The Kilted Heathen
Crow FreyjasmaðR
"Gods of War". This is a term often used to described deities such as Odin, Thor, Tyr, and even Freyja. It calls to mind violent beings, constantly in conflict, who have nothing to offer but war and death. Yet for those who know the Gods, this is known not to be true.
The Gods are not "of war," but rather they use their skills to aid in war, either for good or ill. Let us explore this.
Odin - He is a wanderer, a poet. A seeker of wisdom and teller of tales. During the Winter months, he rides the skies, battling and detaining the chaotic forces of death that plague and ravage the Earth. He counsels people of all statures, knows how to cure any ailment or illness, and rewards the honored slain with glory and peace. In regards to war, he counsels leaders on wise actions. He advises for cautious and measured behavior. He guides and teaches shamanic warriors such as Berserkers and Ulfhedinn. He inspires the record of war - our lessons of history - so that we might learn from our mistakes and triumphs. He aids our war, receives some when they fall, but leaves our war to us.
Thor - The defender of Midgard. As he is not the most clever of the Norse Gods, Thor is a prime candidate for honesty and loyalty. He mistrusts most magics, instead relying more on his own strength. He protects our homes, our crops, our communities and our laws. He opposes chaos, and strives to set right the balance. His hammer, Mjolnir, is as much a tool as it is a weapon; it builds as well as destroys. For our wars, we gain his protection against outside harm or forces. By his example, we defend our homes and our communities, and we find our own strengths to use.
Tyr - The embodiment of justice and self-sacrifice. Once the Chieftain of the Aesir, Tyr sacrificed his hand to contain Fenrir - the embodiment of rage - and retain cosmic order. Through his example, we can learn the importance of sacrificing our own comforts or person for the wellbeing of all. We give up our authority when the time comes, and strive for the just treatment of our soldiers, our citizens, and even our prisoners. Rage is imprisoned for justice and order.
Freyja - The Lady, patron of love, fertility, and magic. Often called the "Queen of Witches", Freyja deals in all things woman. She is the one who introduced Odin to magic, and taught him all she knows. She told him of the Runes hidden in Vanaheim, and set him on his Shamanic quest. She presides over bees, and her essence is in all honey. For our wars, she gifts the fighting spirit of women, and leads the Valkyries to the battlefield to bring the honored dead to Asgard. Their example drives women during war, and provides comfort to the wounded and dying.
While the Gods do certainly fight - the Aesir-Vanir war being one such example - it is certainly not all that they do.
The Gods are not "of war," but rather they use their skills to aid in war, either for good or ill. Let us explore this.
Odin - He is a wanderer, a poet. A seeker of wisdom and teller of tales. During the Winter months, he rides the skies, battling and detaining the chaotic forces of death that plague and ravage the Earth. He counsels people of all statures, knows how to cure any ailment or illness, and rewards the honored slain with glory and peace. In regards to war, he counsels leaders on wise actions. He advises for cautious and measured behavior. He guides and teaches shamanic warriors such as Berserkers and Ulfhedinn. He inspires the record of war - our lessons of history - so that we might learn from our mistakes and triumphs. He aids our war, receives some when they fall, but leaves our war to us.
Thor - The defender of Midgard. As he is not the most clever of the Norse Gods, Thor is a prime candidate for honesty and loyalty. He mistrusts most magics, instead relying more on his own strength. He protects our homes, our crops, our communities and our laws. He opposes chaos, and strives to set right the balance. His hammer, Mjolnir, is as much a tool as it is a weapon; it builds as well as destroys. For our wars, we gain his protection against outside harm or forces. By his example, we defend our homes and our communities, and we find our own strengths to use.
Tyr - The embodiment of justice and self-sacrifice. Once the Chieftain of the Aesir, Tyr sacrificed his hand to contain Fenrir - the embodiment of rage - and retain cosmic order. Through his example, we can learn the importance of sacrificing our own comforts or person for the wellbeing of all. We give up our authority when the time comes, and strive for the just treatment of our soldiers, our citizens, and even our prisoners. Rage is imprisoned for justice and order.
Freyja - The Lady, patron of love, fertility, and magic. Often called the "Queen of Witches", Freyja deals in all things woman. She is the one who introduced Odin to magic, and taught him all she knows. She told him of the Runes hidden in Vanaheim, and set him on his Shamanic quest. She presides over bees, and her essence is in all honey. For our wars, she gifts the fighting spirit of women, and leads the Valkyries to the battlefield to bring the honored dead to Asgard. Their example drives women during war, and provides comfort to the wounded and dying.
While the Gods do certainly fight - the Aesir-Vanir war being one such example - it is certainly not all that they do.
