Sten & Norrsken

Exploring my interest in norse mythology, and my reconnection with my country and it's history. 

[bastrod]

I don't even have a good title here. Norse mythology is a beautiful mess, with emphasis on mess.

[jaarnvidja]

norse pagan prideposting

[theflaminggoat]

Thinking about how the Norse cosmos begins and ends with a Scream.

First Ymir.

Then Loki.

[tinyspaceofficer]

I really wanted to draw at least something for Swordtember hehe, ladies with swords are always fun to draw c:.

[tears-of-amber-deactivated20260]

A Simple Prayer To Freyja That I Wrote Today:

The sea shines with pride,

And so do I,

Oh Goddess Freyja bold:

You are more beautiful than gold,

And I am blessed to have you near,

I ask my praise you’d hear!

Hail Freyja!

-Velvet Rose

[skaldish]

Kennings are like if you took a name and made it 4D.

[skaldish]

Like...it's not just a flowery way of referring to a certain thing. Kennings create a nesting-doll of connotations—implications stacked upon implications—and unfortunately, this experience can't be replicated in English.

[inkbottlebird]

The deity known as Oðinn, in my upg and personal practice has asked me to call him a similar name, but off by one sound.... that is also a common-ish , if out of style guy's name.... and I just....

My little ego and sense of "What the fuck am i doing with my life?" is like .....But SIR...... WHY??

[skaldish]

He strikes me as someone who enjoys calling himself whatever name most accurately represents him according to where he's standing in relation to everything else.

It's like if I pronounced my name differently depending on which cardinal direction I'm facing, and if that name shifted depending on my immediate environment.

Like...I've seen him do it, but it's cheeky as fuck.

[skaldish]

Jölnir and Grímnir are the same person—the first is Odin when he stands in the country of yultide cheer, and the second is Odin when he stands in the country of the gallows and the Wild Hunt.

He taught me that "how people are" is very much a product of the environment they're in—physically, circumstantially, emotionally, cognitively, etc. When that environment changes, so does the output.

[lokavisi]

He Who Travels the Seas, Father of Freyr and Freya; guide our ships through rough waters to the steady shores. Bless the wind in our sails as we navigate the treacherous storms of bigotry and ignorance. May we find treasure and an abundance of love on the other side of the storm. Hail Njorð!

[lokavisi]

Lady of the Vanir, the Slain, and the Amber Tears; we ask you to bless the magic of the queer community. May we chase and express our truth. May we be blessed as this pursuit grants us the opportunity to heal as a community and as individuals. May our Wyrd be woven stronger and more resilient than ever before. Hail Freya!

[tatalynxart]

Topic 3: Mythology

In Norse mythology, Freyja is a goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold, and seiðr. Freyja is the owner of the necklace Brísingamen, rides a chariot pulled by two cats, is accompanied by the boar Hildisvíni, and possesses a cloak of falcon feathers.

Freyja has numerous names, including Gefn, Hörn, Mardöll, Sýr, Vanadís, and Valfreyja.

[paganpillar]

Óðinn the Allfather: ruler of Valhalla and God of wisdom, magic, runes, war, prophesy, victory, poetry, and death.

[skaldish]

Oh my god holy shit...

Holy shit, I fucking understand the impact the Norse myths have...oh my god, I'm sobbing. 😭

I get it now. Like actually.

[sten-och-norrsken]

I would love details!! ♥

[skaldish]

Imagine that you are three years old, living on an Iron Age farm nestled deep within the mountains of Scandinavia. Each night when your mother tucks you into bed, she tells you a story about the gods and their farm, called Asgard.

You learn that the gods have a big tree protecting their farm just like the one protecting yours. It's called Yggdrasil. It's got snakes beneath it just like your tree has.

You learn how Odin and Frigg are wise like every grandpa and grandma are. You learn Odin got his wisdom from exploring the world. You also learn he's a badass chief because he wins every battle he fights and his warriors always come out victorious.

You learn how Thor keeps the frost giants away with his hammer, so whenever you hear thunder in the distance, you know it's because Thor smashed a giant that may have otherwise eaten you. You have no fear of the frost giants getting you because Thor's hammer never misses.

You learn how Loki is always causing everyone problems (and solutions) with his clever antics, and the reason why is because he's the mover of stories—stories would be boring without him. He becomes your favorite playmate.

You live in the Iron Age. It is a violent time. But you learn that if you die in battle far from home, Odin—the Allfather, who is everyone's grandpa—has room for you at his table.

These stories would have been the things that shaped the Norse people's understanding of the world, back in a time when information about the world was unknown. All of it was designed to make children feel safe, courageous, and like they belonged in the fabric of all things. And it's not like Santa Claus, where you're expected to stop believing in the gods after a certain age. They would be with you your entire life.

When you think about it, the mjolnir pendant is ultimately a symbol of love; a reminder that "whenever you're afraid, just say Thor's name, and in an instant he will be here to protect you."

[sten-och-norrsken]

This is absolutely beautifully explained and I could not agree more! I live in Sweden and have done all my life and yet I feel a great absence of our historical culture a lot. Not to say that growth and expansion is a bad thing, definitely not but I do wish I was told more stories about our native Gods and Goddesses!

[skaldish]

Oh my god holy shit...

Holy shit, I fucking understand the impact the Norse myths have...oh my god, I'm sobbing. 😭

I get it now. Like actually.

[sten-och-norrsken]

I would love details!! ♥

[amphibifish]

freyja and her boar (who's actually some guy)

[gwleddgymreig]

Lady of Vanir by Annie Stegg

[skaldish]

There's no concept of sin in Heathenry. It's not a situation where "Oh, it's just called by a different name / has different properties," it simply doesn't exist.

[chrissabug]

Adorned with elegance and strength, Freyja, the goddess of beauty, love, war and revered queen of the valkyries.

[panjackdaw]

Prayer of love to Freya

Oh, Freya, radiant in your grace,

Goddess of love in every place,

With hair of gold and eyes so bright,

I pray to you with all my might.

Your beauty shines like the Northern star,

In your presence, all troubles are far.

In fields of love, you sow the seeds,

Blossoming hearts with your gentle deeds.

Queen of the Valkyries, fierce and fair,

You guide the brave souls through the air,

To your hall, Sessrúmnir, they ride,

Where eternal love shall never subside.

Freya, hear my heartfelt plea,

Grant me love and set me free,

In your embrace, I find my peace,

With love's devotion, never to cease.

So, I raise my voice to the sky above,

To Freya, goddess of boundless love,

In your name, I am forever bound,

In love's sweet embrace, I am crowned.

A list of affirmations of Love

and self love

to the Norse goddess Freya

Freya, goddess of love, I affirm my worth and embrace self-love in your honor.

In your name, Freya, I celebrate the beauty within me and around me.

Like the blossoms in your garden, my love for myself blooms and flourishes.

Freya, empower me to love myself fiercely, just as you do.

I am deserving of love, and I allow it to flow freely into my life, inspired by your example, Freya.

As you cherish the brave souls in Sessrúmnir, I cherish myself and my uniqueness.

Freya, grant me the strength to let go of self-doubt and embrace self-confidence.

I am a radiant being, worthy of love, just as you are, Freya.

With each sunrise, I reaffirm my commitment to self-love, guided by your wisdom, Freya.

Freya, goddess of passion, I am passionate about loving myself fully and unconditionally.

Just as you treasure Brísingamen, I treasure my heart and nurture its precious love.

Freya, your love is my inspiration to shower myself with kindness and compassion.

Like the ever-flowing rivers of Vanaheim, my self-love knows no bounds.

I am a reflection of your divine love, Freya, and I honor that reflection in me.

In your name, Freya, I embrace the powerful love that resides within me.