Category: Fjorn’s Blog
Fjorn yaps. We all know this. As such, this category is his place to write about his travels, thoughts on life, and whatever else he mutters into the void.
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Advice from Odin, II: New Year
Some folk say that a new year means little more than a changing date, but most people see this time is an opportunity for renewal. For those seeking to better themselves this year, I hope that you all succeed in fulfilling your oaths—and we shall drink to your honor this night, as we celebrate! In…
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Advice from Odin, I: Drinking
This advice is always good to follow, but I tend to share it the most around New Year’s (for fairly obvious reasons). That said, whether it is that time of year or not, allow me to share some of Odin‘s warnings and advice about drinking. After all, we should all drink responsibly. Besides, I don’t…
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Yuletide with Egil and Arinbjorn
Gather ’round the hearth, Hall Companions! I have been gone for quite some time wandering about gathering some much-needed fresh air, but now it is time for me to return and share a story—and given the time of year, I’d say a tale about Yule is in order! Last year, we talked about how the Yule…
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Selections of Poetry by Jónas Hallgrímsson
Jónas Hallgrímsson (1807-1845) is still frequently regarded as the most loved and admired poet of Modern Iceland.[1] He grew up on a rural farm in North Iceland (Hraun in Öxnadalur), where he learned and lived the oral traditions of Icelandic folklore, poetics, and saga reading; but, when he was sixteen, he spent six years studying…
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Saga Thing: A Podcast Putting the Sagas of the Icelanders on Trial
Saga Thing is a phenomenal podcast [iTunes, Podbean] that is putting the Sagas of Icelanders on trial. It is hosted by two bearded professors of medieval literature, Dr. John P. Sexton and Dr. Andrew Pfrenger—but they are best known to their listeners as prominent chieftains who explain, explore, and judge the content of medieval Iceland’s impressive…
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Concerning Overworking
As busy as the Master Builder burdening Svadilfari with stone,[1] the book-grove dweller,[2] the brain-gilder,[3] will one day reduce to weary bone. Hurry to Heimdall’s[4] peaceful mead-hall, to Himinbjorg,[5] when giant’s wind[6] howls in the brow-fortress;[7] to Baldur’s[8] hall, fair Breidablik,[9] when mind-trouble prowls. Notes: 1 | These first two lines refer to a story…
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Exploring Reykjavík’s Museums (Must-see Spots for Saga Fans!)
Today I’m going to continue the tale that I began in my previous post about my wanderings in Iceland! So do read that if you haven’t—but if you have, áfram! After that delicious dinner at Café Loki, I wandered back to my hotel for some much needed rest. I don’t recall how many hours I…
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Gisli Sursson’s Epic, Part I
Part I of my epic poem based off of Gisli Sursson’s Saga, a work of medieval Icelandic literature composed during the 13th century! It has been composed by me and therefore should not be mistaken for a historical source. Please consider reading the ‘original’ prose story before (or after) enjoying this poetry.
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Fjorn Wanders in Iceland (July-August 2018), Part I
A few weeks ago now (on the evening of August 18th), I returned home from a 3-week long trip in Iceland, where I was studying Icelandic through an intensive language course in a small town called Ísafjörður (which you can learn more about here). But, as you can see, it has taken me a while…
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King Hakon the Good Complicates Yule
As many are of you are already aware, this time of year is popularly regarded as a Revived Yuletide with the Winter Solstice typically being the beginning of this ‘New’ Old Yule. Yet, although I too regard this day as a New Yule, I must also admit that this is not historically true. Long ago,…
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Hord and the Mound of Soti the Viking
Today is Old Yule Eve, and I have quite the story to share with you all tonight! A wanderer by the name of paganoldsoul requested that I tell stories about Odin and Yule, and so I have found one worthy of a retelling. While it may not be exactly what they had in mind, it is…
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Fjorn’s Poetry: Smithing
Anonymous asked: Hello my friend Fjorn! I’m the person who requested the metalsmithing quotes. First and foremost, no worries about the delay, on the contrary, I really really appreciate the time and effort you invested in researching and answering thoroughly my question! Albeit I’m very satisfied with your reply, I’m curious to read your own composition…
