It is attested in primary sources that sacrifices were made to Odin during blóts. Adam of Bremen relates that every ninth year, people assembled from all over Sweden to sacrifice at the Temple at Uppsala. Male slaves and males of each species were sacrificed and hanged from the branches of the trees. As the Swedes had the right not only to elect king but also to depose a king, the sagas relate that both king Domalde and king Olof Trätälja were sacrificed to Odin after years of famine. It has been argued that the killing of a combat ...

See also:

Odin, Odin - Characteristics, Odin - Origins, Odin - Seid, Odin - Blót, Odin - Edda, Odin - Attributes, Odin - Names, Odin - Odin and Jesus, Odin - Persisting beliefs in Odin, Odin - Modern age, Odin - Modern popular culture, Odin - Germanic neopaganism, Odin - Notes, Odin - Literature

Read more here: » Odin: Encyclopedia II - Odin - Blót

The Blót was the pagan Germanic sacrifice to Norse gods and Elves. The word is related to the English word bless and they are derived from blood, an important component in the rites. Blót - Rites and beliefs. The verb blóta meant to "strengthen" and the intention was to strengthen the powers (gods and Elves). The most powerful means was the sacrificed object or being. It was usually animals and in particular pigs and horses. The meat was boiled in large cooking pits with heated stone ...

Including:

• Blót - Rites and beliefs
• Blót - Dates for the blóts
• Blót - Locations
• Blót - Uppsala Sweden
• Blót - Gotland
• Blót - Lejre Denmark
• Blót - Mære Norway
• Blót - Elven blót
• Blót - The Völse blót
• Blót - Later times
• Blót - Sources

Read more here: » Blót: Encyclopedia - Blót

The verb blóta meant to "strengthen" and the intention was to strengthen the powers (gods and Elves). The most powerful means was the sacrificed object or being. It was usually animals and in particular pigs and horses. The meat was boiled in large cooking pits with heated stones, either indoors or outdoors. The blood was considered to contain special powers and it was sprinkled on the statues of the gods, on th ...

See also:

Blót, Blót - Rites and beliefs, Blót - Dates for the blóts, Blót - Locations, Blót - Uppsala Sweden, Blót - Gotland, Blót - Lejre Denmark, Blót - Mære Norway, Blót - Elven blót, Blót - The Völse blót, Blót - Later times, Blót - Sources

Read more here: » Blót: Encyclopedia II - Blót - Rites and beliefs

Germanic paganism - Tacitus. The first description of Germanic religion is Tacitus' Germania, dating to the 1st century. Tacitus describes both animal and human sacrifice. The chief Germanic god he identifies with Roman Mercury, who on certain days receives human sacrifices, while gods identified by Tacitus with Hercules and Mars receive animal sacrifice. The Suebians also make ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period

Germanic paganism seems to have begun developing sometime during the 2nd millennium BC, during the Nordic Bronze Age, with influences from neighboring cultures, notably the Celts, and possibly Finnish and Baltic mythologies. The Proto-Germanic pantheon was divided into two classes, the *Ansuwaz (cognate to Asura) and the *Wanisaz (cognate to *Wenos, a name of *Hausos; see also Vanadis, Wynn, and possibly *Wanax). Members included *Tiwaz, *Wodinaz, *Nerþuz (either a god or a goddess), and *Frijja. Some natural pheno ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion

The Christmas Ham is an ancient traditional ingredient in the Scandinavian Christmas celebration (Yule) and remains as important as the Christmas tree. Before the arrival of Christianity, a pig was sacrificed to the god Freyr at the Yule celebrations and eaten (see Blót). This tradition of butchering a pig at Christmas continued after the Christianization and survives as several dishes (sausages and bread dipped in pork fat) of which the Christmas ham is the most central. Among commoners, the Christmas ham was usually saved for the summ ...

Read more here: » Christmas ham: Encyclopedia - Christmas ham

The name Viking is a borrowed word from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, the British Isles, and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. Vikings traveled to the west and Varangians, who were best known as the Varangian Guards of the Byzantine emperors, to the east. This period of European history (generally dated to 793 - 1066 AD) is often referred to as the Viking Age. The word “Viking” was introduced to the English language with ro ...

Including:

• Viking - Etymology
• Viking - Historical records
• Viking - Adam of Bremen
• Viking - Rune stones
• Viking - Icelandic sagas
• Viking - 13th century
• Viking - Viking ships and Viking longships
• Viking - The Viking Age
• Viking - The Viking invasions: a commercial war?
• Viking - Decline
• Viking - Modern revivals
• Viking - Romanticism
• Viking - Fascism
• Viking - Living History
• Viking - Myths about Vikings
• Viking - Horned helmets
• Viking - Skull cups
• Viking - Uncleanliness
• Viking - Famous Vikings
• Viking - Books
• Viking - Movies
• Viking - Culture
• Viking - Historians
• Viking - Archaeology
• Viking - Place names
• Viking - Military
• Viking - Popular Culture
• Viking - Bibliography

Read more here: » Viking: Encyclopedia - Viking

Bilskirnir, Breidablik, Élivágar, Eliudnir, Fensalir, Fólkvangr, Gimlé, Ginnungagap, Gjallar Bridge, Gjöll, Gladsheim, Glasir, Glitnir, Gnipa, Himinbjörg, Hindarfjall, Horgr, Idavoll, Jotunheim, Ironwood, Hlidskjalf, Midgard, Muspelheim, Mirkwood, Nastrond, Niflheim, Noatun, Sessrúmnir, Singasteinn, Slidr River, Sökkvabekkr, Thrudvang, Thrymheim, Utgard, Valhall, Vanaheim, Hvergelmi ...

Including:

• Norse mythology - Sources
• Norse mythology - Cosmology
• Norse mythology - Supernatural beings
• Norse mythology - Völuspá: the origin and end of the world
• Norse mythology - Kings and heroes
• Norse mythology - Norse worship
• Norse mythology - Centres of faith
• Norse mythology - Priests
• Norse mythology - Human sacrifice
• Norse mythology - Interactions with Christianity
• Norse mythology - Modern influences
• Norse mythology - Bibliography

Read more here: » Norse mythology: Encyclopedia - Norse mythology

The Cimbri were a Proto-Germanic tribe who according to Pliny the Elder lived on Jutland (Chersonesus Cimbrica), and the Jutish region of Himmerland (where the contemporary Gundestrup cauldron was found) is thought to preserve their name (cf. Grimm's law, K->H). The name has been analysed as the name kimme meaning "rim", i.e. the people of the coast[1], but there is also the hypothesis that the name is related to that of the Cimmerians. Charles Kingsley links the name to the word "Champ(ion)" which gives us the ...

Including:

• Cimbri - Moving south-east
• Cimbri - Invading Gaul
• Cimbri - Attacking the Roman Republic
• Cimbri - Defeat
• Cimbri - Culture

Read more here: » Cimbri: Encyclopedia - Cimbri

Reconstructions of the traditions of Germanic paganism began with 19th century Romanticism. From the 1960s, various Neopagan movements based on pre-Christian Germanic faiths have emerged. Heathen (Old Norse heiðinn), the Germanic translation of Latin paganus, is preferred by some adherents as a self-description. In the USA, Ásatrú ("Æsir faith") and Odinism are widely used as a generic term for Germanic paganism, while in Britain, Heathenry, and in Scandinavia Forn Sed ...

Including:

• Germanic neopaganism - Terminology
• Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú
• Germanic neopaganism - Heathen
• Germanic neopaganism - Odinism
• Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr
• Germanic neopaganism - Theodism
• Germanic neopaganism - History
• Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents
• Germanic neopaganism - Factions
• Germanic neopaganism - Tenets
• Germanic neopaganism - Rites
• Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence
• Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism
• Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia - Germanic neopaganism

The völva, vala, wala (Old High German), seiðkona, or wicce was a female priestess or shaman in Norse mythology, and among the Germanic tribes. The word witch is the modern form of wicce. Like women in general, the Völvas practiced the seiðr (shamanism), which was regarded as ergi (unmanly), although there were male practitioners called seiðmaðr (or Wicca in Old English). Also associated with the Völvas were incantations called galdrar (see also the A-S quote below). The V ...

Including:

• Völva - Early possible historic accounts
• Völva - In Old Norse society
• Völva - Other practices
• Völva - Male practitioners
• Völva - Disappearance
• Völva - Reference

Read more here: » Völva: Encyclopedia - Völva

In 1000 AD, Iceland became nominally Christian, although continuation of pagan worship in private was tolerated. Most of Scandinavia was Christianized during the 11th century. Adam von Bremen gives the last report of vigorous Norse paganism. Sometimes, the subjects of a lord who converted to Christianity refused to follow his lead (this happened to the Swedish kings Olof of Sweden, Anund Gårdske and Ingold I) and would sometimes force the lord ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Sacrifice (from a Middle English verb meaning 'to make sacred', from Old French, from Latin sacrificium : sacer, sacred; sacred + facere, to make) is commonly known as the practice of offering food, or the lives of animals or people to the gods, as an act of propitiation or worship. The term is also used metaphorically to describe selfless good deeds for others. Sacrifice - Theologies of sacrifice. The theology of sacrifice remains an issue, not only for religions that continue to practice ritua ...

Including:

• Sacrifice - Theologies of sacrifice
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Judaism
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Islam
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Hinduism
• Sacrifice - Animal sacrifice
• Sacrifice - Human sacrifice
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in Christianity
• Sacrifice - Sacrifice in games

Read more here: » Sacrifice: Encyclopedia - Sacrifice

During the Migration period, Germanic religion was subject to syncretic influence from Christianity and Mediterranean culture (see also Runes). Jordanes' Getica is a 6th century account of the Goths. According to the Getica, the chief god of the Goths was Tiwaz, to whom they sacrificed prisoners of war, hanging their limbs upon trees. Saint Columbanus in the 6th century encountered a beer sacrifice to Woden in Bregenz. In the 8th century, the Saxons venerated an Irminsul (see also Donar's Oak). Charlemagne is re ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Migration Age

Early medieval Scandinavian (Viking Age) paganism is much better documented than its predecessors, notably via the records of Norse mythology, recorded in the Edda, and the Sagas, written in Iceland during 1150 - 1400. Sacrifices were known as Blót, seasonal celebrations where gifts were offered to appropriate gods, and attempts were made to predict the coming season. Similar events were sometimes arrange ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Viking Age

According to Hervarar saga, Gestumblindi was a powerful man in Reidgotaland, i.e. a Goth, who had angered king Heidrek by refusing to pay him tribute. King Heidrek had in his hird twelve men who were entrusted to take care of all the legal disputes in the kingdom. If anyone had any complaint they had the right to approach these men and they would have right to both life and limb on condition that they asked the king a number of riddles that the king could not answer. Heidrek sent a message to Gestumblindi that if he did not appear at the co ...

See also:

Gestumblindi, Gestumblindi - Hervarar saga, Gestumblindi - Gesta Danorum

Read more here: » Gestumblindi: Encyclopedia II - Gestumblindi - Hervarar saga

However, in 103 BC, the Cimbri and their Proto-Germanic allies, the Teutons, had turned to Spain where they pillaged far and wide. During this time C. Marius had the time to prepare and, in 102 BC, he was ready to meet the Teutons and the Ambrones at the Rhône River. These two tribes intended to pass into Italy through the western passes, while the Cimbri and the Tigurines were to take the northern route across the Rhine an ...

See also:

Cimbri, Cimbri - Moving south-east, Cimbri - Invading Gaul, Cimbri - Attacking the Roman Republic, Cimbri - Defeat, Cimbri - Culture

Read more here: » Cimbri: Encyclopedia II - Cimbri - Defeat

The Hebrew Bible generally condemns human sacrifice. In Genesis 22 there is a story about the binding of Isaac. In this story, God tests Abraham by asking him to present his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. No reason is given within the text. Abraham agrees to this command without arguing. According to the text, God does not want Abraham to actually sacrifice his son; it states from the beginning that this is only a test of obedience. The story ends with God stopping Abraham at the last minute and making Isaac's sacrifice unnecessary by providi ...

See also:

Human sacrifice, Human sacrifice - Sacrifice in the classical world, Human sacrifice - Sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible, Human sacrifice - Celtic sacrifice, Human sacrifice - Viking Age sacrifice, Human sacrifice - Chinese sacrifice, Human sacrifice - Mesoamerican sacrifice, Human sacrifice - Modern human sacrifice, Human sacrifice - Books:, Human sacrifice - Links:

Read more here: » Human sacrifice: Encyclopedia II - Human sacrifice - Sacrifice in the Hebrew Bible

Germanic paganism - Caesar. The earliest forms of Germanic religion can only be speculated on based on archaeological evidence and comparative religion. The first written description is in Julius Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico. He contrasts the elaborate religious custom of the Gauls with the primitive German traditions. The Germans differ much from these usages, for they have neither Druids to preside over sacred offices, nor do they pay great regard to sacrifices. They rank in the ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Sources, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Caesar, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Reconstruction, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period

The etymology of "Viking" is somewhat unclear. One path might be from the Old Norse word, vík, meaning "bay," "creek," or "inlet," and the suffix -ing, meaning "coming from" or "belonging to." Thus, viking would be a 'person of the bay', or "bayling" for lack of a better word. In Old Norse, this would be spelled vikingr. Later on, the term, viking, became synonymous with "naval expedition" or "naval raid, and a vikingr was a member of such expeditions. A second etymology suggested that the term is derived from Old English, wíc, ie. "trading city" (cognat ...

See also:

Viking, Viking - Etymology, Viking - Historical records, Viking - Adam of Bremen, Viking - Rune stones, Viking - Icelandic sagas, Viking - 13th century, Viking - Viking ships and Viking longships, Viking - The Viking Age, Viking - The Viking invasions: a commercial war?, Viking - Decline, Viking - Modern revivals, Viking - Romanticism, Viking - Fascism, Viking - Living History, Viking - Myths about Vikings, Viking - Horned helmets, Viking - Skull cups, Viking - Uncleanliness, Viking - Famous Vikings, Viking - Books, Viking - Movies, Viking - Culture, Viking - Historians, Viking - Archaeology, Viking - Place names, Viking - Military, Viking - Popular Culture, Viking - Bibliography

Read more here: » Viking: Encyclopedia II - Viking - Etymology