Happy Spring

Recently, in preparation for a video taped interview, I was asked to read certain excerpts of my books; I had to decline. The fact is, I really suck at reading .... out loud.  There is no reason that comes to my mind other than I just suck at reading anything out loud to any size audience.  If you ever get the chance, ask my grandchildren.  But that got me to thinking about one of the passages.  I like it.  Here it is for your reading enjoyment, without having to listen to me pause, stumble, and fumble with my own words (hey - I am getting new glasses!).  This bit comes from In Defense of Paganism and Heathenry - The Old Ways, pages 12, 13, 14, and 15..... found in my last book, The View - One Man's Living Asatru With Help From The Havamal.  

Some folks consider Charlemagne to be one of the bloodiest rulers in recorded history.  One of his targets of opportunity was the German Saxons.  .................. In 782 CE, Charlemagne ordered the deaths of close to 4,500 Saxon prisoners.  ......... One of these was a conversion law.  The conquered had to convert to Christianity; noncompliance meant death.  ..........

History is written and rewritten by the victors.  Metals, peerage, and sainthood were awarded to the conquerors.  In this case, the victors were right and the vanquished were not just wrong but eternally damned; Pagans and Heathens have been damned since day one of Monotheism in general.  

The Pagans and Heathens of the past were extremely tolerant of strangers that came into their mist and of their religious beliefs. ........

Beliefs that all life is interconnected and that we are responsible for our words and deeds ( known to some as Wyrd and Orlog) are easier to accept than .............. Being held responsible for our words and deeds eliminates the need for excessive dogma.  Reconnecting to the past  ............... makes more sense than Christianity.  

* In the past I have used the phrase, "Constantine's Choice" when referring to how Christianity received a much needed boost from politicians.  I tried to keep it simple.  But the truth is, it was not just Constantine but several emperors of Rome who helped to push things along.  In February of 313 CE, Constantine, the western Roman Emperor, and Licinius, the eastern Roman Emperor met in Milan and issued a statement, usually referred to as the Edict of Milan.  This move legitimized all sects of Christianity. ............. this led to the tremendous infighting among the various sects........ In 325 CE, Constantine was disturbed enough by this infighting that he ordered all the Bishops to meet in Nicaea and along with his royal presence, he hoped to hammer away at the differences.  All that came out of the Council of Nicaea was the condemnation of Arius and his version of Christianity, and the Doctrine of the Trinity.  ..................... In 380 CE, Emperor Theodosius I, along with three other heavy-hitting Roman politicians,issued what is known today as the Edict of Thessalonica.  This document made Nicene Trinitarian Christianity the Roman state religion.  It also banned/outlawed other forms of Christianity, and all forms of Paganism and Heathenry.  

Havamal, verse 1 - When you venture out of your home, keep all of your wits sharp and ready.  You never know where an aggressor hides.  

Here are a few thoughts:  

When the ice is thick enough, you too can walk on water. 

When the spirits of thirst move you, change water into wine, mead, or beer.    

Invite many folks over for a BBQ; you are feeding a multitude. 

If it is your time, you will pass.  If not, may the medics revive you so that you will rise from the dead. 

An empty tomb is like an empty barrel - hollow but when beaten, it makes a lot of noise.

                                                             Happy Spring !!!  

                                                 Copyright @2015 Terry Unger

                                                     

      

Where For Art Thou, Frau Holle?

In our crazy, politically correct world where down is up and up is the new down, I cannot help but think that we need some "old, now new" stuff in our lives.  It pains me to see real history trashed because it offends a certain group and then replaced by stuff that cannot even pass for fluff.  Do you see how I use the word "stuff?"  I could have used the word shit, but may the heavens forbid that I may offend you.  But if I do, you really need to grow up.  If I caught your attention and are still reading, let me tell you about a friend, ancestor, and Goddess:  Frigg/Frigga/Frija.  

She is the wife of All-Father Wodan and is the only one who has his permission sit in his High Seat.  Not only can Frigg be referred to as All-Mother but she knows all that Wodan knows, but remains silent, in deference to her husband.  In my opinion, in all ways, Frigg is the perfect balance to and for Wodan/Woden/Odin.  In old Europe, before the Christian usurpation, we know that Mother Frigga had different aspects, or "appearances."  

In northern Germania, including the Danish peninsula, a major aspect/character of Frigg was known as Frau Holle or Frau Holda.  She was considered the protectress of women/motherhood, agriculture, fertility, rebirth, and the home/hearth (as is Frigg).  Frau Holle loved Yuletide and it was considered a very big deal that if during Yule, she came and blessed your home.  As for all the snow?  That's just Frau Holle shaking out her feather mattress!  Well, who would not want this kind of visitor?  But Mother Frigg/Frau Holle has a dark aspect, one that nobody wanted as a "guest."  

In the southern Alpine regions that included northern Italy, the darker aspect known as Perchta scared the pants off of young and old alike.  Perchta could appear young and beautiful, and bestow the same blessings as Frau Holle.  Then again, if you were particularly nasty, she took on the appearance of an old hag.  And if you merited Perchta's ire, there was no forthcoming help for you.  She would personally beat you with fresh cut switches, the kind that hurt the most, or for the more serious offenses, she would cut open the offender's belly, regardless of age, and then stuff the open cavity with straw.  Ouch.  Then we have Krampus who rids the world of rotten kids; he's another story.  

What happens in the world when we take away the negative consequences of our actions?  We have this crazy, politically correct world that we have to live in.  Everyone is a winner and all get trophies, even if you finish dead last.  A world where it's OK for one person to say something to another but it is not OK to respond in kind.  A world where, if you do not like a certain kind of ethnic food, you are labeled racist.  And a world where, if you are born of European descent, you are supposed to feel bad about it.  Growing up, I remember that it was our mothers who nurtured, fed, protected, and when necessary, disciplined.  And if that did not work, "just wait until your father gets home" scared the living shit out of you.  Why?  Because if you pissed off Mom that much that it warranted Dad's heavier hand, you deserved your ass to be kicked into next week.  But we cannot do that today because the politically correct have that tagged as child abuse.  Cough. Maybe it's time for Momma Frigg to unleash Perchta, and let Krampus tag along for shits and giggles.  Rather than, I think, than having Momma Frigg yell out, "You just wait until All-Father gets Home!"  

                                                 Copyright @2015 Terry Unger