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Showing posts with the label germanic paganism

The Möjbro Runestone

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  The Möjbro Runestone is a stone bearing the image of a warrior on horseback with a Proto-Norse runic inscription. The drawing on the runestone is thought to be inspired by continental Germanic images of glorious warriors on horseback, that in turn were inspired by Roman images. Various interpretations of the inscription exist. It is read from right to left and is generally understood as the memorial stone of a fallen warrior named Frawaradaz . Some interpretations: - Frawarādaz the most noble is killed intentionally. - Frawarādaz was slain on his steed.

Donar or Hercules club

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  A Donar or Hercules club is an elongated amulet made of antlers, bone, wood or bronze decorated with eyes, stripes or crosses. The amulets were made between the 3rd and 7th centuries and were exclusively worn by women.   The connection between the amulets and the Germanic thunder god is said to emerge from an early specimen found in Cologne, on which the words DIO HER (CULI) were found. Hercules was the way the Romans interpreted the Germanic deity Donder (Donar/Þorr, etc.). Unlike the more commonly known Mjölnir amulets, these clubs were not worn as a pendant around the neck, but were used as ear or belt pendants. These clubs have been mostly found in Germany and the Low Countries .

Frau Gode

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  Frau Gode is a North German goddess, she is often referred to as a "Dog Goddess" due to her symbolism and most notable story. Where a Euhemerized version of her appears with her daughters and a love for the Hunt, she then proclaimed that hunting was better than heaven, and when she did so again she and her daughters were cursed. With her myriad of daughters (over 20) turning into bitches, growing fur, muzzles, and paws. They then flew off with her as they lifted their mother and themselves into the air, some of the daughters even ended up tied to her chariot carrying it up into the sky as part of the Wild Hunt . Frau Gode was often said to "Curse" people by sending the dog spirits into the home of people where they would have to perform certain traditions to "get rid of" the dog. This was likely a ruse to allow themselves to continue pagan customs under the guise of removing a demonic curse.

Uller/Stoom

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  In Dutch Folklore, Uller is known as the Ice King and is married   to Skadi . Together they have six ice maiden daughters who are courted by the spirit of fire. However, the heat of Vuur , the Fire Spirit causes the daughters to melt together into one " Regen " they married and had a child Stoom , the Spirit of Steam. Stoom was destructive causing earthquakes and explosions, yet he always pleaded for men to use his gift properly and harness him to wheels and ships. When his job was done to let him leave to have more fun, and so it was. Stoom was harnessed for trains, ships, and more. Becoming one of the first means with which mankind pushed forward, you could say he is even the star of the genre known as " Steampunk ".