Hammer of Ukko

Ukko is the Finnic God of thunder (in Estonian, he is called Uku). He wields lightning, thunder as well as a hammer (that might actually be an axe, as Finnish/Finnic shaman noita collected them and used them in rituals). Ukko’s wife is the goddess Akka, who can also bare other names.

Ukko is compared often to the norse Thor, but Ukko is indeed different with some similarities in depiction and description also to the God Frey (fertility) and the Odin, the shamanic highest God involved in creation, magic and trance states (though Väinämöinen in the Kalevala is somehow more similar to Odin with his use of song and fondness of trance like states).

The symbol of Ukko is that of the more axe like hammer, and I have made some of copper to connect with the energies of this God.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/786937009/ukkon-vasara-hammer-of-ukko-thors-hammer?ref=listing_published_alert

The Magic Energy of Places of Power

What are “places of power”? In Finnish, they are often referred to as hiisi or “voimapaika”. In German, they are called Kraftorte. In English, a good term seems to be missing. You can say “power place”, sure, but it doesn’t sound the same as “Kraftort” in German, similar to the sense Sehnsucht is a more striking and direct word than “state of missing, longing for someone or something”. It would appear many words have been lost to the English language.

However, most people get a certain feeling when they hear the word “Stonehenge”, or the term”Megalith”, the phrase”rock painting of ancient origin”, “sacred grove”. Other more initiated individuals will get goosebumps if you utter the word “leyline” or talk about the heart chakra of Europe (thought to be the sacred mountain Untersberg).

These places are all somehow above the mundane, of this world but supernatural. Full of nature, full of energy, full of magick. Goosebump-inducing, strange, special, of ancient origin, perhaps giving a hint of the history hidden to the naked eye, hidden from view and buried out of sight for the mainstream, except for maybe on the full moon, on the solstice when places like Stonehenge seem to emerge from the shadows and legends are whispered, rumors are spread, a Sehnsucht for the past is kindled in the hearts of many.

I have always appreciated the mystery of the Finnic mythos. No one knows exactly what Sampo is. This will forever remain hidden. Some things SHOULd remain shrouded in mystery, have elements of the occultic.

However, the human spirit needs magic and somewhat altered consciousness. Some achieve those states by exercising, drinking alcohol, through the satisfying of addictive urges, etc. Others may seek solace and relaxing peace within nature, and it is within nature these special places of power exist.

Are there places of power nearby where you live?

Externsteine is a powerful place, with solar phenomena, rock carvings and it is a megalithic structure..

Hidden History and the Gods

Who were, who ARE the Gods? Are they archetypes? Are they energy pools independent of time and space? Are they human-like deities, possessing supernatural and magickal powers? Were they royalty appointed by divine right? Perhaps they are something of all of these.

What we know of the nordic gods comes from a primarily Christian point of view as a matter of source. (Tacitus’ Germania is a notable exception, though Tacitus himself was an outsider as a Roman, and couldn’t understand what he was seeing in context much better than the Christians writing later. ) The Christian perspective most are familiar with would be the Icelandic Storle Sturlesson whom we can assume possessed a certain bias in his portrayal of nordic divinity, in addition to the Danish Saxo Grammaticus who wrote about the history of the Danes in the Middle Ages. Saxo Grammaticus had a bishop as patron  so we can also write him off as being the voice of unadultered, pure and unbiased portrayal of paganism. In each case, the writers would have only to gain by casting paganism in a less than favorable light to discourage persisting folk practice and worship.

The sagas, legends and stories are presented as tall tales, figurative and cautionary tales that paint a primitive view of Viking Age (and prior) paganism. Their respective authors saw their pagan predecessors as being full of folly and portray their gods as such. This leads to a murky view of the gods of the north. Who were they? Who ARE they? This is shrouded in mystery as far as archaeology, acadamia and mainstream knowledge taught in schools are concerned, though some writers and scholars and writers go so far as to suggest the norse gods, such as Frey, Freya, Thor, Iduna and Odin himself were a nordic line of divine royalty, and that in the north, kings and queens ruled as a result of their being descended from gods.

Some say the gods are archetypes whose energy manifests in the collective consciousness within the framework of a certain Zeitgeist, or current of thought and feeling pertaining to that particular timeperiod. Carl Jung for example, saw in the tides preceding the second world war as a stirring of the archetype he referred to as “Wotan”. He imagined the gods as types of energy that correspond with the collective consciousness.

Still others argue the gods exist in worlds away, as occupying a certain distant place on the world tree Yggdrasil, one of the nine worlds away from mankind. The gods could intervene in the workings of humans, but in this day and age hold themselves away and rather let people to their own destiny. Still others who work with the gods, feel the gods within song and chant and in that meditative dream-like state see them as existing still, with the capability of intervening in our lives, providing us with strength, wisdom, and instilling us with the fortitude to move into a better future. When we call on the gods, we awaken them once more, making them more real.

What if the gods exist reincarnated among us? Who among us is Thor the protector, who is Frey, Freya, Heimdallr, Bragi? How would we feel should we encounter them? What would thy say to us? What could we learn from them? I find these types of questions useful in contemplating, for summoning forth inspiration in daily life and for those endeavors which require perhaps extra courage or confidence.

Perhaps the best way to connect with the truth of divinity is to raise ourselves up to the energy of gods, in our ability to hold, perceive and interpret mystic energies. Subtle and little known to ordinary senses and the mind fettered by mundanity. The trance state of shamans, the ecstasy of song, the humble partaking in the wisdom of the runes could put us on the path to understand the gods and ourselves and the nature of the history all but completely reased from books. (Research accessing akashic records to truly achieve this). Hiding in rune stones, megaliths, solstice sun, full moon energy and trance states, we can unlock and listen to the language of the gods as they impart their truth to us.

 

Music inspired by this pursuit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/171895734/idis-orlog-cd-the-spiral-tide-of-seasons?ref=listing_published_alert

Rune jewelry and other nordic inspired treasures: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NorthSpiritRunes

 

 

 

 

 

Songs for the Turning of the Wheel of Time

Pagans of the past commemorated the seasons and special days with song, feasting and various traditions to honor spirits and energies corresponding to those times of year. For example, elves and spirits of the household are given a bowl of porridge around Yuletide to make them happy and to bring luck to the home.

I find it personally important to give the human spirit some music to experience the times of year by. To this end, I have begun to record songs, newer and older as the wheel of year turns.

For example, this song for the Autumn Song.

 

Or this for the seldom seen but precious Winter Sun

 

If you would like a physical copy of this and other music, some can be found here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/171895734/idis-orlog-cd-the-spiral-tide-of-seasons?ref=shop_home_active_74

Legends of Thule

 

 

Thule was the northernmost land according to Greeks and Romans. It was distant and unknown, as if from another world. It was the furthest away they could imagine to the north.

Today, there is much speculation as to whether Thule was in reference to an actual place or whether it was something of a lost continent like Atlantis. Some researchers think it was the name for Iceland or Greenland, islands in Norway or Estonia.

When we think of Thule, we may see far off places covered in snow, polar bears or glaciers…. or pink mountains?

Why pink mountains?

The mostly pink gemstone Thulite was first discovered in Norway. The pink color comes as a result of manganese present. The more manganese, the pinker it is.

There aren’t actually pink mountains in Norway,  but when I hold this stone I love to imagine peaks reaching to the heavens, totally in pink, with a backdrop of blue sky. that would be something of a mythical, magical sight.

Working with thulite stone doesn’t make me feel icy cold or like keeping polar bears as pets. It in fact is a warming stone, with a lot of heart centered energy. It makes me feel good in my own skin and helps me to appreciate what is. I associate with it joy and happiness, acceptance and awareness. It has a more grounded feel than for example rose quartz, which is often associated with the heart chakra.

Wearing thulite as a pendant will help you to express yourself from the heart and to articulate yourself from a genuine perspective.  It can help you to find your confidence in social situations and to feel better speaking in front of a crowd. If you have trouble saying what you mean, this stone could work for you. I feel less self- conscious when I wear or carry thulite and have less trouble speaking up.

If you would like to get your own thulite stone, I recommend you go here.

https://www.etsy.com/no-en/listing/700300007/thulite-pendant-heal-self-confidence?ref=listing_published_alert

 

 

 

Eclogite: an Unusual Gem of Gems

 

 

 

Eclogite is a fairly recently discovered gem mineral that forms under high pressure conditions usually only found deep within the earth’s crust. It is known as a mafic, metamorphic rock which means it is a silicate mineral that contains a lot of magnesium and iron (mafic) and that it is a sort of composite of stones (metamorphic).

Its appearance is mostly green, but contains pink-red flecks which are garnet bits. The green aspect is pyroxine jade high in sodium content. Eclogite also contains kyanite (a typically light blue stone), zoisite, quartz (a common crystal found in mountains),rutile, and even sometimes diamond.

In terms of energetic properties, eclogite is a very special stone. It is a “newer” stone, pushed forth from the core of the Earth and is a stone within stones as it is one stone containing many. In this sense, it can be used for a variety of purposes.

Eclogite can harmonize opposing forces, balance out yin and yang principles and help the bearer to overcome their own spiritual and mental dualism. This existence is rife with contradiction and we often need to rise above it to advance on this journey. This is an excellent stone for doing just that, as it is all about bringing varied compontents together and forging them into a whole not commonly seen. If you feel like parts of yourself are at war with each other, this is a perfect stone for helping you gain balance.

Jade is all about spiritual beauty and the balance of nature’s elements. Garnet boosts energy and is great for facilitating feelings of warmth within a relationship and boosting the immune system. Jade is more feminine, whereas garnet is more masculine.

Quartz is an empowering stone that strengthens the properties of whatever it is surrounded by. Thus, it increases the power and beauty of the jade and garnet  and other gems within it.

Kyanite releases blockages and promotes the free flowing of energy. It aids in relaxation in meditation. Rutile wards off negative energy.

This eclogite comes from the mountains of Nordmöre in Norway. Custom pieces can also be purchased by request.

https://www.etsy.com/no-en/listing/684794522/eclogite-pendant-from-norway?ref=listing_published_alert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber: The Blood of Ancient Trees

Amber is tree resin fossilized over the course of thousands of years produced by ancient forests around the Baltic region so many years ago. It features prominently in myth as well as practical use throughout history.

Today, amber is valued for its beauty as jewelry and often thought of as a gemstone but is of course not a stone (many are astounded by its relative light weight compared to actual gemstones.)
Its current uses include as a teething necklace for babies. No, the babies do not bite the amber but some mysterious healing property of the amber appears to be activated when the amber makes contact with the skin.
More metaphysically speaking, this is due to amber‘s ability to absorb negative energy.
In terms of composition however, amber contains a compound called succinic acid which is antiseptic.
Amber has a long history of use toward health purposes and was even put to work to fumigate plague stricken areas. Those who used amber were reported to have not fallen ill.

Amber has been used in jewelry since around 11,000 BC. Romans reportedly prized the substance.

In Northern Europe, amber was prominent in Norse legend. The Viking culture believed amber was the crystallized tears of the goddess Freya. Freya wept so for her lost love (the god Od or Svipdag in other tellings) that her godly tears became beautiful amber „gems“. Her tears fell into the deep sea below as she wept in her giant cat drawn chariot in the sky.
Practitioners of Asatru inspired witchcraft can use amber to call upon the goddess and invoke her qualities in ritual. The amber as a symbol is ancient and time tested.

If you would like hints on where to get it:
Get your own amber https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/NorthSpiritRunes?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

The Oseberg Ship: Pagan Ritual Tool or Means of Transportation?

 

The Oseberg ship, along with several other ships found in Norway  during archaeoogical excavations, is on display at the Oslo Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset). Visitors from all around the world flock to the exhibitions to catch a glimpse of real Viking history. They imagine fierce warriors poised in the ships, navigating the high seas in search of adventure and mischief, commerce and crime. Perhaps their thoughts wander to the image of heathens of yesteryear, as the Vikings became christianized only after their misdaventures began.

Besides the aforementioned Oseberg ship, the mighty Gokstad ship (in its well-preserved state measuring  23.8 meters long and 5.1 meters wide) stands to be viewed. The Gokstad ship was found at the site of the “Kings mound” (Konungrhaugr in old Norse)  or Gokstad mound in Sandefjord Norway. The skeleton of a man in his 40s or 50s was found buried along with this largest of ships found in Norway. The skeleton is thought to have belonged to a powerful king or chieftain. The ship and mound date back to the 9th century.

Similarly, the Oseberg ship date back to the 9th century and is believed to have also been involved in some sea voyages.  The length of the ship was measured to be 21.58 meters and was 5 meters wide. In contrast, the Oseberg ship was ornately decorated with intricate knotwork, as compared to the more simple and utilitarian build of the Gokstad ship. The skeletons of two women were unearthed. The exhibit text refers to one of the women having been a queen.

Upon closer look and some mental “reading in between the lines”, you might come to notice some curious points not clearly discussed in the exhibit’s accompanying text.

While the Gokstad ship is somewhat larger than the Oseberg ship ( a good meter plus) the Oseberg ship features carvings decidedly more ornate. The amount of time and care that such demands is not insignificant. The Oseberg “queen” was likely not just a queen, but a priestess whose status was based on the role she would have played for her people.

Items such as a ritual rattle (seen below) , a meditating figure seated (reminiscent to a Buddha figure) and other unusual things besides jewelry and vauables indicating status were also uncovered.

 

Such a rattle would have been wielded and used to create rhythmic sound, perhaps similar to that of beating a shaman drum (several of which were found in Finland and also Norway, belonging to the Sami peoples )

The only individuals accorded higher status than a king would be those holding spiritual power within a society.  In indigeneous societies even today, the shaman is charged with traversing the other world, navigating the world of the spirit, gleaning information or helping the dying cross over, or to bring back the sick or wounded. Similar in function in Norse mythology/legend were the Valkyries, women who helped the dead find their final resting place. This coincides with the thought that the Volva, or seeress/shaman-like figure was a woman who could divine using runes and other instruments and go into trance-like states to obtain useful information for her tribe.

The Oseberg ship served as the priestess’ burial vessel and contained many items that would serve her in the afterlife. Perhaps symbolic, or recepticles containing energetic residue that would resonate with her while she and her companion (a family member or perhaps a helper) found their way to the afterlife.

It is still a shame that museum authorities do not see the evidence for the Oseberg “queen” being compelling enough to refer to her as a priestess. Enough artifacts are present to deduce this however as private persons visiting the site. The curious can take their travels to the site where the ship was found and observe whether it “speaks” to them, if they are intuitively inclined or sensitive to energy.

Seasons of the Sun and Moon

 

The written word is not only a mode of transfering information, but an art form in itself. As music and art work more with the psyche and the emotions (whereas most “modern” media exploits these as well as capturing one’s intellect) poetry takes the reader to new realms of thoughts and feelings.

For most of my life, I’ve been working with the poetic and lyrical form to capture a specific thought or especially frame of mind or specific mood. Many of the poems have made it to song form, but most of them have never been seen by eyes besides my own.

I thought it was time to share with those who still, in this day and age, have an eye for poetry and want to transport themselves into another world with the written word.

Here is the paperback of my poetry collection (chapbook) Seasons of the Sun and Moon.

If you have Kindle, you can download the works here:

 

Temple of Lemminkäinen

The mythical temple of Lemminkäinen is a stone structure, perhaps natural in formation or with some assistance by the hands of man. It was believed by Ior Bock and others to be a site of ancient worship to the Finnic god Lemminkäinen. Located about 30 km east of Helsinki in Sipoo, the stone formation can today be viewed as a cave often too filled with water to physically enter.

Lemminkäinen is thought to originally have been a god comparable to the norse/Scandinavian Baldur. A god of fair face, much loved yet also sacrificed and reborn through the affections of his mother. The Kalevala, the epic “rune” poem gathered by the Finnish scholar Elias Lönnrot and published in 1835, features Lemminkäinen as a sort of composite figure. He is not a pure “god”, rather depicted more as a war hero and wanderer. Due to the Christian nature of the time period in which the Kalevala was written and also due to the fact that Finnic mythology was written down in text even less than the Scandinavian and relied heavily on oral tradition through the ages, much of the original meaning and “heathen”/ pre-Christian symbolism is dilluted or lost.

The infamous Swedish-Finnish Ior Bock attempted to re-kindle the pre-Christian pagan spirit of Finland in his own eccentric way. He claimed his family was the bearer of an ancient pagan oral tradition, entrusted to him to bring to public attention by his mother as she was dying.  He directly linked together the myths and spiritual beliefs of Scandinavia and Finland; that the norse gods had equivalents in their Finnish counterparts. For example, he directly claimed Baldur as the equivalent of Lemminkäinen. The Finnic Ukko and the norse Thor/Tor (German: Donner) are also similar archetypes in their hammer bearing, sky dominion attributes.

The Bock saga claimed excavations of the stone structure on the property of Ior Bock held heathen artifacts as well as proof of the saga itself. Work undertaken did revel a very large cave with a chamber, but the project collapsed under the weight of financial trouble before digging revealed anything that confirmed beyond a doubt, unfortunately.

Other locations around Finland were claimed by Bock to also contain artifacts and were of historical significance to a pagan past. The government and archaeological groups refused to undertake any examinations and so the mystery persists unconfirmed.

Perhaps most compelling of Bock’s tellings was the notion that Finland and the surroundings were in fact the cradle of civilization. Findings recently prove that the Arctic region was inhabited long before the pre-conceived assumption of 10,000 years. The Artic region in fact has revealed evidence of having been inhabited for up to 45,000 years. http://arctic.ru/analitic/20160704/386534.html

One doesn’t need to believe in everything that Bock and his followers had to tell or thought to be the truth to feel fascination awaken at the notion of exploring what Northern Europe’s ancestors were really made of. The world has undergone much change and to think that everything is as those who write history (the victors) would have us believe is naive at best. Any leads, any quick peeks into what was or might have been can be fruitful to simply meditate on, consider, and undertake travels and research to come closer to the heart of it all. Healthy skepticism is a valuable tool, a hearty imagination can also bring us close to the truth. Together, these elements of the human mind and spirit can take us tot he heart of things.

Much mystery still enshrouds Europe’s heathen history, and current trends lead people away from kindling interest in what remains to be seen beyond the veil of time. Still, many are sparked by what is beyond the accepted history books, beyond the direction of soulless consumerism and interest persists in those who came before.