Nerthus- Lady of Earth
Lady of Earth
I knelt frightened, a pup as you called me You sheltered me in your blanket, warmed me against chill glares. I intruded on your space yet you freely made room. Always welcomed by your soft glance Gladdened I am by your smile. Lady of Earth You stroked my hair, brushed dirt from my cheeks A bowl of soup such simple frith you gave to allay my tears. Your home was open, your children became friends. Always welcomed by your soft glance My heart soars by your smile. Nerthus, accept my gratitude for all you have done, accept my love for all that you are, accept my devotion for all that you do. -- -- ----- -- -- ----- I often see Nerthus accompanied by at least a couple of children. She is quite a good Mother, as could be expected from a Vanir Earth Goddess. While we are at it- let's talk about the Children of the Gods- those who will be the Gods of Tomorrow. I think it reasonable that just because the 'standard' literature stopped being written hundreds of years ago doesn't mean the Gods stopped behaving as They did. Their lives continue on. They have fights, They make up. They get married, They divorce. They have children. I would be saddened if someone told me it couldn't be true. That would mean I worship and love static Gods. |
Painting by Louis Nyiri- Lady in Brown Dress- fair approximation of how Nerthus appears to me.Nerthus was the first Goddess with which I connected. She showed me great kindness in a moment of fear. In a sense, I emotionally clung to Her as a lost child will to a kind woman who offers assistance.
I understand there are many who never see Her face. It has never been that way for me. She has a kind face, one that enables trust- at least for me. Interestingly, and something I have never seen written of elsewhere, I usually see Her in proximity with Heimdallr. I likely wouldn't have met Her otherwise. More on Nerthus: Our Troth Gangleri: Deity of the Month- Nerthus Nerthus Shrine- very nice! |
Nerthus and Seid
Nerthus is Freya's mother- the Goddess often associated with Seidhr. Like mother like daughter I say!! I also associate Nerthus with owls. Owls, within many traditions, are associated with witchcraft. Nerthus has often given me owl feathers and such. Of course, having raptor parts is illegal so naturally I am not to keep them.
If I could keep them though I would probably incorporate them into a seidhr head covering. Just imagine it- a veil of owl feathers, claws, and beaks. Would be a thing of wonder.
If I could keep them though I would probably incorporate them into a seidhr head covering. Just imagine it- a veil of owl feathers, claws, and beaks. Would be a thing of wonder.
Roots
I usually see Nerthus in human form but have seen Her differently. I had gone to see Her and long story short was sucked into the ground under the trees. I could see the dirt, the rotting leaves, the underground insect and animals, the decay, the fertility, and the tree roots. It was all Her, she surrounded me. We talked and during the conversation Her roots continually probed me, entering and exiting my body, in my ear, my mouth, out my eyes, etc.
It wasn't horrific though as you may think. For the first split second I felt the pressure but have learned to give with it, to trust. Then I was amazed at the sense of Her but was able to focus and talk, be talked to. What I was left with other than our discussion was a high reverance for the earth, for terra matter, one that will never leave and I will always be reminded of every time I step outside. As a post note- I should say when I told Loki about Nerthus 'sucking me into the earth' as I put it he laughed and said, "It's funny how you interpret things!' So- who knows.
Picture from: http://fractalangel-stock.deviantart.com/art/Roots-stock-46094515
It wasn't horrific though as you may think. For the first split second I felt the pressure but have learned to give with it, to trust. Then I was amazed at the sense of Her but was able to focus and talk, be talked to. What I was left with other than our discussion was a high reverance for the earth, for terra matter, one that will never leave and I will always be reminded of every time I step outside. As a post note- I should say when I told Loki about Nerthus 'sucking me into the earth' as I put it he laughed and said, "It's funny how you interpret things!' So- who knows.
Picture from: http://fractalangel-stock.deviantart.com/art/Roots-stock-46094515