Although most Christians are really only comfortable with the story that Santa Claus was really ‘St. Nicholas’ (of Turkey), it seems obvious to me that the current mythology behind Santa Claus is at least in part a survival of the pagan Viking belief in Odin. This doesn’t fit well with Santa’s arrival near Christmas, and so, has been fairly well disguised over the years. Odin, the ‘AllFather’ of the Viking (Norse) pantheon would occasionally take human form and leave his comfortable abode in Asgard to mingle with men (and women) in Midgard (the land of men) often as a grey bearded old man. On the Jule (Yule) or the Winter Solstice which is the longest night of the year, he would ride his 8 legged horse Sleipnir across the sky in a great hunt. Children would leave their boots out filled with carrots and straw for Sleipnir to eat, and Odin would reward the children for their kindness by replacing the offerings with gifts or candy.

Odin on Sleipnir
From the 18th century Icelandic manuscript NKS 1867 4 now in the care of the Danish Royal Library.
(more…)

I was reading about the Newgrange excavation (and reconstruction) tonight and I ran across mention of the Bell Beaker Folk. Needing a refresher anyway I ran through the various cultures of Europe from Neolithic times through early Bronze Age until I ran into the Egtved Girl of the Nordic Bronze Age. The Egtved girl, found in a barrow in Denmark, was buried in 1370 BC, and was well preserved.

(more…)

The theory that parts of the Egyptian pyramids were actually made of poured concrete has been bandied about since the 70’s, but evidence is mounting that it might be true. Material scientists and geologists point to rapid chemical reactions evident in the blocks which would be inconsistent with natural crystalization, and differences in density of the blocks - more dense at the bottom, and bubbles at the top which would indicate concrete poured in the ancient fashion. Read more for link.The story was reported in Times Online. Scientists will be unable to conclusively prove the theory without access to substantial portions of some of the blocks, something that Egyptian authorities have as yet been unwilling to provide (since this would mean the destruction of those blocks).

Several years ago, I posted a story here in which I wrote about my first ‘medieval event’ at Norseland in 1991. Over the years I joined another local group which concentrates on re-enacting the ’spirit and material culture’ of 5th century Ireland. I had many years of good times with the Tuatha de Bhriain (pronounced ‘two-Ah-ha duh Vreeyan’) or TdB, as did my brother and my wife when I got married. We took a break for several years after the kids were born, and only recently started becoming active in the group again. Folks in the group contribute in lots of different ways, mine has traditionally been in providing music around the campfire. If you are unfamiliar with ‘Medievalism’, you can learn a great deal about it by visiting the SCA official website.
(more…)

I was scanning slashdot this morning and an interesting post entitled Breakthrough Decodes ‘Classical Holy Grail’ caught my eye. As it turned out, the post was about a recent story in an online magazine whose abstract read “Scientists begin to unlock the secrets of papyrus scraps bearing long-lost words by the literary giants of Greece and Rome”. This is a record of where the story led me this morning…

(more…)

Better known as ‘The Fragment’, what follows is a translation of all that is left of an (apparently) 5th century anglo-saxon lay that describes a saxon hero, Hengest. This may very well be the same Hengest who led the first Germanic invasion of Britain, and if so probably did so shortly after the events described below. You may be interested to note that this particular translation was made by the infamous Oxford scholar, J.R.R. Tolkien.

(more…)

The Gods are ever present and there is no clear dividing line between the natural and the supernatural world. We are at all times balanced precariously on the interface between the divine and the profane. All around us live the denizens of the otherworld, in springs, in rivers and lakes, in forests and marshes, in caves and on mountain tops. The Gods intrude into the affairs of men and often take sides in the disputes of mortals. They are capricious and moody, and at times benevolent and helpful, at times malicious and spiteful. It is necessary to mollify and appease them constantly by means of offerings, by the correct rituals and by the proper manner of behaviour. You offend the Gods at your peril!

Raftery, Barry
Pagan Celtic Ireland, The enigma of the Irish Iron Age
Thames & Hudson 1994 pp. 178
I had originally prepared to deliver this for the Tuatha de Bhriain feast of Imbolc in 1998 but the actual event went off a bit differently. Those who attended might have preferred this more sedate version. I have also posted the Wheel of the Year that I kept that year, and although the specific events and folks mentioned therein may no longer be relevant, it gives a good flavour for the Celtic year.

And what story about “The Gods” is complete without a cameo by The Dagda himself? The Dagda is “the good god” or as I have been told, its better to describe him as “the god who is good at stuff”. The link above brings up a picture I drew of him after reading a particularly detailed description of him.

I’m (maybe not so) obviously thinking about the Celtic pantheon here which is a stretch for a lot of folks since all you really get to read about in school (usually) is the Greek mythos and they’re such a bunch of backstabbing socialites its not supernatural enough for me. I mean, I think some of the Greek Gods summer out in the Hamptons. I also have a fondness for Viking mythology, but I’m not prepared to discuss that rabble tonight. Anyone else have some good Gods stories? Please note: I have enough copies of the Bible, I’m merely soliciting comments regarding polytheism here - so if you can’t afford more than one god, you can’t afford to join in on this discussion.