A Wisdom Archive on Norse Paganism

Norse paganism - Centres of faith. The Germanic tribes rarely or never had temples in a modern sense. The Blót, the form of worship practiced by the ancient Germanic and Scandinavian people resembled that of the Celts and Balts : it could occur in sacred groves. It could also take place at home and/or at a simple altar of piled stones known as a "horgr". However, there seems to have been a few more important centres, such as Skiringsal, Lejre and Uppsala. Adam of Bremen claims that there was a temple in Uppsala (see Temple at Uppsala) with three wooden statues of Thor, Odin and Freyr. ...

Read more here: » Norse paganism: Encyclopedia II - Norse paganism - Worship

Most, if not all, of the written material about the Norse religion are derived from written accounts far later than when the religion was practiced, and well into the Christian period. This is when the lines blurred between Norse pre-Christian religion and a demonized or romanticized Norse mythology. Norse religion was a cultural phenomenon, and like most pre-literate folk beliefs, the practitioners probably did not have a name for their religion, until they came into contact with outsiders or competitors. Therefore, the only titles bestowed ...

Read more here: » Norse paganism: Encyclopedia II - Norse paganism - Literary Sources

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

In Norse mythology, Mjolnir (also commonly spelled Mjollnir; literally, "that which crushes") is the Hammer of Thor, the god of lightning and thunder. It is the most fearsome weapon in the arsenal of the Norse pantheon, used to slay any challengers to Æsir supremacy. Legend surrounding the war hammer’s origins vary: some relate that 'The Black Elves', or dwarves, Sindri and Brokk made it at the behest of the calculating Loki; other tales contend that it descended to earth as a meteorite. Consequently, many Norse pagans believed tha ... Including:

• Mjolnir - Norse myth
• Mjolnir - Culture
• Mjolnir - Other spellings

Read more here: » Mjolnir: Encyclopedia - Mjolnir

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

Odin is considered the highest god in Norse mythology and Norse paganism. His role, like many of the Norse pantheon, is complex: he is god of both wisdom and war. He is also attested as being a god of magic, poetry, victory, and the hunt. His name is, in Old Norse, Óðinn. Although its precise meaning is debated, the name is thought to be related to the word óðr, meaning "excitation" or "fury". Worship of Odin dates to Proto-Germanic paganism, and the names Old English (and Old Saxon) Wōden; Old ... Including:

• Odin - Etymology
• Odin - General characteristics
• Odin - Odin and Mercury
• Odin - Celtic parallels
• Odin - Eddaic Odin
• Odin - Attributes
• Odin - Names
• Odin - Anglo-Saxon Woden
• Odin - Worship
• Odin - Sacrifices
• Odin - Shamanic traits
• Odin - Odin and Jesus
• Odin - Medieval reception
• Odin - Persisting beliefs in Odin
• Odin - Modern age
• Odin - Notes
• Odin - Literature

Read more here: » Odin: Encyclopedia - Odin

The Odinic Rite (OR) is a Germanic pagan reconstructivist society whose aims are to promote all aspects of Germanic paganism, termed Odinism after the chief god of Norse mythology, Odin. Influenced by Else Christensen's Odinist Fellowship, The Odinic Rite was founded in 1973 in England under the name "Committee for the Restoration of the Odinic Rite / Odinist Committee". In 1980 the organisation changed its name to "The Odinic Rite" after it was believed that it had gained enough significan ... Including:

• Odinic Rite - Nine Noble Virtues
• Odinic Rite - Nine Charges

Read more here: » Odinic Rite: Encyclopedia - Odinic Rite