Norse pantheon Archives — The Rational Heathen

The Norse Gods: Skadi

April 3, 2023 The Rational Heathen Comments 0 Comment

Skadi is a Norse goddess who embodies the power of winter, hunting, and skiing. She is one of the most fascinating and complex goddesses in Norse mythology. Skadi’s name means “shadow” or “shade,” which reflects her mysterious and enigmatic nature.

Skadi is the daughter of the giant Thiazi and the wife of the god Njord. She is often depicted as a fierce and independent woman who roams the mountains and forests of the north, hunting with her bow and arrow. Because of this, her fierce spirit is often depicted through her association with wolves, which are considered her sacred animal.

Skadi’s Demand for Justice

Skadi’s story is one of revenge, power, and redemption. According to Norse mythology, Loki killed Skadi’s father, Thiazi. Thiazi kidnapped Loki, forcing the trickster god to lure Idunn and her golden apples away from Asgard so Thiazi could kidnap her. The golden apples gave the gods immortality, so they made Loki rescue Idunn and her apples. In his escape, Loki kills Thiazi.

In retaliation, Skadi set out to seek justice for her father’s death. She went to Asgard, the home of the gods, and demanded retribution. The gods agreed to make amends by allowing Skadi to choose a husband from among them, but with a catch: she had to choose him by looking only at his feet.

Skadi agreed to the gods’ condition. She chose the god with the most beautiful feet, thinking it was Baldr. But it was not Baldr’s but Njord’s feet. Njord is a sea god, and his realm is vastly different than Skadi’s. Despite her initial disappointment, Skadi agreed to marry Njord, but their marriage was not without its challenges.

Skadi and Njord’s Separation

Skadi and Njord’s differing lifestyles and interests caused tension in their relationship. In retrospect, this difference is quite apparent. Skadi loved the mountains and the snow, while Njord preferred the cold and waves of the sea. They eventually separated, but not before Skadi had learned to appreciate the beauty of the sea and Njord had learned to appreciate the ruggedness of the mountains.

Skadi’s Importance to the Norse

Snowshoes. Licensed through the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Skadi’s association with winter and skiing has made her an important figure in Viking and Scandinavian culture. Skiing was an essential part of life for the ancient Norse people, who used skis for transportation, hunting, and warfare. Skadi is often depicted as a skilled skier, and she is considered the patron goddess of skiing and winter sports.

Skadi’s story has also been interpreted as a metaphor for the power of nature and the importance of balance in life. Her marriage to Njord represents the balance between the sea and the mountains, and her journey to Asgard represents the power of nature to seek justice and balance in the world.

Skadi in the Modern Era

In modern times, Skadi has become a symbol of feminine strength and independence. She represents the power of women to stand up for themselves and seek justice, even in the face of adversity. Her association with winter and skiing has also made her an icon of the outdoors and the natural world.

In conclusion, Skadi is a fascinating and complex goddess whose story has been told and retold for centuries. She embodies the power of winter, hunting, and skiing, and her story is a reminder of the importance of balance, justice, and the power of nature. Skadi’s spirit lives on in the modern world, inspiring women and men alike to seek adventure, explore the outdoors, and embrace the wild and unpredictable aspects of life.

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The Norse Gods: Freyja

March 3, 2023 The Rational Heathen Comments 0 Comment

Freyja is one of the most beloved and respected gods in Norse mythology. She is a goddess of love, fertility, beauty, and war. Freyja is a complex deity, known for her wild and passionate spirit, yet also for her determination and courage.

Freyja’s Origins

Freyja is described as an incredibly beautiful and powerful goddess. She is the daughter of the sea god Njord and sister of Freyr, with whom she shares a special bond. Her husband is the god Od and their union granted her with the power to visit the other realms (the underworld, the heavens, and the realms of the gods). She, Freyr, and Njord are members of the Vanir, as opposed to the Aesir. The Aesir and Vanir once fought each other but then made a truce. Thus Freyja, Freyr, and Njord came to live with the Aesir as part of the truce.

Goddess of Love and War

In Norse mythology, Freyja is associated with fertility, beauty, and love. She rules over the realm of love, and is responsible for bringing joy and happiness to all who seek her out. Because her power is so strong, some stories say she can make even the most hardened warrior fall head over heels in love with her. Freyja is also associated with war and battle, and is the leader of the Valkyries—the shieldmaidens who chose those destined for Folksvangr and Valhalla. She gets first pick of the dead, even over Odin.

Chooser of the Slain

Freyja is a collector of souls, and accompanied the souls of the dead to her hall of Folksvangr. She weeps golden tears for the fallen. Often, she rewards a brave or loyal warrior with a necklace created from her tears. The necklace, known as “Brisingamen,” is so precious, Freyja was willing to exchange sex for it with the dwarves who created it.

Aside from her many roles, Freyja is also a protector of great wisdom and knowledge. She is often invoked during times of distress and holds a great deal of power over fate and the future. She is both compassionate and powerful; a friend and a savior.

Freyja in Modern Times

Freyja is an incredibly popular goddess in modern times, and she inspires many who seek out the Norse gods. You can learn much by studying her life and understanding what makes her such an important and powerful deity. Her bravery, passion, and determination have all been sources of solace to those in need of divine encouragement. Freyja is a wonderful example of the beauty and strength we can gain by understanding the gods of the Norse pantheon.

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The Norse Gods: Tyr

February 18, 2023 The Rational Heathen Comments 2 comments

Tyr is a Norse god who is a member of the Aesir, one of the most powerful of the gods, and the principled warriors among them. He is the namesake of the day Tuesday (Tyr’s Day) and is renowned for being the bravest of all the gods and his pursuit of justice.

Tyr is an Ancient, Powerful God

Tyr was once a significant Norse deity, although his importance has been overshadowed by gods such as Odin and Thor. Tyr is one of the oldest of the Gods, with references to him in texts dating back to the Viking age. According to Norse mythology, he is the son of Odin and Fjorgyn (Jord) or Hymir and an unknown Jotun.

Tyr’s Domain

Tyr is the god of justice, law, and technical skill. He is a protector of the people and their rights, defending the innocent from criminals. Tyr is also a god of war, leading his warriors into battle with great courage and skill. He is frequently seen depicted with one hand missing. Tyr sacrificed his hand to Fenrir to bind the wolf and prevent any further chaos.

Tyr and Fenrir

Public Domain Image of Tyr feeding Fenrir.

The most famous story involving Tyr is the story of Fenrir, a huge and powerful wolf who is the son of Loki and Angrboda, a Jotun. A Norn prophesized that during Ragnarok Fenrir would devour Odin and much of Midgard. To avoid this, the gods decided to chain Fenrir.

But Fenrir broke any chain the gods put on him, so the gods asked the Dwarves to make an unbreakable chain. The Dwarves created it with the sound of a cat’s footfall, the beard of women, the roots of mountains, the sinews of the bear, the breath of the fish, and the spittle of the birds. The chain, Gleipnir, was very light, but nonetheless stronger than steel.

Fenrir didn’t trust the gods when he saw Gleipnir and demanded someone put their hand in his mouth as a token of honestly that they would remove it should he not be able to break it. None of the gods were willing to do so, except Tyr.

Tyr bravely stepped forward and offered to put his right hand into Fenrir’s mouth, knowing what would happen. After the gods bound Fenrir with the chains, Fenrir could not break them. Hence, Tyr lost his right hand.

The God of Truth and Law

Tyr is a god of commitment and truth. He is a symbol of loyalty and strength, and is seen to honor his word and stand by his friends or loved ones no matter the circumstances. He has strong codes of honor, seeing no shame in admitting when he is wrong or making amends when necessary.

Tyr is a deity whom people highly respect. His followers frequently invoked in both personal and legal matters. He maintains law and order among the gods and humans. He is revered for his power and his belief in justice above all else.

Tyr is an excellent example of the Norse concept of virtue. He is a representation of strength, honor, courage, and virtue. He was willing to make sacrifices and put himself at risk in order to protect others, making him a model of courage and morality.

The Norse Gods: Thor

January 26, 2023 The Rational Heathen Comments 0 Comment

Thor is one of the most popular Norse gods, renowned for his superhuman strength and courage. An Aesir, Thor is the god of thunder, lightning, and storms. He is a major figure in Norse mythology, appearing in several forms, including in the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla, and the sagas of Icelanders.

Who is Thor?

Thor is a powerful and complex deity whose story has been retold throughout history. He is the son of Odin, the Allfather, and the giantess Jörð.

Thor is a fierce warrior who is strong and courageous, and the protector of the Gods, Midgard, and its inhabitants. He wields a mighty hammer, Mjöllnir, which helps him control the forces of nature, like lightning and thunder. The hammer is so powerful that nothing can withstand its force, except for the scales of the serpent, Jörmungandr.

Thor’s Role Among the Gods

In Norse mythology, Thor has several roles and responsibilities. He is the God of Thunder, the protector of Asgard and the realm of the Gods. Thor is also the guardian and protector of the humans and other creatures of Midgard. He is the god of strength and courage, and portrayed as a mighty warrior. Stories of his battles with giants and other creatures of chaos depict his mighty strength.

Thor’s chariot is pulled by two magical goats, Tanngnjostr and Tanngrisnir. These magical goats pull the chariot through the sky and carry him wherever he wished. Thor would summon the goats with Mjöllnir and they would pull him and his chariot, allowing him to travel across the nine realms. According to legend, after a journey Thor would kill the goats and eat them, but the next day they would be magically restored to life.

Thor at Ragnarok

His most famous story is that of Thor and Jörmungandr, where the giant serpent challeges him. Unfortunately, his hammer, Mjöllnir, is unable to stop Jörmungandr. To defeat the great serpent, Thor engages in a fierce battle using strength and courage and is eventually successful in killing the giant creature, losing his own life in the battle.

Modern-Day Thor

In modern times, people consider Thor as a symbol of strength, courage and resilience. He is also a popular figure in pop culture, appearing in comic books, movies and other forms of media. Of course, he is one of the gods Heathens venerate.

Nature Associations

At one point in time, our ancestors may have associated Thor with the sun and the sky, because of his control over the forces of nature. This could be one explanation for why his hammer, Mjöllnir, is depicted with a whirlwind around it, representing the wind and storm of Thor himself.

Thor is an important figure in Norse mythology, and his stories and adventures remain a part of modern culture. People often describe him as the god of thunder, strength, and courage. He is the fierce warrior and protector of the gods, Midgard, and its inhabitants. His strength and courage are legendary, and his stories will continue to be retold for generations to come.

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Another Flavor of Heathenry: When Perun Comes Calling

November 8, 2018 The Rational Heathen Comments 2 comments

I think I have another god I need to consider. Skadi, Tyr, Loki, Freyja, Freyr, Frau Holle, Odin, and yes, Thor, are all gods and goddesses have had my attention for some time. But recently, there’s been a shift and I’m starting to learn more about Perun, the Slavic god of Thunder. And oddly, he feels more familiar to me than Thor.

Who is Perun and Where was he Worshiped?

Perun is the Slavic god of thunder and lightning. People who lived in Scandinavia, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and other places where the Slavic peoples settled worshiped Perun. He is obviously a Northern god, who shares a lot of traits with Thor and Odin. He even shares traits with Tyr, being a sky god and a god of laws, thus making him an interesting god to me.

Unlike Thor, Perun is considered head of the Slavic pantheon. He is a sky god and from what I can tell, he had been the main god for most of the Slavs and the Kievan Rus.

Is Perun Another Name for Thor?

On first blush, Perun is a lot like Thor. He wields an axe or a hammer; a goat pulls his chariot. His hammer or axe returns to him after he has thrown it. He wields lightning and thunder. His beard is copper and he is incredibly strong. Like the Norse and Germanic gods, the Slavs look at the universe as a World Tree. At the roots is a dragon or serpent which Perun will fight.

So, looking at Perun, I see a lot of Thor. But Perun is also a wise god, like Odin. So he has some differences. Perun’s ax is no surprise either, given the concept of thunderstones. People believed that Neolithic stone axes and flint arrowheads came from the sky and protect them from evil. So much so that iron age burials often had stone age axes in them to protect the deceased.

Interesting Story About Perun and Veles

Perun’s enemy is a chaos and forest god (who is also the god of the underworld) named Veles. Veles steals Perun’s cattle, children, or wife in an effort to provoke him. The story goes that Veles hides from Perun and when Perun sees Veles, he throws a thunderbolt. Only Veles escapes. Hence the reason lightning strikes seemingly harmless places.

Veles isn’t necessarily an evil god, but he is a chaotic god. He often shape changes in the form of a bear or a wolf. In many ways, he resembles Loki of the Norse pantheon. Perun defeats Veles, but since Veles is a god, he does not die (or is reborn) continues his trouble making for Perun.

Interestingly enough, Christians morphed story of the Perun and Veles battle into Michael the Archangel versus Satan to gain converts. They already had the story from the Bible, they just brought more elements of the Perun/Veles story over to make it more familiar.

Perun’s Existence in History

The earliest mention of Perun is in the 6th Century by the Byzantine historian Procopius in his work, De Bellum Gothicum. We also know that in 998 CE (AD) the ruler, Vladimir the Great of Kiev converted to Christianity and had the entire population of Kiev baptized. Vladimir had the the very statue of Perun he commissioned earlier as a pagan torn down, dragged through the streets, and dumped in the river Dnieper. The statue was not allowed to return to shore until it went past the rapids.

Certainly there were Perun followers after this time, but it seems that with the conversion of Vladimir the Great, Perun’s days being worshiped widespread were numbered.

So, is Perun the Slavic Thor?

My take on Perun is that he and Thor have very much in common. Both are very mighty and strong gods. Perun has similar symbology to Thor, but has elements of (the good side) of Odin. Part of me thinks Perun is a form of Thor and Tyr combined. In this case, it makes perfect sense why Thor and Tyr approached me. Given that I have Slavic ancestry (as well as Norman, Germanic, and Rus), Perun may be another god I may call upon.

If Perun is Thor, then he is an accessible Thor to me. Seeing a Perun axe with Tyr’s rune clinched it for me. I think I’m going to have to honor Perun as well as Thor, Tyr, and the Norse gods.

Choosing a God or Goddess from the Northern Pantheons

July 17, 2017 Tyra Ulfdottir Comments 14 comments

If you’re new to Heathenry (or even if you aren’t), maybe you’re wondering which gods and/or goddesses are your main go-to deities, or (dare I say it?) patron deities. I’ve been reading some blogs about this and I figured, as the Rational Heathen, I’d weigh in on the subject. As usual, your mileage may vary (YMMV) and any advice I give may not fit your circumstance.

But I Already Have a God/Goddess!

If you’re a newly arrived Heathen, chances are you’ve chosen one of the more media-prominent gods/goddesses such as Odin, Thor, Loki, or Freyja. That’s all well and good, but they aren’t the only ones out there, and they may not fit you. Also, they’re not a “I’m substituting Odin for the Christian god”-type of gods. Odin isn’t the only creator-god, nor is he entirely benevolent. All the gods have their dark sides, just like human beings. But they also have their good sides, which can be wondrous and amazing when you are on the receiving end.

If you’re a Heathen with some years in Heathenry, you may have found a god/goddess that you like, but maybe are looking for more than one go-to god, or maybe you just don’t feel the fit is right. After all, there’s a reason why we’re polytheistic, and not monotheistic, right? All of these are good reasons to explore the pantheon and see if there is another god or goddess whom we can add to our altars.

My Own Experience

Long time readers will know that I didn’t choose becoming a Heathen. Rather, I got pulled in by Tyr and Thor. While Tyr is my main god, I have several gods and goddesses I show respect to including Thor, Freyr, Freyja, Skadi, Odin, Zisa, and, oddly enough, Loki. But they didn’t just show up all at once and talk to me. No. As a matter of fact, some, like Skadi, were very cool to me (pun intended). Skadi and I did have a bit of an introductory period. I had known her years before I became a Heathen, but it is my experience that she doesn’t always come knocking on your door the way other gods and goddesses may do. Freyr did not approach me, either. I simply opened myself to him. So, I do have some experience choosing new gods and goddesses.

How Should I Discover a New God/Goddess?

Unless your experience is similar to mine, you’ll probably be charting your own course, so to speak. Finding a new god/goddess may be difficult if you don’t have a god grab you by the scruff of the neck and shout, “You’re Mine!” (This can be a really disconcerting time in your life, if this does happen.) If you’re looking for a deity, you should first do your homework and find out what you can about each god. Learn what you can from the myths and Eddas. Does any one appeal to you in some fashion?

The downside to research is that we don’t know as much about certain gods and goddesses within our pantheon. Yes, we know quite a bit about the main players, but there’s a lot of guess-and-by-golly when it comes to less-known gods. Also note that there are some gods who cross over ethnic groups and have different names, but are essentially the same god. Thor comes to mind. He’s Thorr in Norse culture, Thunor in Anglo-Saxon culture, and Donar in German culture. But he’s also Perun in Slavic culture, Perkunas in Baltic culture, and Perendi in Albanian culture. If you’re culturally close to those who worshiped the northern gods, you may want to see if there are gods within your ancestors’ cultures that fit, or seem to resonate with you.

Mediation is immensely helpful in this search. You may hear one or more god or goddess as you practice mindfulness meditation. In this case, feel free to explore the communication. You don’t have to choose the god who shows up, but chances are there’s a reason they choose to talk with you while you were receptive. Be cautious, too, during mediation. You’re receptive to more than just the gods. Avoid those that give you bad feelings or harmful requests. Believe it or not, there are spirits that do take delight on waylaying people.

You’ll have to choose by what feels right. This isn’t a particularly rational suggestion, but religion is seldom rational in nature. In the end, you must trust you gut-feelings and maybe you’ll get rewarded for your efforts with a UPG or maybe even some communication.

Avoid Popular and Simple Explanations for Deities

I hate to be the party-pooper on this, but the gods aren’t the Marvel heroes. If you’ve been drawn to Heathenism because of the Marvel tropes, that’s okay, but don’t expect Thor, Loki, and Odin to be much like the comic characters. These are gods who have many dimensions to their personalities, and although we have limited writings about them–many of them colored by Christianity–enough of us have had UPGs to the point where we’ve seen other aspects of the gods.

For example, Freyja isn’t just the goddess of war and sex, (although she is that, too). She has a very complex role as a goddess. She takes half the fallen before Odin, thus probably taking the best warriors. She is a strong goddess who fights, but is still very feminine. She is the goddess of the Seidr, and may be linked to Frigga as the wife of Odin. She is certainly the most powerful of the goddesses. Your dealings with her may bring certain insights into her personality that you would never find in popular culture.

What About Other Pantheons?

Should you mix and match gods and goddesses from other unrelated pantheons? What if Freyja and Bast appeal to you? What if you worship Jupiter, Heimdall, and Wu Xi? What if you have altars to Christ and Odin?

Seriously?

Some Heathens will call you out on this as being Wiccan and not Heathen. They may even give you the sarcastic name of “Wiccatru” for your efforts. Even I am a little taken aback by the mixes. (It’s really not the same as mixing some Eurasian religions with our Norse gods because they’re alike in a lot of ways.) I’m somewhat hesitant to say “yes, you can,” because I don’t have a warm feeling about mixing very different religions. That being said, if you truly feel the calling between two different gods from two different pantheons, who in the Hel am I to tell you what you should do?

However, some religions by their very nature aren’t up to the task of “Mix-N-Match” gods. Our gods couldn’t care any less who or what you worship, but the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim god isn’t keen on other gods in the playbook. Something about “Thou shall not have other gods before me…” springs to mind here. While I don’t believe in that god, I do believe that the followers would have something to say about it. And seeing as the words are in their holy text to not worship any other gods, it seems disingenuous to worship a Judaeo-Christian god and a Norse god. But again, that’s your business.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas about the gods and how to start your journey into finding a god or goddess you have a special connection with.

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