Category: Legacy
I’ve been doing this for a long time, which means some of my content is, well…a bit old. That doesn’t make it useless, though, so I’ve made a special place for it here in this delightful category.
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Freyja in Norse Mythology and Saga Literature
Anonymous asked: I’ve had a lot of instances lately where I’ve felt a pull towards Freyja, but I don’t know a lot about her. Could you share a little bit about her to help with my research?? Unfortunately, Freyja seems to be quite allusive in our sources, especially in the Prose Edda. Her brother Freyr gets…
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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…
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Old Norse Quotes about Smithing
Anonymous asked: Hello Fjorn! I’m wondering if there’s any quote,phrase or blessing related to fire and metalsmithing. I’d love to make a banner to put above the foundry area. Thank you very much for the knowledge you kindly share with us! *** Note: I do not have access to reliable Old Norse versions for all of these…
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How to Become a Skald
Anonymous asked: what does it take to be a skald? what special things do i need to do? Much thanks I must say that I am no skald. Although I have chosen to bear the title, I have not actually earned it. I hope to be able to eventually say otherwise, though. Yet, it really does…
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Honor and Feud in Medieval Iceland: A Question about Njal’s Saga
Anonymous asked: In Njal’s Saga, on page 154 of the Robert Cook translation, Njal says it would be unjust if his sons were killed now. Why is there antipathy between them and Thrain, and why should they be killed for it? (sorry if this sounds like a stupid question) The tension between Thrain Sigfusson and the…
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Notes on Ægishjálmur
lostkizzy replied to your post “Hail Fjorn I seek some sort of phrase that I can scribe onto either…” Wouldn’t this be a good (if not the exact) purpose for Ægishjálmur, though? It is true that Ægishjálmur (The ‘Helm of Awe’) would be appropriate here, but I do not generally recommend things that I know very little about. Besides,…
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Old Norse Poetry for Confidence
Anonymous asked: Everyday presents a challenge for me. My biggest problem with these challenges is facing them with confidence. I have unreal anxiety levels, and I blew a chance to become greater at my job because i froze in front of the audience that would designate me competent enough to be an inspector. I know i…
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Vikings in Scotland: the Power of Orkney
In the previous lesson, we briefly explored the history of Scotland leading up to Viking involvement, which included a small introduction to the Picts and the Dál Riata, the Irishmen who settled parts of Scotland as early as 500 CE. Now we will enter into the realm of Viking involvement, with particular emphasis on the relatively…
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An Exploration of the Landvættir
Anonymous asked: “I hear the term “weights” often in heathen circles. I know little more than that they are land-spirits. I would like to learn more about them and how they were honored and their place in old nordic practices. I thought you might be willing to share some of what you know, or some…
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The Christianization of Iceland
tyrsbeast-blog asked: I saw a documentary recently, in which they said, Iceland became Christian basically because Denmark became Christian and imprisoned every Iceland not der on it’s soil, sending an ultimatum to Iceland, that they would execute them, if Iceland wouldn’t convert. A heathen law man, respected by Christians and Heathens alike, was in the end…
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Fjorn’s Favorite Old Norse Quotes
Anonymous asked: What are some of your favourite quotes in Old Norse and/or Icelandic? Great question! Here are my three particular favorites: First, the quote that I try my best to live my life by: Hávamál, stanza 26, line 1 (from GKS 2365 4to 3v, line 20): “Ósnotr maðr þykkist allt vita.”An unwise man thinks he knows all.…
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More on Old Norse Orthography: Ö vs Ǫ
neonsuntan replied to your post: “How far should we go to preserve old Norse Orthography? Most…” Should we use ö, o, or ǫ for the first vowel in Voluspa? Also many of the original texts used an “av” ligature that simply isn’t supported in many fonts. (It’s Latin extended-d A739). Concerning ‘ǫ’ and ‘ö’: The ‘ǫ’ spelling is what…
