Sigur Rós & Steindór Andersen "Scenes of Iceland and the Arctic Ocean (Source: National Archives and Records Administration)" #music #poetry #rimur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yYP_Sw6fYQ

Steindór Andersen (1954.IX.02 - 2025.IV.12) #poetry #rimur #iceland Steindór Andersen & Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPrdz48eZWc&list=OLAK5uy_nGMaQgHSEGaTdYzMMW2I4wMo100ORs9BQ

Handcrafted Icelandic Futhark set that I made for a customer, complete with handmade leather pouch. The stones are carved & painted beach found slate pieces.

I'm not sure how many here have seen the movie "The Ring of the Nibelungs" (2004), which is based on the Norse Völsunga Saga and the Germanic epic poem Nibelungenlied (The Song of the Nibelungs). It's probably my favorite "Viking" movie, ("Viking" because of the story, the story was based in modern-day Germany and Iceland). On this image: Siegfried/Sigurd, the dragon Fafnir, the Ring, Andvaranaut (see it?), the treasure, the Helm of Terror, and the falling Linden leaves.... It could be said that the curse creeps in from all around the image. Small spoilers ahead: When Siegfried/Sigurd killed the dragon Fafnir, he was warned not to take the ring and the treasure it governed, he was told that it was cursed, and it would be his doom. He didn't listen, but what I love is that.. there was no magic involved, none, the curse was on the minds of people, only human greed was indeed what brought death and heartbreak to almost everyone around him, himself included.

The Norse Tradition: Magic and Runes The Norse tradition is unique in that it remained untouched by external influences like rosaries or thuribles. Even monks with Icelandic roots did not dare to add their own elements to this system—despite expectations. During the Christianization of Northern Europe, there was likely pressure to erase not just the gods but also the heroic epics. Why? Because rulers often traced their ancestry to gods, though not directly. These rulers had many ancestors, and their actions weren’t always saintly. They solved their problems through various means, some of which were far from virtuous. As a result, the sagas, songs, and tales that remain portray these ancestors in a less-than-ideal light. These figures robbed, killed, and made mistakes. But which is worse—making a mistake or lying about it? The Norse tradition teaches that lying, in any form, is not just wrong; it depletes the soul. Ksenia Menshikova

Another great series - Icelandic myth meets 2000s (English dub available) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katla_(TV_series)

The Norse Tradition: Magic and Runes The Norse tradition is unique in that it remained untouched by external influences like rosaries or thuribles. Even monks with Icelandic roots did not dare to add their own elements to this system—despite expectations. During the Christianization of Northern Europe, there was likely pressure to erase not just the gods but also the heroic epics. Why? Because rulers often traced their ancestry to gods, though not directly. These rulers had many ancestors, and their actions weren’t always saintly. They solved their problems through various means, some of which were far from virtuous. As a result, the sagas, songs, and tales that remain portray these ancestors in a less-than-ideal light. These figures robbed, killed, and made mistakes. But which is worse—making a mistake or lying about it? The Norse tradition teaches that lying, in any form, is not just wrong; it depletes the soul. Ksenia Menshikova

A little over 2 years ago we visited Iceland close to the winter solstice. It was a fabulous and magical trip. Plans are now afoot to return for the summer solstice this year and see Iceland quite literally in a whole new light 🤗

About the upcoming Disablót. The Disablót is one of the most famous blót´s, and like the Midvinter blót/yule one of the most misunderstood blót´s. The Disablót did not take place at the beginning of February, but at the third month called Göja/Göje (today between around the end of February and mid-March). It was when the Swedes were Christianized that the Disting/Disablót was moved to the Christian holiday of the Candle Mass, which is at the beginning of February (today on February 2) and even today Disting market is organized. Disting/Disablót is mentioned by Adam of Bremen, according to him, this simply takes place in Old Uppsala in the month of Göje after the vernal equinox and all inhabitants of Svitjod (Sweden) had to participate, if they did not want to participate they had to pay a fine. The disablót is deeply rooted in the veneration of the Disir´s – a group of powerful female forces closely associated with destiny, fertility, protection, and the general well-being of the family and community. The Disir´s are central figures in the Asatru, they are linked to the Nornirs who determine our destinies but also to the fylgior´s, thus the Disir´s are revered in part as ancestral guardians who exert a profound influence over our lives. They watch over their kin, guarantee prosperity, offer protection and guidance through both everyday and spiritual challenges. But the disir´s are also associated with the Valkyries and the Vanadis Freya. The Disablót falls on the first full moon before the Victory Blót and lasts for one day/night. If you want to use the disting-rule, the Disablót is the third full moon after the first new moon after the winter solstice. The disting occurs every nine years with the same calculation. Every nine years the Disting was held. The event lasted for 9 nights, a market was organised, horse races, parties and, of course, the usual blót, etc. The market survived Christianisation and is still organised today, but around a Christian holiday. In the Icelandic sources it is mentioned that the Disablót was performed in connection with the holiday of Winter Nights, this is probably the Icelanders’ and Norwegians’ time for the Disablót while the Swedes held it in the spring. Find out more about the historical 5 blóts, when they are according to the pre-christian heathen lunasolar calendar, why we celebrate these blóts: https://asa-samfundet.se/en/holidays/

Just for fun, what's everyone's Genealogy? I myself have never done a DNA test, and I've thought about doing one to see what all pops up. However, I got a lot of family records, and of course my family living in different countries helps. As of now, my family is spread between 4 countries. Denmark, Sweden, Ireland and the United States. Though I've been told I have very distant family in Norway and Iceland. From my mom's side, from family and records, my family is of course Primarily Danish, and there's some North Germany in there, Swedish, and a little bit of Irish in there from certain family members. On my dad's side, it is Irish and Danish from my current living family. However based on last names, and down history we can find, we believe there's some Norman and Anglo-Saxon way down the line. But over the last 100 years in the family, Denmark and Ireland were places my family were around most, with some going back and forth from Sweden and Denmark, and my family that settled and stayed in Ireland on my mother's side. My dad's side had settled in Ireland quite a bit longer, with some of our records going back and forth from Ireland and Scandinavia for quite a while, with family from Denmark establishing themselves as early as 14th century if our records are correct. My dad was actually born and immigrated from Ireland which is kind of cool, because as much of a Dane as I am, since my mother's family immigrated from Denmark, I've always just known myself as a Danish American. I only met my dad in the last few years of my life and began learning all this information at least from his side of the family and it's pretty cool knowing and learning things about my family. All this information has made me want to get a DNA test and see what it says, and what I can piece together for a further back family tree. Though i may find out by blood im far less Danish than i think i am, which is a bit saddening lol, none the less, most of my family lives in Denmark, and I'll always stand by the good saying, Fuck Dig Jeg Er Dansker! 😁 Anyways show me some DNA tests and let's talk about some history!