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Heathenry Heathen Ásatrú Troth
Glossary Terminology
Thor's Hammer (Mjöllnir)
A symbol of fertility,
protection, and creativity. Thor used his magical hammer "Mjollnir" to ward and
protect the human realm or Middle Earth. Similar to the Tantric vajra in
meaning, Thor's Hammer signified enlightenment, holiness, and lightening and was
used to hallow both people and things. It was also a weapon against cosmic chaos
and a creative tool similar to a blacksmith's hammer.
Valknot
The triple knot symbolized
several different triads: the Subterranean worlds, Middle Earth, and the Heaven
worlds (the main divisions of the universe along the axis of Yggdrasil); Odin
and his hypostases the gods, Vili and Ve; and thirdly, the high triple nature of
the Odin.
The Valknot could be either three separate entwining triangles or one continuous unicursal ribbon knotted upon itself.
It also represented the sacrifice of the personal ego to the service
of Odin and an alignment to his intentions. This bond with the Odin was viewed as
spiritually liberating.
Vanir
Known for their wisdom and
predictive ability, the seidhr, a magical mind altering technique is ascribed to
them. They were viewed as peaceful goddesses and gods to be called upon often to
ensure fertility and good harvests.
They were complex deities, however, since the
Freya was also known as the patroness of warriors, and, Freyr was himself an
intrepid warrior, as well as, a cross-dresser.
Yggdrasil
The World Tree, Irminsul,
was Odin's axis mundi horse. He hung there for nine nights, symbolic of the Nine
Worlds of the Heathen Norse cosmology, in order to obtain the runes. The entire
universe depended on the World Tree which rose from the center of Midgard.
Its roots reached into the world of human beings, the world of the frost giants, and Hel; while, its branches reached up over Asgard. Niddhogg the dragon and many snakes gnawed at the roots and four stags gnawed at the bark of Yggdrasil, but, waters from the Urda Well of Wyrd sprinkled by the Norns, the three goddesses of Fate, healed it each day.
Mimer's Well and Hvergelmer
Well also feed Yggdrasil. All trees were sacred to the Norse, Germanic, and
Celtic peoples. On the shores of the primal sea, the Odin, Vili, and Vé made the
first two humans, Askr and Embla, Ash and Elm, from driftwood tree trunks...
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Eddas Mythos and Way of Troth,
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Heathen Ásatrú Troth Copyright
© 2002-2008 Maureen Grace Burns, Blessings Cornucopia. All Rights Reserved.
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