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The traditional roots of Heathenry stretched back at least 42,0000 years into the distant past to the ancestral traditions of the indigenous European folk groups who once shared a common belief system, culture, language and spirituality. These European folk groups were at one time comprised of Celtic, Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. From these Heathen Hallowed Arcane Traditions, the foundational Heathen keystone spiritual beliefs and practices of the Germanic Norse peoples continued over the ages to be interwoven with those of their kinfolk, the Celtic peoples who also inhabited many of the same regions at one time. For instance, the Germanic Scandinavian Viking Age artistic style known as Norse Art had many stylistic elements in common with Celtic Art such as intricate animal and foliage interlacing ornamental designs. The intermeshed curving and swirling patterns on decorated rune stones and Germanic Scandinavian artworks emulated the Celtic spiraling swirling designs that expressed their connectivity with the sacred spiritual mysteries and the harmonic beauty of the Natural World. Heathens also shared the Celtic penchant for Sun Wheel Talismans and Holy Wells. Sun Wheels were worn as protective amulets and healing talismans by both Celts and Heathens. The Sun Wheels symbolized the sensual solace of bountifully fruitful fecundity and the heartening warmth of productively crucial comfort. Sun Wheels shed their illuminating light into the cold disappointing darkness of shadowed chaos and the sorrow provoking cruelty of ominous passages. The brilliance of the Sun dispelled illusory confusions and banished bindings by shining solar radiance into the murky corners of the soul. The sunshine of cheery mindfulness transformed stagnant areas of persistent pain and skulking sorrow into renewed hope and reinvigorated trust.
Sun Wheels shed their illuminating light into the cold disappointing darkness of shadowed chaos and the sorrow provoking cruelty of ominous passages. The brilliance of the Sun dispelled illusory confusions and banished bindings by shining solar radiance into the murky corners of the soul. The sunshine of cheery mindfulness transformed stagnant areas of persistent pain and skulking sorrow into renewed hope and reinvigorated trust. Located in remote hillside glades or ancient wooded landscapes, the numinous potency of Holy Wells inspired pilgrimages and journeying. Imbued with an atmosphere of soothing stillness, their waters were filled with nurturing healing graciousness and compassionate personal consideration. There were thousands upon thousands of Holy Wells that were integral to the hallowed tapestry of the Germanic Norse Natural World landscape. Believed to be the dwelling abodes of Mother Goddesses, devotees regularly travelled to Holy Wells to request that blessings be bestowed upon them and their kinfolk. The faithful often tossed coins, jewelry, sun wheels and other valuable objects into the curative restorative waters of Holy Wells, as a token of their esteem for the Mother Goddesses and as a form of prayerful thanks-giving. As they weathered the cyclical seasons, they functioned as tangible tokens and friendly reminders of their prayers, supplications and wishes.
The colorful gold and gemstone
encrusted circular fibula in the picture
above circa 800 ACE was found in a Holy Well by Wijk bij Duurstede southeast of
Utrecht in the Netherlands. Located where the Lek and Rhine rivers diverge, the
area was a vital trading center and a Danish Viking Kingdom known as Dorestad
from around 850 - 885 ACE.
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