Who Invented the Runes - Germanic, Anglo-Saxon or Norse Tribes? What are they?

Is there really Differences between Germanic and Norse

& their Claim on the Invention of Runes

by Laurie-Lee Mills

The fight over the Runes, being mostly claimed by either Norse or Germans, is just plain silly. There are some people who believe that Norse and German are separate people and others believe the Germans are Norse. It gets so complicated because these seekers tend to look at the area on the map today and totally overlook migration dates nor do they realize there were no such borders in ancient times. In actuality, all the tribes of Europe are one people who spread out to different areas and slowly DNA changed to suit their surroundings and life style. This has been proven by one of the worlds leading DNA experts Brian Sykes. Check my DNA story.  Besides the fact is there is no such thing as a pure race then and especially today, that is a whole other issue and not the topic. Today, we are trying to find the truth about Runic origin BUT in order to do so we have to discuss the differences of these peoples.

It is a dire fact, that before the formation of independent national identities, there was no divergence in each region's cultural traditions, as there is proof globally. Every bloody culture in the world have the four directions, gods each representing the same things (tribes had different names but similar stories), and all had similar beliefs and traditions. This too is argued about by many people who only study one culture.  if they study them all they would discover this and we  can see that there is no reason for argument.  We are all one.  Each tribe developed their own clothing style and so on so but there is no exactness or an umbrella sameness with a culture.  Whether you study African beliefs, Celtic beliefs, Norse or Scandinavian culture - there is no set of beliefs for it.  Why?  Every single tribe had their own Gods they believed they descended from. In other words every single tribe is different yet similar.  Check the 1st Nations people and see for yourself.  There is no North American Indian belif system.  Each and every tribe has their own and would be insulted if you expected Pawnee for example, to be the same as Cree. So quit arguing people. Lets have the world focus on the similarities like we do in Maers Khohias. In Maers Khohias, we focus on similarities and embrace the world as a whole.  Come join us, our ancestors are calling.   Although I wrote another article on this it is important to this topic to briefly skim again.

So we've established that each Germanic tribe, was separate and unique forming their own commonalities but it is the similarities of religion, language, and culture which is the same as the Ancient Greek, Celts, Romans and Scandinavian cultures. Yet somehow this pan-Germanic faith is what modern day 'Heathens' have now called Asatru which is a Norse religion. Yet ancient Germanic people were not at all Norse. Early Germanic peoples came up from Spain after the ice age and had already created powerful empires in Spain, Carthage, France, England, and Italy before they stayed in what is now thought to be German territory.  They were Celtic as that is exactly the place the Celtic cultures were at an earlier time. Now check out the waves of migration - The Germanic people are also called Teutonic which were Gothic styled persons and they were Celts. The Franks are a mix of Germanic peoples who moved down into the area now known as France and mixed with those called the Gauls, also Celts. They mixed blood with the Salians. Frisians are ancestors of modern day Dutch.  The Alemanni, Burgundians, Franks, Lombards (ancestors of Northern Italians), Visigoths (from Spain and Portugese) Spain is where Celts back came from after iceage - proven from DNA now), Angles, Jutes and Saxons (all mixed and became Anglo-Saxons (later the English).  All branches from the same tree, speaking similar languages. Are whites a pure race?  I think not.  There were no borders of today either.

Moving along to the 6th century until the 11th.  Some of the Germanic tribes, Angles, Jutes and Saxons (but not the Franks), decided to conquer the eastern British Isles. In this move they subjugated those the British Celts (Bretons, Iceni and more) and thus created the English speaking Kingdom.  These groups of people overtime became Anglo-Saxons. By the 10th century, the early foundations of the Danish, Norwegian (Norway), and Swedish nations began changing their pagan (nature beliefs) beliefs to the spread of Christianity (man made beliefs).  They were all to converted by the 12th century.

Norsemen were the Danes, Norwegian and Sweden only thus Asatru is not Germanic at all. A must know for all Asatru people is this - The Pan-German movement was stated by a German named Alldeutscher Verband who was an extreme nationalist and started a political interest organization officially founded in 1891. It was done because of the Anglo-German Agreement. A Treaty signed the year before on the 1st of July 1890. It was an agreement between the UK and the German Empire concerning mainly territorial interests. I do not think the “modern “Heathen faiths” realize that implication as 95% of newbies are not traditionally trained anymore.  So Asatru should stay far clear from that. Sadly, most of these uneducated groups, started after pushing away from the new eclectic style Wiccan groups in the 1990's.  We see all of a sudden heretical or fam trads, and fairy faiths and a whole bunch of other nonsense.  Claiming a heretical line is so far fetched as we all come from Europe and not one family has proved yet, that they had any tradition intact from ancient times.  This is because somebody started the allowance of non-traditional making it okay to skip proper procedures and start “Self-Initiations. So in the 2000's modern day Scandinavian & Celtic reconstructional groups began popping up. 

The Norsemen spoke Old Norse, which they even called dönsk tunga (the Danish tongue) not German. If you are interested in this stuff, please direct your attention to a wonderful URL – http://euroheritage.net/eddaintro.shtml. Here you can see clearly the mix of Celts and Viking cultures.  Now that we have that settled, lets get on to the 'claiming of the Runes;

Runes who claims to have Invented them?
Now during the period from 550-750 AD, rapid linguistic changes occurred, as it seems there was a split in the Danes related to Swedish tribes. Some went south and west. During this time their language was no barrier in communicating with tribes across the lands; from Greenland to the Baltic, nearly the same language was spoken throughout, yet each tribe's homeland could be identified by his accent. Then a significant difference changed between the Norse (Sweden and Denmark) and West tribes (Norway and the Atlantic settlements such as Iceland).

Runes were finally replaced by the Latin alphabet by the 11th century everywhere on the continent. Runic language survived along with the Odinic religion in the isolated princedoms of Iceland by Canada until the 16th century. Even their Skalds, (Norse equivalent for a Celtic Bard - poets), immortalized and codified their heritage and myths in the Nordic Eðða from the 13th-15th centuries. Snorri Sturlusson (1178-1241), is the person who documented this belief system in a text book to learn about Priestly poetry. The writings offer the main source for modern Odinists today. 

The Norse might be the people who created the Runic Alphabet but no one knows for sure.  Obviously one man in a tribe created them but which area they actually came from. We will NEVER know.  We do know that Runes were used for centuries since Christianity became popular in about the 500's, especially in the Sweden area.  

Odinic remains can also be found in landmark churches called “The Stavkirke” (Stave-Church) found all throughout Scandinavia areas where Pre-Christian religious beliefs lasted longer than other areas of Europe. Some more Primitive ones have been found in Russia, Ukraine, and Germany, unfortunately Christianity destroyed most in their wake of trying to destroy any trace of previous knowledge and to control the people and keep them ignorant of their crimes.  In fact, Christianity, has done more killing and crime than any other religion throughout history, including sacrifices and rituals.  Yet people are scared of pagans...funny.

Still the Runic alphabet, although used the longest in Sweden and Odinic areas, cannot be claimed as their own.  Why?  Well just as many inscriptions have been found all over Europe in Celtic areas as well, Runes are found carved into historical buildings and statuary and not just in northern Europe, clearly showing the extent of mixed blood and roaming of peoples over Europe.

The evidence of the runes symbols origin is forever shrouded in mystery.  Having read above, and now knowing that no one is of pure race, no one can really 'claim' them.  But we do know, obviously, that the inventor was a Priest like person whose creativity was inspired by the Divine Gods and their lessons of scholarly coded poetry, learning different metres and kinds that we see in the Eddas.

The Runic alphabet, the Runes' meanings, and spiritual significance (divination):

Much of the religiosity in Europe in both in what is called Celtic area & Scandinavia area centered around fertility cults. It must be remembered that fertility in ancient societies referred to crops, childbirth, rebirth and tribal growth with healthy families as opposed to the sexual and lustful perversion association that it has acquired today from Ignorant Christians who have not educated themselves in this study.  In their defense, persons do tend to see this from their own religions view, instead of seeing it through another's eyes which the information is intended to be viewed with. It can be assumed that Runes were likely used for fertility and placed on personal altars, shrines and graveyards to maximize chances of conception and rebirth a soul.  Intercourse of people and animals were considered normal and not shameful and this mating rites of spring would enhance the intentions of the spells (prayers).

In Odinic beliefs there is a Odin Rune. This specific Rune had religious significance and evolved into the Runic letter for the sound "O". Thor has his own Rune that evolved into the sound "Th". In the Icelandic alphabet today, the letter is still used for the same sound. This here is the best proof of all of where the Runes came from. Tyr and Thor are arguably the oldest of the Germanic Pantheon, not Norse. Thus it was shared by Celts and Norse alike. Whatever the tribes pantheon was, or is today lol, you can find the similar God or god family and use the rune for them.

Possible Time of the Runic alphabet:

Runic symbols probably existed before the Romans even built a state, written in sand or carved on wood. These symbols were religious in nature, thus carried magic which was the belief at the time. Often warning and bindings were cast on these. Messages for people. Writing written down became truth and powerful. The earliest evidence of Runic dates from the 2nd century CE/AD. It is difficult to know whether these Runes were done for either to its religious meaning or an abbreviation of the engraver's name. The overwhelming majority of Runestones and artifacts with the Runic alphabet are in Scandinavia, especially Sweden. But Germanic tribes seem to have a far greater emphasis on the war gods used. Nonetheless, the religious myths percolated throughout the Germanic regions, and thus could be the reason they appear in northern Sweden. We know Swedish Viking raids happened often. But I think it is safe to assert that the Runic alphabet was created in either Sweden or Denmark, as the two regions frequently exchanged rulers. Equally so, the highest cultural cultivation of the Odinic religion seems to have occurred in Sweden, including elaborate temples and a written script with religious significance for each symbol, and a firm emphasis on intellectual aspects such as wisdom and knowledge (versus the simplicity of war).

The appearance of Odin as the central god of the Germanic pantheon shows nice trading and exchanges of ideas. As They had Woden, which their name for him. It may have been that Odin was an actual historical Swedish king. But in their religion it is Odin who is attributed with creating writing as he learned the secrets of the Runes. Any sacred knowledge given one must sacrifice and give back thus Odin has one eye. As does Uther, Balor and many other Gods across the continent. All based on the same beliefs. This might have come from the Druids or Gothar. We know that they covered one eye and stood in a peculiar way when performing magic of the otherworld seeing.

The Runic alphabet definitely does not come from Roman tribal families. It bears almost no commonality with Latin, and the Romans were never able to conquer the Germanic tribes of Germany, let alone Sweden. Besides, in the first centuries CE, the Germans gradually ate away at the Roman empire but in time Germans became increasingly involved in the Roman army, frequently seizing entire spheres of the empire for themselves (such as the Gallic Empire - Franks).

Now when I looked at the ancient Phoenecians (Semitic peoples from Lebanon in which Hebrew derived from), oddly, the Runic symbols bear a striking resemblance to their symbols. Phoenecians were a major maritime empire, and became defunct with the obliteration of Carthage by Rome in the 3rd century BCE. Celtic & Viking tribes however, were often semi-nomadic, and may have ventured. Another theory is that it derived from the ancient Etruscan script that has yet to be translated. The Etruscans were an ancient Greek-influenced Italian people in northern Italy. They became altogether assimilated into Italian culture in Rome by the 4th century BCE. Another strange phenomenon is the existence of Hungarian Runes. Hungarian tribes migrated from central Russia from the 9th century CE onward into the Slavic realms of Central Europe, and may or may not have originally descended from the Slavs. Their system of writing appears to be strikingly similar. Ttheir king was converted to Catholicism in the 11th century and their Runic alphabet abolished in favor of Latin script. The Fact remains that many of the Runes are literally identical in both Hungarian, Germanic & Norse script cannot be entirely coincidental.

Now the last evidence must be written as well. Central Asian Turkic Runes. 7 CE inscriptions have been found throughout western Mongolia and Siberia with bizarrely familiar symbols that are common to both Norse, Germanic and Hungarian Runes. The Life Rune, the Swastika (the sun power as it moves around the zodiacs path), and the distinct Rune of Odin seem to have been used in Central Asia as well. They belong to the Turkic populations west of Mongolia, and were likely borrowed from the earlier Sodgian alphabet of their Iranian predecessors. It is unusual that the Othala Rune, a very uniquely Viking symbol, would appear in the desolate plains of the east thousands of miles away, but it is likely more than coincidence as proven by the appearance of the Swastika all over the world's ancient cultures. We were all one!!

What are Modern Celtic Totem Stones for?

The Celts believed the animals had magickal qualities and that each were manifestation from a particular God or Goddess in Earth form. The Boar for Cerridwen, Stag for Cernunnos or the Raven for the Morrighan are examples. They even chose animal, plant or tree totems to represent their tribes or clans. Trees? Yes the Celtic legends suggest that some tribes believed people were created from the trees. Other clans thought their mother was the source they lived by like Boann, the river which gave them life water and food.

Humans could be nourished by & learn quite a bit from each animal and get help from its spirit. They would thank the animal for sharing its gifts in the circle of life. The ancients were closer to nature then modern day persons. They'd listen to nature and watch the physical animal in its natural environment, and dress like them to dance with their spirit.

We can do this too, to begin to attune with nature again by learning about each animal and using totem stones as a starting point. By holding a Celtic Totem Stone & focusing your thoughts on it, brings appreciation for these teachings forward.

The making of the Celtic totem stone is done ritually. The space is cleansed of all other negative residual energy and spirit is invited to send attribute energies and teachings of the animal to rest in the stone before the painting of it. The practitioner is totally focused on the task at hand as well, in trance like mode. Stones then become Spiritkeepers of the past and present.

Real Shamanic Makers of these stones are hard to come by as there are many charlatons out there, that make no ritual. At the Celts and Vikings Store, each Celtic totem stone is handpicked by myself as the ritual starts from this point. Nature spirit is asked to guide the 'Vates' type roles of our tribe to the right stone. The Celtic totem stones are tagged and brought back to our sacred areas, a trance journey is done to see which spirit energy chooses to reside here.

The Celtic totem stones become individuals and should ALWAYS be treated respectfully as spiritual beings at all times. We Keep the totem stones in their own personal pouch, made just for them, in the proper colours and material. Some material does not go with the particular animal spirit and is a mistake often made with those untrained book taught persons.

When it comes to choosing one of our Celtic totem stones, most people go for their favorite animal or an animal they chose themselves to be their "power animal". This is not the way. You may want a particular animal quality, but they are not necessarily the one you need. The best way is to not look and choose, or put your hand across them all, not looking and take the one that draws you there.

Having said this, the best way to go, is to have several different Celtic totem stones, just like the tarot, and once every 3 moons choose one and work with it. I mean really work with it and fix the things within to watch the results in your outer world. Depending on the type of occasion presented the spirit will come for the right time. Choose no more frequently then 3 moons, as this is the time needed to work on a single thing and rid self of a stale or old belief no longer needed or was an untruth you carried around.

By LaurieLee Mills

Copyright February 09, 2012

History of Walking Sticks

The cane or walking stick, by the 1800's, was very much a part of a Gentleman’s formal attire. You didn't leave home without it. It was so popular that members of certain posh organizations had to have one. Military personnel, the Freemasons and many fraternities had the walking stick. The walking cane became a tradition in many places. But did you know that its history goes back long before this.

It was also used by Druids and Celtic warriors as a symbol of authority or a support for an exhausted traveller, or a weapon. For a Celt, it is an extension of one's own arms and reach; as a pole to vault over creeks, or a deep ditch. Celtic Druids (Shamanic persons) used a staff as both a symbol of leadership and as a tool for spiritual journey. Often carved with mystical symbols, Celtic runes, stories of Gods or animals, history of their territory or tribe, record a great battle, mythical beasts and magick. These were the Shamans tool to help guide the path of his/her workings as well as the clan they administered too. Used in many religious ceremonies and ritual throughout time. It was a form of status and the type of wood used depicted the rank of the person in the ancient tribes.

Shorter ones were called a sceptre and the tall ones a staff or stave. Travellers used the walking stick or staff for practical duties as well such as carrying their travelling packs over the shoulder, or heavy loads across both shoulders. It's been used to defend against attack, or even to gain an upper hand in a battle. It really replaced the sword which was the coveted thing prior to the walking stick. The walking stick was always a sign of respect given to the oldest or wisest citizen, and was carried not only as a functional support for walking but as a means of defence.

Walking Sticks are now coveted as collectors items and family heirlooms. The walking stick tall or short, have been part our society for thousands of years. Walking stick status today is still done by how elaborate the walking stick is -- the symbols that are painted, wood-burned or carved into it. They are referred to as bragging staffs or staves. Both spellings are correct. They are a kind of like a totem pole depicting the life of the bearer, a record of ones long journey. If you go to the Masonic Museum, you can see an example of what I speak of, & each provides us clues to the ancient members accomplishments.

The staff can also be used to carve a story of any kind or one of mythology. Keeping a record of events in the carvings of a staff can be traced to the ancient Norsemen. Carving runes to tell a story or tale along it's shaft was a practical and common practice amongst these travellers. It was also used for numerical information, like the length of a measurement, a journey or trade. This numerical journal was called "skor". This method actually carried into modern day and we use it to keep 'score' during a game. This method of carving isn't unique to the Norse. It was done by many surrounding cultures. A popular walking cane today is based off of the walking staff with hook on the top which was associated with the shepherd and children of the Gods. The Shepherd was once a healer with his Staff turning into snakes. He was called Orphiuchus but the constellation picture has now changed to the Hero God Orion.

Walking sticks make a great gift. Master Craftsman Brahva, the founder of Maers Khohias and the owner of The Celts and Vikings Store, enjoys her work in her spare time. Each stick is made with a story in mind and a good energy put into the item. Any individual coming in to the store has the opportunity to choose their own personal statement by the staff they carry so it is important that she leaves some staves plain so they can choose what they'd like to see for décor, and see which one calls to them. Sometimes she feels the wood just sings to her and it becomes what it wants to be. Symbols are either carved, painted, or burned into the walking stick until the walking stick says no more. Brahva specializes in producing quality walking sticks containing as many personal distinctions as possible that the customer wants. Staffs can be topped with a totem of family or energy of the walking stick.

Collectors in Canada boast to have one of Brahva's staffs in their possession. Collecting walking sticks of all sizes is a growing hobby once again. It is a great investment. This leap in value sparked a new interest in handmade canes, both antique and new.

Custom walking sticks are available with anything the customer wishes. Most personalized canes sell at $150, with some custom works upwards of $300. Staffs are mostly shipped in Canada, but can be shipped anywhere should the customer wish to pay extra for shipping charges. The investment is very reasonable for a one of a kind item.

Brahva says a Walking Stick is also called a spirit staff and all have a magickal aura surrounding them, each with its own personality, depending on the type of wood. Once you receive a staff or one calls to you, you must find its name. Listen and it will tell you through the Universe. Once you name one, you feel more of a connection as the ancients did. There is a certain way to use the staff in Celtic ritual. Brahvas also teaches Classes on this subject and much more. The Celtsd and Vikings Store is more than 'just' a store.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR STAFF

Trivia; In most modern Northern European Traditions, meaning those of non-eclecticism, you may not carry a Staff unless a person is one of the Druid classes of priest/priestesses, which can take up to 20 years of study. In this society of fast info and consumerism, most do not grasp this concept, and want everything now. The Walking stick that is given through process has much greater meaning and feeling of accomplishment than one not earned.

For everyone else, a walking stick or staff can be shaped to look like horns or prongs or topped with actual antlers of a deer, a skull of a small animal and decorated with leather, feathers, stones, and/or beads. The staff is unique to it's owner, giving special meaning to that person's life. A staff will call you by drawing you towards it. Some people like to decorate it as they desire so some are always left plain, just for those types.

A Walking Stick Staff take a long time to make from the time they are brought home to the finished product. Brahva always makes sure the grove is able to replenish and does not take more than is necessary. The Staff takes 30 to 60 days in a dry place and then 3 to 9 days to make, depending on how intricate the design. Just like wood has its own magical traits, so does the metals, stones, shells and symbols put on them.

A staff can be Consecration for a specific purpose so it acts as a talisman for the person it is being bought for - house decor, reenactment, modern pagan, respect of an elder in your family, wedding and so on. Consecration is a cleansing of their staff from all the energized of others who might have touched it, in a sacred ritual, then dedicated and charged with Divine energy to do whatever is asked for the new owner that shall receive it then wrapped immediately so no one else touches it. When the receiver gets it, he/she imprints their own energies upon the wood so make sure they are in a great mood. This process should be done afterwards, once a year, to clear the energy off the staff that has been sitting around as it will pick up all energies from any arguments, negative persons and so on around it. For an extra fee of $20, Brahva will do this for you!!

LaurieLee Mills

with permission

Copyright 2011

Celtic Modern Months

January –  Irish = Enáir. Scottish = an Faoilteach. Manx = Jerrey Gheuree. Welsh = Ionawr. Cornish = Genver. Breton = Genver.

February - Irish = Feabhra. Scottish = an Gearran. Manx = Toshiaght Arree. Welsh = Chwefror. Cornish = Hwevrer. Breton = C'hwevrer.

March - Irish = An Márta. Scottish = an Márt. Manx = Mayrnt. Welsh = Mawrth. Cornish = Meurth. Breton = Meurzh.

April  - Irish = An t-Aibreán. Scottish = an Giblean. Manx = Averil. Welsh = Ebrill. Cornish = Ebryl. Breton = Ebrel.

May - Mai Fodla = Red earth month (fertility) Irish = An Bhealtaine. Scottish = an Ceitean. Manx = Boaldyn. Welsh = Mai. Cornish = Me. Breton = Mae.

June - Irish = An Meitheamh. Scottish = an t-Òg-mhios. Manx = Mean Souree. Welsh = Mehefin. Cornish = Metheven. Breton = Mezheven.

July - Irish = lúil. Scottish = an t-luchar. Manx = Jerrey Souree. Welsh = Gorffennaf. Cornish = Gortheren. Breton = Gouere.

August – Irish = Lúnasa. Scottish = an Lúnasdal. Manx = Luanistyn. Welsh = Awst. Cornish = Est. Breton = Eost.


September –Irish = Meán Fómhair. Scottish = an t-Sultain. Manx = Mean Fouyir. Welsh = Medi. Cornish = Gwynngala. Breton = Gwengolo.


October -  Irish = Deireadh Fómhair. Scottish = an Dàmhair. Manx = Jerrey Fouyir. Welsh = Hydref. Cornish = Hedra. Breton = Here.


November - Irish = Samhain. Scottish = an t-Samhain. Manx = Mee Houney. Welsh = Tachwedd. Cornish = Du. Breton = Miz Du


December - Irish = Nollag Scottish = an Dubhlachd Manx = Mee Ny Nollick Welsh = Rhagfyr. Cornish = Kevardhu Breton = Kerzu


by Brahva
from M.K. texts
2002

Celtic Hairstyles, Grooming & Hair Decor

A lot of people have asked me about Celtic hair styles for both men and women.  They want to know about everyday lives and how they looked.
Celtic

Norse Priests

Norse Priest Names & Role -     In the Norse Tradition the Priests acted pretty similar to their Celtic brethren.  They were called the Gothar which is plural for Gothi (male) or Gythia (female). The word Gothar means "those who speak the Godly tongue". The Gothar would meet annually.  There are many accounts of 36 districts of Icelandic Gothar getting together to settle disputes, hand out justice to lawbreakers and discuss issues.

     The Norse Priests chosen had to be honourable folk in their daily lives, almost as wise as the all father. They also had to be strong, loving, confidant and ruthless or fearless warriors. For a Norse Priest, their strength was compared to Thor and the love to Freya. The Gothar led the blots. For both Celt & Norse this role was not taken lightly & could not be self-titled without years of training.  

The Norse High Priest was call a Alsherjargod.  Gyðja was the word used for the female priestess.

The Norse priesthood never took on the famous roles of the Celtic Druids. This was because their Norse shamanistic tradition was maintained by all women, called Volvas. The Kings seemed to have instead evolved out of a priesthood style office, like the Celts who had Kings as the head of a smaller  group of families in the kingdoms (for this social structure, that is parallel to the Celtic structure.  The Kings were like Norse Priest Chieftains.

The Norse priests also had sacrificial burials where slaves and wives as well as weapons and riches and animals would be killed with the King.  There is an account where a woman slave volunteered to joined the corpse of a man on the funeral pyre so she would become the man's wife in the next world, an obvious increase in her status.

Most of the existing records on Norse mythology date from the 11th to 18th century and are no less tainted by Christianity then the Celtic myths.  In fact even the religious worship of the Blot, resembles that of the Celts.

Dress of the Norse Priests -Just as the Male Celtic leaders & Priests dressed as women, so too did the Norse Priests when they took over from the women.  This sacred knowledge was formerly a property of only women, thus they dressed this way as to be accepted by the nature spirits and/or Gods.  Many wore womens clothes for the rites.  In fact a two-spirited person in many ancient cultures was sacred.  Even Tacticus writes that among the Germanic tribes, the Norse Priests at the sunrise and sinset rituals dressed as women in honour of the heavenly twins which they called Haddingjar.   

As to jewelry, We know Mjölnir pendants were worn by Norse pagans  in 9th and 10th centuries from the hoards found.  How far back is unknown to me at this time.  Heck, even Thor, their thunder god, when he received his magic hammer, was only filled with power after he put on the garments of the Goddess Freya and pretended to be a bride.

There an ancient sacred Norse Priest feast spoken about called “Feast of Wantonness” (Hubritska) , where the tribe joined and the men became women by wearing women’s dresses and veils, temporarily assuming feminine powers in violation of a specific taboo.

Of course then  the power hungry man made religion of Christianity condemned the practice as devil-worship, because of its fear of strong women and its oppressive techniques to keep man in power in the new religion.  They wanted all persons to forget the implication that spirituality could only be felt by using feminine sides even if it was simple sexual connection through masquerade.

Here is a poem about a Norse Priest from a medieval Norse version written about 1225 by Snorri Sturluson;  

Thangbrand the Priest

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

SHORT of stature, large of limb,
Burly face and russet beard,
All the women stared at him,
When in Iceland he appeared.
"Look!" they said,
With nodding head,
"There goes Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest." All the prayers he knew by rote,
He could preach like Chrysostome,
From the Fathers he could quote,
He had even been at Rome.
A learned clerk,
A man of mark,
Was this Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.
He was quarrelsome and loud,
And impatient of control,
Boisterous in the market crowd,
Boisterous at the wassail-bowl,
Everywhere
Would drink and swear,
Swaggering Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.
In his house this malcontent
Could the King no longer bear,
So to Iceland he was sent
To convert the heathen there,
And away
One summer day
Sailed this Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.
There in Iceland, o'er their books
Pored the people day and night,
But he did not like their looks,
Nor the songs they used to write.
All this rhyme
Is waste of time! "
Grumbled Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.
To the alehouse, where he sat,
Came the Scalds and Saga men;
Is it to be wondered at,
That they quarrelled now and then,
When o'er his beer
Began to leer
Drunken Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest?
All the folk in Altafiord
Boasted of their island grand;
Saying in a single word,
"Iceland is the finest land
That the sun
Doth shine upon!"
Loud laughed Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.
And he answered: "What's the use
Of this bragging up and down,
When three women and one goose
Make a market in your town! "
Every Scald
Satires scrawled
On poor Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.
Something worse they did than that!
And what vexed him most of all
Was a figure in shovel hat,
Drawn in charcoal on the wall;
With words that go
Sprawling below,
"This is Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest."
Hardly knowing what he did,
Then he smote them might and main,
Thorvald Veile and Veterlid
Lay there in the alehouse slain.
"To-day we are gold,
To-morrow mould!"
Muttered Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest
Much in fear of axe and rope,
Back to Norway sailed he then.
"O, King Olaf! little hope
Is there of these Iceland men!"
Meekly said,
With bending head,
Pious Thangbrand, Olaf's Priest.

Brahva Cwmevos

Copyright August 30, 2011

Is a Celtic Creation Really Lost?

Iron Age Items found of the British Celts

Items found of the Celts in Iron Age period.

A Carnyx - a wind instrument used like a trumpet of the iron Age Celts.  They say this type was used between 300 BCE to 200 CE.  Most were made of bronze.  They were so intricate and the mouth pieces were styled in the shape of animal heads.  It was most likely used in warfare, or to announce a Chieftain when they were ceremoniously brought in according to rank to a feast.  This would be an instrument to frighten the other troops or to inspire the tribes but definately loud so the warriors could hear across the field. Here is an exact replica of one found in Deskford, Banffshire at the Scottish museum.
 
[Image]Spear heads - this was the main weapon although many today love to carry the swords, they were not actually the common weapon of that period.  Here are some examples of the shape of them from the Iron age.  This first one was found Traprain Law in East Lothian.  It dates from between 0 and 400 AD.[Image]

 [Image]These ones are from the British museum.

More coming soon........

by Brahva Cwmevos
Copyright March 26th, 2012