Ask and Embla Ginnungagap

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Ask and Embla I remember the trees A pair lying on my shore Washed up by the tide One ash One elm or vine (The stories do not say) Breath was the gift of Odin Soul the gift of Honir Blood and body the gift of Loth I saw them take root Their forms sprouting from the cracks Until with feet planted in the sand They stood tall Man and woman Ash and elm or vine Ginnungagap I peered between them Ash and Embla (What was between them?) A gap, mild and windless Formed between two bodies, two worlds And from it I was birthed Ymir of the giants Neither man nor woman Something strange, different Feared I was slain by them The sons of Bor (The sons of my son’s daughter) And my body transformed Blood became the sea Flesh became the earth Bones became the mountains Hair became the trees And my skull the sky Svarthofdi I was reborn as the child of my child Son of Farbauti and Laufey or Nal The Sly One, the Bound One A seidberendr from Svarthofdi Blood-brother of Odin Allfather (Loki was my name) The sire of my children The mother of several more I was reborn as Odin himself The Hanged One and the One-Eyed Sacrificed myself to myself (And was granted knowledge) A practitioner of seid I changed my form A man and a woman I became Ithavoll I sit after the destruction After Fenrir was released and fire consumed The leaves of Yggdrasil After I sailed with the giants on Naglfar After I fought and fell to the great wolf I sit on the earth born again from my flesh The land ravaged and cleansed by fire So that nothing is left But the new growth which sprouts From the soil .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Old Norse Mythology — Comparative Perspectives Old Norse Mythology— Comparative Perspectives
Publications of the Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature No. 3 OLd NOrse MythOLOgy — COMParative PersPeCtives OLd NOrse MythOLOgy— COMParative PersPeCtives edited by Pernille hermann, stephen a. Mitchell, and Jens Peter schjødt with amber J. rose Published by THE MILMAN PARRY COLLECTION OF ORAL LITERATURE Harvard University Distributed by HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England 2017 Old Norse Mythology—Comparative Perspectives Published by The Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature, Harvard University Distributed by Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts & London, England Copyright © 2017 The Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature All rights reserved The Ilex Foundation (ilexfoundation.org) and the Center for Hellenic Studies (chs.harvard.edu) provided generous fnancial and production support for the publication of this book. Editorial Team of the Milman Parry Collection Managing Editors: Stephen Mitchell and Gregory Nagy Executive Editors: Casey Dué and David Elmer Production Team of the Center for Hellenic Studies Production Manager for Publications: Jill Curry Robbins Web Producer: Noel Spencer Cover Design: Joni Godlove Production: Kristin Murphy Romano Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Hermann, Pernille, editor. Title: Old Norse mythology--comparative perspectives / edited by Pernille Hermann, Stephen A. Mitchell, Jens Peter Schjødt, with Amber J. Rose. Description: Cambridge, MA : Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature, 2017. | Series: Publications of the Milman Parry collection of oral literature ; no. 3 | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifers: LCCN 2017030125 | ISBN 9780674975699 (alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Mythology, Norse. | Scandinavia--Religion--History. Classifcation: LCC BL860 .O55 2017 | DDC 293/.13--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017030125 Table of Contents Series Foreword ...................................................
[Show full text]
Prose Edda Part 3: Pp
Prose Edda Part 3: pp. 70-89 XLIX. Then spake Gangleri: "Have any more matters of note befallen among the Æsir? A very great deed of valor did Thor achieve on that journey." Hárr made answer: "Now shall be told of those tidings which seemed of more consequence to the Æsir. The beginning of the {p. 71} story is this, that Baldr the Good dreamed great and perilous dreams touching his life. When he told these dreams to the Æsir, then they took counsel together: and this was their decision: to ask safety for Baldr from all kinds of dangers. And Frigg took oaths to this purport, that fire and water should spare Baldr, likewise iron and metal of all kinds, stones, earth, trees, sicknesses, beasts, birds, venom, serpents. And when that was done and made known, then it was a diversion of Baldr's and the Æsir, that he should stand up in the Thing,[legislative assembly] and all the others should some shoot at him, some hew at him, some beat him with stones; but whatsoever was done hurt him not at all, and that seemed to them all a very worshipful thing. "But when Loki Laufeyarson saw this, it pleased him ill that Baldr took no hurt. He went to Fensalir to Frigg, and made himself into the likeness of a woman. Then Frigg asked if that woman knew what the Æsir did at the Thing. She said that all were shooting at Baldr, and moreover, that he took no hurt. Then said Frigg: 'Neither weapons nor trees may hurt Baldr: I have taken oaths of them all.' Then the woman asked: 'Have all things taken oaths to spare Baldr?' and Frigg answered: 'There grows a tree-sprout alone westward of Valhall: it is called Mistletoe; I thought it too young to ask the oath of.' Then straightway the woman turned away; but Loki took Mistletoe and pulled it up and went to the Thing.
[Show full text]
The Children of Odin
Conditions and Terms of Use Copyright © Heritage History 2009 Some rights reserved This text was produced and distributed by Heritage History, an organization dedicated to the preservation of classical juvenile history books, and to the promotion of the works of traditional history authors. The books which Heritage History republishes are in the public domain and are no longer protected by the original copyright. They may therefore be reproduced within the United States without paying a royalty to the author. The text and pictures used to produce this version of the work, however, are the property of Heritage History and are licensed to individual users with some restrictions. These restrictions are imposed for the purpose of protecting the integrity of the work itself, for preventing plagiarism, and for helping to assure that compromised or incomplete versions of the work are not widely disseminated. In order to preserve information regarding the origin of this text, a copyright by the author, and a Heritage History distribution date are included at the foot of every page of text. We request all electronic and printed versions of this text include these markings and that users adhere to the following restrictions. 1) This text may be reproduced for personal or educational purposes as long as the original copyright and Heritage History version number are faithfully reproduced. 2) You may not alter this text or try to pass off all or any part of it as your own work. 3) You may not distribute copies of this text for commercial purposes unless you have the prior written consent of Heritage History.
[Show full text]
Old Germanic Heritage in Metal Music
Lorin Renodeyn Historical Linguistics and Literature Studies Old Germanic Heritage In Metal Music A Comparative Study Of Present-day Metal Lyrics And Their Old Germanic Sources Promotor: Prof. Dr. Luc de Grauwe Vakgroep Duitse Taalkunde Preface In recent years, heathen past of Europe has been experiencing a small renaissance. Especially the Old Norse / Old Germanic neo-heathen (Ásatrú) movement has gained popularity in some circles and has even been officially accepted as a religion in Iceland and Norway among others1. In the world of music, this renaissance has led to the development of several sub-genres of metal music, the so-called ‘folk metal’, ‘Viking Metal’ and ‘Pagan Metal’ genres. Acknowledgements First and foremost I would like to thank my promoter, prof. dr. Luc de Grauwe, for allowing me to choose the subject for this dissertation and for his guidance in the researching process. Secondly I would like to thank Sofie Vanherpen for volunteering to help me with practical advice on the writing process, proof reading parts of this dissertation, and finding much needed academic sources. Furthermore, my gratitude goes out to Athelstan from Forefather and Sebas from Heidevolk for their co- operation in clarifying the subjects of songs and providing information on the sources used in the song writing of their respective bands. I also want to thank Cris of Svartsot for providing lyrics, translations, track commentaries and information on how Svartsot’s lyrics are written. Last but not least I want to offer my thanks to my family and friends who have pointed out interesting facts and supported me in more than one way during the writing of this dissertation.
[Show full text]
Gylfaginning Codex Regius, F
Snorri Sturluson Edda Prologue and Gylfaginning Codex Regius, f. 7v (reduced) (see pp. 26/34–28/1) Snorri Sturluson Edda Prologue and Gylfaginning Edited by ANTHONY FAULKES SECOND EDITION VIKING SOCIETY FOR NORTHERN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON 2005 © Anthony Faulkes 1982/2005 Second Edition 2005 First published by Oxford University Press in 1982 Reissued by Viking Society for Northern Research 1988, 2000 Reprinted 2011 ISBN 978 0 903521 64 2 Printed by Short Run Press Limited, Exeter Contents Codex Regius, fol. 7v ..........................................................Frontispiece Abbreviated references ....................................................................... vii Introduction ..........................................................................................xi Synopsis ..........................................................................................xi The author ..................................................................................... xii The title ....................................................................................... xvii The contents of Snorri’s Edda ................................................... xviii Models and sources ........................................................................ xx Manuscripts .............................................................................. xxviii Bibliography ...............................................................................xxxi Text .......................................................................................................
[Show full text]
A Handbook of Norse Mythology
A HANDBOOK OF NORSE MYTHOLOGY BY KARL MORTENSEN DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN ; ADJUNCT AT THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL (ROYAL GYMNASIUM) AT ODENSB TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH BY A. CLINTON CROWELL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN BROWN UNIVERSITY 1 ' , . * ' ' - r , * - . l I I . , NEW YORK THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY PUBLISHERS THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY. Published March, 1913. This compilation © Phoenix E-Books UK AUTHOR'S PREFACE THIS popular presentation of the myths and sagas which took shape here in the North but whose foundation is common property of all the people who speak a Gothic-Germanic language, first appeared in 1898 and has been used since then in the study of Xorse Mythology in the high schools and universities of all the Scandina- vian countries. Since Professor Crowell has thought that the little book might also achieve a modest success in the youngest but richest and.mosi powerful branch which has grown iron, cur ccmin-on >;uot, I have without hesitation, accopte^ his friendly pro- posal to transjate.jc into English. I find r great satisfaction m, hav -;ig my work put into the world's most comprehensive lan- guage and placed before students in the United States, where I have so many friends, where so many relatives and fel- low-countrymen have found a home and a iii iv AUTHOR'S PREFACE future, and toward which country we Northerners look with the deepest admira- tion and respect for the mighty forces which are seeking to control material things and to break new ground in the infinite realms of the intellect.
[Show full text]
RMN Newsletter 8 2014
The Retrospective Methods Network Newsletter May 2014 № 8 Edited by Frog Helen F. Leslie and Joseph S. Hopkins Published by Folklore Studies / Dept. of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies University of Helsinki, Helsinki 1 RMN Newsletter is a medium of contact and communication for members of the Retrospective Methods Network (RMN). The RMN is an open network which can include anyone who wishes to share in its focus. It is united by an interest in the problems, approaches, strategies and limitations related to considering some aspect of culture in one period through evidence from another, later period. Such comparisons range from investigating historical relationships to the utility of analogical parallels, and from comparisons across centuries to developing working models for the more immediate traditions behind limited sources. RMN Newsletter sets out to provide a venue and emergent discourse space in which individual scholars can discuss and engage in vital cross- disciplinary dialogue, present reports and announcements of their own current activities, and where information about events, projects and institutions is made available. RMN Newsletter is edited by Frog, Helen F. Leslie and Joseph S. Hopkins, published by Folklore Studies / Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies University of Helsinki PO Box 59 (Unioninkatu 38 A) 00014 University of Helsinki Finland The open-access electronic edition of this publication is available on-line at: http://www.helsinki.fi/folkloristiikka/English/RMN/ © 2014, the authors ISSN 2324-0636 (print) ISSN 1799-4497 (electronic) All scientific articles in this journal have been subject to peer review. 2 Contents Editor’s Note .......................................................................................................................................
[Show full text]
G a M E F L O W E N D O F T H E G A
Yggdrasil, the “terrible steed”, a cosmic ash tree that supports the nine worlds, is in jeopardy. As the Ragnarök approaches, you, mighty among the Æsir and Vanir Gods, have to face the relentless advance of Evil Forces. You must sacrifice everything to prevent Evil from destroying Yggdrasil. The last battle, predicted since the dawn of time, is starting now. Your only aim is to repel the Evil Forces in order for Yggdrasil to survive this universe at war. G a m e f l o w Yggdrasil is a co-operative game. Playing the role of a God, you must, with the other players, stop the advancing Evil Forces in Asgard. nidhögg surT Jörmungand fenrir heL Loki The Gods are playing alternately, clockwise, until the end of the game. During his turn, the active God : 1) Takes an enemy card When an Enemy card is taken, its counter moves forward to the next space (on the right) in Asgard. Then the effect of the Enemy is applied. 2) Performs Three differenT acTions The active God performs three different actions among the nine at his Hel has been taken, her counter moves forward to the disposal. Each action corresponds to one of the worlds of Yggdrasil. next space. end of the game defeaT VicTory The Gods lose immediately if, at the end of a God’s turn, one The Gods win the game if they run out of Enemy cards and of the following conditions occurs : none of the above conditions have taken place (after the active God has applied the effect of the last Enemy card and performed - There are five Enemies or more beyond the wall of Asgard.
[Show full text]
Year 7: Myths and Legends Home Pack
Year 7: Myths and Legends home pack Name: Form: Teacher: School week 7 W.C. 02.11.2020 Lesson 1: This week, you are going to look at the introduction of the human hero. Previously to this, our focus has been on characters who are Gods or part of the supernatural in some way. What is a hero? How many examples can you give of a hero? • • • • • • Below are Propp’s character conventions. These are characters you can expect to see in a traditional adventure story and what their role is. How do you think the heroic figure has changed over time? Think about what the Greek expectations were, then Roman and what we are familiar with today. Greek Roman Modern In the past, we have looked at heroes as masculine figures. Do you think this is still relevant today? Do we expect heroes to be masculine? Explain your thinking. Why is it important to have a human hero? How does it impact the story and the reader’s relationship with it? Lesson 2: What are the purpose of the following characters, according to Propp’s conventions. Do this from memory first and then you can look back to complete any that are missing. Hero – Villain – Doner – Helper – Princess – Dispatcher – Princess’ father – False hero - Read ‘The Sword in the Stone’. Does it fit any of the seven basic plots? Which one and why? How is Arthur presented as a heroic character? Use the questions below to help you: What is Arthur like? Arthur is presented as a heroic character as he is… How does the text show us this? This is shown when… The Sword in the Stone Our story begins in the fifth century with King Uther who reigned in the south of Britain.
[Show full text]
Prose Edda Part 2: Pp. 35- 70 XVIII. Then Said Gangleri
Prose Edda Part 2: pp. 35- 70 XVIII. Then said Gangleri: "Whence comes the wind? It is strong, so that it stirs great seas, and it swells fire; but, strong as it is, none may see it, for it is wonderfully shapen." Then said Hárr: "That I am well able to tell thee. At the northward end of heaven sits the giant called Hræsvelgr: he has the plumes of an eagle, and when he stretches his wings for flight, then the wind rises from under his wings, as is here said: Hræsvelgr hight he | who sits at heaven's ending, Giant in eagle's coat; From his wings, they say, | the wind cometh All men-folk over." XIX. Then said Gangleri: "Why is there so much difference, that summer should be hot, but winter cold?" Hárr answered: "A wise man would not ask thus, seeing that all are able to tell this; but if thou alone art become-so slight of understanding as not to have heard it, then I will yet permit that thou shouldst rather ask foolishly once, than that thou shouldst be kept longer in ignorance of a thing which it is proper to know. He is called Svásudr[Delightful.] who is father of Summer; and he is of pleasant nature, so that from his name whatsoever is pleasant is {p. 33} But the father of Winter is variously called Vindljóni[Wind-bringer] or Vindsvalr;[ Wind-chill] he is the son of Vásadr;[3] and these were kinsmen grim and chilly-breasted, and Winter has their temper." XX.
[Show full text]
Sacrifice and Sacrificial Ideology in Old Norse Religion
Sacrifice and Sacrificial Ideology in Old Norse Religion Daniel Bray The practice of sacrifice is often treated as 'the dark side' of Old Norse heathenism, by both medieval Christian commentators and modern scholars alike. However, within Norse religious practice, sacrificial ritual (blot) was one of the most central acts of religious observance. This paper will seek to examine aspects of the significance of blot within Old Norse religion, the ideology of sacrifice as it operated within this tradition and its relation to other Indo-European traditions, and the reactions to the issue of sacrifice by medieval contemporaries and modern scholarship. An examination of Old Norse literature relating to religious practice demonstrates the importance of blot within the religious life of the heathens of Scandinavia. Well over one hundred and fifty references to blot can be found in different sources, including Eddic and skaldic poetry, early historical works and annals, legal material, and saga literature. There are no extant scriptures or religious manuals from the heathen Norse that give a detailed explanation of the theory and operation of sacrifice. However, the accounts of sacrificial practice, taken altogether, provide a wealth of knowledge about how it was performed, by whom and to whom, as well as where, when and under what circumstances it was performed. The Old Norse verb bl6ta, which means 'to sacrifice', also has the extended meaning 'to worship', particularly by means of sacrifice, which testifies to the importance of sacrifice as a form of worship. In a language that had no proper word for its indigenous religion, the word blot had become a by-word for all things heathen, evidenced by terms such as blotdomr, blotskapr, or blotnaor 'heathen worship', bl6thus 'temple', bl6tmaor 'heathen worshipper' and even bl6tguo 'heathen god'.1 A survey of the literature reveals a number of essential features of sacrificial ritual in Old Norse heathenism.
[Show full text]
The Prose Edda
The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturlson Translated by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur [1916] The Prose Edda is a text on Old Norse Poetics, written about 1200 by the Norwegian poet and politican Snorri Sturlson, who also wrote the Heimskringla. The Prose Edda contains a wide variety of lore which a Skald (poet) of the time would need to know. The text is of interest to modern readers because it contains consistent narratives of many of the plot lines of Norse mythology. Although Snorri was a Christian, he treated the ancient Pagan mythology with great respect. To this end, Snorri created a quasi-historical backstory for the Norse Gods. Hence the Prose Edda is of interest because it contains one of the first attempts to devise a rational explanation for mythological and legendary events. It is also notable because it contains fragments of a number of manusripts which Snorri had access to, but which are now lost. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ix PROLOGUE 1 GYLFAGINNING 11 SKÁLDSKAPARMAL 87 INDEX 243 {p. ix} INTRODUCTION THE life of Snorri Sturluson fell in a great but contradictory age, when all that was noble and spiritual in men seemed to promise social regeneration, and when bloody crimes and sordid ambitions gave this hope the lie. Not less than the rest of Europe, Scandinavia shared in the bitter conflict between the law of the spirit and the law of the members. The North, like England and the Continent, felt the religious fervor of the Crusades, passed from potential anarchy into union and national consciousness, experienced a literary and spiritual revival, and suffered the fury of persecution and of fratricidal war.
[Show full text]