Thoughts - Northern Gods

Performing a blot with a scram is a norm, there were times when,experimentally, we replaced it with a hammer, as a symbol of Thor in a Thor blot. Did it change the outcome in a different way to use of a scram? Not apparently. Did it change the aesthetic? Yes. As a symbol of Thor it made the blot more his, in a symbolic way.  The scram would have been more earthy in the sense that the ancestors would have been using this type of item. If it was important to use the scram to cut the asperge broom (pine/yew/spruce etc) and then for continuity use the same instrument in the ritual, then the hammer cannot obviously create that.  For an Odin blot, we used a spear. It isn't attested historically, though it really seemed correct.  With the ubiquitous nature of the axe in northern hands, I'm wondrous how this might have been worked in. Could the axe have been used in place of a scram? I don't know. 

  Everyone has heard of Valhalla. But that's just ONE of the many, mighty halls of the gods. What about this one: Sessrumnir - The Hall of Freyja in Folkvanga. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fólkvangr I do wonder how these destination halls are populated, are they infinite, only for the best warriors, or the few they like best or their most loyal servants.  It's also quite tantalizing to imagine that the ancient bronze age Hellenic pantheons also had their hallways, represented by actual temples on the earthly plane.  The image is of 'Viking Hall' - a fine mod on Skyrim SE, which I play incessantly.

Interesting confirmation! https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/vikings-were-in-north-america-by-1021-ce/  

 This was a fine birthday gift from my wife, made by a master crafter on Etsy I believe. With the plague around us, I haven't even had a chance to wear it anywhere deserving; like my other wonderful things that I have sitting around the place.

I'm not an expert at anything 'northern' or 'heathen'; my expertise is in the cultus of the Greek Maiden of Athens, Goddess Athena in her many variations. But I'm a northern European, whose parents were from Birmingham, England and whose parents before them were from Northamptonshire. My paternal name is Osborne, whose roots are in both 'As' and 'Bjorn', so somewhere along the line there's a connection. On the other side, Maynar(d) which is a Norman name.   I'm interested in Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, their religions and their combat styles, panoplies and mentalities. To a lesser extent their European mainland relatives too. I can't discuss much about what I'm studying, as there's always too much to debate and I'm not open to ideas outside the actual academic texts at the moment, when I'm skilled and knowledge filled, perhaps.      Out of the Norse Gods, I like Heimdall for his duteous nature and guardianship. I r

  Tyr Hail Tyr, Ancient Father-Friend, When we came fickle-forth, Into the wild woods and shadowed vales, We had no hope in our hearts. We ran through the forest, pursued: Worg Wolf, Giant Bear, and Two Head Terror -Troll. No weapons were in our grasp. Our forms were faint. Then Tyr, you came to us in our darkness. You placed strength in our limbs, And a spark of fire in our heart. A small hope kindled in our darkness-day. And Glittering Bronze appeared in our hand, A shard of sharpness: You then taught men victory. Tooth-wild still, they now fear Man. And man laughs—the gift of Tyr, Has grown within his soul. He has high courage, the deepest joy of Tyr. By Bright Spear and Grinding Axe, Shining Sword and Scram, Valor marks Tyr's man.  By O.G Osborne 12/02/2018    

Heimdall Wise Guardian, Of the High Wall, Rare of Speech, Listener to All. That All Might Slumber, Weather woe you don, Through hail and freeze, Till times are done. Shining Guardian, Gold and Bright, Son of Nine And friend of mine. Some might go to Valhalla’s Vault. And Some to Freya’s Field. Few do speak of Heimdall's Hall, Himinbjorg upon the wall. Quiet place of guardian souls, Where sentinels poem and rhyme, Here forever through all time, Shall hang this humble skjold of mine.       Poem for Heimdall, by O.G.Osborne, 27th February 2018.