I am a little stumped for this challenge. I thought about working with runes, but I want to do something different. I’m leaning more towards approaching a new deity… Freyja.
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CHALLENGE ENTRY
I do not work with Norse deities but do have a bit of an affection for the Norse traditions. My ancestry DNA result showed a bit of Scandinavian blood in me as well, perhaps from when the vikings invaded us all those years ago 
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I studied the Vikings in history at school and now teach it as part of history in my own class. The TV series Vikings reignited my interest a few years ago as well - the character Floki was an interesting one: he worshipped Loki and even considered himself a descendant. Other deities make an appearence throughout in visions and dreams. Its well worth a watch.
Image from TV Trope
Here is my collection of Norse inspired jewellery:
I dont wear it much now but there are days when i feel compelled to wear the bracelt or carry the hammer in my pocket.
I used to cast runes every week for the week ahead. I made my own runes from wood and a wood burning pen. The 1, 2 or 3 dots under each run was my way of reminding myself if they were part of Freyr’s, Hagal’s or Tyr’s Aert. I love the mystery of them and the idea that they are more than just an alphabet. I have fallen away from this but do sometimes have the urge to cast them. I also have bind runes for protection and safe travel. One is in my car and one is on my suitcase.
I also have these books. They are myth based rather than practice based. I just love mythology from all civilisations:
A little bit more tongue in cheek but a theme park i visit a lot has a ride called Valhalla. It takes you on a “journey” through ice and fire (and gets you soaking wet!). Great fun but also a nice insight into norse mythology. Here is a photo from a couple of weeks ago (me front left with 3 friends - 1 beside and 2 behind):
I also have the hoodie. Love a bit of merchandise
While not technically in my practice, I hope this shows how Norse traditions are still part of my life, even in little ways or when having fun.
Blessed be
Alan
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Challenge Entry - Nordic Traditions and Magick
This isn’t a pantheon I’ve worked with before and don’t know the lore very well so this challenge would be working outside my wheelhouse.
I decided to combine a current personal quest and this challenge using things I already know and am comfortable working with - Runes, Tarot and Meditation.
The first thing I did was to create:
Runic transformation ritual
- I chose the runes Dagaz (representing dawn, transformation, and clarity) and Eihwaz (representing endurance, resilience, transformation, and connection between life and death).
- I cleansed my space with palo santo and meditated for a few minutes to ground myself.
- Then I invoked the Norse gods, tracing the rune patterns in my mind and asking for help releasing old pattern and embracing new possibilities.
Tarot Spread inspired by the Norns
The Norns are the Norse goddesses of fate. From the brief research I looked into some sources say they are associated with past, present and future while others maintain they are only associated with fate and destiny.
I chose to do a three-card spread and to use the past/present/future aspect.
- Urd (Past) - What past influences need to be acknowledged or released?
- Verdandi (Present) - What current changes are happening and how should they be approached?
- Skuld (Future) - What future opportunities or challenges will arise from embracing change?
I chose my The Raven’s Dream tarot deck as it seemed the most appropriate one for this task.
And as always my lack of confidence in reading tarot publically prevails and I won’t be sharing my interpretation.
Yggdrasil Meditation for Embracing Change
Yggdrasil, the World Tree, connects all realms and represents the interconnectedness of life and cycles of change.
I have included the meditation along with some images I created for it
Yggdrasil Meditation for Embracing Change
Close your eyes and begin to visualize roots growing from your feet, reaching deep into the earth and connecting you to Midgard, the realm of humans. Feel the stability and grounding energy of these roots as they intertwine with the roots of Yggdrasil, the immense World Tree. Picture yourself standing at the base of this ancient tree, feeling its powerful presence. The bark is rough and strong under your touch, and you can sense the pulsating life energy within it.
(AI Generated)
Imagine descending into the roots of Yggdrasil. The air becomes cooler and more earthy as you move downward, finding yourself in a cavernous space where the Norns—Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld—reside. These wise beings weave the threads of fate beside a well of shimmering water. Approach Urd, who holds the threads of the past. Her presence is ancient and wise. Ask her to reveal past influences that still affect you, visualizing these influences as threads of light or shadow. Thank Urd for her wisdom.
Next, move to Verdandi, who weaves the threads of the present. Her energy is vibrant and dynamic. Ask her to show you the changes happening now, seeing these changes as bright, moving threads. Thank Verdandi for her insights. Finally, approach Skuld, who holds the threads of the future. Her aura is mysterious and full of potential. Ask her what future transformations await you, visualizing these as glowing, potential-filled threads. Thank Skuld for her guidance.
(AI Generated)
Visualize yourself moving upwards through the trunk of Yggdrasil. The bark is sturdy and supportive, and the light changes as you ascend, filtering through the leaves. Reach a broad, strong branch representing Midgard. Stand on this branch, looking out over the vast expanse of the world. Reflect on your current life and the changes you are experiencing. Feel the branch supporting you as you navigate these transformations.
(AI Generated)
Continue climbing, feeling the air becoming lighter and more ethereal. The leaves rustle softly, whispering ancient secrets. Ascend to the high branches where Asgard, the realm of the gods, resides. The atmosphere here is filled with a golden light. Imagine meeting Odin, the All-Father, sitting by a wise old oak. He looks at you with deep, knowing eyes. Ask Odin for guidance on how to embrace and navigate your current changes. Listen to his advice, which might come as words, images, or feelings. Feel his wisdom infusing your being, offering you strength and clarity.
(AI Generated)
Gently guide yourself back down through the branches, past the trunk, and finally to the roots. The journey downward is smooth, and you carry with you the wisdom and insights gained. Reconnect with the roots of Yggdrasil, feeling the grounding energy once again. Collect any final insights and messages from the journey. Thank the spirits and deities for their guidance.
Reaffirm your connection with Midgard, feeling the earth’s stability beneath you. Take a few deep breaths, slowly bringing yourself back to full awareness.
and last but not least I created a
Bind Rune for Accepting Change
I chose Dagaz, Eihwaz, and Raido (journey) and created a combined symbol that I will hand-drawn and laminate to carry with me.
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Absolutely gorgeous 
I hope the energies you’ve requested give the power you need for your journey. I love this.
Ps: there’s so much in that bind rune, I see also 
…
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On the note of Norse runes, I was just reading about them and not sure if read correct but my birthday is 14th July and I saw the Fehu rune came up and then I looked more into this and discovered this is also a rune associated with Freya. Can someone tell me if I am correct. Seems a happy coincidence that Freya is my deity.
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I love the D&D Pantheon explanations especially the alignments. For non-players L=lawful N=neutral, C= chaotic, G=good, N=neutral, and E=evil.
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Yes this is Freya rune. Here’s a link, it’s all about Freya and if you scroll down to the rune section it’ll tell you about her and the runic connection.
Bless
The above link might not work by the way, or it could just be my phone
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2 posts were split to a new topic: External Links Not Working
Beautiful work my friend. I book marked this my friend 
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Beautiful @Artemisia , bookmarked it
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Amazing so crazy had not realised until now, I defo think that Freya is meant to be for me 
I will do some more reading.
Oh and the link worked
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I have created a morning ritual of drawing a Rune from my Moonly App each morning. Today’s draw was perfectly situated for the day.
I wonder who the Birch Goddess is?
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@crystal5 According to Kveldulf Gundarsson, she is the Great Mother, the goddess worshipped as Nerthus by the early Germanic people, also known as Holda on the continent and was split into Hel and Freya in the Norse countries.
The link will work if you open in your browser.
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I am working with Odin for this challenge because wolfes and crows seem to br my totems these days…
I have been doing lots of research and not much sleeping… sigh. But gathering knowledge like Odin… did you know there is an Odin religion 
?
Check out this book it was written thr year i was born in 1978
The Religion of Odin: A handbook
(If you open in your browser and not the app, it should work. Thank for the tip @tracyS)
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@celineelise Interesting, yes I clicked on the link, I found this interesting:
This book is about the Old Norse god Odin. It includes references to all occurrences of Odin in the Old Norse/Icelandic texts, including Saxo’s Gesta Danorum, the eddic poems, Snorri’s Edda, and Ynglinga saga and analyses the high medieval reception and literary representations of Odin.
This is the only existing study of Odin in all the Old Norse/Icelandic texts and applies a contextual method: the different guises of Odin are studied on the basis of the various textual contexts and on their background in the literary and Christian intellectual milieu of the time. Contrary to existing studies, this method is non-reductive in that it does not aim at providing a synthesis about Odin’s original nature on the basis of the differing textual uses of Odin in the Middle Ages.
If you like Odin you may like this guys YouTube channel. He’s very good.
And thankyou too.
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@Cosmic_Curiosity I’ve just started watching Vikings. 
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Love your entry beautiful runes and jewelry 
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So many good entries you guys and gals are going ham 
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Your the the Norse goddess 
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Aww sweet of you, thankyou. I’d be a useless goddess though for the Vikings, I get sea sick
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