Tag: Norse mythology

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

And With A Strand Of My Red Hair, Let The Magic Begin ~ GP
Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

Veteran's Day Comments
Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

 

Source:

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

Whispering Woods Dragon Lore Course – Lesson Seven – A History of European Dragons

Whispering Woods Dragon Lore Course

Lesson Seven
A History of European Dragons

In the mythology of the western world, dragons were thought to abduct maidens, wreak havoc on the populace, steal gold and destroy villages. Unlike its counterpart in the East, Western dragons were seen as symbols of destruction and evil. This could be related to the un-due influence that the Christian invasion has had on the Western mind set where everything is seen as good versus evil.

Heraldic: The Heraldic is probably the most well known western Dragon. The Heraldic has dangerous fangs, four legs complete with claws, and a ridge of sharp spines that run from its head to its tail tip.

Guivre: The Guivre was both legless and wingless, and appeared somewhat serpent-like in appearance. Its head had horns and its jaw was bearded. It favored any location near water.

European: These types of dragons are found in the pages of early Greek, Roman, Norse, and medieval legends. They had wings, two or four legs, and depending on the type color can vary. They were believed to breathe fire. Sadly, many Europeans considered the dragon to be evil and malevolent, however, the Greeks held the idea of the Dragon as a Guardian Serpent.

Some examples of these dragons are:
Fafnir: A Norse dragon who was guardian of the treasure later known as the Nibelung hoard.

Hydra: Some argue that Hyrda was a dragon, others argue not. Hydra had several heads, the center one was said to be immortal. (When one of the hydra’s heads was cut off two grew in its place) It was said to haunt the marshes of Lerna near Argos. The destruction of the hydra was one of the twelve labors of Hercules.

Wyvern: The Wyvern was a feared Dragon of Britain, for the Europeans believed it to be evil and vicious. It had a coiling trunk that had a pair of birds-type legs which were tucked beneath its wings.

Tatzlwyrm: A winged, fire-breathing dragon.

Apocalyptic beast – (Biblical, Most likely Middle East). This is a creature mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. It has two horns, speaks like a dragon, and bears the mystical number of the devil.

Cecrops ~ {Greek} the mythical founder of Athens; first king of Attica; represented as half human, half dragon; credited with inventing writing and establishing marriage and burial customs. .

Draco (Greek). Draco is a constellation in the north containing the star of the north pole of the ecliptic. Legend states this constellation was named after the Athenian statesman and lawgiver Draco or Dracon.

Fafnir (Norse mythology) a dragon and guardian of the treasure later known as the Nibelung hoard.

Hydra (Greek mythology) A gigantic monster resembling a dragon with several heads (usually nine, though the number varies), the center one of which is immortal. It is said to haunt the marshes of Lerna near Argos.

The destruction of the hydra was one of the 12 labors of Hercules. When one of the hydra’s heads was cut off two grew in its place.

Leviathan (Bible, Job ix, 13 and Isa. xxvii, 1) A Hebrew name for a sea monster. It was also a dragon of turmoil which contested against God.

Tatzlwyrm (Germanic legend) it was said to be a winged, fire-breathing dragon monster.

Wyvern (U.K.) A winged, two-legged dragon with a barbed tail. The wyvern often appears on heraldic shields and symbolizes guardianship.

Jormungand (Norse Legend) The world serpent that dwelled at the bottom of the sea,and that encircled the whole world.

It was to rise against the gods at Ragnarok, helping the Fenris Wolf and Surt,and the other enemies of the gods, to destroy both Asgard and Midgard.

Dragon Symbols:
Wales is symbolized by a red dragon. In the Mabinogion the tale of Lludd and Llewelys speaks of the struggle between this red dragon and the white dragon.

It was long ago in the days of the Saxon invasions that this story takes place and it is no wonder that the white dragon is the invader, the Saxons, come to battle the red. As the symbolic struggle comes to a close, the two opposing dragons become drunk with mead.

It is in this drunken state that they are both buried in a large stone coffin and placed to rest in the center of the island of Britain.

The story goes that so long as the pair remains buried beneath Oxford the island will be protected from invasion.

Saint George is known as a Martyr and the Patron Saint of England. He was originally a Roman Calvary officer who was known for his courage in war. He was a mighty site on his white war-horse.

He eventually converted to Christianity, and to show the people that Christians did not have to be meek, he sought out to fight a dragon that was destroying the area around Cappadocia.
The people of the town tried to calm the beast with sacrifices of their best sheep. This worked for a while, but then the dragon attacked again. The poor people had to give up what they thought would rid the animal of their town: a virgin princess. George killed the dragon with the lance he had in his hand while charging with his huge steed.

Because of this heroic deed, other Christian Knights sought out to save damsels in distress from dragons, and this is how dragons eventually got slaughtered into being just a myth.

Quiz:
1. Leviathan is a _________ name for winged, fire-breathing dragon monster.
2. Wales is symbolized by a ____   _______.
3. Fafnir is a _______ dragon.
4. Wyvern is a winged, ___ – ______ dragon with a barbed tail.
5. Many Europeans considered the dragon to be ____ and ________.
6. Jormungand is the _____   _______.   7. Hydra is said to haunt the marshes of ______ near Argos.

Author & Researcher: Crick
Website: The Whispering Woods

 

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday


Moon & Witch Comments & Graphics

Daily Magickal Applications for Wednesday

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source:

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY


Celtic Comments & Graphics

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source:

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

Egyptian Comments & Graphics

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

 

Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

 

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY


Dragon Comments & Graphics=DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

WITCH

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

 

Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

Dragons Keep

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

 

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

 

 

Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

Earth Day Comments & Graphics

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY

To the Romans, this day was called Dies Mercurii, or “Mercury’s day” Mercury was a popular character in the Roman pantheon. A messenger of the gods, he presided over commerce, trade, and anything that required skill or dexterity. The Celts also worshiped Mercury and eventually equated him with the Norse god Odin (some spelling variations on this name include Wotan, Wodin, and Wodan). In Norse mythologies, Odin, like Mercury, is associated with poetry and music. Interestingly enough, both Odin and Mercury were regarded as psychopomps, or the leaders of souls, in their individual mythologies.

Odin, one of the main gods in Norse mythology, was constantly seeking wisdom. He traveled the world in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long gray beard, wearing an old, beat-up hat and carrying a staff or a spear (which brings to my mind images of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings). In the Old English language, this day of Mercury evolved into Wodnes daeg, “Woden’s day,” or Wednesday.

Wednesday carries all of the planetary and magickal energies and associations of the witty and nimble god Mercury himself. Some of these mercurial traits included good communication skills, cleverness, intelligence, creativity, business sense, writing, artistic talent, trickiness, and thievery. And don’t forget all of those wise and enigmatic qualities associated with the Norse god Odin/Wodin, not to mention the goddess Athena’s contributions of music, the arts, handmade crafts, and writing. Wednesdays afford excellent opportunities for seeking wisdom, changing your circumstances, and improving your skills, be they in trade and commerce, music and art, or in communication and writing.

Source:
Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Calendar of the Sun for Wednesday, February 5th

Calendar of the Sun

5 Solmonath

Day of the Serpent

Colors: Malachite green, sea-blue, and silver
Element: Water
Altar: Set a cloth of sea-blue embroidered with a great serpent in malachite green and silver, and on it place a figure of the Midgard Serpent with its tail in its mouth. Around the room strew colored ribbons in a great circle. The ritual takes place within the circle.
Offerings: Cords or ribbons knotted into a circle.
Daily Meal: Eel. Fish and seafood. Seaweed. Salad. Cooked greens. Eggs.

Invocation to the Midgard Serpent

Hail Iormundgand
Child of the Trickster
And the Hag of the Iron Wood,
Brother and sister of Death,
Neither male nor female
But complete within yourself,
Neither forward nor backward
But eternally circling,
Neither of the earth
Nor apart from it
But forever surrounding us
In our Middle Land.
Teach us, O Serpent,
Of what it is to see the end
And the beginning as one,
To see all things
In their place on the wheel,
To live with the turning
And not mistake it for a straight line
Even when the horizon
Is too far away
For our weak eyes to find.

Chant: Ior Ior Iormundgand

(All join hands and do a circle dance around the outside of the room, just inside the serpent boundary.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Enhanced by Zemanta

A Matter of Fate

A Matter of Fate

(Wolf Moon)
The three most notable and powerful giant maidens in Norse mythology are the Norns, which their shape-shifting wolf  companions called the Hounds of Norns. These giant goddesses of fate are named Urd, who represents the past, Verdandi, who symbolizes the present, and Skuld,  who signifies the future. Even Gods cannot undo what the Norns weave into the fabric of fate.
As you drift off to sleep, give yourself the suggestion that you will meet the three Norns in your dreams. Repeat to  yourself:
“I will meet the Norns in my dreams and remember the answer to my question when I wake up.”
  If you have something specific you want to ask them, then feel free to ask it. Otherwise, leave it up to the Norns to tell you what you need to know. When  you meet the Norns in your dreams, don’t be afraid to confront them and ask them what you want to know. When you awake, be sure to make a note of any  answers or information you receive in your journal.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Today Is Wednesday – Woden’s Day

Today Is Wednesday – Woden’s Day

“Wodanesdag” (Germanic)
“Wodensdag” (Old English)
“Othinnsdagr” ( Old Norse)
“Onsdag” (Danish)
“Wednesday” (English)

Odin/Woden is the Norse God of magic, battle fury, protection, inspiration, shaman ecstasy, consciousness and communication.

If men can accept their female side as Odin/Woden did, women can surely accept their male side. This day is the “hump day” or “half past the week day.” It is a day of balancing physically, mentally and spiritually.

You can accept Odin/Woden as the All-father and the Omnipotent God when you realize that he became more balanced by accepting the intuitiveness, emotions, sensitivity and the wisdom of women. He also considered Frija/Frigg as his equal and consulted her on all important matters. Her advise always weighed heavily in his decisions. Women in Norse mythology, although not as much is written about them as men, were considered equal with men in property, warring, and decisions. Romanization (getting conquered by the Romans) changed the status of women later on. We are still healing from the effects of the Romanization!

The Rune of choice for this day is Ethel (OE), Othala (G), or Othal (ON). This Rune represents the hearth, the home, justice and honoring our ancestors.

Today Is Wednesday, Woden’s Day

Today Is Wednesday, Woden’s Day

　

“Wodanesdag” (Germanic)
“Wodensdag” (Old English)
“Othinnsdagr” ( Old Norse)
“Onsdag” (Danish)
“Wednesday” (English)

Odin/Woden is the Norse God of magic, battle fury, protection, inspiration, shaman ecstasy, consciousness and communication.

If men can accept their female side as Odin/Woden did, women can surely accept their male side. This day is the “hump day” or “half past the week day.” It is a day of balancing physically, mentally and spiritually.

You can accept Odin/Woden as the All-father and the Omnipotent God when you realize that he became more balanced by accepting the intuitiveness, emotions, sensitivity and the wisdom of women. He also considered Frija/Frigg as his equal and consulted her on all important matters. Her advise always weighed heavily in his decisions. Women in Norse mythology, although not as much is written about them as men, were considered equal with men in property, warring, and decisions. Romanization (getting conquered by the Romans) changed the status of women later on. We are still healing from the effects of the Romanization!

The Rune of choice for this day is Ethel (OE), Othala (G), or Othal (ON). This Rune represents the hearth, the home, justice and honoring our ancestors.

Today Is Thursday, Thor’s Day

Today Is Thursday, Thor’s Day

“Thor’s Day” or “Thorsdagar” in Old Norse (Thursday), was named for a huge and hearty Norse God who was a defender against the world of chaos with his hammer, referred to as Mjollnir, the Destroyer.

Thor’s hammer was said to be made of stone and to have fallen from the heavens as a meteorite. Ancient alchemists believed there were two kinds of meteorites: Glass and the Irons. Moldavite, which is an extraterrestrial kind of peridot, is just one of many kinds of Glass meteorites that reach the Earth’s surface. The other kind of meteorite, The Irons, includes metals such as copper, nickel and iron. It was thought the Mjollnir was an iron and nickel alloy meteorite forged by Sindri the dwarf, an alchemist and smith of magical and mysterious metals.

Thor’s hammer obeyed his every command doing his bidding and returning to his hand once thrown. Thor commanded the thunderbolts, and could sling them at his foes. Known as a Storm God, Thor was easily irritated. He would roar like thunder and sling thunderbolts when angered. On the other hand, he could be benevolent and a strong friend to peasants and yeoman bringing rain when needed, stilling a storm, and above all as their protector and defender.

A Rune to use on this day is Thurisaz (Germanic), Thuith (Gothic), Thorn (Old English), Thurse (Old Norse). A real thorn can be tiny, but irritating. Problems may appear bigger than they really are. Thorn helps to put them in perspective, especially when an important decision must be made. The advice of what was needed can result in a very successful outcome. Problems and fears can then be encountered as creative challenges. Ask for advice and help when needed, especially on this day!

Today is Wednesday, Woden’s Day

Today is Woden’s Day

“Wodanesdag” (Germanic)
“Wodensdag” (Old English)
“Othinnsdagr” ( Old Norse)
“Onsdag” (Danish)
“Wednesday” (English)

Odin/Woden is the Norse God of magic, battle fury, protection, inspiration, shaman ecstasy, consciousness and communication.

If men can accept their female side as Odin/Woden did, women can surely accept their male side. This day is the “hump day” or “half past the week day.” It is a day of balancing physically, mentally and spiritually.

You can accept Odin/Woden as the All-father and the Omnipotent God when you realize that he became more balanced by accepting the intuitiveness, emotions, sensitivity and the wisdom of women. He also considered Frija/Frigg as his equal and consulted her on all important matters. Her advise always weighed heavily in his decisions. Women in Norse mythology, although not as much is written about them as men, were considered equal with men in property, warring, and decisions. Romanization (getting conquered by the Romans) changed the status of women later on. We are still healing from the effects of the Romanization!

The Rune of choice for this day is Ethel (OE), Othala (G), or Othal (ON). This Rune represents the hearth, the home, justice and honoring our ancestors.

Where Did All The Myths About the Besom Come From?

Where Did All The Myths About the Besom Come From?

Some authors claim that the oldest known source of witches flying on broomsticks is a manuscript called Le Champion des Dames by Martin Lefranc, 1440. This might be one of the oldest images representing a hag on a broomstick, but it is certainly not the first. A wall painting from the 12th century in Schleswig Cathedral (Germany) shows the Norse deity Frigg riding her staff.

If we really dig a bit deeper into history, we’ll find that from the Roman world
there are reports that mention witches flying on broomsticks as well as having
used ointments, as early as the first century. They were called Straigae (Barnowl) and the Lamiae from Greek culture had similar characteristics. Later in Roman history, the goddess Diana was the leader of the Wild Hunt:

“It is also not to be omitted that some wicked women, perverted by the Devil,
seduced by illusions and phantasm of demons, believe and profess themselves in
the hours of the night to ride upon certain beasts with Diana, the goddess of
pagans, and an innumerable multitude of women, and in the silence of the dead of the night to traverse great spaces of earth, and to obey her commands as of
their mistress, and to be summoned to her service on certain nights”.

Similar beliefs existed in many parts of Europe. From Norse mythology, we know
that the army of women, lead by Odin (Wodan), called the Valkyries, was said to
ride through the skies on horses, collecting the souls of the dead. In continental Germanic areas, the goddess Holda or Holle was also said to lead the Wild Hunt and is connected to chimneys and witchcraft. Berchta or Perchita, another Germanic goddess, which can be identified with Holda, has similar characteristics.

Again in Celtic Traditions, the Horned God Cernuous, and/or Herne the Hunter
was leader of the Wild Hunt and the Scottish Witch Goddess Nineveh was also
said to fly through the night with her followers. Eastern Europe sources also
have a wealth of folklore about witches flying through the air. So flying
through the air, evidently, was a deeply rooted mythological theme, associated
with the free roaming of the spirit, the separation of soul and body.

Celebrating Our Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Odin's Ordeal Begins

thCAK7EXXF

August 17 – 24

Odin’s Ordeal Begins

According to legend, Odin hung on the World Tree Yggdrasil for nine days, during which time he discovered the runes. In modern Asatru, this discovery is celebrated with a nine-day festival starting on August 17. To those who follow the Norse traditions, Odin is the chief deity and appears in many aspects, among them leader of the wild hunt, God of magick, chooser of the slain in battle, and the dispenser of gifts. As king of Aesir, he was the God of fertility and the last sheaf of wheat was left in offering to his horse. His magickal number was 9 (the days he endured initiation on the World Tree), his color is blue (as is his cloak), and the raven of the Valkyries who attend him are sacred.

Magickal Activity

Rune Magick

Items needed: One small square of blue paper; a silver marking pen; one blue candle; nine inches of silver cord.

On the blue square of paper inscribe the pictured rune with the silver pen.

Light the blue candle and place it on top of the rune. Hold your hands over the candle and visualize your psychic abilities increasing as you chant:

“Let it be, that from this hour,

I know the secrets of psychic power.”

Leave the candle to burn for three hours. Extinguish the candle. Fold the paper in half and bind with silver cord. Place the packet with your runes or cards. Keep the packet near when reading for yourself or others.