Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore

This Substack explores Norse mythology and ancient Germanic culture through a scholarly lens, examining sources like the Prose Edda, mythological symbols such as Mjollnir, and broader themes like the afterlife, deity conflicts, and cosmology. It critically assesses modern interpretations, the historical context, and the linguistic evolution of mythological concepts.

Norse Mythology Germanic Culture and Religion Mythological Symbols and Artifacts Norse Cosmology and Afterlife Historical and Archaeological Evidence Linguistics and Etymology in Mythology Ancient Rituals and Beliefs Comparative Mythology

The hottest Substack posts of Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore

And their main takeaways

The Norse Afterlife Part II: Folkvang & Valkyries

79 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Afterlife Beliefs
  1. In Norse mythology, Freyja and Odin share the task of choosing who will die in battle each day, with half the slain belonging to Freyja and the other half to Odin.
  2. The idea of choosing the slain in Norse mythology does not mean selecting from among those who have already died, but rather deciding who will die in battle and be received into Valhalla.
  3. The concept of Folkvang in Norse mythology is intertwined with Valhalla, suggesting that the two afterlife locations are closely connected and not separate realms.

Why You Should (Mostly) Trust the Prose Edda

179 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mythology Scholarship
  1. Snorri Sturluson, the author of the Prose Edda, was a key figure in preserving Norse mythology and history.
  2. The Prose Edda, despite Snorri's Christian influence, is still considered a valuable and mostly trustworthy source of Norse mythological information.
  3. The Prose Edda contains narratives that are supported by archaeological evidence, lending credibility to the stories and Snorri's interpretations.

Why Scholars Keep Writing Æsir and Vanir "Obituaries"

79 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mythology Research Debate Critique Analysis
  1. Scholars are debating the meanings of the words \
  2. (guild/) and \
  3. \
  4. Scholars have different theories about the distinction between Æsir and Vanir, with discussions ranging from functional differences to poetic interpretations.
  5. Various scholars have delved into the debate, presenting arguments that challenge traditional views and propose new ways of understanding Norse mythology.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part I: Mjollnir’s True Power

119 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Literature History Culture Religion
  1. Mjollnir from Norse mythology might not be as heavy as commonly believed, and doesn't require a strength-girdle to wield.
  2. There is no requirement of worthiness to lift Mjollnir, and it can be used by characters other than Thor.
  3. Iron gloves are mentioned in only one story, hinting they might not be necessary for using Mjollnir, despite Snorri's assertion.

The Norse Afterlife Part I: How to Get to Valhalla

39 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Afterlife Rituals Gods Beliefs
  1. Dying in battle does not guarantee entry to Valhalla, as there are exceptions in Norse mythology where individuals who died outside of combat still ended up in Odin's afterlife army.
  2. The idea of giving oneself or being given to Odin through rituals involving spears or other means is a recurring theme in Norse beliefs, possibly indicating a form of dedication or initiation necessary for entry into Valhalla.
  3. The concept of who gets sent to Valhalla or Hel is complex and not solely based on dying in battle, with various factors like dedications, rituals, and individual circumstances playing a role in determining one's afterlife destination.
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The Ring Sword

79 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Symbolism
  1. Norse mythology stems from broader Germanic traditions and transitions over millennia, showing hints of even earlier origins.
  2. The mention of a ring in the hilt of a sword in ancient myths refers to a symbolic ring-sword design from the Migration Period, with rich symbolism and historical significance.
  3. Ring-swords were a trend in the Migration Period and were associated with aristocracy, symbolizing loyalty and courage through the ring attachment, often found in ancient burials and preserved in myths and artwork.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part IV: The Axe Man

59 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Mythology Archaeology History Culture Religion
  1. The linguistic relationship between the words for 'hammer' and 'stone' in Germanic languages is surprisingly close, suggesting an early association between concepts and tools like axes and hammers.
  2. The early Germanic thunder god may have carried an array of weapons, including axes, clubs, hammers, and thunderstones, which over time converged into the iconic image of Thor's hammer.
  3. Related mythologies from regions like Finland, the Baltic, and Slavic cultures show strong similarities to the Norse thunder god Thor, often wielding axes and other weapons, indicating possible shared traditions or exchanges of ideas over time.

A Review of Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology"

59 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
📚 Literature Mythology Review Narrative Character development
  1. Neil Gaiman's 'Norse Mythology' book modernizes ancient Norse myths, making them more accessible and entertaining for readers.
  2. Gaiman's storytelling enhances character dynamics and adds personalities that are more engaging, although he takes creative liberties and introduces invented details.
  3. Readers should be cautious as 'Norse Mythology' may contain inaccuracies and omissions, and it is advisable to supplement with original source texts for a more accurate understanding.

Norse vs. Germanic

59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Religion Languages Traditions Beliefs
  1. Germanic refers to language, culture, and religion, not just bloodlines, race, or ethnicity.
  2. Norse, a subset of Germanic, is a term for medieval Scandinavian speakers of North-Germanic languages.
  3. Germanic mythology shares similarities with other Indo-European traditions, like the thundergod motif, but divergences in stories can lead to variations in how gods are perceived.

Ancient Runes and Rune Magic

39 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration History Mythology Magic
  1. Runes were letters used by ancient Germanic-speaking people to write words and sentences, not symbols for abstract concepts.
  2. The origins of runes are cryptically described in Norse mythology, but they bear resemblance to alphabets used for Latin and Greek languages at the time.
  3. Modern rune magic concepts are rooted in 16th-century occultism and may not align with how runes were used for magic in the pre-Christian Norse era.

Norse Cosmology Part I: The Nine Realms Are Wrong

39 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Literature History Religion
  1. The traditional notion of 'nine realms of Norse mythology' is a common misunderstanding and not accurately represented in the original source material.
  2. The Old Norse phrase 'níu heimar' is mentioned in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, but it does not necessarily translate to 'nine realms' as commonly interpreted.
  3. There is ambiguity and lack of clarity in the ancient texts regarding the concept of 'nine homes,' with suggestions that it might refer to underworld locations connected to Hel, the goddess of the dead.

The Thundergod is Humanity's Hero

39 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Humanity Religion History Archaeology
  1. Ancient Germanic people believed Thor, the Thundergod, played a crucial role in protecting humanity from evil creatures like jotuns through artifacts like the Canterbury Charm and Kvinneby Amulet.
  2. Thor was invoked through magical incantations to heal people afflicted by ailments caused by supernatural beings, showcasing his role as a hero and protector.
  3. Pop-culture depictions of Norse gods and jotuns in shades of gray are contrary to historical beliefs, as Thor was seen as a mighty hero who safeguarded humanity against threats from evil creatures.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part III: The Thunderstone

19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
📚 Literature Mythology Folklore
  1. Thor overcame challenges without his hammer by using a stone and a staff called Grid's Wale, showing his resourcefulness and strength.
  2. Ancient folklore across many cultures has stories of thunderstones, which are stone-age tools mistaken for objects fallen from the sky during thunderstorms.
  3. There are linguistic connections between thunderstones and Thor's association with thunder, hinting at a deeper relationship between the god and these enigmatic stones.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part II: Thunder Goes Clubbing

19 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
💾 History Mythology Archaeology Religion Art Culture
  1. The word 'Thor' is derived from Old Norse 'Þórr' and was used for the thunder god, representing both the sound of thunder and the divine being behind it.
  2. In the ancient Germanic world, the term for thundergod, 'Þórr,' evolved into 'donar' in Old High German and 'þunor' in Old English, eventually leading to the term 'thunder' in Modern English.
  3. Archaeological findings indicate a trend of Germanic club-shaped pendants, possibly associated with Hercules, before the prevalence of Thor's hammer pendants during the Viking Age.

Are Frigg and Freyja the Same Person?

19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💾 History Mythology Literature
  1. Frigg and Freyja are NOT the same person in Norse mythology, despite some theories suggesting a common origin
  2. Historical sources clearly depict Frigg and Freyja as separate characters, with no indications of them being the same individual
  3. Theories proposing a common origin for Frigg and Freyja are interesting but lack conclusive evidence, reminding us to critically evaluate motivations for such speculations

Loki, Gender, and Sexuality in Norse Society

1 HN point • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Gender Sexuality Society History
  1. Loki in Norse mythology is often portrayed as a man who engages in behavior considered unmanly, particularly highlighted by the insult 'ergi'.
  2. Norse society had rigid gender roles and expectations, with certain actions, like being accused of 'ergi', leading to severe consequences.
  3. While Loki is known to shapeshift into a woman on occasion, the majority of his appearances and actions in the myths are as a man, and he is referenced with male pronouns predominantly.

Norse Cosmology Part II: The Shape of the World

0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Storytelling History Art Travel
  1. The Norse mythological world is not neatly divided into nine realms as commonly believed, but rather revolves around Yggdrasill, a tree with roots connecting different locations.
  2. Descriptions of the Norse cosmos, including the locations of various beings, are influenced by Christian ideology, leading to unique interpretations of the layout of the world.
  3. Ancient Norse people likely viewed the world as an expansive, uncharted territory with limited geographical knowledge, shaping their mythological depictions of travel between realms.