An Ancestral Experience...

In my Germanic Polytheistic faith, a major aspect of our worship surrounds the ancestors.  These ancestors may be physical, spiritual, inspirational, national, some of all or all of the above.  What is sought after in ancestor worship are three things.  The first is simply remembrance and giving honour to the memory of those who came before and have had an influence, direct or indirect, on our life.  The second is, if their soul is still in the afterlife(since many of us believe in some form of rebirth, reincarnation, or even transmigration of the soul), that we keep that connection strong even after death so that whatever relationship we had while alive does not pass away to the passage of time.  The third, like in life, is to gain their favor, advice, and luck in our daily struggles.

It is through worship of the beloved dead that we as Heathens and Asatruars connect to our heritage; cultural, spiritual, and physical.  It is through the ancestors that we learn important values, life lessons, cultural transmission, beliefs, and the like.  For these attributes, a debt is made in our orlog and living the lessons we learn in life is a part of this debt, the love we share with family is another aspect of this debt, and giving honour to the dead is also a part of this debt.  This ritual debt is much akin to the same debt we have for our Gods and the spirits of the land.  In our faith an important concept is that of a gift, ever seeking a gift in return.  For life, love, and learning we give the gift of remembrance and sacrifice.

I ponder on this now, especially so since I have connected with my older half sister, whom I have known about for quite some time but never sought out and who, in turn, never knew of me.  Circumstances played out, years in the making, and she found out and found me on Facebook.  We have been getting to know each other and it has been a wonderful experience doing so.  My point is that I think of this now, because before when I partook of any ancestral honouring, while the paternal line was also in my mind, I naturally thought more of my maternal line.  They are the ones who raised me, taught me my sense of ethics, sense of culture, my value system, etc.  My grandparents, who were more like parents were the best foundations in life anyone could ask for and both family lines are well represented by intelligent, jovial, down to earth folk.  I have had a good family experience so it is only natural to express a bias in that way.

However, that bias is also because until lately, my biological father's line was pretty much just a name...an idea...a matrix of genealogical and genetic information.  Now that line has a face, and a voice.  There is a subtle quality which makes it more...tangible.  I will be influenced by my sister's life and ideas in ways unknown to me, and her likewise.  The orlog which is being laid down will influence how I think and perceive any ancestral connections I have to my biological father's line.  It is an interesting theological soup to be sure.

So, what is the point of all this?  Nothing really.  Just throwing out ideas on my blog and trying to make sense of it all.  If anything, I guess the point is to not take your ancestors for granted.  Now, if your ancestors were horrible people, obviously no one wants you honouring assholes, but there are always other types of ancestors just as there are all kinds of families.  Above all, keep an eye out for the twists and turns of life for they may take you down roads you never thought you'd travel.  In fact, you might even come to realize that you rather enjoy the ride.  Hail the Ancestors!

Njordhr says Hi...again.

So I had a dream a couple nights ago in which Njordhr was present.  There was a lush, green valley surrounded by a mountainous terrain.  Near the top of the tallest mountain was a landing with a cave in which a waterfall was rushing over.  I was on this landing looking into the cave.  Behind the waterfall at the opening of the cave stood Njordhr, dressed in white linen pants and a white tunic and he was holding a glowing golden sphere.  In the dream it felt like it was a beckoning, like all the old tales where journeymen find treasure behind waterfalls.  Njordhr seemed very peaceful but stoic.  Still trying to wrap my head around it and if it even means anything or just my mind having a bit of fun.

I suck at blogs

You know what...I suck at blogs.  I want to blame Facebook, and I'm sure that has something to do with it, but yeah, I suck at blogs.  It has been way too long since I put up a new post.  So let me give you the year's run down...life is good, spiritually I've backed down alot and have felt out of sorts, but otherwise ok.  Fiddled with ideas of incorporating Gaelic Polytheism into my practices again, but every dream, feeling, and omen I've had or read says "no, that is not your home", just like last time.  Which kinda blows since I have a pretty good chunk of Gaelic ancestry and I love everything "Celtic".  Oh well, the food and culture will have to be enough.  Summer was fun, Carrie and I's 10th anniversary was awesome and I keep falling more and more in love with her.  I couldn't have asked for a better companion to deal with my moods, spiritual meanderings, and intellectual pursuits.  Winter has been fun too, lots more snow than last year, which I totally dig.  The shrine in the corner of our bedroom has been given back to Freyr and Njord, so with Carrie's Freyja shrine in there it's like our little Vanaheim.  The library shrine, which I was considering as a Gaelic altar has been rededicated to Odhinn and the bottom shelf has a bunch of old family photos for that ancestral connection.  Work has been good aside from the random person who wants something for nothing or has no idea what they are doing when they go in a fabric store, and yet they want to do some huge project.  No new poetry to share, but I have been fiddling with a business idea which is partly good for other Heathens, but otherwise just a general service...pyrography.  Been batting back and forth setting up an Etsy account or just putting out my own domain for a wood-burning business focused on religious imagery and custom work.  We'll see how that comes around, still not sure about pricing and a few other issues(like taxes and what not).    Otherwise, it has been a normal year with normal ups and downs, moments of clarity and moments of mind numbing apathy, with bits of fun thrown in.  Oh, and Netflix...Netflix is great, especially on days off to watch odd documentaries or Doctor Who or catch up on old faves like Buffy and Star Trek.  Well that is all for today.  I'll put down some of my more serious thoughts about my Heathenry as of late on a later date.

A bede for Ing

Fire's garment paves a path true
Flowing out from within
Holy visage

Wayfarer's stead on harbor's shore
Your illumination shows the way
From whale's road to emerald pastures

Shadow's mirth fails its worth
In the dawning sway
... Of Gearde's wooer

Night's might loses the battle
Neorth's seed takes hold
A mighty oak with leaves of gold

Prosperity and a good year
Holy procession on lighted path
The worthing tests to take

A void of wonders strive to make
A stag of elven might
Lord Ing's vibrant maegen

Fire's garment paves a path true
Flowing out from within
Holy visage

 

By: Shawn Rowland

Dreaming the Dead...

I haven't written on this blog since last year, but I've been thinking about a few things lately that I want to write down. Early last year I had a dream about my mother, and in this dream she told me point blank how to find my father. When she was alive she told me his name and his daughter's name but nothing else. I found a few leads since I decided to study my ancestry back in 2004, but nothing concrete.
After my grandfather died in 2007 and I took over on the research he was doing for the Rowland-Horne side, and then my grandmother died the next year, I felt like trying to complete my ancestral picture wouldn't be an offense to them(though I know it wouldn't have anyways, but still). I found a bit, but very very little. Then I had the dream. Then I did what my mom told me to do, and voila! I found my half-sister, and through those records found my father, and grandparents, and great-grandparents. With Ancestry.com I have been able to trace back about half of my father's lineage. So while this is all very cool, the point in my writing this is the dream.
There are alot of people who believe dreams have meaning or that spirits, ancestors, etc. will speak to you through them. My religion sees this as nothing odd at all. While not everyone will have or even need experiences like this, dream omens and ancestral spirits are still "common" both today and in the tales from long ago. This experience for me is like picking up a phone calling a friend, no biggie. It should be like this for everyone else who shares that belief, but it isn't.
The vast majority of them are disconnected from the reality of these experiences and how normal they really are if you can understand them and heed them. I understand, even though it is a part of my religion, growing up in secular middle-class America places me somewhat in the position of "whoa! it happened...it's real...and it's mundane!" and not entirely in the "oh, it's no biggie" category, but it still makes me feel sad. Sad for the people who are in the "this is what I believe, but I don't really think it's real" category. It is a good feeling to know that the departed will help us out as they always did if we ever need them, and I just wished others could have that "good feeling".

Njordhr says "hi"

Over a week ago I had an intense dream(vision more like) in which Carrie and I were staying up by either Lake Eerie or by the East Coast, not sure which. It was raining quite heavily but I felt unnaturally moved to go to the beach. I drove to the beach and got out of the car and walked on the beach. Njordhr arose the waters, mighty and gigantic. He was golden tan, deep blue eyes, wavy light brown hair, and longish but neat and styled beard. He was wearing a white toga-like cloth and some sort of brown beads around his wrists and neck(odd thought, but, meditation beads?). The feeling of might, presence, wisdom, and kindness was overwhelming. He spoke and said that he wanted to help me, but that my offerings should ideally not be of food. He didn't explain, but that was really enough. Since then I've been contemplating possible poetic inspiration, wood-burnings, stallis, and what-not. I have begun this new friendship by putting together a seashell bracelet with gold nautical charms as a reminder of Njordhr and of his extension of help and friendship to me. It will be interesting to see where this goes. I see a trip up to the lake in my future.

I walk this path alone

The dust on my boots

It tells me where to go

When trying to find some

Truth and piece of mind

Searching for a devil's pride

In an angels heart and mind

Still I walk this lonely path

Years of dust built up

Underneath these steps

This pain and sorrow

My smiles try to leave behind

Searching for a devil's pride

In an angel's heart and mind

Searching for a devil's pride

In an angel's heart and mind

Searching! Searching!

For a devil's pride

In an angel's heart and mind

This path it goes around

Under these boots

Flowers have been trampled down

I raise my eyes to the bright sun

My thoughts come to a grind!

Searching for a devil's pride

In an angel's heart and mind

By: Shawn Rowland 8/11/2009

Stag's Proposal(poem)

This is a poem I wrote, in honour of Freyr for a dream I had about 3 or 4 years ago in which he visited me.

Stag's Proposal
by: Shawn Rowland

In chill of night, under starry cloak
Walk I did, many miles deep
Fare forth into, Hugr's forest
Until to a grove I came, by glimmering pond

Reflection shimmered, look I dared to
Lake still and deep, saw into mind's eye
Still much to do, yet of how I knew not
Horns I did have, yet antlers none

On dewy grass, I sat and thought
To the heavens, I sought for answers
In Yew dale deep I heard a rumble
A herd, a family, a tribe of beasts

Ran they by, to glimmering pond
The moon, he smiled in fullness bright
Light dancing on pond like flames
In light bathed, and a deer I became

To my right a great antlered beast arose
Like Sunna did he radiate, did he shine
Like Thorr he shook the earth
Kind was his gaze, deep and tranquil

Spoke to me did he, of many things
Guidance gave me, of many things
To walk in his hoof beats he offered
To gift me antlers, he did propose

Tears came forth, into the pond they did flow
Saw I my reflection, mannish form did I regain
Fared I forth, out of Yew Dales deep
Dawn came soon, slumber's end stalking

Sunna's face did not greet me though
In Hugr's well, in Ond's mirror
A presence so bright, so full did I peer
A beating in chest, of acorn's blossoming

Freyr's face, antlered no more
Freyr's face, rising over mountains of Yews
A smile so grand and a look so deep
Full of grace, shining on my path

Through deep forest of Yews I walked
Towards the Golden Grain God
Still do I walk, toward's rainbow's shimmer
Taking the pledge, gift for a gift

Every moment, you can turn it around
Every moment, Freyr calls out
Every moment, antlers will grow
Every moment, a gift is returned

Until Hel road I walk, and so we shall all
Of knowing not, will I of how my antlers are
Or of the stag I have become, from Freyr's mighty gift
This I know, as should all mannish kin

Of mighty deeds, let we be known
Of kindly words, let we be known
Of wisdom's truth, let we be known
Of love's generosity, let we be known

Until Hel road I walk, as shall we all
Until I come to Yew Dales deep
Until I come to memory's lake
Seeds will grow, and deer will run

Seeds will grow, and deer will run
Worlds all nine, dancing in time
To the beat of Freyr's drum
To the dance of his herd

A crown of antlers he did offer
If I but just reached out and grasped
A crown of antlers he did offer
an Oak to rise from a sapling

In Yew Dales deep, his sunny face shown
His path into the forest glowed
Be one with life, and one with honour
Antlers rise from within

Dance this life, and drink its wine
Do all with right good will
Then come again to this shimmering pond
And see what you may see

Deeds done right, and good will also
Gladdens the Ond when body fails
Life's fetters are loosed and to the ancestors we go
To Halls where we know no shame

This is the path of the Stag God
Of the Green Man and Golden Grains
Vanir's prince and Alfar's king
Let we be dressed, in our best, at His Thing.

How we see the divine...

Humanity's creativity is truly a thing of beauty. It is this creativity more than anything else that reflects the spirit of Odhinn within us. My belief is that the Gods helped bring us into being as partners, as co-creators, of the world we live in. Physically, morally, psychically, intellectually, etc., we are here to create. Odhinn, Vili, and Ve shaped us and gave us purpose, meaning, will, and likewise we do the same within our own lives and on our world. Not only that though, but we also do this to the Gods and I think that might be a part of the whole point.

In my opinion, Gods are quite frankly beyond our wild imaginings. Trying to pin down a God is like pinning down love, or honour, or nailing jello to a tree. What we discover about Them when we try this though illumines not only our own understanding of them, but also Their understanding of us and how best to be what we think They are. In my tradition dreams and visions play a big part in man to God relations. This makes perfect sense since my traditions highest ideals laregly revolve around creativity, poetry, the mind, memory, intellect, etc. All of which play large parts in dreams and the dreaming process.

Odhinn, the giver of our soul, or Ond, is a cerebral, strategic, wisdom seeking wizard God(amongst a million other things). The God from whom our souls draw life and essence from is essentially a pure strain of divine creativity and wisdom. Think about that and what that says about how we view ourselves for a moment. We are flawed certainly, we have limits, moods, make bad decisions, etc. None of that though compares to the deep capability we have of imagination, creation, a thirst for knowledge, etc. In this, I see Odhinn, I see the All-Father.

How do you see the divine? In what ways does the divine speak to you? When I see a Yule-Father doll around the holidays I can't help but think about Odhinn under his by-name of Oski(wish-giver). When I see a Green Man I automatically see Freyr and feel his lusty vitality surge in my veins. When I look at a picture of Frigga and contemplate her as being the Earth's spirit, and the All-Mother, Queen of this world, protectoress of children and many other roles I often wonder if a Hindu looks at Durga the same way and what may or may not be different. What cultural cues are they tapping into that I don't and vice versa? When they see Vishnu, do they feel the same awe and spark of creation as I do when I see Odhinn?

Such beautiful plurality, and in this I see a complex web of spiritual fabric that makes up the whole of this world. In this, I think I see the whole point...order from chaos...the attempt to understand that which we really cannot. Some would say it is a cruel joke, and I can't really disagree. However, it isn't that the punchline is bad, it's just that we aren't telling it right. The whole point is to reflect the divine onto the world. This is the mystery of Odhinn being part and parcel of us...we were created within a creation to become creators. We reflect His purpose and share in that vision to make, to create, to imagine.

So, I shall ask again...how do you see the divine? Does your vision uplift you or give you purpose? Do you feel a connection to the divine when you see that vision? What does it say about you and about that part of the divine you worship? How will you reflect?

Set to Burn

Set to Burn
By: Robert Shawn Rowland

Here I sit, with wooden board
Set to draw, set to burn
From eye in mind, to tree hewn down
From vision in well, to Midgard's field
Odhr ablaze, a need to bring
To life a dream, dimly seen
On hewn wood, I stroke the grain
In oaken board, I rist the secret
Of what is to be, that only I have seen
From Odin's Gift, a burden ever
Need on chest, straining of heart
I must set to strike, a flame within steel
Thorr's main, fans that flame
So I may strike, with artist's sword
On wooden board, on hewn full-life
Set to draw, set to burn
Things in dreams, dimly viewed
From atop a tree, Ond's great eye

Words to ponder...

"Christianity has emptied Valhalla, felled our sacred groves, extirpated our national image as a shameful superstition, as a devilish poison, and given us instead the imagery of a nation whose climate, laws, culture and interests are strange to us, and whose history has no connection with our own. A David or a Solomon lives in our popular imagination, but our own country's heroes slumber in learned history books." - George Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Indeed. We can't change history or the mistakes of the past...but we have the luxury now of being able to look back, see where we went wrong, and tread forward in a new direction that hopefully will get us "back on the right path". I think perhaps that is why a Heathen revival never worked for more than a few decades before. Now though, we have information literally at our fingertips. There are no more excuses. We are our deeds.

A Poem in thanks for prayers answered

On Elfin Stone
By: Shawn Rowland

Shimmering in Sol's embrace
On crystal stone of elfen grace
An offering of man's design
For health and wealth and life so fine
Gods did answer, ancestors too
To bespoken prayer and calling doom
To aid did they rush for kith and for kin
Bring hope in the light of Freyja's dawn
By Hammer strength and raven's flight
With Vanic might and Fehu's right
The elfin stone was covered so full
Like a lover's staff in glimmering pools
Thanks are given and roads not overgrown
The Gods are kind and their glory shown
So let the days of prosperity run strong
Through rooftrees all and for mannish throngs
Let never cease the days of Frith
And know forever that you, the Gods are with
For be it beer, fruit, or bread
For the Gods or those now dead
A gift given, is a gift returned
And the Great Tree grows while ill is burned
On Elfin stone is this gift given
Poured over and in, the Well is deepened
May bonds never fail and Wyrd never fall
No more springless winters, and joy for us all

Faining Sample

Midsummer Faining
House Rowland – Fairborn, Ohio
June/Midyear 25th, 2006 E.V./2256 R.E.
By: Shawn Rowland

In the days of our Heathen ancestors, Midsummer was a time to Fain (seek to gain the kindness and favor of) to the Gods for virility, victory, and in thanks for the warmth of Sunne and the fruitful blessings of Thunor and Ingui Fréa. In these modern times, our own battles are typically not with sword and shield, and our toil is of a lesser nature (at least for those who don’t farm), but we desire and need that same spirit of joy and perseverance nonetheless. So when we gift to the Holy Esa and Wena our bedes of worship, consider deeply the blazing sunwheel within your breast, your mind, and your soul and resolve to strive for joy, victory, and abundance!

Midsummer begins as the weohfodthegn(altar knight, priest, godhi) calls the folk to gather within the weohbonds(place of worship set apart as a holy innangard). As is tradition within House Rowland, no weapons of any kind are allowed within the Faining grounds.

I) Lighting of the Nyd Fyr(Need Fire)
The very first ritual act is a setting to light the holy flame that will sanctify the rite and represent the need in our souls for fellowship with and wisdom from our Elder Kin. We shall chant:

“Need, Need, Bound within our breast
Need, Need, Listen to you we must
Need, Need, Helpful rune ablaze
Need, Need, Now we seize the day!”

II) Burning of the Recels(Incense)
Stick incense, herb incense over a burning coal, or heated oils may be used in this segment. The purpose here is to connect not only the sense of smell to the ritual act(since smell is strongly linked with memory), but also to symbolize our words and thoughts wafting into the heavens for the Gods to hear. We shall chant:

“Smoke, smoke, messenger of flame
Fire and herb, wending forth your way
Smoke, smoke, upon your whispy wings
To the ears of Holy Gods, carry now our bedes!”

III) Hallowing Bede(prayer)
For the hallowing rite, a hammer or staff may be used, and the bede lyrics changed accordingly, but typically it is the practice to sanctify the area(and all other holy objects or people) with fire. This is the Hallowing Bede:

“Fire I bear around this stead,
All folk I bond in frith,
Flame I bear around shield-wall,
Sends woeful wights to flee
Thunor make whole, Thunor make whole,
Thunor make whole this holy stead!
Thunor make whole, Thunor make whole,
Thunor make whole this holy stead!

Fire I bear around this stead,
All folk I bond in frith,
Flame I bear around shield-wall,
Sends outlaws running away.
Thunor make whole, Thunor make whole,
Thunor make whole this holy stead!
Thunor make whole, Thunor make whole,
Thunor make whole this holy stead!”

IV) All Gods’ Bede
For this segment, the English version of the creation myth as it is told in Theodish circles will be read as an offering of story-telling and a mindful contemplation of where the world we love came from, and why we have to fight for it. After the myth is told, we call the Gods saying “Hail the Esa! Hail the Wena! Idesa and Ylfes, hail!”

V) Bletsung(Blessing)
Mead is poured into the mynne(memory) horn by the Horn Bearer(typically the House Lady, weohfodthygen, or other heathen Lady) and offered to the Gods with these words:

“With hearts strong, minds sharp, and souls whole, we offer this gift to you, kind and mighty Gods and Goddesses. Bless us with your strength, wisdom, joy, love, and holy Luck. Mix your might and main with ours, and may we be as one. Hail!”

The mead is now poured into the blessing bowl and these words sung over it:

“Mead, Mead, Benefit and blessing
Mead, Mead, Given to the Gods
Speed on House Rowland and friends
Mead, Mead, Benefit and blessing!”

The mead is now sprinkled on the hands of the folk as a blessing from the Gods using a fresh leek.

VI) Mynnedrync(memory drink)
This segment is three rounds of shared ritual drinking from a holy horn stating personal thoughts and prayers to the Gods, Ancestors, and Fulltruis/truas. As is tradition with High Holy Symbel(formal and ritualized drinking, feasting, and gift giving), the female Horn Bearer passes the horn to the leading officiant to begin the rounds, and all participants will pass the horn back to the Horn Bearer who will pass it to the next person to maintain the Mains of Frithfulness(nurturing and bonding energies). As a side note, while Faining or Blot(animal sacrifice faining) contains a small portion of High Holy Symbel, it is not the same thing. High Holy Symbel is a rite unto its own and is more directed at folk fellowship and the ritualized laying down of words as deeds into the Well of Wyrd as opposed to communal or private worship of the Holy Ones. Folk Symbel is also similar, but is informal and not metaphysically associated with Wyrd or Main building.

VII) Earthing
The Faining is ended with the mead offering being poured onto a blessing tree or blessing stone with these words:

“From the Gods to the folk, from the folk to the Gods, gifts were given and orlay woven, luck built and joy increased. Hail the Esa! Hail the Wena! Idesa and Ylfes, hail!”

VIII) Husel(holy feast)
Now may the folk enjoy fellowship and food, and invite the Gods to stay with a plate of their own.

Discovering the Gods

Discovering the Gods
By: Shawn Rowland

It is often wondered at some point and time in the life of a polytheist, just what exactly are the Gods? What is their nature, business, and why do they do the things they do? Religions such as Shinto and Santeria have already nailed this down real good and have consistent and logical dogma about it. The Hindu religions, also have developed it quite nicely in their own respective sects but often will differ greatly when in comparison with each other. Asatru is still going through plenty of growing pains in this area and we have only begun to scratch the surface. The dominant theories are these:
1) The Gods are independent spirit beings and highly evolved souls.
2) The Gods are archetypes of the human psyche.
3) The Gods are universal principles.
4) The Gods used to be humans and are now great and powerful beings looking over their spiritual, cultural, and biological descendents.

The unfortunate outcome of most of these debates is in-fighting, name-calling, and a general inability to understand the opinions. Personally I think that of all the opinions, not one is wrong. The Gods must be taken on a case by case basis. I can easily understand Odhinn as being all four stances at once, but I highly doubt the same would apply for Bragi or Modi(although it could very well do).
A route to take to explain stances #2 and #3 in light of their experienced individuality, is that the Gods in and of themselves are not archetypes or principles, but rather that they represent these ideals and work through them to reach us. Study in how recurrent themes pop up in culture and mythology supports this possibility. A more important question though is not what they are, but rather what they do and why they do it. I have read, re-read, and analyzed the Eddaic tales and a few Saga bits to attempt to ascertain a logical answer to those questions. The following is my hypothesis:

I) The Gods are dynamic and individual by nature(i.e. they are not static and ’one’ like a Brahman or an Allah), and are also holistically balanced by nature.
II) The Gods must strive for the change they create and to sustain said level of dynamism, nurturing balance, and individuality.
III) The Gods therefore are not omnipotent, omnipresent, or all-powerful. However, their nature, and their spirit, is expressed and felt throughout the natural world and human civilization and psychology(mythology, archetypes, principles, etc.)
IV) The Gods are mythically mortal, but hypothetically immortal(through Idunna’s golden apples), and ontologically immortal through their nature as being Gods, the ripples in Wyrd from their words and deeds and their sustained memory in other beings.
V) The Gods are known as Elder Kin, therefore their primary relation to us is as a friendly elder relative like a great uncle or grandmother. Parental models are also appropriate for closer relationships one may have with them and warm friendships are often experienced.
VI) The Gods, through such relations, seem to have a vested interest in Humanity as a whole and in their Younger Kin(us, ancestors, landvaettir, alfarr, disir) especially. It may be that the dynamism of humanity and earth life is what draws them to us.
VII) The Gods mythically share this kin connection because they gave of themselves their essence to us(odhr, ond, hamingja, etc.), they aid us in our evolution and personal lives, and have forged bonds through personal interaction, cultural expansion, and a focus on life.
VIII) Therefore, the business of the Gods is like the business of any one of us: Live life to the fullest, aid those with whom you are in troth with, give of yourself to help your kith and kin, express your essence, support dynamic balance and oppose dross and stagnation, live honourably, and pass on a good name.
IX) Furthermore, it is our duty to help them in their endeavors because as they are, we will be, and as we are, they once were.
X) It should also be understood that in order to be as they seem, and to do what it is they seem to do, they must by necessity be distinct individuals and have a total understanding of us and our world to befriend us and hold troth with us.
XI) Therefore, they have to work through human created models such as our mythos, archetypes, and ideal principles in order to encourage us in our own self-motivated inner growth and outer expression.
XII) The Gods are our Elder Kin, our friends, our confidants, our most inner workings, our highest ideals, and the world around us expressed in nature and their work is growth, dynamism, expression, experience, and balance.

I would like to keep in mind, these are only ideas and though I personally back them up with the study and thought I put into them, ultimately we really do not know. We have a vastly limited view on the universe as human beings. While the Gods, by their individual nature also have a limited view, I would imagine their view is infinitesimally grander and greater than ours are. Nonetheless, we must express our beings and our thoughts in order to grow and understand. I hope I have provided something to chew on and take into consideration if nothing else. Thank you.

Our Wedding Ceremony

Oath of Marriage Ceremony
By: Shawn Rowland


This is a personalized wedding rite based on traditional Germanic weddings, and modern inventions. It is written for the day of bonding myself and my love on Sept. 21st of 2002 e.v./2252 r.e.

The setting will be outside at my great uncle’s family cabin which he rebuilt. The needed materials will be as follows:

Ceremonial Hammer
Altar and altar cloth, preferably of a Celtic print
Two wedding glasses and one ceremonial drinking horn
Mead and a blot bowl
An evergreen sprig
Oath ring, wedding rings, and material to tie hands together
Incense
Blowing Horn

Groom down by the cabin sounds the horn to call the wedding into being.

When all find a place to sit, then the ceremony will begin.

The Godhi stands at the altar and performs a Hammer hallowing of the ritual area. The Godhi states: Hammer of Thor, mighty Mjolnir, I bless this land and the spirits within to the holy service of troth. The Godhi stands before participants again and says…

Godhi: Shall the two who wish to declare their troth to one another now walk down the aisle and present yourselves and your purposes.

The bride and groom walk down the aisle and turn to eachother and state their desires for this day.

Groom: I am here to state my worthiness and desire to be the husband of my love and to oath to her my fidelity, my passion, and my life eternal and to honour her above all else.

Bride: I am here to state my worthiness and desire to be the wife of my love and to oath to him my fidelity, my passion, and my life eternal and to honour him above all else.

Godhi: I hereby declare those purposes worthy, and will agree to bond you in sacred marriage.

Now the Godhi raises the burning incense and wafts it towards the Bride and Groom to bless them, and walks sun-wise around the participants to bless the area and goes back to the altar. During this, the Godhi states: Burning herbs, blessed spirits, hallow and hold this stead for troth. This is repeated during the blessings.

Godhi: Marriage is a sacred vow that takes place on many levels. It is not a mere political agreement, or monetary settlement, or romantic love afire with purpose. It is a willed and self-conscious agreement between two people whose love for eachother is not only a burning carnal passion, but also a cool and icy respect, and a joyous and loving friendship. It is a continual teaching and learning process, an avenue to achieve common goals and common ideals. It is the symbolic joining of two souls, two distinct ways of perceiving the universe into a holistic tapestry of wonder. It is an oath of honour, desire, and romance. It is an oath to not be taken lightly, and an oath which demands constant attention and care. It is an oath that calls for only the noblest and kindest of souls. It is in effect the ultimate sacrifice for a greater good. The sacrifice of the selfish ego to the holistic soul. Shawn Rowland, and Carrie Wade wish to make that sacrifice.

Godhi takes the “elhaz stance” and looks toward the sky and calls down the Gods and Ancestors.

Godhi: I call to Frigga, high power of marriage and household, of children and wisdom, of kith and kin, weaver of the clouds, Mother of the Gods, observe this ceremony and bless this union! I also call to Freyr, and Freyja, for blessings of passion and earthly delight, and to Var and Vor, Goddesses of trust, vows, and honour, I ask for you to bless this union! I call to Thorr, the friend of mankind to protect these kind folks who are present and to bless them with laughter and good times! I call to the honoured dead, the alfar and disir, ancestors of all here to witness this union and to give them your blessings! Hail to you all both higher and lower, Gods and humans, ancestors and landspirits, hail!

The Godhi now speaks to the Groom and Bride and asks: Are their any special souls you wish to call?

Groom: I call to my patron deity, Odhinn, God of wisdom and mystery, to witness my oath and to bless this union. I also call to my deceased mother, Karen Rowland, to journey beyond the veil of death and to witness my oath and bless this union.

Bride: I call to my matron deity, Freyja, Goddess of magic, passion, and treasures, to witness my oath and to bless this union. I also call to my deceased grandmother, Arlene Starkenburg, to journey beyond the veil of death and to witness my oath and bless this union.

Godhi(lifting a full horn of mead): I present this as a sacred offering to all present and to all who have been called from beyond our normal perceptions. We drink to the honour of kith and kin, of Gods and souls, of life and spirit.

Godhi drinks his draught.. The Godhi now pours the rest in the blot bowl then fills it up again to pass it on to the bride and groom.

Groom: I drink this in the honour of Odhinn and my mother.

Bride: I drink this in the honour of Freyja and my grandmother.

The Godhi then pours the rest from that horn into the blot bowl and dips the evergreen sprig into the mead and sprinkles the bride and groom and says: I bless you, Shawn and Carrie, in the name of all the Gods, spirits, and ancestors who were called. May your union be joyous, honourable, and lovingly complete. Now, the rings.

Rings are already on the altar table…best man/woman not needed.

Groom takes ring and places it on brides finger and says: With this ring, as a symbol of my love for you, I take you as my wife and oath to be a loving, faithful, wise, joyous, and worthy companion in this life, all other lives, and beyond the grave. So help me Frigga.

Bride takes ring and places it on grooms finger and says: With this ring, as a symbol of my love for you, I take you as my husband and oath to be a loving, faithful, wise, joyous, and worthy companion in this life, all other lives, and beyond the grave. So help me Frigga.

Godhi: With this cord I now bind your hands in sacred marriage(the godhi wraps the cord around clasping hands and ties it). Shawn, do you, as Carrie’s chosen companion oath to fulfill all that you have spoken?

Groom: It is my will to fulfill what I have spoken, and on my holy honour, I oath it to be true.

Godhi: Carrie, do you, as Shawn’s chosen companion oath to fulfill all that you have spoken?

Bride: It is my will to fulfill what I have spoken, and on my holy honour, I oath it to be true.

Godhi: Then by the powers vested in me, as a Priest of your chosen religion, and as a legal ordained minister of these United States, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Seal your oath with a kiss.

Bride and Groom kiss, and the Godhi takes off the binding cord. The Godhi then pours mead into the glasses and presents them to the husband and wife. They wrap arms and drink. The Godhi then thanks all present for witnessing this union, and gives thanks to the higher powers present and offers the mead in the blot bowl into the earth as an offering with bride and groom having one hand on each side of the bowl.

Godhi: Now…everyone…feast!

A Freyja article written by Carrie a few years ago

My Goddess Freyja:
How I Met and Married My Twin Flame
By: Carrie Rowland

For years, I called to a goddess and then when I least expected it, Freyja found me. Long ago, in my college years, before I found Asatru, I was Wiccan. I called to the goddess, but despite pressure from friends, I never called to a specific goddess. I always said that I wanted a goddess to find me. Looking back, I don’t think I really expected it to happen.

Then one night after getting home late one cloudy night of a full moon, I started talking to my goddess. I’d had a bad night at work and was arguing with a friend. I started by saying I would just feel better if I could see the full moon and take in some of its energy. Then like giant hands in the sky, the clouds were parted and the moon was visible and clear. I stayed outside enjoying the night and talking to my goddess. I asked for three things. First, I asked to resolve my differences with my friend. Secondly, I asked to be told I was beautiful. Third, I asked to taste real love. Then I stopped. I started to doubt I was talking to anyone, started doubting anything had happened at all. The last thing I said on the patio that day was, “Not like anyone was listening anyway.” So I got aggravated and left to go inside, but as I was unlocking the door, I felt something in my shoe. I cursed the feeling in my shoe, believing it to be a rock. But when I sat down in the lobby to get the rock out of my shoe, it was no rock at all. It was a large blue marble and it was wedged inside a hole in my shoe. To me, that was a sign that someone was listening, but it was only the first. As soon as I got upstairs to my dorm room, the phone rang. It was my friend calling to apologize. The next day, a guy stopped me on the sidewalk just to tell me I was beautiful. And a month later, I did taste love. My wishes had all been granted, and in the order they were asked. This taught me that someone had been listening, and I believed with all my heart that it was my goddess.

Years later when I’d nearly forgotten this story, and my Wiccan ties were breaking, my world began to crash around me. It was then that my goddess found me again. This time, it was in a dream. Wistfully, I’d walk into a clearing and look up to a huge tree in the north. I looked up and in a branch about halfway up the tree, I saw a beautiful lady in a long flowing dress. That first night, I was crying and she told me in the softest of voices that I couldn’t begin to explain, “Dry your tears, my child.” And she never told me who she was, but in the months to follow, she became my goddess, my sister, my mother, and my best friend. For almost a year following that first visit, I had meetings with my goddess at least two or three times a week. We talked about everything and I was given advice on daily life. Eventually, my goddess talked me through a tough and complete restructuring of my social life, breaking off a bad engagement, and toward the next phase of my life – the adult phase. But I swore with this change that if I found out who she was I would honor her.

After this change, my goddess continued to visit, but more strange dreams came as well. I began to dream of what I would refer to as my twin flame. But still, despite my attempts to find a name, I still had no name for my goddess. Then finally an odd conversation on the Internet gave me a name for the first time. I spoke with a stranger who told me that the goddess was Freyja. She told me Freyja had someone waiting for me and that someone was my twin flame. This stranger had no idea that there was a connection because I knew that my ex was associated with the northern deities. When I denied that I should get back together with my ex, the stranger online told me that Freyja told me to get my head out of my ass. For most, this would seem harsh, but Freyja and I shared a secret that even the stranger online knew nothing of. When I was with my ex previously, at least he had known that I was his twin flame. In another online conversation years ago, he had been told that he would meet his twin flame. It would happen three months from the time of the conversation and we met the third month. She gave him many signs but most strongly, she said he would know her by her fiery eyes…my eyes are gold…and in Northern Europe, gold is often called fire and is a color associated with Freyja.

Over the summer the dreams slowed immensely. But I began to understand that the stranger online was right. I studied Freyja and I studied everything I could find about the northern mythologies. But also, I started talking to that ex again. By summers end, I was learning about Asatru, and was dating my twin flame. I also found out that at the same time the stranger online told me that Freyja had someone waiting for me, Freyja had hinted that she did not want him with the woman he was currently engaged to. He also told me that over that summer he had done a runic candle spell and told Freyja and Frigga that he was “sick of the shit and wanted to be with whoever he was supposed to be with.”

Now as I celebrate six years gone by since the change in my life, I declared my oaths to Freyja and married my twin flame (I love you, hubby!). I still receive visions and some special conversations from Freyja, especially during blot or meditations. I keep my oath with a separate shrine to Freyja in our bedroom.

As I write, this work seems incomplete. I realize though that this may become a life-long work. Freyja will always be a part of my life, and this work will continue to grow and to honour my goddess. Hail Freyja!

Something from my beloved wife

Do Gods Intervene in Everyday Life – My UPG and Thor
By: Carrie Rowland

About a month before Ostara this year my husband, Shawn and I got into a discussion about Thor. Shawn said he didn't really have much to say to Thunor, despite the fact that he thought he was a pretty cool god, but that Thunor was a little more of the "man's man.” We agreed we really wouldn’t know how to relate to Thunor. Well, Thunor quickly proved that we were wrong.

Then came Ostara, and we had an unexplainable inner urge to talk to Thunor about me getting a teaching job outside of Kentucky. We started asking to bless the harvest and the sowing of seeds in metaphoric way; talking about the job applications I've put in and the jobs I wanted.

Two weeks later, I got the acceptance letter for the job I will be starting in the fall. The next day Shawn got online, found the apartment we now live in and talked to the management of the complex. It was the only place we ever looked into and it was perfect. Another concern of ours was finance, but this apartment complex also has a military benefit program (because my father was in the military) that all of our deposits were waived ($600). It was perfect.

Then came the day of the tornados that flattened towns in the Midwest. Shawn was driving home from Dayton during several tornado warnings and watches. He asked Thunor to help him get through it, and despite all the warnings of the day, he wasn't even bothered by strong winds!! (In a Geo Metro, that's an accomplishment onto itself). Although the local news said there were 20 funnel clouds spotted on his route home! Of course now I found out later, he promised Thor two bottles of Belgian ale if he got home all right. Thank Thunor, he got home safely! Also that night, a tornado hit Maysville, Kentucky, 45 minutes away from us, and was heading our way. Shawn went outside, asked Thunor’s blessings again that the tornado stays away from our town and offered him the ale in thanks. The tornado dissipated before reaching us. That night we had storms and floods, which ironically flooded the house of a lady I used to work with who tried to get me fired. Everyone we cared for was safe.

Then the day before we moved, we found out two pieces of bad news. For one, we can't get the 14-foot truck we ordered - we're getting a 24-foot!! Secondly, our old landlord refused to show up for an inspection and refused to send someone out in time for us to be there.

To make this part short and sweet, within the next two days we realize that the 14-foot wouldn't have been big enough for our stuff, and somehow we got our entire deposit back from our landlord.

Now... if that isn't some divine intervention...

The Song of UlfgrimR

The Song Of UlfgrimR
By: Robert Shawn Rowland

Hear now these words
Of the mind’s travels,
Of ravens aloft
And Wolfmask’s gambles.

Hear now these words
Of victory and defeat,
Of wit and wile,
Of passioned rambles.

Heed now these words
For if but a moment,
Reflect and consider,
To weigh and decide.

Heed now these words
Yet weigh with caution.
Foolish are they who believe
All which passes the ear.

Home is a bright fit
For low and for high,
For rest comes never
To those always afar.

Home is a bright fit
For low and for high,
A refreshing drink,
And glowing fire.

Home is a bright fit
For low and for high,
The blood boils most,
When stirred from within.

Home is a bright fit
For low and for high,
Fame, though won afar,
Is best enjoyed by hearth’s warm fire.

Life is the grand toil
For low and high alike.
A cold corpse cannot feel,
The tenderness of flesh.

Life is the grand toil
For low and high alike.
The poetry of the dead,
Shakes green off the trees.

Life is the grand toil
For low and high alike.
Earthly riches and earthly fair,
Are called earthly for a reason.

Life is the grand toil
For low and high alike.
Hel comes, when she wills,
So live as if she won’t.

Kin and Kith are bright indeed
To those who laugh a lot.
To those who do worthy deeds,
Their words will ring with troth.

Kin and Kith are bright indeed
Yet sometimes they are not
Kin who’s cruel and blood is clot
May bring ill luck upon your seed.

Kin and Kith are bright indeed
In the hall they bring much joy.
If they are true and worth of you,
Your luck will increase ten-fold.

Kin and Kith are bright indeed
Murky though some may be.
The etins of blood, woe do they bring,
In defense you bring the sword.

Wisdom and art, the mind’s offspring
Is this not what life is for?
The growth of wit, and knowing well,
The worlds and all their meanings.

Wisdom and art, the mind’s offspring
Is this not what life is for?
To know what is, and how it be,
To share in science and philosophy.

Wisdom and art, the mind’s offspring
Is this not what life is for?
What good is heart if express it can’t,
Its mysteries and its longings?

Wisdom and art, the mind’s offspring
Is this not what life is for?
Odhr I found, deep within my soul,
Freyja’s passion will burn, the hiding one from under.

Moderation is best, and logic to guide,
In all things foreign to the body.
Mead is grand for blot and sumbel,
But for thralls a greedy intoxication.

Moderation is best, and logic to guide,
In all things foreign to the body.
Hearty food and sweets, be weary of,
Lest you become the cow you eat.

Moderation is best, and logic to guide,
In all things foreign to the body.
To alter perception from one taste or breath,
Is never bright, and invites only death.

Moderation is best, and logic to guide,
In all things foreign to the body.
Entertainment too, can become dread,
When the joy of struggle it drives away.

Gods and Goddesses, ghosts and spirits,
All these do well exist.
Faith and trust in own self’s power,
Comes first before all others.

Gods and Goddesses, ghosts and spirits,
All these do well exist.
In several ways are they known,
Content be not in singular visions.

Gods and Goddesses, ghosts and spirits,
All these do well exist.
To forget life, and long for Bifrost,
Is thy doom for cowardly are the reasons.

Gods and Goddesses, ghosts and spirits,
All these do well exist.
The path of spirit is worthy though wearisome it be,
Forget not the importance of the flesh or life desires to thee.

Time is flux, and always changing,
Never does it stop.
Do not regret what never was done,
Do as your will desires.

Time is flux, and always changing,
Never does it stop.
Embrace your lover as no other,
For life indeed is short.

Time is flux, and always changing,
Never does it stop.
Honour life, and the worlds all wending,
Fenrir stretches his chains.

Time is flux, and always changing,
Never does it stop.
Orlog just layered deep in the Well,
Free, truly are we all.

Travels afar, are good for thee.
Especially in search of wisdom’s key.
Beware though you should always,
Lose not your sense of self or me.

Travels afar, are good for thee,
When searching for knowing’s glee.
In all lands, grass is green and sky is blue.
Never are they by necessity more true.

Travels afar, are good for thee.
Odhinn sent me on one you see,
Beware I didn’t, and the dark I embraced,
Lost sense of self, though much I gained in head and heart.

Travels afar, are good for thee,
Especially under Odhinn’s wing.
Dress in cloak, and runes do read,
Lose not the love of home or sea.

Honour is best, when lived right true,
To hold strength and courage and steadfast thews.
Break not your oaths, and always be joyous.
Fidelity holds the house together.

Honour is best, when lived right true,
To hold strength and courage and steadfast thews.
Love not those, who deserve only hate.
Many kinds of family exist and kin might wear a mark of shame.

Honour is best, when lived right true,
To hold strength and courage and steadfast thews.
Warrior’s weapons need not be steel or shield.
The tongue is a sword of fire, and mind a hammer of might.

Honour is best, when lived right true,
To hold strength and courage and steadfast thews.
All do actions, which bring ill luck, at some point in life.
Make amends, and do not regret, live and learn with passion.

Heed now these words,
And learn, if they are worthy.
I speak of life and common sense,
I speak of bright and murky.

Heed now these words,
Of slave and noble, oh freeman if you dare,
Live true and dedicated to thew and to passion,
To life and to dare.

Hear now these words,
I bring my song to an end.
Wolfmask howls runes into the night,
Heed now this charm:

Fehu is golden treasure,
Uruz is primal strength,
Thurisaz, a mighty hammer.

Ansuz the speech of Asgard high,
Raidho the way to get there,
Kenaz the fire which lights the way.

Gebo is the mead from Odhinn’s lips,
Wunjo the joy of knowing,
Hagalaz is ginnungugap grinning.

Nauthiz will guide you too,
Isa is the ego’s bridge,
Jera the fruits of the struggle.

Eihwaz ensares and thus you hang,
Perthro, the Well is teeming,
Elhaz you reach, and grasp aright, and come down screaming.

Sowilo is self, shining as a sun,
Tiwaz the spear of victory,
Berkano is birth to those who know, and grasp it willingly.

Ehwaz is marriage, and trust in others,
Mannaz is the human free and whole,
Laguz will energize both.

Ingwaz is rest and contemplation,
Dagaz the blooming of your work,
Othala is ancestral power, and Odhinn brightly smiling.

Hail to those who heed these words,
Hail to those who dare listen,
Foolish are those who follow blindly,
Loved are those who challenge!

The Lay of Man's Shild

The Lay of Man’s Shild
By: Robert Shawn Rowland


Before the forming of Middle Earth
The Gods did play a game of wit
A finely crafted wooden board
With gold design and golden pawns

At the board one day did sit to play
The Master of Fury, Woden the wizard
Did accompany him a shining soul
Ingui, Lord of the Elves, cleric of the Gods

Heed this well, Prince of the Wena
When at board I sit, wisdom also do I seek
Be full in your head then and let us play
Thus spoken by the God of Gods

Heed this well, Lord of the Worlds
When at board I sit, deep in thought I always am
Full be my head, and flowing be my tongue
Thus spoken by King of the Mound Dead

Set up the board dear friend and priest
Be deep in thought and think as crystal
For here comes the first question as I make my move
Thus spoken by the God of Gods

Of what name shall the younger kin
Dwelling now with little luck
Living off of little orlay
Be called when flesh do I give them?

Men shall you name them, Greatest Wizard
Men of Ash, known by their worthy mains
Men of Elm, known by their frithy mains
Woven into the wind of soul, afterwards you will always be

Now comes my move, Lord of the Worlds
Your wit should be quick as a flood to answer me
And ever on shall we parry as such
Until a victor is determined



Of what will you and your brothers
Gift to the younger kin
So that they may gain luck
And build mighty orlay?

Men shall be as we, yet younger and unproven
They shall have wit and will, moods and memories
A hame for the spirit, great mains, and the furious wode
The Anda shall they have, as do all things
And life’s breath, flesh, and healing hands while they live

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
Since of men you wish to know
Of what, is eternal, of man and god?

Of old is known, that mighty Tree
That sustains and keeps all of creation
This same Pillar is what is eternal in god and man
The Anda, of great light is it known
Smaller than an atom, yet contains all it does

Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come now to the next query
Is their any else of man and god
That may live on eternal?

Life is a struggle and all things fade
Though the spirit never dies
The best that we can strive for
Is a worthy legacy and mighty deeds
For moments are fleeting and minds often bewildered

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
Since moments are fleeting and minds bewildered
By what means can the worlds be sustained?

Frith must be maintained by man and god
And worthy deeds be done rightly
To seek out wisdom, wealth, and health
Pleasure, joy, and the holy Innangard
By these means, may we stave off the illness of a Thyrs



Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come to my next query
Since easy could it be for man to attain such peace
How shall we test the younger kin of their deeds?

Ordeal will be the holy process
By which such deeds will be measured
Ordeal will be the holy process
By which their orlay is woven
And the white waters of Wyrd increased

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
By what means will I maintain
That Ordeal be observed

By strife and struggle
The Lord of Breath will ensure
That ordeal be observed
Liar and murderer will you be called
Though greatest of Gods, you are

Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come to my next query
Through mighty deeds and good living
Of what gifts will man be given on the bed of death?

The shining person, on leaving their flesh
Will attain the abode that they deserve
The calm of Hel, or the light of Elf-Home
The Thunder of Thunor’s Land, or Freo for lovers
Or rivers of pain and torture for the troll in mannish disguise

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
Since Lord of the Mound Dead you will be
Should ordeal come to man only once?

Eternal only, is the Staff of Irmin
All else is action, never ceasing, ever going
Man likewise shall be as the seasons
Not once will they live, but have several ordeals
To gain worthiness, and make merry among kin



Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come to my next query
By what ways will man know we?
And henceforth worship rightly?

As the children of Woden grow from beast to man
They will know us through nature
Through nature, they will contemplate the Powers
Through contemplation, they will know us in dreams
Through dreams, we shall teach them wisdom

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
By what godly given wisdom
Will man gain their worth?

Man will learn to hunt and to cultivate the land
Man will learn of fire, and of kinship
Yet the greatest of deeds, will be their flapping of tongues
And drawings of runes, and monuments of stone
Man will make music, and be known for centuries

Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come to my next query
What should come to pass
If man does not follow the seemly way?

The younger kin, born with an eagle’s will
Shall falter hither and thither
A doomed age of ill repute is foreseen by all wise women
A doomed age when Ettins will be worshipped
The cycle is ever going, and the holy wisdom will return

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
In what forms will the children of Woden
Know of the Holy Powers?

As we refer to them as younger
They shall call us Elder
We shall be worshipped in groves and temples
Through idols and images will we gift luck and grace
Through nature shall our majesty be known



Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come to my next query
From the shaping of trees
What is within mannish kin?

What is within, is that which is without
In flesh shall they be akin to
The great Pillar and the wood from whence they came
Frith mains flowing to the left, Worth mains to the right
Many branches all throughout, and a great column of might

Listen, Oh King of Elves
To my next question
What shall be the greatest gain
That mannish kin can hoard?

Noble family and joyful friends
Honour in dealings and a good community
Wisdom deep, and music loud
Cuisine and wine, and celebration abound
Yet love and lust, if mixed aright, is best of all there is no doubt

Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
I come to my next query
Of men we have talked much
Now tell me of the origin of all

In olden days, there was no thing
All was a bubbling void of mighty mains
Frith came into being as holy ice
Worth came into being as holy fire
And then the Steed rose up from its seed

Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
Your wisdom blinded me
Of how do you know this truth
Since no one knows the origin of the Pillar?

The Everlasting Tree, through born of three parents
Is the parent of all
For no fruits can exist without the tree
Yet no tree can exist without the seed
This is kingly wisdom



Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
Your wisdom blinded me
Of how do you know the truth
Of the eternal seed?

All life is a joyous struggle
All life is as the seasons ever turning
No thing can be born from nothing
Yet all things have sprung from one thing
I know not the nature of the seed, but I know the nature of the Tree
Thereby, Lord of Middle Earth, I know the seed
This is kingly wisdom

Hear me now, Oh God of Gods
Your wisdom blinded me
And I have lost track of my move
This game we shall play, ever on
But for now you win, oh Master of Wisdom and best of healers

Listen, Oh Lord of Middle Earth
You almost bested my wisdom
Of man and god, and Tree and soul
No more worthy a blotere could we hope for
This game we shall continue, ever on
But for now I have shown, why I am the God of Gods

Heed this wisdom, both higher and lower
Of the kin of Rig, rainbow’s warder
And follow it to the journey’s end
To the golden table of the awesome game
To the feasting halls of the Elder kin

Irmin's Luminosity

Irmin’s Luminosity
By: Robert Shawn Rowland

On downy bed
In warded room
Amongst the folk
Beloved will sing
Runes and charms
Glide into the Well
Awareness deepened
Feorh sent to flight
Drumming of heart
The body’s well beat
Wih is the occasion
Halig is the traveler
Hama’s kin set to fly
Thunor’s son warded might
Woden’s pupil knows the deep
Freo’s hope searches wide
Longing for truth
Women are sought
Women of old
Women long gone
Longing for truth
Seek the soul
Idesa sings in soft silk tones
Idesa bright, sun-white gold
Awareness did merge
Aethem was felt
Truth of life
Shining death
Four times the Idesa sought
Four times the glory revealed
Four times joy unbound
Four times fear take hold
Four times did the strike hit hard
Four times did the world cry
Four times did the Irminsul rise
Four times did the Gap yawn
Four times did Thunor strike
Four times was death tasted
Four times the soul of the world was known
Four times did Woden smile
Beholden to breath
Unable to gasp
No wind bags or flesh
No face and no hand
Self of all
Stretched to infinity
Limit did try
Awareness of the now
No body to speak of
No flesh to feel
Crushed yet was the traveler
Stretched beyond all ken
Os-mægen burning through
Os-mægen of Thunor true
Os-mægen of the Pillar so high
Os-mægen of roots no one knows
Unspeakable horrors
Unspeakable joys
Unsure of reality
All was revealed
Music of elves
Tones of serenity
Waves of terror
Washing through the mind
Flesh cannot contain
The pain and the pleasure
Mind cannot know
The rapture and torture
A great fate
A horrid decree
Must it be
To be the Tree
Know now the truth of life
Spark of love In warfare’s strife
Slaves are we all
Slaves to the senses
Slaves to the lies
Slaves to the deception
Of Thursar cries
The traveler weeps
How can he go on?
Feeling what was felt
Knowing what is true
Enlightenment comes
At a very high price
Life has a flavour
Of metallic sugar
Great was the expanse
Great was the light
Grand was the choir
Terror was the knowing
The Gap did he travel
The Tree did he become
Joy and terror of life and death
Dying would be kinder
In the hall of unknowing
A god is he now
In the hall of knowing
An infant on all fours
Idesa did he seek
Truth did he find
The soul of all revealed
War and blood defiled
Longing for beloved
Longing for comfort
Sweating in bed
Afraid of not living
Felt as he died
Hoped that he lived
Beloved was beside
Beloved was in bed
Beloved is the anchor
Beloved is the purpose
Beloved is the path
Beloved is the jewel
Find me in truth
Lose me in hate
Embrace me in love
Why for this fate?
Days going by
Afraid to fall asleep
Afraid to become one with
The Light of wisdom’s luminosity
Persist did he though
Life did he tread
Knowing also
That life is not dread
For what he did see
Is not separate from all
For what he did see
Is as true as nightfall
United are we
In this game of life
United are we
Even in death
Beyond the illusion
Embracing clarity
The Light of truth
Irmin’s luminosity