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hammerandstone · 6 years

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So first of all thanks to both of the people who gave input so far- they actually ended up tying into each other, so I’m going to quickly address them as best I can.

I mentioned it in the Resources section of this site, and there’s a rune divination post roaming around with my further thoughts on it, but the main gist of it is that most rune information people seem to recommend for religious or esoteric purposes- is shit. At best. To be clear, I’m not mad/upset at all that runes were suggested, after all, this is a page about the guy that canonically found them. Aesthetically, they’re cool and prevalent, and I have used the Amazon search function- I know precisely what comes up when you look up runes on there, and it’s stuff like Edred Thorsson, aka Stephen Flowers, whose work under the former name is… occasionally passable, but his esoteric rune stuff- which is what people generally recommend- is possibly going to be right twice a day, but mostly filled with ahistorical and often nationalist shit presented as actual fact. Which isn’t good, period, but it’s even more harmful to someone starting out, as I think you can imagine. This thread and this thread give more details on that, and the runes section linked to (which I believe is also in our Resources section) has some actual decent resources for runology and learning more.

Does this mean learning runes or using them for divination is bad? No, absolutely not. What it does mean, though, is that you’re going to have to have a good foundation that helps you ID bullshit or possible bullshit, and probably get creative and rig something up not published in a book if you want to do the latter. There are certainly people that have done this, and also, to be clear- if someone is already using runes, that’s not a definitive sign of them being an fascist asshole- more than likely, they don’t know because this shit is sold and perpetuated as being correct. If there is a view I don’t like on this subject, it’s that I’ve seen people say ‘well, these people are the reason we have modern heathenry- we owe them ‘x’ for that.’ For one, it rubs me wrong because, uh, modern heathenry clearly has some issues. Not that any large grouping of people doesn’t, but it strikes me as some pretty hollow praise considering.

But more importantly, guys? The real deal?

That sounds like fuckin’ quittin’ talk to me. That sounds like resignation that we’re stuck with it, because we can’t do better.

And it’s horse shit, quite frankly. I think each and every one of you, in fact, could.

Which is why we do have a recommended reading list- and it starts with the actual historical shit we do have. It appears short, I suspect, but as I mentioned in the first Gylfaginning post, there’s a lot to take in there, we’re a 101 blog, and I want those stories to be in your head, not because I think you can recreate ancient Scandinavia, or that you should. But if you know the earliest, most basic stuff we already have, not only are you going to be able to show that we’re not dealing with inherently fascist material to people who do, and do not give a damn that it’s your religion- but I also think you’re going to have a way better chance of at least having alarm bells go off if you read something suspect. If you’ve read the Eddas, you’re going to know we have no actual record of Odin seeing a ‘web of wyrd’ or some other fine horseshit like that. You’re going to go ‘wait, don’t we have like… only one stanza about that?’ And you’ll be right- or worst case scenario, you can reference back, find backing for it, and you know yet more. To be clear, this blog is obviously here to answer questions- if you’re unsure, please, please hop in the ask box. I’m not going to be angry or dismissive- this is a 101 blog, and we are swimming in a sea of eagle shit in terms of ‘heathen literature’ these days. I am more than happy- I would goddamn LOVE to help you out if you’re confused. Please don’t take this post as me saying you shouldn’t ask, or wonder- that is literally the only way to Know More, and we are all about that.

But this blog is also here with the goal of getting you guys to a point where you don’t always have to. Where you’re confident enough in your knowledge and practice that you can not only handle yourself, but goddamn it, you can have some creative fun with your practice, too. To quote one of our favorite series/books, Dune: A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct. And quite frankly, guys- as awful and enraging as #heathen problems are- this is a chance to begin, not just for the 101 folks, but for everyone, religious or not. Like I said in the FAQ, I don’t have a real hardline agenda on people actually getting into this on a worship level or not. But I’d be more than pleased to show the asshats the door, for everyone’s sake.

That all said- I do understand that people find runes, to put it succinctly, intriguing- and you’re not wrong, and they’re certainly part of Odin’s history, so to speak. So I’ll do my part, and start searching out some solid rune sources and posts to reblog for you guys- I know there’s a graphic series on the Younger Futhark (the actual runic alphabet that would’ve been used in the Viking Age, not Elder) that’s excellent, and I’m sure there’s more. If I’m gonna rail on like this, as we used to say in East Texas, I should probably be about it and not just talk about it.

As far as the book recommendations list goes, as I said above, our current reading list is what I think you should hit first, and they include a variety of opinions. That said, again, if you have questions about a particular author or book, please feel free to just shoot us an ask. If I don’t know, there’s a 99.9% chance that I know someone who does, and we can all learn something (which is the most exciting option of all).

So yeah. Apologies for what is probably at this point a rant, but it’s probably good info, and at least y’all know where this blog stands (and again, thank you to @themixedwitch and @caerwys for the suggestions, you are both lovely and I promise I will come up with something decently cool over the next few days. Keep an eye out on Wednesday- you know how it goes around here.)

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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Packing list for Traveling Witches

Every tarot deck you’ve Ever Owned

Candles??? Incense?? Both??? Neither???

Oh yeah, underwear’s important

Yarn! :D

Will you really need this jar? Or are there jars where you’re going?

Maybe TWO sweaters

Bag of Assorted Rocks™️

Sharpie

…socks..?

Bug Spray!

This bag is too heavy :(

WHO WILL WATCH THE PLANTS??

Small Blessing for travel

Do fun-size candy bars make good offerings?

OH SHIT YOUR WALLET

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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Why Everything You Know About Vikings Is A Lie

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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What are the old Norse/Germanic holidays and when do they fall???Btw beautiful blog.

Here is a simplified wheel of the year.

And here is some more in-depth information from The Asatru Alliance

SnowMoon/January

Snowmoon 3,

Charming of the Plow: This is the date of an agricultural ritual performed in Northern Europe from ancient times. Grains and cakes were offered for the soil’s fertility, and the Sky Father and Earth Mother were invoked to that end. Meditate upon your dependence on the soil, and crumble upon the earth a piece of bread as you call upon Odin, Frigga and the Land Spirits to heal the Earth and keep it from harm.

Snowmoon 9,

Day of Remembrance for Raud the Strong: Raud was a landowner in Norway who was put to death by (St.) Olaf Tryggvason for his loyalty to Asatru by having a snake forced down his throat. Rauds lands were then confiscated in the name of the king and his monks. Raise a horn in honor of Raud and all of his kinsmen who gave their lives, rather then submit to the enforced love of the kristjan empire.

Snowmoon 14,

Thorrablot: This holiday began the Old Norse month of Snorri. It is still observed in Iceland with parties and a mid-winter feast. It is of course sacred to Thorr and the ancient Icelandic Winter Spirit of Thorri. On this day we should perform blot to Thorr and invite the mighty Asaman to the feast.

Horning / February

Horning 2,

Barri: This is the day we celebrate the wooing by Ingvi Freyr of the maiden Gerd, a symbolic marriage of the Vanir God of Fertility with the Mother Earth. It is a festival of fertility, the planted seed and the plowed furrow. For those of you who garden, this is the time to plant seeds indoors, to later be transplanted in the summer garden.

Horning 9,

Day of Remembrance for Eyvind Kinnrifi: Olaf tortured him to death by placing a bowl of red-hot embers on his stomach until his body burst open. Eyvind’s crime was a steadfast loyalty to the Old Gods. A good day to reflect on kristjan kindness.

Horning 14,

Feast of Vali: This feast originally celebrated the death of Hothr at the hands of Vali. This late winter festival relates to the triumphant return of the light of the sun over the dark days of winter. Today it is traditional celebration of the family. A time for the customary exchange of cards and gifts with loved ones. It is also a time for the renewal of marriage vows and an occasion for marriages.

Lenting / March

Lenting 9,

Day of Remembrance for Oliver the Martyr: He was an adherent of Asatru who persisted in organizing underground sacrifices to the Gods and Goddesses despite decrees by St Olaf the Lawbreaker forbidding such activities. Betrayed by an informer, he was killed by Olaf’s men while preparing for the Spring sacrifice in the village of Maerin Norway. Many other men whose names are lost to us were also killed, mutilated, or exiled for taking part in such sacrifices.

Lenting 20,

High Feast of Ostara: This is the Spring Equinox. The end of Winter and the beginning of the season of rebirth. Today we honor Frigga, Freya and Nerthus with blot and feast. Pour a libation of mead onto the Earth; celebrate the rebirth of nature, Asatru, and the new hopes of our Folk.

Lenting 28,

Ragnar Lodbrok Day: Ragnar was one of the legends most famous Vikings. On this day in Runic Year 1145 he raided Paris. It just happened to be Easter Sunday. Today toast Ragnar and read from his Saga.

Ostara / April

Ostara 9,

Day of Remembrance for Jarl Hakon of Norway: As ruler of the western part of the realm, Hakon restored the worship of the Old Gods and cast out the alien religion. In the process, the common folk regained political liberties which were erased under the kristjan yoke, and the flame of our Troth burned brighter in an era of gathering gloom. It may be that Hakon’s defense of our ancestral ways helped encourage the survival of our traditions in Iceland, where they eventually became the seeds of modern day Asatru. On this day reflect on how the actions of the individual can impact world events and the future of Odinn’s Nation.

Ostara 15,

Sigrblot/Sumarsdag: Today we celebrate the first day of Summer in the Old Icelandic calendar. In Iceland it had strong agricultural overtones, but elsewhere in the Nordic world, it was a time to sacrifice to Odinn for victory in the summer voyages and battles.

Ostara 22,

Yggdrasil Day: On this day we realize the great significance that the World Tree plays in our culture, heritage, and native spirituality. It is from the World Tree that we came, and it shelters and nurtures the Asatru today, and will offer refuge to the Folk come Ragnarok. Trees are the lungs as well as the soul of Midgard. Plant a tree today, nurture it, and protect it. In this act the Folk must abide.

Ostara 30,

Walburg: this is better known as Walpurgisnacht or May Eve. Walberg is a goddess of our folk combining some of the traits of Her better-known peers. Reflect on this day on Freya, Hel, and Frigga as the repository of the glorious dead, and you will have an idea of Wulburg’s nature. On this day pour a horn of mead upon the earth in memory of our heroes.

Merrymoon / May

Merrymoon 1,

May Day: The first of May is a time of great celebration all across Europe, as the fields get greener and the flowers decorate the landscape with colorful confusion. Freya turns her kindly face to us after the night of Walburg. Celebrate the birth of Spring and the gifts of Freya on this day.

Merrymoon 9,

Day of Remembrance for Guthroth: One of the upland minor kings. Guthroth had to the audacity to make a speech opposing the policies of Olaf Tryggvason, who at the time was busy killing people who did not want to become kristjans. For exercising his Gods given rights to worship his tribal Gods, Guthroth was captured and his tongue was cut out. Use your tongue for the Gods today! Sing their praises and recite some heroic poetry, tell someone of the Gods glory, and call a kinsman to keep in touch.

Merrymoon 20,

Frigga Blot: Today we rejoice in the warmth and splendor of Spring. A traditional time for a Kindred campout, perform blot to honor the AllMother and thank Her for the health and vitality of the Family, Kindred and Tribe.

Midyear / June

Midyear 8,

Lindisfarne Day: On this day in the year 1043 Runic Era (793 CE) three Viking ships raided the Isle of Lindisfarne, officially opening what is the Viking Age. Toast these brave warriors who began the noble resistance of the alien invasion of the Northlands and sought rightful revenge for the slaughter of the Saxons by Charlamange.

Midyear 9,

Day of Remembrance for Sigurd the Volsung: He is the model Germanic hero. His wooing of the Valkyrie Brynhild, the winning of the treasure of the Nibelungs, and the constant theme of Odinic initiation that weaves itself throughout his story are priceless parts of our Asatru heritage, that provide endless material for contemplation and inspiration for action.

Midyear 21,

Midsummer: This is the longest day and the shortest night of the year: Now Sunna begins its ling decline, sliding into the darkness which will culminate six months from now at Yule. Identifying the sun with the brightness of Baldur, we celebrate in honor of both. Hold blot to Baldur and High Feast. This was the traditional time for holding the AlThing in ancient times.

Haymoon / July

Haymoon 4,

Founder’s Day: On this day we honor the unselfish personal sacrifice and unswerving dedication to our Folk exemplified by the founders of modern era Asatru, H. Rud Mills of Australia, Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson and Thorsteinn Guthjonson of Iceland. On this day reflect on just what YOU can do to promote the growth of our ancestral religion and protect our sacred heritage and traditions.

Haymoon 9,

Day of Remembrance for Unn the Deep Minded: Unn was a powerful figure from the Laxdaela Saga who emigrated to Scotland to avoid the hostility of King Harald Finehair. She established dynasties in the Orkney and Faroe Islands by carefully marrying off her grand daughters. As a settler in Iceland she continued to exhibit all those traits which were her hallmark-strong will, a determination to control, dignity, and a noble character. In the last days of her life, she established a mighty line choosing one of her grandsons as her heir. She died during his wedding celebration, presumable accomplishing her goals and worked out her orlog here in Midgard. She received a typical Nordic ship burial, surrounded by her treasure and her reputation for great deeds.

Haymoon 29,

Stikklestad Day: Olaf the Lawbreaker (“St. Olaf”) was killed at the battle of Stikklestad on this date in the year 1280 R.E. Olaf acquired a reputation for killing, maiming, and exiling his fellow Norwegians who would not convert to Christianity, and for carrying an army with him in violation of the law to help him accomplish his oppression. Today honor the Asatru martyrs who died rather then submit to gray slavery. Also honor the warriors who brought justice to the Lawbreaker.

Harvest / August

Harvest 1,

Freyfaxi: Freyfaxi marked the time of the harvest in ancient Iceland. Today the Asatru observe this date as a celebration of their harvest with blot to Freyr and a grand Feast from the gardens and the fields.

Harvest 9,

Day of Remembrance for Radbod: On this date we honor Radbod a king of Frisia what was an early target kristjan missionaries. Just before his baptism ceremony, he asked the clergy what fate his befallen ancestors who died loyal to Asatru. The missionaries replied that Radbod’s Heathen ancestors were burning in Hell-to which the king replied: “Then I will rather live there with my ancestors than go to heaven with a parcel of beggars.” The baptism was cancelled, the aliens expelled, and Frisia remained free. Drink a horn this day in memory of Radbod.

Shedding / September

Shedding 9,

Day of Remembrance for Herman of the Cherusci: Few mortals have privileged to serve our Folk as did Herman, a leader of the tribe called the Cherusci. We he defeated Varus’ three Roman Legions in 9 C.E. he blocked our amalgamation into the Mediterranean morass. Herman was very aware of his duties not only as a member of his tribe but also as an Asaman - indeed the two were probably inseparable with him. Shedding is the ideal time to give him praise, because the crucial battle for which he is remembered was fought during this month.

Shedding 23,

Winter Finding: The Fall Equinox; Summer and Winter balance for a moment and the cold, old man wins - for now. Brace yourself for longer nights and the onset, eventually, of the cold and darkness of Winter. Do blot to Odin for inspiration to get through your personal lean times, whenever they may strike. This is the traditional time for Fall Fest and the Second Harvest Feast.

Hunting / October

Hunting 8,

Day of Remembrance for Erik the Red: Praise the stalwart founder of Greenland, and father of Leif, the founder of Vinland. Erik remained loyal to Thor even when his wife left the Gods and refused to sleep with her Heathen husband. Pause in memory of Erik today; drink a toast to his honor. No doubt he gets enough warmth in Har’s Hall to make up for his wife’s coldness.

Hunting 9,

Day of Remembrance for Leif Erikson: this is a day that even the U.S. Government admits who should dedicate to the man who beat Columbus to the shores of Vinland by over 500 years. Don’t let it slide quietly - write your local newspapers and share the word of the Norse colonies with neighbors and friends.

Hunting 14,

Winter Nights/Vetrablot: In the Old Icelandic Calendar, winter begins on the Satyrday between Hunting 11th and 17th. Winter Nights celebrates the bounty of the harvest and honors Freya and the fertility and protective spirits called Disir, that She leads (often the Disir are seen as our female ancestors). Give glory to Freya and pour a libation of ale, milk, or mead into the soil an offering to the Disir and the Earth itself.

Fogmoon / November

Fogmoon 9,

Day of Remembrance for Queen Sigrith of Sweden: When Olaf the Lawbreaker had been king of Norway for three years, he asked Queen Sigrith of Sweden to marry him. She agreed, but when he insisted that she give up her ancestral Gods Sigrith replied, “I do not mean to abandon the faith I have led, and my kinsmen before me. Nor shall I object to your belief in the god you prefer.” As usual Heathen tolerance was met with kristjan imprecations and a blow to the face. The wedding was off - depriving Olaf of political power that could have sped the christianization of Scandinavia. As it were, history tells us that the Heathens held on for over 300 more years in the Northlands. Hail Sigrith, defender of Asatru, and women of stubborn virtue!

Fogmoon 11,

Feast of the Einherjar: The chosen heroes who sit in Odin’s Hall are the Einherjar. Today we honor those dead kin who gave their lives for Family and Folk. If you have friends or family who died in battle, visit their graves today, if that is not possible, drink a libation in their memory.

Fogmoon 23,

Feast of Ullr: The Feast of Ullr is to celebrate the Hunt and to gain personal luck needed for success. Weapons are dedicated on this day to Ullr, God of the Bow. If your hunting arms were blessed by the luck of the God of the Hunt, your family and tribe shared the bounty with a Blot and Feast to Ullr.

Yule / December

Yule 9,

Day of Remembrance for Egil Skallagrimsson: Odin was his God, and the blood of berserks and shape-shifters ran in his family. His lust for gold and for fames was insatiable. Yet the same man was passionately moved by the love of his friends and generously opened handed to those who found his favor. The same brain that seethed with war-fury also composed skaldic poetry capable of calming angry kings. Can it be by accident that Egil worshipped Odin, the great solver of paradoxes and riddles? Indeed all Asafolk - but especially those who follow the one-eyed God of battle and magic - can learn much from the life of this amazing man.

Yule 21,

Mother Night: As the night before the Winter Solstice, this is the time when the New Year is born. We honor the beginning of Sunnas return and the breaking of Winter’s spell. This is a time to honor Thor and Freyr, celebrate by Blot, Sumbel, and High Feast. Burn a Yule Log and jump the flames for luck and purification.

Yule 22,

High Feast of Yule - Beginning of Runic Year - Sacred to Thorr and Freyr

Yule 31,

Twelfth Night: This culminates the traditional twelve days of Yule. Each day of which is a month of the preceding year in miniature. Reflect on the past year. Take stock and lay a course for the future. Make New Years resolutions in the old way by swearing your oath on Freyr’s boar or on your Hammer.

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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Announcing our newest partner!

We are proud to announce our newest partner, Drunken Bard Creations! Drunken Bard Creations was started in early 2017 by a bored Heathen looking to let the creative juices flow. With an endless supply of curiosity for different techniques and mediums our focus is not only creating but creating things that we love. Every piece is hand crafted when the inspiration strikes ensuring that nothing we create is forced. Driftwood, harvested wood, bone, or metal, we aim to produce quality goods at a reasonable price. https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenBard/ For more information on our other amazing partners or to learn how to become one visit our Partners page! http://www.theasatrucommunity.org/partners

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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hammerandstone · 7 years

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This holds true to all things, but my pagan faith has guided me on this philosophy rather than simply accept “it’s God’s will.”

No - find out how it works or why it happens. Then learn how to manipulate it. Knowledge is power

To my fellow wiccans and witches.

There is no shame in researching what you don’t know. Knowledge is power.

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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black and asian vikings 100% definitely existed (also, saami vikings)

you know how far you can get into eurasia and africa by sailing up rivers from the baltic and mediterranean seas? pretty fucking far, and that’s what vikings liked to do to trade

then, you know, people are people, so love happens, business happens, and so ppl get married and take spouses back home to the frozen hellscape that is scandinavia (upon which i’m guessing the horrorstruck new spouses went “WHAT THE FUCK??? FUCKING GIVE ME YOUR JACKET???????”)

and sometimes vikings bought thralls and brought them home as well, and i mean, when your indentured service is up after however many years and you’re a free person again, maaaaaaaaaaaaybe it’s a bit hard to get all the way home across the continent, so you make the best out of the situation and you probably get married and raise a gaggle kids

so yeah

viking kingdoms/communities were not uniformly pure white aryan fantasy paradises, so pls stop using my cultural history and ethnic background to excuse your racist discomfort with black ppl playing heimdall and valkyrie

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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So as a heads up: The third to last gif has three different symbols which are actually NOT hate symbols.

Two of them are runes (Middle of the screen - far left & right). And the third is the three interlocking triangles in the top-right (called the Valknut). All these things all used in Germanic neo-paganism.

Now, unfortunately, Germanic neo-paganism (specifically Odinism / Asatru) is pretty problematic with white supremacist groups. There are good communities out there that are NOT white supremacists (or at least, not dominated by them). The easy way to figure out if they are or not is if they support “Declaration 127″

Of course, there are a LOT of problematic groups out there. And even if they’re not white spuremacists, groups like the Asatru Folk Assembly (AFA) that, quite honestly, Deceleration 127 was written to stand apart FROM, will also still be rooted in traditional gender binaries.

In other words: “not all heathens” are white supremacists, but on the other hand a lot of groups have identified this as problematic enough to actually organize a fair bit (which is AMAZING for any pagan group) and formally denounce the issue

With some of this stuff it’s hard to tell if it’s ironic detachment or genuine racism, but at some point, what’s the f***king difference?

youtube

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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Grimnismol - The Ballad of Grimnir

1. Hot art thou, fire! | too fierce by far;

Get ye now gone, ye flames! The mantle is burnt, | though I bear it aloft, And the fire scorches the fur.

2. 'Twixt the fires now | eight nights have I sat, And no man brought meat to me, Save Agnar alone, | and alone shall rule Geirröth's son o'er the Goths.

3. Hail to thee, Agnar! | for hailed thou art By the voice of Veratyr; For a single drink | shalt thou never receive A greater gift as reward.

4. The land is holy | that lies hard by The gods and the elves together; And Thor shall ever | in Thruthheim dwell, Till the gods to destruction go.

5. Ydalir call they | the place where Ull A hall for himself hath set; And Alfheim the gods | to Freyr once gave As a tooth-gift in ancient times.

6. A third home is there, | with silver thatched By the hands of the gracious gods: Valaskjolf is it, | in days of old Set by a god for himself.

7. Sökkvabekk is the fourth, | where cool waves flow, And amid their murmur it stands; There daily do Othin | and Saga drink In gladness from cups of gold.

8. The fifth is Glathsheim, | and gold-bright there Stands Valhall stretching wide; And there does Othin | each day choose The men who have fallen in fight.

9. Easy is it to know | for him who to Othin Comes and beholds the hall; Its rafters are spears, | with shields is it roofed, On its benches are breastplates strewn.

10. Easy is it to know | for him who to Othin Comes and beholds the hall; There hangs a wolf | by the western door, And o'er it an eagle hovers.

11. The sixth is Thrymheim, | where Thjazi dwelt, The giant of marvelous might; Now Skathi abides, | the god's fair bride, In the home that her father had.

12. The seventh is Breithablik; | Baldr has there For himself a dwelling set, In the land I know | that lies so fair, And from evil fate is free.

13. Himinbjorg is the eighth, | and Heimdall there O'er men holds sway, it is said; In his well-built house | does the warder of heaven The good mead gladly drink.

14. The ninth is Folkvang, | where Freyja decrees Who shall have seats in the hall; The half of the dead | each day does she choose, And half does Othin have.

15. The tenth is Glitnir; | its pillars are gold, And its roof with silver is set; There most of his days | does Forseti dwell, And sets all strife at end.

16. The eleventh is Noatun; | there has Njorth For himself a dwelling set; The sinless ruler | of men there sits In his temple timbered high.

17. Filled with growing trees | and high-standing grass Is Vithi, Vithar's land; But there did the son | from his steed leap down, When his father he fain would avenge.

18. In Eldhrimnir | Andhrimnir cooks Sæhrimnir's seething flesh,-- The best of food, | but few men know On what fare the warriors feast.

19. Freki and Geri | does Heerfather feed, The far-famed fighter of old: But on wine alone | does the weapon-decked god, Othin, forever live.

20. O'er Mithgarth Hugin | and Munin both Each day set forth to fly; For Hugin I fear | lest he come not home, But for Munin my care is more.

21. Loud roars Thund, | and Thjothvitnir's fish joyously fares in the flood; Hard does it seem | to the host of the slain To wade the torrent wild.

22. There Valgrind stands, | the sacred gate, And behind are the holy doors; Old is the gate, | but few there are Who can tell how it tightly is locked.

23. Five hundred doors | and forty there are, I ween, in Valhall's walls; Eight hundred fighters | through one door fare When to war with the wolf they go.

24. Five hundred rooms | and forty there are I ween, in Bilskirnir built; Of all the homes | whose roofs I beheld, My son's the greatest meseemed.

25. Heithrun is the goat | who stands by Heerfather's hall, And the branches of Lærath she bites; The pitcher she fills | with the fair, clear mead, Ne'er fails the foaming drink.

26. Eikthyrnir is the hart | who stands by Heerfather's hall And the branches of Lærath he bites; From his horns a stream | into Hvergelmir drops, Thence all the rivers run.

27. Sith and Vith, | Sækin and Ækin, Svol and Fimbulthul, | Gunnthro, and Fjorm, Rin and Rinnandi, Gipul and Gopul, | Gomul and Geirvimul, That flow through the fields of the gods; Thyn and Vin, | Thol and Hol, Groth and Gunnthorin.

29. Kormt and Ormt | and the Kerlaugs twain Shall Thor each day wade through, (When dooms to give | he forth shall go To the ash-tree Yggdrasil;) For heaven's bridge | burns all in flame, And the sacred waters seethe.

30. Glath and Gyllir, | Gler and Skeithbrimir, Silfrintopp and Sinir, Gisl and Falhofnir, | Golltopp and Lettfeti, On these steeds the gods shall go When dooms to give | each day they ride To the ash-tree Yggdrasil.

31. Three roots there are | that three ways run 'Neath the ash-tree Yggdrasil; 'Neath the first lives Hel, | 'neath the second the frost-giants, 'Neath the last are the lands of men.

32. Ratatosk is the squirrel | who there shall run On the ash-tree Yggdrasil; From above the words | of the eagle he bears, And tells them to Nithhogg beneath.

33. Four harts there are, | that the highest twigs Nibble with necks bent back; Dain and Dvalin, | . . . . . . Duneyr and Dyrathror.

34. More serpents there are | beneath the ash Than an unwise ape would think; Goin and Moin, | Grafvitnir's sons, Grabak and Grafvolluth, Ofnir and Svafnir | shall ever, methinks, Gnaw at the twigs of the tree.

35. Yggdrasil's ash | great evil suffers, Far more than men do know; The hart bites its top, | its trunk is rotting, And Nithhogg gnaws beneath.

36. Hrist and Mist | bring the horn at my will, Skeggjold and Skogul; Hild and Thruth, | Hlok and Herfjotur, Gol and Geironul, Randgrith and Rathgrith | and Reginleif Beer to the warriors bring.

37. Arvak and Alsvith | up shall drag Weary the weight of the sun; But an iron cool | have the kindly gods Of yore set under their yokes.

38. In front of the sun | does Svalin stand, The shield for the shining god; Mountains and sea | would be set in flames If it fell from before the sun.

39. Skoll is the wolf | that to Ironwood Follows the glittering god, And the son of Hrothvitnir, | Hati, awaits The burning bride of heaven.

40. Out of Ymir's flesh | was fashioned the earth, And the ocean out of his blood; Of his bones the hills, | of his hair the trees, Of his skull the heavens high.

41. Mithgarth the gods | from his eyebrows made, And set for the sons of men; And out of his brain | the baleful clouds They made to move on high.

42. His the favor of Ull | and of all the gods Who first in the flames will reach; For the house can be seen | by the sons of the gods If the kettle aside were cast.

43. In days of old | did Ivaldi's sons Skithblathnir fashion fair, The best of ships | for the bright god Freyr, The noble son of Njorth.

44. The best of trees | must Yggdrasil be, Skithblathnir best of boats; Of all the gods | is Othin the greatest, And Sleipnir the best of steeds; Bifrost of bridges, | Bragi of skalds, Hobrok of hawks, | and Garm of hounds.

45. To the race of the gods | my face have I raised, And the wished-for aid have I waked; For to all the gods | has the message gone That sit in Ægir's seats, That drink within Ægir's doors.

46. Grim is my name, | Gangleri am 1, Herjan and Hjalmberi, Thekk and Thrithi, | Thuth and Uth, Helblindi and Hor;

47. Sath and Svipal | and Sanngetal, Herteit and Hnikar, Bileyg, Baleyg, | Bolverk, Fjolnir, Grim and Grimnir, | Glapsvith, Fjolsvith.

48. Sithhott, Sithskegg, | Sigfather, Hnikuth, Allfather, Valfather, | Atrith, Farmatyr: A single name | have I never had Since first among men I fared.

49. Grimnir they call me | in Geirröth's hall, With Asmund Jalk am I; Kjalar I was | when I went in a sledge, At the council Thror am I called, As Vithur I fare to the fight; Oski, Biflindi, | Jafnhor and Omi, Gondlir and Harbarth midst gods.

50. So. I deceived the giant | Sokkmimir old As Svithur and Svithrir of yore; Of Mithvitnir's son | the slayer I was When the famed one found his doom.

51. Drunk art thou, Geirröth, | too much didst thou drink, . . . . . . . . . . Much hast thou lost, | for help no more From me or my heroes thou hast.

52. Small heed didst thou take | to all that I told, And false were the words of thy friends; For now the sword | of my friend I see, That waits all wet with blood.

53. Thy sword-pierced body | shall Ygg have soon, For thy life is ended at last; The maids are hostile; | now Othin behold! Now come to me if thou canst!

54. Now am I Othin, | Ygg was I once, Ere that did they call me Thund; Vak and Skilfing, | Vofuth and Hroptatyr, Gaut and Jalk midst the gods; Ofnir and Svafnir, | and all, methinks, Are names for none but me.

#asatru #the poetic edda #Grimnismol

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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Vafthruthnismol - The Ballad of Vafthruthnir

Othin spake:

1. "Counsel me, Frigg, for I long to fare, And Vafthruthnir fain would find; fit wisdom old with the giant wise Myself would I seek to match."

Frigg spake: 2. "Heerfather here at home would I keep, Where the gods together dwell; Amid all the giants an equal in might To Vafthruthnir know I none."

Othin spake: 3. "Much have I fared, much have I found. Much have I got from the gods; And fain would I know how Vafthruthnir now Lives in his lofty hall."

Frigg spake: 4. "Safe mayst thou go, safe come again, And safe be the way thou wendest! Father of men, let thy mind be keen When speech with the giant thou seekest."

5. The wisdom then of the giant wise Forth did he fare to try; He found the hall | of the father of Im, And in forthwith went Ygg.

Othin spake: 6. "Vafthruthnir, hail! | to thy hall am I come, For thyself I fain would see; And first would I ask | if wise thou art, Or, giant, all wisdom hast won."

Vafthruthnir spake: 7. "Who is the man | that speaks to me, Here in my lofty hall? Forth from our dwelling | thou never shalt fare, Unless wiser than I thou art."

Othin spake: 8. "Gagnrath they call me, | and thirsty I come From a journey hard to thy hall; Welcome I look for, | for long have I fared, And gentle greeting, giant."

Vafthruthnir spake: 9. "Why standest thou there | on the floor whilst thou speakest? A seat shalt thou have in my hall; Then soon shall we know | whose knowledge is more, The guest's or the sage's gray."

Othin spake: 10. "If a poor man reaches | the home of the rich, Let him wisely speak or be still; For to him who speaks | with the hard of heart Will chattering ever work ill."

Vafthruthnir spake: 11. "Speak forth now, Gagnrath, | if there from the floor Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known: What name has the steed | that each morn anew The day for mankind doth draw?"

Othin spake: 12. "Skinfaxi is he, | the steed who for men The glittering day doth draw; The best of horses | to heroes he seems, And brightly his mane doth burn."

Vafthruthnir spake: 13. "Speak forth now, Gagnrath, | if there from the floor Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known: What name has the steed | that from East anew Brings night for the noble gods?"

Othin spake: 14. "Hrimfaxi name they | the steed that anew Brings night for the noble gods; Each morning foam | from his bit there falls, And thence come the dews in the dales."

Vafthruthnir spake: 15. "Speak forth now, Gagnrath, | if there from the floor Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known: What name has the river | that 'twixt the realms Of the gods and the giants goes?"

Othin spake: 16. "Ifing is the river | that 'twixt the realms Of the gods and the giants goes; For all time ever | open it flows, No ice on the river there is."

Vafthruthnir spake: 17. "Speak forth now, Gagnrath, | if there from the floor Thou wouldst thy wisdom make known: What name has the field | where in fight shall meet Surt and the gracious gods?"

Othin spake: 18. "Vigrith is the field | where in fight shall meet Surt and the gracious gods; A hundred miles | each way does it measure. And so are its boundaries set."

Vafthruthnir spake: 19. "Wise art thou, guest! | To my bench shalt thou go, In our seats let us speak together; Here in the hall | our heads, O guest, Shall we wager our wisdom upon."

Othin spake: 20. "First answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails, And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: In earliest time | whence came the earth, Or the sky, thou giant sage?" Vafthruthnir spake: 21. "Out of Ymir's flesh | was fashioned the earth, And the mountains were made of his bones; The sky from the frost-cold | giant's skull, And the ocean out of his blood."

Othin spake: 22. "Next answer me well, | if thy wisdom avails, And thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: Whence came the moon, | o'er the world of men That fares, and the flaming sun?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 23. "Mundilferi is he | who begat the moon, And fathered the flaming sun; The round of heaven | each day they run, To tell the time for men."

Othin spake: 24. "Third answer me well, | if wise thou art called, If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: Whence came the day, | o'er mankind that fares, Or night with the narrowing moon?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 25. "The father of day | is Delling called, And the night was begotten by Nor; Full moon and old | by the gods were fashioned, To tell the time for men."

Othin spake: 26. "Fourth answer me well, | if wise thou art called, If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: Whence did winter come, | or the summer warm, First with the gracious gods?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 27. "Vindsval he was | who was winter's father, And Svosuth summer begat;" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Othin spake: 28. "Fifth answer me well, | if wise thou art called, If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: What giant first | was fashioned of old, And the eldest of Ymir's kin?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 29. "Winters unmeasured | ere earth was made Was the birth of Bergelmir; Thruthgelmir's son | was the giant strong, And Aurgelmir's grandson of old."

Othin spake: 30. "Sixth answer me well, | if wise thou art called, If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: Whence did Aurgelmir come | with the giants' kin, Long since, thou giant sage?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 31. "Down from Elivagar | did venom drop, And waxed till a giant it was; And thence arose | our giants' race, And thus so fierce are we found."

Othin spake: 32. "Seventh answer me well, | if wise thou art called, If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: How begat he children, | the giant grim, Who never a giantess knew?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 33. "They say 'neath the arms | of the giant of ice Grew man-child and maid together; And foot with foot | did the wise one fashion A son that six heads bore."

Othin spake: 34. "Eighth answer me well, | if wise thou art called, If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: What farthest back | dost thou bear in mind? For wide is thy wisdom, giant!"

Vafthruthnir spake: 35. "Winters unmeasured | ere earth was made Was the birth of Bergelmir; This first knew I well, | when the giant wise In a boat of old was borne."

Othin spake: 36. "Ninth answer me well, | if wise thou art called If thou knowest it, Vafthruthnir, now: Whence comes the wind | that fares o'er the waves Yet never itself is seen?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 37. "In an eagle's guise | at the end of heaven Hræsvelg sits, they say; And from his wings | does the wind come forth To move o'er the world of men."

Othin spake: 38. "Tenth answer me now, | if thou knowest all The fate that is fixed for the gods: Whence came up Njorth | to the kin of the gods,-- (Rich in temples | and shrines he rules,--) Though of gods he was never begot?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 39. "In the home of the Wanes | did the wise ones create him, And gave him as pledge to the gods; At the fall of the world | shall he fare once more Home to the Wanes so wise."

Othin spake: 40. "Eleventh answer me well, | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What men . . . . . . | in . . . . . . home Each day to fight go forth?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 41. "The heroes all | in Othin's hall Each day to fight go forth; They fell each other, | and fare from the fight All healed full soon to sit."

Othin spake: 42. "Twelfth answer me now | how all thou knowest Of the fate that is fixed for the gods; Of the runes of the gods | and the giants' race The truth indeed dost thou tell, (And wide is thy wisdom, giant!)"

Vafthruthnir spake: 43. "Of the runes of the gods | and the giants' race The truth indeed can I tell, (For to every world have I won;) To nine worlds came I, | to Niflhel beneath, The home where dead men dwell."

Othin spake: 44. "Much have I fared, | much have I found, Much have I got of the gods: What shall live of mankind | when at last there comes The mighty winter to men?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 45. "In Hoddmimir's wood | shall hide themselves Lif and Lifthrasir then; The morning dews | for meat shall they have, Such food shall men then find."

Othin spake: 46. "Much have I fared, | much have I found, Much have I got of the gods: Whence comes the sun | to the smooth sky back, When Fenrir has snatched it forth?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 47. "A daughter bright | Alfrothul bears Ere Fenrir snatches her forth; Her mother's paths | shall the maiden tread When the gods to death have gone."

Othin spake: 48. "Much have I fared, | much have I found, Much have I got of the gods: What maidens are they, | so wise of mind. That forth o'er the sea shall fare?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 49. "O'er Mogthrasir's hill | shall the maidens pass, And three are their throngs that come; They all shall protect | the dwellers on earth, Though they come of the giants' kin."

Othin spake: 50. "Much have I fared, | much have I found, Much have I got of the gods: Who then shall rule | the realm of the gods, When the fires of Surt have sunk?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 51. "In the gods' home Vithar | and Vali shall dwell, When the fires of Surt have sunk; Mothi and Magni | shall Mjollnir have When Vingnir falls in fight."

Othin spake: 52. "Much have I fared, | much have I found, Much have I got of the gods: What shall bring the doom | of death to Othin, When the gods to destruction go?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 53. "The wolf shall fell | the father of men, And this shall Vithar avenge; The terrible jaws | shall he tear apart, And so the wolf shall he slay."

Othin spake: 54. "Much have I fared, | much have I found, Much have I got from the gods: What spake Othin himself | in the ears of his son, Ere in the bale-fire he burned?"

Vafthruthnir spake: 55. "No man can tell | what in olden time Thou spak'st in the ears of thy son; With fated mouth | the fall of the gods And mine olden tales have I told; With Othin in knowledge | now have I striven, And ever the wiser thou art."

#Vafthruthnismol #the poetic edda #asatru

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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oops - just realized I’d finished reading the next two Eddas, but forgot to post them after. Whoops

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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Alternatively, if you do need a form of salt, instead of using sodium chloride (table salt, sea salt, kosher salt, etc.) you can use Epsom salts. It’s still a small crystal, looks and feels like salt, and is beneficial for plants.

Witch tip

DO NOT CAST SALT CIRCLES IN FORESTS OR ANYWHERE IN NATURE. By doing so you’re permanently harming the environment that you’re supposed to be worshipping and treating with respect. “If working with salt please keep in mind that it is a natural desiccating agent, meaning it sucks out all of the water [therefore] it will kill your grass and destroy the surrounding soil, making it uninhabitable for plants and such.”

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hammerandstone · 8 years

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Hovamol - The Ballad of the High One

1. Within the gates | ere a man shall go, (Full warily let him watch,) Full long let him look about him; For little he knows | where a foe may lurk, And sit in the seats within.

2. Hail to the giver! | a guest has come; Where shall the stranger sit? Swift shall he be who, | with swords shall try The proof of his might to make.

3. Fire he needs | who with frozen knees Has come from the cold without; Food and clothes | must the farer have, The man from the mountains come.

4. Water and towels | and welcoming speech Should he find who comes, to the feast; If renown he would get, | and again be greeted, Wisely and well must he act.

5. Wits must he have | who wanders wide, But all is easy at home; At the witless man | the wise shall wink When among such men he sits.

6. A man shall not boast | of his keenness of mind, But keep it close in his breast; To the silent and wise | does ill come seldom When he goes as guest to a house; (For a faster friend | one never finds Than wisdom tried and true.)

7. The knowing guest | who goes to the feast, In silent attention sits; With his ears he hears, | with his eyes he watches, Thus wary are wise men all.

8. Happy the one | who wins for himself Favor and praises fair; Less safe by far | is the wisdom found That is hid in another's heart.

9. Happy the man | who has while he lives Wisdom and praise as well, For evil counsel | a man full oft Has from another's heart.

10. A better burden | may no man bear For wanderings wide than wisdom; It is better than wealth | on unknown ways, And in grief a refuge it gives.

11. A better burden | may no man bear For wanderings wide than wisdom; Worse food for the journey | he brings not afield Than an over-drinking of ale.

12. Less good there lies | than most believe In ale for mortal men; For the more he drinks | the less does man Of his mind the mastery hold.

13. Over beer the bird | of forgetfulness broods, And steals the minds of men; With the heron's feathers | fettered I lay And in Gunnloth's house was held.

14. Drunk I was, | I was dead-drunk, When with Fjalar wise I was; 'Tis the best of drinking | if back one brings His wisdom with him home.

15. The son of a king | shall be silent and wise, And bold in battle as well; Bravely and gladly | a man shall go, Till the day of his death is come.

16. The sluggard believes | he shall live forever, If the fight he faces not; But age shall not grant him | the gift of peace, Though spears may spare his life.

17. The fool is agape | when he comes to the feast, He stammers or else is still; But soon if he gets | a drink is it seen What the mind of the man is like.

18. He alone is aware | who has wandered wide, And far abroad has fared, How great a mind | is guided by him That wealth of wisdom has.

19. Shun not the mead, | but drink in measure; Speak to the point or be still; For rudeness none | shall rightly blame thee If soon thy bed thou seekest.

20. The greedy man, | if his mind be vague, Will eat till sick he is; The vulgar man, | when among the wise, To scorn by his belly is brought.

21. The herds know well | when home they shall fare, And then from the grass they go; But the foolish man | his belly's measure Shall never know aright.

22. A paltry man | and poor of mind At all things ever mocks; For never he knows, | what he ought to know, That he is not free from faults.

23. The witless man | is awake all night, Thinking of many things; Care-worn he is | when the morning comes, And his woe is just as it was.

24. The foolish man | for friends all those Who laugh at him will hold; When among the wise | he marks it not Though hatred of him they speak.

25. The foolish man | for friends all those Who laugh at him will hold; But the truth when he comes | to the council he learns, That few in his favor will speak.

26. An ignorant man | thinks that all he knows, When he sits by himself in a corner; But never what answer | to make he knows, When others with questions come.

27. A witless man, | when he meets with men, Had best in silence abide; For no one shall find | that nothing he knows, If his mouth is not open too much. (But a man knows not, | if nothing he knows, When his mouth has been open too much.)

28. Wise shall he seem | who well can question, And also answer well; Nought is concealed | that men may say Among the sons of men.

29. Often he speaks | who never is still With words that win no faith; The babbling tongue, | if a bridle it find not, Oft for itself sings ill.

30. In mockery no one | a man shall hold, Although he fare to the feast; Wise seems one oft, | if nought he is asked, And safely he sits dry-skinned.

31. Wise a guest holds it | to take to his heels, When mock of another he makes; But little he knows | who laughs at the feast, Though he mocks in the midst of his foes.

32. Friendly of mind | are many men, Till feasting they mock at their friends; To mankind a bane | must it ever be When guests together strive.

33. Oft should one make | an early meal, Nor fasting come to the feast; Else he sits and chews | as if he would choke, And little is able to ask.

34. Crooked and far | is the road to a foe, Though his house on the highway be; But wide and straight | is the way to a friend, Though far away he fare.

35. Forth shall one go, | nor stay as a guest In a single spot forever; Love becomes loathing | if long one sits By the hearth in another's home.

36. Better a house, | though a hut it be, A man is master at home; A pair of goats | and a patched-up roof Are better far than begging.

37. Better a house, | though a hut it be, A man is master at home; His heart is bleeding | who needs must beg When food he fain would have.

38. Away from his arms | in the open field A man should fare not a foot; For never he knows | when the need for a spear Shall arise on the distant road.

39. If wealth a man | has won for himself, Let him never suffer in need; Oft he saves for a foe | what he plans for a friend, For much goes worse than we wish.

40. None so free with gifts | or food have I found That gladly he took not a gift, Nor one who so widely | scattered his wealth That of recompense hatred he had.

41. Friends shall gladden each other | with arms and garments, As each for himself can see; Gift-givers' friendships | are longest found, If fair their fates may be.

42. To his friend a man | a friend shall prove, And gifts with gifts requite; But men shall mocking | with mockery answer, And fraud with falsehood meet.

43. To his friend a man | a friend shall prove, To him and the friend of his friend; But never a man | shall friendship make With one of his foeman's friends.

44. If a friend thou hast | whom thou fully wilt trust, And good from him wouldst get, Thy thoughts with his mingle, | and gifts shalt thou make, And fare to find him oft.

45. If another thou hast | whom thou hardly wilt trust, Yet good from him wouldst get, Thou shalt speak him fair, | but falsely think, And fraud with falsehood requite.

46. So is it with him | whom thou hardly wilt trust, And whose mind thou mayst not know; Laugh with him mayst thou, | but speak not thy mind, Like gifts to his shalt thou give.

47. Young was I once, | and wandered alone, And nought of the road I knew; Rich did I feel | when a comrade I found, For man is man's delight.

48. The lives of the brave | and noble are best, Sorrows they seldom feed; But the coward fear | of all things feels, And not gladly the niggard gives.

49. My garments once | in a field I gave To a pair of carven poles; Heroes they seemed | when clothes they had, But the naked man is nought.

50. On the hillside drear | the fir-tree dies, All bootless its needles and bark; It is like a man | whom no one loves,-- Why should his life be long?

51. Hotter than fire | between false friends Does friendship five days burn; When the sixth day comes | the fire cools, And ended is all the love.

52. No great thing needs | a man to give, Oft little will purchase praise; With half a loaf | and a half-filled cup A friend full fast I made.

53. A little sand | has a little sea, And small are the minds of men; Though all men are not | equal in wisdom, Yet half-wise only are all.

54. A measure of wisdom | each man shall have, But never too much let him know; The fairest lives | do those men live Whose wisdom wide has grown.

55. A measure of wisdom | each man shall have, But never too much let him know; For the wise man's heart | is seldom happy, If wisdom too great he has won.

56. A measure of wisdom | each man shall have, But never too much let him know; Let no man the fate | before him see, For so is he freest from sorrow.

57. A brand from a brand | is kindled and burned, And fire from fire begotten; And man by his speech | is known to men, And the stupid by their stillness.

58. He must early go forth | who fain the blood Or the goods of another would get; The wolf that lies idle | shall win little meat, Or the sleeping man success.

59. He must early go forth | whose workers are few, Himself his work to seek; Much remains undone | for the morning-sleeper, For the swift is wealth half won.

60. Of seasoned shingles | and strips of bark For the thatch let one know his need, And how much of wood | he must have for a month, Or in half a year he will use.

61. Washed and fed | to the council fare, But care not too much for thy clothes; Let none be ashamed | of his shoes and hose, Less still of the steed he rides, (Though poor be the horse he has.)

62. When the eagle comes | to the ancient sea, He snaps and hangs his head; So is a man | in the midst of a throng, Who few to speak for him finds.

63. To question and answer | must all be ready Who wish to be known as wise; Tell one thy thoughts, | but beware of two,-- All know what is known to three.

64. The man who is prudent | a measured use Of the might he has will make; He finds when among | the brave he fares That the boldest he may not be.

65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oft for the words | that to others one speaks He will get but an evil gift.

66. Too early to many | a meeting I came, And some too late have I sought; The beer was all drunk, | or not yet brewed; Little the loathed man finds.

67. To their homes men would bid | me hither and yon, If at meal-time I needed no meat, Or would hang two hams | in my true friend's house, Where only one I had eaten.

68. Fire for men | is the fairest gift, And power to see the sun; Health as well, | if a man may have it, And a life not stained with sin.

69. All wretched is no man, | though never so sick; Some from their sons have joy, Some win it from kinsmen, | and some from their wealth, And some from worthy works.

70. It is better to live | than to lie a corpse, The live man catches the cow; I saw flames rise | for the rich man's pyre, And before his door he lay dead.

71. The lame rides a horse, | the handless is herdsman, The deaf in battle is bold; The blind man is better | than one that is burned, No good can come of a corpse.

72. A son is better, | though late he be born, And his father to death have fared; Memory-stones | seldom stand by the road Save when kinsman honors his kin.

73. Two make a battle, | the tongue slays the head; In each furry coat | a fist I look for.

74. He welcomes the night | whose fare is enough, (Short are the yards of a ship,) Uneasy are autumn nights; Full oft does the weather | change in a week, And more in a month's time.

75. A man knows not, | if nothing he knows, That gold oft apes begets; One man is wealthy | and one is poor, Yet scorn for him none should know.

76. Among Fitjung's sons | saw I well-stocked folds,-- Now bear they the beggar's staff; Wealth is as swift | as a winking eye, Of friends the falsest it is.

77. Cattle die, | and kinsmen die, And so one dies one's self; But a noble name | will never die, If good renown one gets.

78. Cattle die, | and kinsmen die, And so one dies one's self; One thing now | that never dies, The fame of a dead man's deeds.

79. Certain is that | which is sought from runes, That the gods so great have made, And the Master-Poet painted; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the race of gods: Silence is safest and best.

80. An unwise man, | if a maiden's love Or wealth he chances to win, His pride will wax, but his wisdom never, Straight forward he fares in conceit.

* * *

81. Give praise to the day at evening, | to a woman on her pyre, To a weapon which is tried, | to a maid at wed lock, To ice when it is crossed, | to ale that is drunk.

82. When the gale blows hew wood, | in fair winds seek the water; Sport with maidens at dusk, | for day's eyes are many; From the ship seek swiftness, | from the shield protection, Cuts from the sword, | from the maiden kisses.

83. By the fire drink ale, | over ice go on skates; Buy a steed that is lean, | and a sword when tarnished, The horse at home fatten, | the hound in thy dwelling.

* * *

84. A man shall trust not | the oath of a maid, Nor the word a woman speaks; For their hearts on a whirling | wheel were fashioned, And fickle their breasts were formed.

85. In a breaking bow | or a burning flame, A ravening wolf | or a croaking raven, In a grunting boar, | a tree with roots broken, In billowy seas | or a bubbling kettle,

86. In a flying arrow | or falling waters, In ice new formed | or the serpent's folds, In a bride's bed-speech | or a broken sword, In the sport of bears | or in sons of kings,

89. Hope not too surely | for early harvest, Nor trust too soon in thy son; The field needs good weather, | the son needs wisdom, And oft is either denied.

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91. Clear now will I speak, | for I know them both, Men false to women are found; When fairest we speak, | then falsest we think, Against wisdom we work with deceit.

92. Soft words shall he speak | and wealth shall he offer Who longs for a maiden's love, And the beauty praise | of the maiden bright; He wins whose wooing is best.

93. Fault for loving | let no man find Ever with any other; Oft the wise are fettered, | where fools go free, By beauty that breeds desire.

94. Fault with another | let no man find For what touches many a man; Wise men oft | into witless fools Are made by mighty love.

95. The head alone knows | what dwells near the heart, A man knows his mind alone; No sickness is worse | to one who is wise Than to lack the longed-for joy.

96. This found I myself, | when I sat in the reeds, And long my love awaited; As my life the maiden | wise I loved, Yet her I never had.

97. Billing's daughter | I found on her bed, In slumber bright as the sun; Empty appeared | an earl's estate Without that form so fair.

98. "Othin, again | at evening come, If a woman thou wouldst win; Evil it were | if others than we Should know of such a sin."

99. Away I hastened, | hoping for joy, And careless of counsel wise; Well I believed | that soon I should win Measureless joy with the maid.

100. So came I next | when night it was, The warriors all were awake; With burning lights | and waving brands I learned my luckess way.

101. At morning then, | when once more I came, And all were sleeping still, A dog found | in the fair one's place, Bound there upon her bed.

102. Many fair maids, | if a man but tries them, False to a lover are found; That did I learn | when I longed to gain With wiles the maiden wise; Foul scorn was my meed | from the crafty maid, And nought from the woman I won.

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103. Though glad at home, | and merry with guests, A man shall be wary and wise; The sage and shrewd, | wide wisdom seeking, Must see that his speech be fair; A fool is he named | who nought can say, For such is the way of the witless.

104. I found the old giant, | now back have I fared, Small gain from silence I got; Full many a word, | my will to get, I spoke in Suttung's hall.

105. The mouth of Rati | made room for my passage, And space in the stone he gnawed; Above and below | the giants' paths lay, So rashly I risked my head.

106. Gunnloth gave | on a golden stool A drink of the marvelous mead; A harsh reward | did I let her have For her heroic heart, And her spirit troubled sore.

107. The well-earned beauty | well I enjoyed, Little the wise man lacks; So Othrörir now | has up been brought To the midst of the men of earth.

108. Hardly, methinks, | would I home have come, And left the giants' land, Had not Gunnloth helped me, | the maiden good, Whose arms about me had been.

109. The day that followed, | the frost-giants came, Some word of Hor to win, (And into the hall of Hor;) Of Bolverk they asked, | were he back midst the gods, Or had Suttung slain him there?

110. On his ring swore Othin | the oath, methinks; Who now his troth shall trust? Suttung's betrayal | he sought with drink, And Gunnloth to grief he left.

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111. It is time to chant | from the chanter's stool; By the wells of Urth I was, I saw and was silent, | I saw and thought, And heard the speech of Hor. (Of runes heard I words, | nor were counsels wanting, At the hall of Hor, In the hall of Hor; Such was the speech I heard.)

112. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,--- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Rise not at night, | save if news thou seekest, Or fain to the outhouse wouldst fare.

113. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Beware of sleep | on a witch's bosom, Nor let her limbs ensnare thee.

114. Such is her might | that thou hast no mind For the council or meeting of men; Meat thou hatest, | joy thou hast not, And sadly to slumber thou farest.

115. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Seek never to win | the wife of another, Or long for her secret love.

116. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: If o'er mountains or gulfs | thou fain wouldst go, Look well to thy food for the way.

117. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: An evil man | thou must not let Bring aught of ill to thee; For an evil man | will never make Reward for a worthy thought.

118. I saw a man | who was wounded sore By an evil woman's word; A lying tongue | his death-blow launched, And no word of truth there was.

119. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: If a friend thou hast | whom thou fully wilt trust, Then fare to find him oft; For brambles grow | and waving grass On the rarely trodden road.

120. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: A good man find | to hold in friendship, And give heed to his healing charms.

121. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Be never the first | to break with thy friend The bond that holds you both; Care eats the heart | if thou canst not speak To another all thy thought.

122. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Exchange of words | with a witless ape Thou must not ever make.

123. For never thou mayst | from an evil man A good requital get; But a good man oft | the greatest love Through words of praise will win thee.

124. Mingled is love | when a man can speak To another all his thought; Nought is so bad | as false to be, No friend speaks only fair.

125. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: With a worse man speak not | three words in dispute, Ill fares the better oft When the worse man wields a sword.

126. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: A shoemaker be, | or a maker of shafts, For only thy single self; If the shoe is ill made, | or the shaft prove false, Then evil of thee men think.

127. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: If evil thou knowest, | as evil proclaim it, And make no friendship with foes.

128. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: In evil never | joy shalt thou know, But glad the good shall make thee.

129. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Look not up | when the battle is on,-- (Like madmen the sons | of men become,--) Lest men bewitch thy wits.

130. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: If thou fain wouldst win | a woman's love, And gladness get from her, Fair be thy promise | and well fulfilled; None loathes what good he gets.

131. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: I bid thee be wary, | but be not fearful; (Beware most with ale or another's wife, And third beware | lest a thief outwit thee.)

132. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Scorn or mocking | ne'er shalt thou make Of a guest or a journey-goer.

133. Oft scarcely he knows | who sits in the house What kind is the man who comes; None so good is found | that faults he has not, Nor so wicked that nought he is worth.

134. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Scorn not ever | the gray-haired singer, Oft do the old speak good; (Oft from shrivelled skin | come skillful counsels, Though it hang with the hides, And flap with the pelts, And is blown with the bellies.)

135. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: Curse not thy guest, | nor show him thy gate, Deal well with a man in want.

136. Strong is the beam | that raised must be To give an entrance to all; Give it a ring, | or grim will be The wish it would work on thee.

137. I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,-- Profit thou hast if thou hearest, Great thy gain if thou learnest: When ale thou drinkest) | seek might of earth, (For earth cures drink, | and fire cures ills, The oak cures tightness, | the ear cures magic, Rye cures rupture, | the moon cures rage, Grass cures the scab, | and runes the sword-cut;) The field absorbs the flood.

138. Now are Hor's words | spoken in the hall, Kind for the kindred of men, Cursed for the kindred of giants: Hail to the speaker, | and to him who learns! Profit be his who has them! Hail to them who hearken!

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139. I ween that I hung | on the windy tree, Hung there for nights full nine; With the spear I was wounded, | and offered I was To Othin, myself to myself, On the tree that none | may ever know What root beneath it runs.

140. None made me happy | with loaf or horn, And there below I looked; I took up the runes, | shrieking I took them, And forthwith back I fell.

141. Nine mighty songs | I got from the son Of Bolthorn, Bestla's father; And a drink I got | of the goodly mead Poured out from Othrörir.

142. Then began I to thrive, | and wisdom to get, I grew and well I was; Each word led me on | to another word, Each deed to another deed.

143. Runes shalt thou find, | and fateful signs, That the king of singers colored, And the mighty gods have made; Full strong the signs, | full mighty the signs That the ruler of gods doth write.

144. Othin for the gods, | Dain for the elves, And Dvalin for the dwarfs, Alsvith for giants | and all mankind, And some myself I wrote.

145. Knowest how one shall write, | knowest how one shall rede? Knowest how one shall tint, | knowest how one makes trial? Knowest how one shall ask, | knowest how one shall offer? Knowest how one shall send, | knowest how one shall sacrifice?

146. Better no prayer | than too big an offering, By thy getting measure thy gift; Better is none | than too big a sacrifice, . . . . . . . . . . So Thund of old wrote | ere man's race began, Where he rose on high | when home he came.

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147. The songs I know | that king's wives know not, Nor men that are sons of men; The first is called help, | and help it can bring thee In sorrow and pain and sickness.

148. A second I know, | that men shall need Who leechcraft long to use; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

149. A third I know, | if great is my need Of fetters to hold my foe; Blunt do I make | mine enemy's blade, Nor bites his sword or staff.

150. A fourth I know, | if men shall fasten Bonds on my bended legs; So great is the charm | that forth I may go, The fetters spring from my feet, Broken the bonds from my hands.

152. A fifth I know, | if I see from afar An arrow fly 'gainst the folk; It flies not so swift | that I stop it not, If ever my eyes behold it.

152. A sixth I know, | if harm one seeks With a sapling's roots to send me; The hero himself | who wreaks his hate Shall taste the ill ere I.

153. A seventh I know, | if I see in flames The hall o'er my comrades' heads; It burns not so wide | that I will not quench it, I know that song to sing.

154. An eighth I know, | that is to all Of greatest good to learn; When hatred grows | among heroes' sons, I soon can set it right.

155. A ninth I know, | if need there comes To shelter my ship on the flood; The wind I calm | upon the waves, And the sea I put to sleep.

156. A tenth I know, | what time I see House-riders flying on high; So can I work | that wildly they go, Showing their true shapes, Hence to their own homes.

157. An eleventh I know, | if needs I must lead To the fight my long-loved friends; I sing in the shields, | and in strength they go Whole to the field of fight, Whole from the field of fight, And whole they come thence home.

158. A twelfth I know, | if high on a tree I see a hanged man swing; So do I write | and color the runes That forth he fares, And to me talks.

159. A thirteenth I know, | if a thane full young With water I sprinkle well; He shall not fall, | though he fares mid the host, Nor sink beneath the swords.

160. A fourteenth I know, | if fain I would name To men the mighty gods; All know I well | of the gods and elves, Few be the fools know this.

161. A fifteenth I know, | that before the doors Of Delling sang Thjothrörir the dwarf; Might he sang for the gods, | and glory for elves, And wisdom for Hroptatyr wise.

162. A sixteenth I know, | if I seek delight To win from a maiden wise; The mind I turn | of the white-armed maid, And thus change all her thoughts.

163. A seventeenth I know, | so that seldom shall go A maiden young from me; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

164. Long these songs | thou shalt, Loddfafnir, Seek in vain to sing; Yet good it were | if thou mightest get them, Well, if thou wouldst them learn, Help, if thou hadst them.

165. An eighteenth I know, | that ne'er will I tell To maiden or wife of man,-- The best is what none | but one's self doth know, So comes the end of the songs,-- Save only to her | in whose arms I lie, Or who else my sister is.

#asatru #hovamol

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