Now are the High One's words said, in the High One's Hall;
All-useful to the sons of men,
Without use to the sons of jötnar.
Heill is the one who speaks them,
Heill is the one who kens them,
Boon to that one who learns them,
Heill be those that listened.

Hávamál stanza translation by Keith Osgood

Hail Woden, you who were loving when you created Ash and Elm.

Prototyping gilded idols in a larger scale. Thor and Frey are 6.5" and Odin is 9.5"

Are Frigga and Freya the same person?

I would say absolutely not.

Some people take this position however these passages clearly separate them:

9. "Svá hjalpi þér hollar véttir,
Frigg ok Freyja ok fleiri goð,
sem þú feldir mér fár af höndum."

9. "So may the holy | ones thee help,
Frigg and Freyja | and favoring gods,
As thou hast saved me | from sorrow now."

Oddrúnarkviða - Bellows translation

Freyja kvað:
29. "Ærr ertu, Loki, er þú yðra telr
ljóta leiðstafi;
örlög Frigg, hygg ek, at öll viti,
þótt hon sjalfgi segi."

"Freyja spake:
29. "Mad art thou, Loki, | that known thou makest
The wrong and shame thou hast wrought;
The fate of all | does Frigg know well,
Though herself she says it not."

Lokesona - Bellows translation

- Kyle Davis

General Heathenry & Sedianism

General Heathenry encompasses those who believe in the Germanic gods, but also extends to atheists (who only adhere to the cultural aspects) & Universalists (both lacking a definitive theological foundation); both of which aren’t traditional nor ancestral. Sedianism however, is derived from thorough research & is the manifestation of Traditional Heathenry; that which was practiced for millennia by our ancestors. With a clear & established theological foundation, its core mission is clear: to know the gods, follow the law, & perform blot. A Sedian upholds the thews, shuns the unsida, prioritizes familial bonds, & strives to live a godly life. He or she recognizes the faith as a religion & changes his or her life accordingly.

thefrithstead.com

Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire"
- Austrian composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)

What does it mean to be a Traditional Heathen?

Being a "traditional heathen" refers to following the ancient pre-Christian beliefs and practices of the Germanic peoples, including those from Scandinavia (Norse), Germany, England (Anglo-Saxon), and other Germanic regions. Heathenry is the cultural expression of the ancient Germanic worldview.

Traditional heathens believe in and worship multiple deities, known from ancient Germanic mythology, such as Odin, Thor, Freya, and others. Each god and goddess has their own distinct personality, realm, and area of influence.

Respect for one's ancestors is a crucial element. Practitioners may honor their forebears through rituals, remembrance, and living in a way that brings honor to their lineage.

Community is highly valued, with emphasis on kinship, loyalty, and social responsibility. The concept of the tribe or kindred is central, where members support and work for the good of their local or religious community.

Guiding principles, such as honor, courage, hospitality, and integrity, play a significant role in the life of a heathen. These are often derived from historical sources, such as the Poetic and Prose Eddas or sagas, which are texts that contain the myths, histories, and legends of the Norse gods and heroes.

Rituals, including blóts and sumbels, are part of traditional heathen practice. These rituals serve to honor the gods, ancestors, and to strengthen the bonds within the community.

Traditional Heathenry is the preservation of an ethnic culture.

-Adam of Bremen - Uppsula

Chapter 27: For all their gods there are appointed priests to offer sacrifices for the people. If plague and famine threaten, a libation is poured to the idol Thor; if war, to Wotan; if marriages are to be celebrated, to Frikko. It is customary also to solemnize in Uppsala, at nine-year intervals, a general feast of all the provinces of Sweden. From attendance at this festival no one is exempted Kings and people all and singly send their gifts to Uppsala and, what is more distressing than any kind of punishment, those who have already adopted Christianity redeem themselves through these ceremonies. The sacrifice is of this nature: of every living thing that is male, they offer nine heads with the blood of which it is customary to placate gods of this sort. The bodies they hang in the sacred grove that adjoins the temple. Now this grove is so sacred in the eyes of the heathen that each and every tree in it is believed divine because of the death or putrefaction of the victims. Even dogs and horses hang there with men. A Christian told me that he had seen 72 bodies suspended promiscuously. Furthermore, the incantations customarily chanted in the ritual of a sacrifice of this kind are manifold and unseemly; therefore, it is better to keep silent about them.

Image of the temple at Uppsula from www.germanicmythology.com

Adam of Bremen, a medieval chronicler, offers us a fascinating glimpse into the pagan rituals of Uppsala, Sweden, during the 11th century.

According to Adam, the Norse people had specific gods assigned for different facets of life - Thor for natural disasters, Wotan for war, and Frikko for marriage celebrations. In times of trouble or celebration, the people would offer sacrifices to these deities, led by appointed priests known as the Gothar.

Every nine years, a grand festival united all the provinces of Sweden at Uppsala. This event was so sacred that no one, not even kings, could forgo sending gifts. Intriguingly, Adam notes that even those who converted to Christianity would partake in these pagan ceremonies, a testament to the festival's deep-rooted significance and the importance of tradition to Germanic people.

This ritual is attested as offerings of nine heads of every living male creature are made to the gods. This act of sacrifice, believed to appease the deities, led to the bodies being hung in a sacred grove, which may be considered divine due to the mythological representation of the sacrifices.

Adam comments on the sacredness of the groves to the heathen and the rituals taking place. However, he chose to remain silent about the specific incantations used, as most Christians didn't feel it was appropriate to record such things.

This historical account by Adam of Bremen not only showcases the rich tapestry of Norse mythology and traditions but also reflects the tension between old beliefs (Forn Siðr) and the new religion (Christanity) during the medieval period. It's a vivid reminder of how deeply spirituality and tradition can shape a society.

#history #norse #germanic #traditionalheathens

Thingskill

A discussion of theology, philosophy, lore, and life, through the lense of Germanic Polytheism.

Coming this Summer!!!

We are looking at altering the Sedian tenets, specifically #1. We feel that it will better represent traditional Germanic polytheism to remove terms that represent new age constructs. It has always been our goal to promote traditional practices that align with the views expressed in or ancestral lore.

Here is a possible draft for example.

1. Sedianism is the expression of traditional Germanic polytheism.

Sedian (SED-I-an) "The Custom", from Forn Sed "Ancient Customs", a term used to represent the ancient ways of our Pan-Germanic polytheist ancestors as it is reconstructed and celebrated today.

We believe that to be Sedian is to practice the Germanic religion as the legitimate continuation of our forefathers ancestral faith.

Gods known by many names:

In the realm of Germanic polytheism, polyonymy is a captivating feature that offers a window into the beliefs, values, and connections of ancient Germanic societies. The gods and goddesses of the Germanic pantheon are known by multiple names across different regions and tribes. This multiplicity of names reflects the diverse linguistic landscapes and cultural interactions among the Germanic peoples.

Different Germanic tribes and regions had their own dialects and languages. As a result, the names of gods and goddesses were adapted to fit local linguistic norms.

Many deities were known by names that highlighted specific attributes, roles, or aspects of their divinity. For instance, a god known for both war and wisdom could have different names emphasizing each aspect.

Odin/Woden/Wotan: the head god was known as Grim, Gangleri, Herjan and Hjalmberi, Thekk and Trithi, Thuth and Uth, Helbindi and Hor, and Grimnir as listed in Grímnismál.

Frigg, revered as the chief goddess, was known by numerous names, including Frau Holle, Frau Holda, Frau Bercht, Frau Percht, Fru Frick, Fricca, and Frekka. Regrettably, Snorri Sturluson omitted mention of her polyonymy in his Prose Edda, which may cause some readers to question whether these names indeed refer to the same deity.

Polyonymy in the context of Germanic polytheism is a poetic reminder of the interconnectedness of these cultures and the fluidity of language and belief. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and examine the characteristics associated with the names.

illustrated by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire, published in 1967

After discussing this topic, we have determined it was time to revise Sedian tenet #1. We want to separate ourselves from those who follow new age practices while solidifying Sedianism as a religious and philosophical practice that follows in traditional Germanic polytheism.

Here is the revised tenet.

1. Sedianism embodies the traditional worldview of Germanic polytheism. Our religion manifests itself in the morality, customs, and practice of the faith as it has been handed down to us from our ancestral sources.

We are here to declare our faith as a central belief system of the ancient Northern European people, and that we are here as moral, religious adherents to what we know is a recognition of the divine and their holy creation. We believe in a fundamental truth that spans into ancient history, and will not compromise our views for modern interpretations. This truth exists within our lore and within our experience with the divine, and cannot be shaken. We can prove, without a shadow of doubt, that our religion is devotional, that we have a system of ethics and morality, and that our eschatology reflects this system. We kneel before our Gods, we pray to them with great reverence, and we offer to them as followers of their path.

The sources are the authority. Let the ancestors guide you.

I want everyone to know that we are only a couple steps away from finishing our most ambitious film project to date! This video is going to describe every facet of our Epic Method and why it is the most effective way to reconstruct our culture. From its history to its development and finally its application, you will learn all there is to know about our school of thought. This will complete our series on mythological schools, giving people a thorough understanding of why we do what we do.

We still need a handful of voice actors to volunteer to help us complete this project. If anyone can help us get this project done it will be greatly appreciated. Not only will this be a helpful tool for those of our faith, it is going to provide a legacy for everyone involved. This IS the future of reconstruction, and we hope you will join us!

Here are the following roles needed:

Viktor Rydberg: Swedish Male
Snorri Sturluson: Icelandic Male
Svend Grundtvig: Danish Male
Ursula Dronke: British Female
George Stevens: American Male

The struggle is real.

Want everyone to know that our video on the Epic Method is almost complete! I am hoping to have it finished in the next day or so. This video will detail every aspect of our mythic school of thought: from its history to its development to its usage. You will see how, being the most evidentiary method, this is the most effective way to reconstruct our religion. This one has been a long time in the making!

We proudly present our newest video on the Mythological Schools of Thought: The Epic Method.

Join us as we examine the research method that has paved the way towards  reconstructing our sacred lore and ancestral traditions.

https://youtu.be/BUFtbAtZMLE?si=OS-Is5sMS_2DdMmr