Meðan gramr, hinns svik samðit, snart Bilskirnis, hjarta, grundar fisk með grandi gljúfrskeljungs nam rjúfa. “Whilst the ruler of Bilskirnir, whose heart did not plan treachery, quickly smashed the fish the sea-bed with the destruction of the ravine-whale” This stanza was composed by Gamli gnævaðarskáld from the 10th century, manuscript excerpt from GKS 2367 4° … Continue reading Þórr and Miðgarðsormr — Gamli gnævaðarskáld
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On slaughter customs
Nils Lid in Norske Slakteskikkar records historical folk customs of barring outsiders and strangers from the outside the family from witnessing the slaughter of animals. It is believed that some people bring with them the vonde augo — the evil eye, which is described as ovund, or envy. With it brings sorcery against the slaughterer … Continue reading On slaughter customs
Notes on the holy fire in Kjalnesinga saga
According to a more critical reading of the saga, the vígðan eld is not a perpetual fire. In chapter 4 while Búi Andríðsson is in Brautarholt, he sees Þorsteinn Þorgrímsson entering the hof in the morning and sneaks into the hof. He kills Þorsteinn while he is lying prostrate before Þórr, and it is said … Continue reading Notes on the holy fire in Kjalnesinga saga
Commentary on Óláfs saga hins helga chapters 118-119
Illustration by Halfdan Egedius. In chapters 118-119 of this particular saga, a conversion polemic occurs. It consists of a religious conflict between a heathen hersir named Dalaguðbrandr hereafter known as Guðbrandr, and the Norwegian King Óláfr Haraldsson, also known as St. Olaf. The saga is fundamentally modeled on the tale recounted by Theodoretos of the … Continue reading Commentary on Óláfs saga hins helga chapters 118-119
Notes on Sif and Þrúðr
Some elements to note on the primary female powers within the Þórr siðr. Þórr’s wife Sif and his daughter Þrúðr are described with the imagery of the valkyries, flygjur, and dísir, all interchangeable names for the female guiding spirits which determine fate and the fate of family lines in Ragnarsdrápa 8 and 9: (…) þás … Continue reading Notes on Sif and Þrúðr
The Fragmentation of the Þórr Cult
The mythological narrative of Þórr is not as static in the attested literature as many might think. The Old Norse religious systems as a whole were subject to variation and mutation across regional, tribal and familial lines, and the cult of Þórr was also affected by these factors. In this essay I will outline some … Continue reading The Fragmentation of the Þórr Cult
On Calling Thor
In the Eddas, Thor tends to appear suddenly whenever he is named or called. This reveals a potential naming taboo tradition regarding Thor, or that he has an all-hearing ability regarding his name. In Gylfaginning, when the giant smith was building the walls of Ásgarðr, the Æsir nefndu Þórr, who immediately responds and smites the … Continue reading On Calling Thor
Thor the Hel-striker
Artistic depiction of Hel. Thor in two particular instances is said to have struck Hel herself, and in one instance broke her legs. There seems to be a lost myth, or a variation of an existing myth where this event occurred within the cult of Thor. In Þórsdrápa, he is called the blótinn Helhneitir, orthe … Continue reading Thor the Hel-striker
Frigg as wife of Thor?
Frigg by Carl Emil Doepler. Gunnar Olof Hyltén-Cavallius in his treatise writes of a differing viewpoint on Frigg’s position in the religions as being Thor’s wife: Han åtföljes på dessa färder af sin hustru, den hos Wärendsfolket ännu ihogkomma Frigg eller Frigge. He is accompanied on these journeys by his wife, the one still remembered … Continue reading Frigg as wife of Thor?
Thor and the tides
Taken at Thor’s Well off the Oregon coast. Þórr has a unique association with the tides. In Gylfaginning, during the saga of Þórr and Útgarðaloki, Þórr drinks from a horn which has its end in the sea, which causes him to create the tides. We can see in the literature that this aspect of his … Continue reading Thor and the tides
Þórr siðr 