The Lorelei

I wish I knew the meaning,
A sadness has fallen on me.
The ghost of an ancient legend
That will not let me be.
The air is cool in the twilight
And gently flows the Rhine;
A mountain peak in the setting sun
Catches the faltering shine.

The highest peak still gleaming
Reveals enthroned in the air,
A Siren lost in her dreaming
Combing her golden hair.
With golden combs she caresses
Her hair as she sings her song;
Echoing through the gloaming
Filled with a magic so strong.

The boatman has heard, it has bound him
In throes of desire and love.
He's blind to the reefs that surround him,
He sees but the Maiden above.
And now the wild waters awaken
Then boat and the boatman are gone.
And this is what with her singing,
The Lorelei has done.

Heinrich Heine (1798-1856)

Asatru glossary

K


Kindred – name for a type of organization whose members belong to the Asatru movement. Earlier this organization had its basis in the tribe, i.e. it was based on familial relations, but this is no longer the case. The kindred is led by a gothi or a gydja, and the main purpose for this kind of group is the joined participation in rituals. Most often the celebrations of Nordic holidays.

Kvasir – a person known for his great wisdom. He was killed by the dwarves Fjalar and Galar. His murder is actually a description of brewing beer.

L

Lif and Liftrasir – «life» and «will to live». A man and a woman who survived Ragnarok by hiding in the branches of Iggdrasil. They will be parents of a new race that will repopulate the Earth.

Ljossalfar– Light Elves

Ljossalfheim – a region inhabited by Light Elves and their ruler – Frey.

Loddfafnir –person who learned the wisdom of the Gods coming to the spring of Urd and staying in Valhalla. He’s mentioned in Havamal.

Loki

Loki – God of fire, a shape-shifter. His giant origins explains his inclination towards evil. However, he didn’t always do harm, but sometimes even helped the Gods, like when Freya was engaged with the giant Thrym. Loki is actually a dynamic impulse that puts into motion events described in Nordic myths, and without him the whole Nordic mythological system is virtually impossible. Because of this, Loki and his progeny are as essential for this system as a negative and destructive change in one’s life is necessary and useful for the future development of an individual.

Lorelei – legendary being from Germanic folklore depicted as a beautiful siren mesmerising sailors with her singing, effectively luring them to their deaths. Beguiled by her song, the sailors would jump into the water wishing to embrace this enchantress.

Asatru glossary

I


Idavoll – «star meadow». This valley, in which the Gods gather after Ragnarok, is actually the starry sky, and the constellations are – houses of the Gods.

Idun – the Goddess who protected the apples of youth, Bragi’s wife. After her apples were stolen, the Gods suddenly started to age rapidly and regained their youth when Idun got her apples back.

 J

Jafnhar – the other member of the trinity of Har-Jafnhar-Tridi. This manifestation of Odin describes him as an equal to himself (Equally-tall is the translation of this heiti).

Jord

Jord – Jord was the Goddess of the Earth in Nordic mythology. The German version of her name is Erda and she was also called Nerthus. Frey’s wife’s name – Gerd – has a connexion to this name as well. Jord still means earth in Scandinavian languages.

Jormundgand – Loki’s progeny, thrown into the sea by the Gods. This Snake of Midgard grew so large that it encircled the Earth and remained in the world Ocean biting its own tail. It will leave its dwelling during Ragnarok to fight Thor and lose its life in this encounter.

Jotuns – giants and the greatest enemies of the Gods and men. They most often came into conflict with Thor who’d crush them with his hammer – Mjollnir.

Jotunheim – home of the giants, a terrifying ice-covered region.

Asatru glossary

H

Hamingja – a being similar to fylgja, it was believed that it measures the fortunes of individuals. In Atlamál there is a description of Kostaber’s dream in which she sees Attila’s hamingja appear in the form of an eagle and sprays blood on its enemies.

Hár – one of Odin’s names, meaning Tall-one. Under this name Odin introduces himself to Gylfi and tells him of the three manifestations of the supreme deity. The other two manifestations of Odin are Jafnhar and Tridi.

Hati – the wolf that goes in front of Sol, that is the girl that represents the Sun in Nordic mythology. His name means “disdain”.

Hávamál – one of the holy Asatru texts, holding the words of Odin himself. The text contains moral guidance on various topics Odin gave to Lodfafnir, as well as health, love and magic advice.

Heimdal – son of nine mothers and the guardian of Bifrost. His dwelling, called Himinborg or Heavenly city, is located near the Rainbow-bridge. As guardian, Heimdal is always on alert. He sleeps very little, he can see by night and day, as well as hear even the grass growing. His guardianship ends with the coming of Ragnarok, for no matter how well Asgard is guarded, its fated to be destroyed. Then Heimdal gives the warning by blowing in the horn of Gjalahorn and thus announcing the world’s end. Heimdal is also called the white God, and in the text called Rig’s Counting, he’s named Rig.

Heiti – in many parts of the world Odin was revered under many names. Depending on which aspect of his personality they comprehended and with which divine manifestation they were in contact with, people gave Odin names that were called heiti. Some of them are Har (Tall), Herjan (Warrior), Gangleri (Voyager), Helblindi (Blind-one from Hel).

Hel

Hel – the daughter of Loki and Angrbode, ruler of Hel, empire of the dead. She refused to send Baldur back into the world of the living where she’ll keep him until Ragnarok. Some believe that Hel was actually in love, and that’s why she wouldn’t let Baldur go back. However, to demonstrate good will she said she will let Baldur go if the whole world mourns for him. Seeing how only the he was kept in Helheim. Hel was described as a half-dead half-living woman of terrifying appearance. The first half of her face represents the rot and horror of death, while the prettier side of her face is a symbol of eternal life. It’s up to us how we should regard this Goddess, i.e. Death itself.

Helheim – region under the reign of Hel, the Goddess of death. Unlike Valhalla, the deceased coming here died from illness or old age. Helheim is depicted as a cold and damp place ruled by misery, famine and tedium.

Hermod – son of Frigga and Odin, Baldur’s brother. He was the divine messenger and went to the Underworld to bring Baldur back into the world of the living.

Hildskjalf – the throne Odin sat on observing the whole Universe. One day Frey sat on the throne and looking north saw the she-giant Gerd and instantly fell in love.

Himir – he’s believed to be the father of Tyr. The giant who owned a great cauldron in which the drink of the Gods was brewed.

Hod (Hodur) – the blind son of Odin and Frigga. Loki tricked him into killing Baldur with an arrow made of holly. Like Baldur, he will stay alive after Ragnarok.

Hoenir – fast-running Odin’s brother, sent to live with the Vanir as a gesture of good faith of the Asir. When man was created he was present along with Odin and Lod; Hoenir’s obligation was to give him senses.

Hrimtursar – ice-giants, the progeny of Imir. They constructed a tough wall around Asgard for protection from Jotuns.

Hugi – «thought», protagonist of the story about Thor’s travels to Utgard.

Hugin – also «thought», one of Odin’s two ravens.

Huldra – name of a female mythical creature. Peasants imagined Huldra as a sorceress with a cow’s tail.

Current 93 - Snow/ North

Asatru glossary

G

Galdor – magical practice of the old Germans which, unlike seidr, can be practiced by both men and women. We can understand galdor in two ways. The first is that galdor is a set of techniques that are based on studying and analyzing myths and the Germanic system in general, as well as the studying of Runes and vibratory formulae. Unlike seidr which is a way of intuition, meditation and astral experiences, galdor is a practice that demands activity. For exactly that reason, galdor is regarded as a male practice, Odin’s way, while seidr is associated with women as more passive beings, and thus named Frigga’s way. The other way we consider galdor as just vibratory formulae, i.e. curses, blessings and spells mantras in general. They can be based on Runes, but it isn’t required.

Garm – the hellhound who was imprisoned in the hole of Gnipahel until the beginning of Ragnarok. During Ragnarok he will fight Tyr, causing both their deaths.

Gefion – guardian of virgins; her name is also connected to agriculture.

Gladsheim – one of the most important halls in Asgard, belonging to Odin.

Gerda – a beautiful she-giant and Frey’s wife. She reluctantly entered into marriage with him only after Skirnir, Frey’s messenger, threatened to cast spells to make her ugly.

Geri – or Greedy, one of the wolves – Odin’s companions. Seeing how Odin drank only wine, he gave all his food to Geri and Freki.

Gerod – a giant who tried to kill Thor by deception, inviting him to come without his hammer and the belt that doubles his strength. The she-giant Grida helped Thor by lending him her own weapon. He was killed by Thor by throwing a flaming ball that went through an iron pillar and his stomach.

Ginungagap – «Gaping hole», the primeval chaos from which the Universe was later created. Ginungagap was located between Muspelheim and Nifelheim; the Fire and Ice that poured into it later created organic life.

Gjallarhorn – a horn hidden near the roots of the Yggdrasil just next to Mimir’s spring. Mimir uses this horn to drink the water from the spring, the water that gave him wisdom. The horn will remain there until Ragnarok when Heimdal takes it and by blowing on it announce the end of the world (and its subsequent regeneration). Gjallahorn translates as “loud horn”.

Gjallarhorn

Gothi – Nordic priest whose obligations were the performance of rituals and handling the kindred.

Grendel – a monster that couldn’t be harmed by any weapon; for a long time he molested the Danish kingdom during king Hrotgar’s reign. He was slain by Beowulf.

Grid – she-giant who helped Thor in fighting Gerod, lending him her battle belt, gauntlets and unbreakable staff. She’s believed to be Vidar’s mother.

Gungnir – Odin’s magical spear, adorned with Runes.

Gulveig – a witch that would cause greed in the hearts of men and Gods. Because of this, the Gods tried to burn her, but since it failed three times they honoured her and called her Heidi (light-one). Behind the name of Gulveig is most probably Freya, which was associated to treasure like Venus (gull means gold); she’s also the Goddess that practices magic.

Gunlod – Sutung’s daughter, the guardian of mead of inspiration. She let Odin drink three gulps of this beverage, after which he tricked her and drank all the mead. Even though he spent three nights with her, Odin stole the mead and escaped in the form of an eagle.

Gydja – Nordic priestess. The female equivalent to gothi, she also handles the kindred and its activities.

Gylfi – Swedish king who, in disguise, visited the Gods and questioned them on the creation of the world and their order.

Asatru glossary

F

Falcon – animal considered holy in the Nordic tradition. The falcon is associated with Freya, seeing how she would occasionally take the form of this bird, but also with Loki, who flew like a falcon after stealing Freya’s feathered shirt.

Fafnir – because of his greed for the cursed treasure he was turned into a dragon. He was slain by Sigurd.

Farbauti – Loki’s father.

Fenriz – one of Loki’s children, the beast of Ragnarok. To stop his destructiveness, the Gods tricked him into magical shackles.

Fylgja – a creature from the Nordic folklore considered a man’s follower. This being appears to a man announcing his death; it had its human and animal form. The placenta the children were born with was also called fylgja.

Fjalar – he and his brother killed the wise Kvasir.

Forseti – God of justice, the son of Baldur and Nana. He reigned in Glitnir where he presided as a judge and dispensed justice.

Frey – the son of Nord and Nertus, Freya’s twin brother. God of fecundity and plenty, ruled the Sun’s light and rain, but also a God of peace and prosperity. During drought and barren years the Nordic peoples would offer sacrifices to Frey; also to achieve peace. Frey’s temple was in Uppsala. Even though he wasn’t allowed to sit on Odin’s throne – Hildskjalf – Frey did it causing big trouble for himself. From Hildskjalf he saw the beautiful she-giant Gerda who he fell deeply in love with. Frey sent his servant Skirnir to propose to Gerd, and gave him the sword he never let out of his hands. Because of this, he won’t be able to defeat Surt, who will attack him when Ragnarok comes, and because of this he will die.

Frey

Freya – one of the Vanir, the Goddess of fertility and Freya’s sister. According to legend, she was a sorceress who could fly in the form of an falcon. Half of the fallen warriors belonged to her, and another half to Odin; because of this she’s also called Valfreyia. Freya would take these fallen warriors to her palace of Sesrumnir, while Folkvang was reserved for dead lovers. Freya was the one who uncovered the power of the seidr to humans, a Nordic magical practice; beside the humans, she also revealed this skill to Odin. In spite of her power and beauty, Freya lost her husband: he abandoned her because she spent the night with four dwarves. Therefore she started a quest all over the world, crying tears of red gold. Her daughter’s name is Hnoss – a name for precious jewellery.

Freki – a wolf whose name means Voracious. Together with Geri, he followed Odin on all his journeys.

Frigga – Odin’s wife and Baldur’s mother, guardian of marriage. She tried to protect his son by making all the plants and all the weapons to swear not to injure him. It worked with everything except the holly which caused Baldur’s death. Frigga is also considered the queen of Asgard, even though Odin doesn’t have the title of king. Her palace is Fensalir which means Marsh Halls.