Irmin was the war god of the Saxons, son of Mannus, and ancestor of the tribe of the Herminones. The Old Norse form of Irmin was Jörmun and interestingly, just like Ygg, it was one of the names of Odin. Yggdrasil was the yew or ash tree from which Odin sacrificed himself, and which connected heaven and earth. It appears, thus, that Irminsul may have represented a World tree corresponding to Yggdrasil among the Saxon tribes of Germany. The holy yew at the temple at Uppsala mentioned by Adam von Bremen (11th centur ...

See also:

Irminsul, Irminsul - Overview, Irminsul - Neopaganism, Irminsul - Literature

Read more here: » Irminsul: Encyclopedia II - Irminsul - Overview

See also:

Thor's Oak, Thor's Oak - History

Read more here: » Thor's Oak: Encyclopedia II - Thor's Oak - History

The tree stood at a location near the village of Geismar, today part of the town of Fritzlar, and was the main point of veneration of the Germanic deity Thor by the Catti and most other German tribes. Its felling in 723 marked the beginning of the Christianization of the non-Frankish Germans. In 723, the Anglo-Saxon missionary Winfrid -- later called St. Boniface, Apostle of the Germans -- arrived in the area in his quest to convert the northern German tribes, using as his base the Frankish fortified settlement of Büraburg on the opp ...

See also:

Thor's Oak, Thor's Oak - History

Read more here: » Thor's Oak: Encyclopedia II - Thor's Oak - History

In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil (actually Yggdrasill [ˈygˌdrasil:]; the extra -l is a nominative case marker) also sometimes called Mimameid or Lerad was the "World tree", a gigantic tree, thought to connect all the nine worlds of Norse cosmology. It is often suggested to be an ash tree, an interpretation generally accepted in the modern Scandinavian mind. Another possibility is that the tree was formerly conceived of as a yew, consistent with its Eddic ...

Including:

• Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names
• Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda
• Yggdrasil - Popular culture

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia - Yggdrasil

Wilhelm Teudt (1860 – 1942) was a völkisch lay archaeologist searching for an ancient Germanic civilization. His 1929 work Germanische Heiligtümer continues to have some currency in esoteric and neopagan communities. Teudt was particularly interested in the Externsteine, which he suggested was the location of the Saxon Irminsul. He trusted in his paranormal faculty of picking up the "vibrations" of his ancestors helping him visualize ancient sceneries of the sites he was researching. Teudt joined the NSDAP aged 73, in 1933.

Read more here: » Wilhelm Teudt: Encyclopedia - Wilhelm Teudt

The most commonly accepted etymology of the name is ygg "terrible" + drasil "steed". Yggr is taken to be an epithet of Odin, giving a meaning of "Odin's steed", taken to refer to the nine nights Odin is said to have spent hanging from the tree in order find the runes. The gallows are sometimes described in Old Norse poetry as the "horse of the hanged." Another interpretation of the name is "terrible horse", i. e. the association with Odin may be secondary. A third interpretation, with etymological difficulties, is "yew-c ...

See also:

Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names, Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda, Yggdrasil - Popular culture

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia II - Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names

Three roots supported the trunk, with one passing through Asgard, one through Jotunheim and one through Helheim. Beneath the Asgard root lay the sacred Well of Urd (Urðabrunnr), and there dwelt the three Nornir, over whom even the gods had no power, and who, every day, watered the tree from the primeval fountain, so that its boughs remained green. Beneath the Jotunheim root lay the spring or well of Mimir (Mímisbrunnr); and beneath the Helheim root t ...

See also:

Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names, Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda, Yggdrasil - Popular culture

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia II - Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

The most commonly accepted etymology of the name is ygg "terrible" + drasil "steed". Yggr is taken to be an epithet of Odin, giving a meaning of "Odin's steed", taken to refer to the nine nights Odin is said to have spent hanging from the tree in order find the runes. The gallows are sometimes described in Old Norse poetry as the "horse of the hanged." Another interpretation of the name is "terrible horse", i. e. the association with Odin may be secondary. A third interpretation, with etymological difficulties, is "yew-c ...

See also:

Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names, Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia II - Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names

Three roots supported the trunk, with one passing through Asgard, one through Jotunheim and one through Helheim. Beneath the Asgard root lay the sacred Well of Urd (Urðabrunnr), and there dwelt the three Nornir, over whom even the gods had no power, and who, every day, watered the tree from the primeval fountain, so that its boughs remained green. Beneath the Jotunheim root lay the spring or well of Mimir (Mímisbrunnr); and beneath the Helheim root t ...

See also:

Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names, Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia II - Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

The wars began with a Frankish invasion of Saxon territory and the subjugation of the Engrians and destruction of their sacred symbol Irminsul near Paderborn in 772 or 773. Irminsul was a hollow tree trunk, presumably representing the pillar supporting the skies—similar to the Nordic tree Yggdrasil. Charlemagne's campaign led all the way to the Weser river and destroyed several major Saxon strongholds. After negotiating with some Saxon nobles and obtaining hostages, Charlemagne turned his attention to his war against the Lombards in northe ...

See also:

Saxon Wars, Saxon Wars - First phase, Saxon Wars - Final phase, Saxon Wars - Sources

Read more here: » Saxon Wars: Encyclopedia II - Saxon Wars - First phase

While the early Christianization of the Goths, the Irish, the Franks and the Alamanni was achieved by peaceful missionary activity, facilitated by the prestige of the Christian Roman Empire among European pagans, in the Middle Ages, conversion of remaining Germanic pagans was less peaceful. Charlemagne in the 8th century converted Saxon pagans by force. In 772 he destroyed their Irminsul, and in 782 he ordered t ...

See also:

Persecution of Heathens, Persecution of Heathens - Middle Ages, Persecution of Heathens - Nazi Persecution, Persecution of Heathens - Contemporary

Read more here: » Persecution of Heathens: Encyclopedia II - Persecution of Heathens - Middle Ages

While the early Christianization of the various Germanic peoples was achieved by various means, and was partly facilitated by the prestige of the Christian Roman Empire amongst European pagans. The rise of Germanic Christianity was, thus, mainly due to voluntary conversion, from the 8th century on the Continent mainly pursued by the Anglo-Saxon mission. In some instances, however, conversion was forceful. Charlemagne in the course of the Saxon Wars converted Saxon pagans by force. In 772 he destroyed their Irminsul, and in 782 he allegedly o ...

See also:

Persecution of Heathens, Persecution of Heathens - Middle Ages, Persecution of Heathens - Nazi Persecution, Persecution of Heathens - Contemporary

Read more here: » Persecution of Heathens: Encyclopedia II - Persecution of Heathens - Middle Ages

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

There seems to have been a belief in a World tree, which in Germanic mythology was an ash tree (Norse Yggdrasil; Irminsul), in Hinduism a banyan tree, in Lithuanian mythology Jievaras and an oak tree in Slavic mythology. Although this concept is absent from Greek mythology, there is also a later folk tradition about the World Tree, which is being sawed by the Kallikantzaroi (Greek goblins), perhaps a reborrowing from other peoples. One common myth which can be found among almost all Indo-European mythologies is a battle ending with th ...

See also:

Proto-Indo-European religion, Proto-Indo-European religion - Priests, Proto-Indo-European religion - Pantheon, Proto-Indo-European religion - Mythology, Proto-Indo-European religion - Development, Proto-Indo-European religion - Notes

Read more here: » Proto-Indo-European religion: Encyclopedia II - Proto-Indo-European religion - Mythology

STANG: A forked ritual staff usually of Ash wood that serves as an altar -- additionally it is a physical representation of the World Tree or Irminsul showing the illusion of duality, as well as being a staff of office for the coven Magister or Magistra. Also functions as a simple walking stick and early versions were used to mark ley lines and used as tools to survey the surrounding countryside.

(See also: STANG, Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

GODSTONE: Refers to the phallic standing stones (found at Crossroads and along certain Ghost Roads - also known as God Stanes) and representative of the World Tree, the Irminsul, as well as the Human Spine. The Stone encompasses the Heavens or Chimeri, the UnderWorld or Elphame as well as the mundane earthly realms we currently inhabit.

(See also: GODSTONE, Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

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

Charlemagne (c.742 or 747–28 January 814) (also Charles the Great; from Latin, Carolus Magnus or Karolus Magnus) was the king of the Franks from 768 to 814 and king of the Lombards from 774 to 781. He was crowned Imperator Augustus in Rome on Christmas Day, 800 by Pope Leo III and is therefore regarded as the founder of the Holy Roman Empire, a reincarnation of the ancient Western Roman Empire. Through military conquest and defence, he solidified and expanded his realm to cover most of Western Euro ...

Including:

• Charlemagne - Background
• Charlemagne - Date and place of birth
• Charlemagne - Life
• Charlemagne - Early life
• Charlemagne - Joint rule
• Charlemagne - Conquest of Lombardy
• Charlemagne - Saxon campaigns
• Charlemagne - Spanish campaign
• Charlemagne - Imperator
• Charlemagne - Administration
• Charlemagne - Death
• Charlemagne - Cultural significance
• Charlemagne - Charlemagne's personal appearance
• Charlemagne - Family
• Charlemagne - Marriages and Heirs
• Charlemagne - Concubinages and Bastards
• Charlemagne - Sources

Read more here: » Charlemagne: Encyclopedia - Charlemagne

Much of what is known of Charlemagne's life comes from his biographer, Einhard, who wrote a Vita Caroli Magni (or Vita Karoli Magni), which translates The Life of Charlemagne. Charlemagne - Early life. Charlemagne was the eldest child of Pippin the Short (714 – 24 September 768, reigned from 751) and his wife Bertrada of Laon (720 – 12 July 783), daughter of Caribert of Laon and Bertrada of Cologne. He was the elder brother of Carloman and Gisela. Some sources indicate that he was ...

See also:

Charlemagne, Charlemagne - Background, Charlemagne - Date and place of birth, Charlemagne - Personal appearance, Charlemagne - Dress, Charlemagne - Life, Charlemagne - Early life, Charlemagne - Joint rule, Charlemagne - Conquest of Lombardy, Charlemagne - Saxon campaigns, Charlemagne - Spanish campaign, Charlemagne - Charles and his children, Charlemagne - During the Saxon peace, Charlemagne - Avar campaigns, Charlemagne - The Saracens and Spain, Charlemagne - Imperator, Charlemagne - Danish attacks, Charlemagne - Death, Charlemagne - Administration, Charlemagne - Monetary reforms, Charlemagne - Learning, Charlemagne - Writing reforms, Charlemagne - Political organisation, Charlemagne - The division of the empire, Charlemagne - Cultural significance, Charlemagne - Family, Charlemagne - Marriages and Heirs, Charlemagne - Concubinages and Bastards, Charlemagne - Notes, Charlemagne - Sources

Read more here: » Charlemagne: Encyclopedia II - Charlemagne - Life

List of famous trees - Africa. Arbre du Ténéré, a very isolated tree in the Sahara region. List of famous trees - Asia. The Bodhi tree, a Sacred Fig tree under which Buddha is supposed to have been enlightened, at Bodh Gaya, India. The Sri Maha Bodhi tree, propagated from the Bodhi tree, planted in 288 BC at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The 450 year-old giant banyan tree at Adyar in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India in the grounds of the Theosophical ...

See also:

List of famous trees, List of famous trees - Real individual trees, List of famous trees - Africa, List of famous trees - Asia, List of famous trees - Europe, List of famous trees - North America, List of famous trees - Oceania, List of famous trees - Mythological and religious, List of famous trees - Fictional

Read more here: » List of famous trees: Encyclopedia II - List of famous trees - Real individual trees