practices, Arminius orchestrated a brilliant ambush that decimated three Roman legions led by Publius Quinctilius Varus. This victory not only halted Roman expansion into Germania but also inspired the Germanic tribes to cherish their autonomy and cultural identity. Our knowledge of Arminius comes primarily from Roman historians such as Tacitus, Velleius Paterculus, and Cassius Dio. Tacitus, in his "Annals," praises Arminius for his strategic genius and leadership. Cassius Dio provides a detailed account of the battle and its aftermath, while Velleius Paterculus, writing from a Roman perspective, labels Arminius a traitor. Despite his triumphs, Arminius faced internal strife and was ultimately assassinated by members of his own tribe around 21 AD as he attempted to unify the Germanic tribes under one ruler. Nevertheless, for the Germanic people, Arminius is not just a historical figure but a symbol of national pride and freedom. Art work: Rückkehr Hermanns des Cheruskers aus der Schlacht am Teutoburger Wald Date: 1890

Ġealdor: The First of Three Magics A form of magic called Ġealdor (YAHL-dor) involves singing prayers to the gods in verse. Deeply rooted in religious traditions, it signifies a magical spell sung to invoke a divine power. Wóden, who’s renowned for his wisdom & mastery of magic, is the ALU-god. ALU (AH-loo) is Proto-Germanic for “ale” and according to lore, Wóden drank from Mimor’s Eormengrund spring, gaining knowledge, including the runic ġealdoric secrets. Contrasting Ġealdor is Bealocræft (BAH-lo-craft), or Seiðr (SAY-thur) in Old Norse, and is a darker, taboo magic used for controlling others. While Bealocræft is fearsome and taboo, Ġealdor is pure & sacred, directly connecting to the gods for noble purposes of divine communication. Singing is a powerful way to connect with the divine, as words influence both spiritual & physical realms. thefrithstead.com

The Överhogdal Tapestry: A Window into Heathen Traditions This remarkable piece of textile art was discovered in 1910 in the small village of Överhogdal, Sweden. Dating back to the Viking Age or early medieval period (9th to 12th centuries), the tapestry provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into the heathen traditions and the newly adopted Christian customs and imagery. The Överhogdal Tapestry is renowned for its intricate designs and expert craftsmanship. Created using wool and plant dyes, the tapestry showcases the incredible skill of its weavers. The detailed depictions include trees, animals, human figures, and scenes that are thought to represent mythological events and everyday life in ancient Scandinavia. The tapestry's images are a vibrant display of Norse mythology and culture: -Mythical Trees: Representations of the Yggdrasil -the World Tree. A representation of the cosmology. - Animals and Beasts: Iconic creatures from Norse myths -Human Figures: Scenes that might illustrate historical events or legendary sagas, reflecting the values and beliefs of the time. For those who follow traditional heathenry, the Överhogdal Tapestry is more than just an artifact; it is a sacred connection to our ancestors and their ways. The meticulous craftsmanship and the themes woven into the fabric reflect the worldview of our ancestors. By studying and preserving these tapestries, we honor the memory and skills of the ancient artisans who created them. Their work continues to inspire us to keep the old ways alive and to celebrate our rich heritage. Today, the Överhogdal Tapestry is carefully preserved and displayed, allowing us to appreciate the artistry and spiritual depth of our ancestors. It serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of heathen traditions and an important glimpse into the past. #thetraditionalheathens #Heathenry #ÖverhogdalTapestry #NorseMythology #CulturalHeritage #TraditionalCraftsmanship

BOOKS RESTOCKED We have restocked a few sold out titles from the Hamer edition of the Norrœna library Saxo Grammaticus Vol 1-2 (this version includes excerpts in the appendix from the damaged and partially ruined books of Saxo's Gestae Danorum.) Viktor Rydberg's Teutonic Mythology in 3 volumes The Volsung's Saga William Morris and Eirikr Magnusson translation And Snorre's Heimskringla in three volumes, translated by Samuel Lang. We are also hard at work on more books from the Norrœna library. The next Hamer edition release will be the Eddas. Get yours at futhark.org

The PNW Wolfpack Flys the banner of death and passing of one of our own. We hail and honor Samantha Deschenes. Let it be known that Samantha's name was called to the gods at 7:30pm, to this resounding horn! Samantha was a warrior in life, a mother, a daughter, and our sister! She is loved by many! We send her gifts, prayers, and love for her journey in the other world. May Thor hallow her, and may Odin receive her. Samantha was born in 1991 and passed at the young age of 33. She is survived by her 9 yearold son and many family and friends who love her! We have set up a donation page for her son and family. 100% of the donations go to the care of her surviving son and immediate family caring for her son. You can donate here: https://pnwkindreds.com/campaigns/samantha-deschenes/

In the Færeyinga Saga, Þrandr performs a ritual to summon the dead from the underworld in which he uses a grid of nine squares on the floor. Several small Viking Age amulets with a grid of nine squares or studs have been found, and this motif has been found near depictions of Valkyries. This was likely a miniature representation of these liminal spaces, where one could connect with the Divine.

Loki’s daughter is not clearly identified as Hel in any of the existing Eddaic poems. In light of this, it’s important to note that the description of “Hel’s high hall” stands in stark contrast to the hall of Loki’s daughter in Snorri’s Edda. In the Eddaic poem Baldrs Draumar, whereas the benches in “Hel’s high hall” are strewn with costly things and mead stands poured out in goblets awaiting a guest, the hall of Loki’s daughter (whom Snorri calls Hel) is a dismal place with its dish called “Hunger” and its knife named “famine.” The Eddaic poems clearly distinguish this place from Hel, the realm where “all men” must eventually come according to Fáfnismál 10. Vafþrúðnismál 43 separates those that come to Hel from those that pass through Hel into Niflhel. W.P. Reaves