Tarot Card of the Day!

Deck: Viking Tarot

Today's Card: Knight of Wands

 

Meaning: Waiting for and/or receiving a 'sign'. Divining. A turning point, changing of ways.

Thoughts: This seems to correlate with my reading yesterday. More waiting and a possible sign or indication of something 'major'.  With our car being out of commission for the time being I walked to work, which is what I really needed.  Cool day, lovely breeze, and the sun shining.  Not to mention the trees and shrubs were growing wild on the bike path making for lovely scenery.  I had music on and was trying to chat with Odin.  Music on shuffle played two songs back to back that seemed to shed light on stuff.

To put things plainly, it was my way of crying out that while I can be a pain and doubtful I want and need not only Odin's company and companionship but the others as well.  The next song was the response, saying that He was with me despite all the confusion and tears.  I will even go as far as saying I felt something, a presence and a fatherly caress.

I usually don't read much into these sorts of things.  I know there are some people doing shufflemancy right now and it seems to be the new thing to try.  While curious I never really bothered but I was shown otherwise I suppose.

I would like to throw this out there, though I'm not sure how many readers I actually have. If you'd like a tarot reading, I am willing to provide(to a certain extent) without charge.  Why no charge?  I am getting to know this deck and I would feel bad giving an inaccurate reading while asking for money.  If my original deck was still in play I would charge because those guys were spot on but they needed to retire after being in use for over 10 years.

So yes, readings are available!

Tarot Card of the Day!

Thought I should do this to get to know my deck a bit better and to generally flex my muscles, so to say.  These are MY interpretations from this deck.  I've tossed aside the little manual that comes with it and never looked back.  I'm just seeing and reading what the cards are presenting.

My deck: Viking Tarot

Today's card:  Queen of Chalices  (may post picture in a later edit)

Meaning: Waiting for someone, feeling alone. A return. Something on the horizon.

Thoughts:  I think this may be in reference to myself and my waiting for something from the gods. It seems like at certain times I am out of flux and I make a mad scramble for a connection.  Last night there was a major storm and I took it as a sign that there is change in the air. Either way, I'm being told to be patient.

Looming Like a Cloud

Well, come this Friday I shall no longer be a single woman. Technically I haven't been single for going on 9 years but legality states otherwise.

Friday is the big day in a way. Grendal and I are signing the papers the day and June 21st will be celebrated as the day we married. The party/ceremony/shindig is happening the 22nd due to the 21st being a Friday and that would have been harder for people to show up.  There are only a few people that know that the ceremony is more a show than anything else. While some of those people might be hurt I think it's better this way, as strange as it sounds.

I've been paranoid and stressed over the whole thing. I think it just happens that way, though I am prone to paranoia. We haven' gotten back even HALF the rsvps that were sent out. Grendal says his family will be there and I know that I have coworkers joining in on the party. I guess part of me is worried that I'm going to be on the ground, somewhere hidden, sobbing because there's nobody at the wedding save for a handful of people. It's half 'do people not like us' and half 'we spent over 1k on food, what the hell?'   Again, Grendal tells me not to worry and I'm trying not to.

This whole week seems to full of big things and moving forward. Grendal is finally getting his GED. He hates to admit he doesn't have because of what people would think. He is an intelligent man; home schooled and self taught in many things. I can understand the worry.  Once the GED is in the bag he'll be applying for the trains and it looks promising. My brother-in-law works at said company and apparently they are in desperate need of help. We both feel like this could be the first step to saving up and wriggling our way out and on our own.

As for the other big thing, it's in the realm of my spiritual path. I've had this large urge to redo my Book of Shadows/Grimoire/Spell-book/what have you. My choice in life has been pretty much cemented in that of the 'northern path.'  Last night I took the beginnings of my makeshift book and pulled out what was no longer needed and what I no longer really clung to. I feel good about it and I've begun to think of what to add. While it's nothing fancy, just a 3-ring binder and lined paper, it's a start. The more sure of myself and the more spending cash I have, the more pricey my item will be. For now it's simple, like me, and it's more than I could have asked for.

So yes, lack of updates was due to stress, life, and wedding hub-bub. I should have pictures and may find some I feel like I am willing to share. :)

-Djarfskald

Thoughts of Beltane Past

So it's May Day, Beltane, which ever you like. It's always been difficult for me to celebrate holy days, mainly due to the fact that I am a solitary person. Joining a group, while useful, seems to be the last thing on my mind. Whether it's because I'm worried about our ideas/traditions/what have you won't mesh or because with groups comes group politics, who knows. I try to do something for these days but it usually falls through, which upsets me and makes me wonder why I try to do such things. This is my spiritual path and I need to figure out some way to make it work, dammit.

Grendal and I used to hold bonfire gatherings through out the summer for our friends while we were attending a local community college. It was fun all nighters though it was usually he and I cleaning up the next morning. We look back on them fondly, wanting to have them again, and we know friends are wanting the same. Who knows.

I want to say that it was four years ago that we had a bonfire on Beltane. It was FOR Beltane it just happened to be on the day. That didn't matter in my head. I had a gathering of people, a fire, and there would be so much freakin' energy in the air. While I wasn't doing a ritual or spell, I knew it was just going to be a wonderful way to spend the night: with friends. Something amazing did happen though. Grendal, two of our close friends, and I were out prepping everything before people began to show up. Grendal was coming out of the house with something while the three of us were out front by the fire pit. I hear him shout, "Hey, there's a deer out back."  Deer don't wander onto our property thanks to the highway being so close. Seriously, I've been on this property edging on 9 years and I've seen deer here only twice(but turkeys show up like clockwork).

I don't know why I did this but suddenly I go sprinting towards the rear of the property. Keep in mind that this property is at least an acre and a half(don't remember the exacts) and I am in NO WAY a sprinter/runner/fast mover. I like to mosey. My two friends and Grendal were hot on tail while I sprinted through the property, chasing down the deer just to catch a glimpse. I did and so did the others. We just stood there, together, and watched it bound out of sight and just grinned like idiots. Our two friends have no connection to pagan paths and Grendal is an odd sort of agnostic but knows quite a bit. Despite that I think we all felt something special had just happened. The night was beautiful and one of the best bonfires we've held.

Now, I don't want to go on and say that the appearance of a deer was something special/magical but it just seemed to set the mood. It hasn't happened since but I keep my eyes open for these interesting occurances.

-Djarfskald

And the Count Down.....It Begins

So, I've hit the two months left time for the wedding. June 21/22 is coming quicker than I had imagined. I'm a bundle of nerves over many things. Food is already in order, invitations are slowly coming together, addresses are needed, and my dress is still being made. While I know everything will fall into place and this will be a day to remember, for what ever reason, I'm still nervous as hell.

A lot of people think that being married suddenly changes everything somehow. For Grendal and I it's not going to change a thing. Seriously. We've been together for nearly 9 years, living together for nearly that long. We've had our wedding jewelry for nearly a year now, wearing it every day. The only thing that is going to change between us is the legality of it all. That and we will refer to each other as 'husband' and 'wife' ala Futurama(think Hermes and LaBarbara). We are happy with each other, accept our differences, and know that our arguments/disagreements are all perfectly natural and work things out when its needed.

I've been attempting to write some more but something isn't clicking. Makes me sad but I think I have to put my writing aside for a while. My muse and inspiration is just kinda not there anymore.

Also I've been attempting to get closer to Odin. Talking with Him, using my tarots, and what not. My cards are rather good and while I don't read as often as I want to, nor have people to do readings for, it's a little rocky. Things seem to be clearing up when communicating with Him. I don't know if it has any connection but I've been getting restful sleep as well! One big thing that I asked Odin was what should I do to really show my devotion. Should I create something? Perhaps take on a new craft or work on one that I have. The cards pretty much pointed to my wedding with Grendal as a show of devotion. I do know that I am setting aside some food for both the gods and the Wights, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Either way, there is some connection to my wedding! Happy day.

One last thing: the weather here is ridiculous. I had ONE WEEK to walk/bike to work since the changing of the season and ever since then it's been rainy. From the drive way I can still peer through the trees and peep through the trees across the highway to see the river. People had to evacuate houses and some houses are mostly underwater. Never understood why people really want homes along the river. While it is bad that peoples' homes have been flooded, we need(ed) the rain. Last year we were in drought conditions and this is a good start. While we're still dry (kinda hard to wrap my head around that with all this freakin' rain) it's a step in the right direction. Maybe a garden will be doable this year.

-Djarfskald

Of Wights, Mead, and Bike Rides

I had my first bike ride of the season/year yesterday. Rather than burden someone for a ride to work I had Grendal look over the bike the night before to make sure everything was good. After decking myself out in a backpack, a leather jacket, gloves, and a scarf, I was off. While it's only a 15 minute-ish ride it is still kinda chilly in the mornings, so that sort of bundling up was needed.  It was nice to ride again. My legs disagreed with me by the end of the day but I loved it. Set me off to a good start too. Healthy sort of breakfast, after ride munch, and a nice salad with an avocado(with a side of yogurt and some blah bread pudding) for lunch! While I may not need to drop any fat, I do need to tone up in general.  Though, I don't think my legs need the work. A couple years of martial arts and hula mixed kinda does that to the legs. It's my stomach and upper body that need to shape up. So, it looks like yoga and what not for that.

The mead should be reaching the point of racking. This also means that Grendal and I need to figure out what fruits we're putting in for half the batch. He knows he wants blackberry and cherry, while I'm kinda leaning towards apples and strawberries. If we stick with those, that just leaves two more that are undecided. Who knows. The book I have (The Compleat Meadmaker) suggests a couple of different fruits to use so I may stick with that.

I've been bothering Grendal with the idea of coming up with names for our different meads because, well, I'm hoping we continue to make it and possibly make it for others. I suggested 'Allfather' for the classic mead, which he responded with 'The Allfather's Eye Drops'.  I think I can compromise with 'The Allfather's Eye' and we both can be happy. I also had the idea of doing a mixed berry version in hopes that it's yummy and call it 'The Bifrost'.  And while Grendal doesn't like carbonation, I think he liked the idea of a sparkling mead to be known as 'Mimir's Well.'  I do know the apple version will have some reference to Idunna and we joked about a really red mead being a reference to Tyr, though I wonder if that would be in bad taste.

Speaking of the happenings of the past few days, Grendal and I had a little 'spook' moment the other night. Now, we have a tendency to misplace our combs. He blames it on me and while I misplace it more often then he does, I'm not the only one to blame. Anyway, we had lost our good one a few weeks ago and no amount of cleaning seemed to help. Hell, we cleaned rather well because we had a friend showing up and NOTHING! Well, the other day I came home to find our combs lying together on the bed. Of course I figured this meant Grendal had found it and was showing me as such while he was at work. So, I just put it over with the brush we had and left it at that. Later that night he goes to brush his hair with the comb and the following happened:

Grendal- Where did you find the good comb?
Me- It was just laying next to your pillow. I thought you put it there.
Grendal- Uh, no.
Me- What? *skeptical stare* You're not shitting me, are you?
Grendal- You're not shitting me?
Me- *stare*
Grendal- *stare*

Usually by this point one of us would confess to the other if we had been fooling around. I have a tendency to be easily duped in certain situations and was honestly expecting Grendal to be all 'Haha, fooled you'  yet there wasn't such a response.  He just had an uneasy look on his face and I went downstairs to do whatever it was I was going to do.

We've had spirits (both nice and grumpy) in the house before, but they seemed to either have quieted down or moved on over the years. While I do believe in the little folk, we've never had an indication of them being around. With my increased work in the world of Asatru I've begun offering foods to the Land Wights in the area. It made me wonder if I have a House Wight and they're making themselves known by doing such a thing. I'll set up another offering dish for the House Wight on the off chance we have one. Maybe that will make the atmosphere in the house a little more happy.

Quick Early Morning Blurb

I meant to post this last night but seeing how I have an early shift, I decided to go to bed early.

Anyway, placed a nice bit of food on the altar last night after a family gathering. Haven't done that in a bit and was feeling bad for not doing so. Soon after I take Yuko out to do her thing. I immediately see a crow perch itself in a tree at the edge of the property. Now, I haven't seen the crows in a week so this was a pleasant surprise. Especially when the other shows up soon after. It may have just been a coincidence but it didn't feel like it.  :)

A Wee Bit of the Blues

I don't know what it is about today but Grendal and I had one hel of a time waking up. We slept through nearly all of his alarms. Got out of my stupor when Grendal nudged me and asked if I'd make him coffee for the morning. So, even after dragging my groggy butt out of bed and having a cup of coffee myself, I feel like I'm dragging. I don't know if it's the weather because I know I had gotten a decent amount of sleep. No waking up in the middle of the evening, but I'm still just feeling like a bump on a log right now.

This week is gonna be a busy one at work. I have nearly 40 hours, which is rare for us part time peons.  I've been feeling a little bit more like I'm in charge of this around the deli, for some odd reason, and really feeling my age. This past Sunday, while a short shift of four hours was not a happy one for a moment. Why? I had one of the higher ups refer to me as 'the help'.  : |     What now? First off, I don't get paid nearly enough to be called 'the help' nor am I watching the children or cleaning the house of a wealthy person. My opinion of the man quickly slipped into the negative. I knew he wasn't the greatest guy but it had been all decent business when he'd show up. Nope. Not now. The guy can bite me and the next time he calls me as such I will say that if he wants to call me 'the help' he needs to increase my wage a few bucks.  I'll even wear my serious face.

We've gotten some more snow around here, so my previous comments of 'Hey, it looks like spring' seems to have been thrown off. Still seeing those birds, though, and I'm able to walk outside without the cloak nearly as much as I needed during the colder days.

Touching on the notion of feeling my age, it seems like my gaming group and I are becoming 'adults'.  Out of the eight of us our age range from 21 to the mid- to late 30s.  Next year will be my 30th birthday, which I plan to have a wonderful party.  But yes, we're becoming adults.  One of the guys has finally gotten a job, in the Chicago area, in the area of massage which means his time with us on Sunday is gonna come to an end(at least for the time being). Another one of the guys is attending college in the Chicago area and his classes this semester has kept him away. The youngest of us has finally gotten a job and it seems like she'll be getting the evening shift on gaming night. Then there's Grendal and I: about to get married and Grendal having his eyes set on getting the job with the railway. We're growing up and I'm honestly a little worried. My Sunday group is made up of the people I consider my friends. Honestly, the only friends I have and the ones that are within reasonable driving distance. Work and life is pulling us apart, which I don't like.

Maybe that's what has me like this? Who knows.

I've been building a good relationship with my tarot deck. They seem to like me and their personality is coming to light(when I'm working with them, my attention is on THEM, nothing else). I need to reconnect with Odin somehow. :\  Perhaps an offering or just some time with him. Winter is usually a good time for me. For the first time I'm finding myself want Spring to come.

That's One Way to Do It

Well, today is the changing of the seasons.  After this season, Grendal and I will be married!

Speaking of seasons, it doesn't really LOOK like spring.  There is snow on the ground still, it's barely in the teens outside, and there isn't a bud in sight.  While most people would say the above are marks AGAINST the coming of spring, I think they haven't noticed the little signs that's its creeping in.  The Canadian Geese are returning home.  I hear them and watch them whenever I'm out with Yuko.  I've also spotted a Robin bopping in the yard, as well as some European Starling that seemed to come out of nowhere.  The little birds that we've been feeding all winter are starting to shed their weight and their colors are getting brighter.  I do suppose that most of my friends are 'city' dwellers and/or don't really pay attention to it.  It's a little hard for me not to since we have a HUGE window in the dinning room facing the feeders.  :p


As a way to celebrate the changing of the seasons, as well as our impending marriage, Grendal and I began the mead for our wedding!  While it may not be aged properly, we will have our homemade brew for the of age attendees.  I thought today was fitting due to the holiday as well as it being Wednesday.  With Odin presiding over today and the area of mead, what better time to do this?  I plan on leaving a hearty cup of mead for Odin and the other deities, as well as the wights, during the ceremony.  They will also have a nice plate of food and, if all goes well, some cake too!  Grendal is more than happy and willing to have this done which makes me ecstatic.

Grendal letting Yuko examine what's going on.

My new tarot set came in....as well as a rune set.  I decided to treat myself to a deck and thought that I may as well toss in a rune set, since I was going to get one eventually.  I haven't messed with either just and I must say I'm nervous.  It's been YEARS (about 13) since I received a brand new deck to call mine, and I don't know how to go about it.  While I know I should just dive in (same goes for the runes), I want to make sure everything is just right.  My first deck last me many years before they decided they wished to retire.  I want this deck to be very much the same.

As for the runes, well, I don't know what to do.  I guess I'm gonna wing it, do some searches, and hope that all goes well.

Oh History Channel

I used to love watching certain channels when I had access to cable. The History Channel, TLC (to a certain degree), NatGeo, Cartoon Network, SciFi Channel, and so on.  Now that we don't bother with television Grendal and I kinda miss out on things.  We get our news from different sources online and from friends/family.  Movies coming?  Random searches online to see if anything sounds good, which seems to be rare.  Honestly, Grendal and I enjoy not having access to cable.  We get movies, documentaries, and random bits of TV series thanks to Netflix.  All is good.  That is until I find a series that I MUST watch.

History Channel's series Vikings has just taken off.  Since Grendal and I are very much a fan of vikings in general, I thought it would be interesting to give it a go.  Grendal usually isn't much for TV series.  I mean, we've watched all of Star Trek TNG, Star Trek Voyager, most of Eureka, Psych, a decent portion of House, Big Bang Theory, and Stargate SG1, so we have a nice bit beneath our belts.  Vikings is a nice change of base with it being based loosely on facts.  I know, I know, there are already gripes about accuracy and what not, and while pointing out 'It's just a TV show' it is on the History Channel......though said channel has fallen from their original platform of, y'know, HISTORY.

Anyway, Vikings.  I like it, though I've only seen the first episode.  The second one is waiting for us to watch and if Grendal decides it's not for him I can continue watching online!  The characters are interesting and there have been moments that both of us sit there giggling.  I love the inclusion of the mythology and deities.  Grendal is already putting his money on my favorite character being Floki and is a little worried about the 'rapey feelings' he's getting from the show.  If it happens, I know he's going to step away from the series.  I can understand.  I'm hoping I can keep him watching, at least until Valdimir Kulich shows up.  Honestly, it's thanks to following his facebook page that I learned about the series.  I mean, Kulich is the viking in my head, just like Sam Elliott is the cowboy.  My head is a weird place.

But yes. Vikings!  I enjoy it despite any inaccuracies.  Plus, ODIN!

It's the Little Things

Finished the 30 days of Devotion yesterday and I think, while I did have to double up, that I've moved forward on my spiritual quest.  I've grown closer to Odin in our own way.  Now I just need to keep chugging forward with this.

Last night culminated in a strange but insanely happy moment.  I have this odd habit of finding recipes in magazines in work's break room and ripping out said recipes for later.  I have a little shoe box filled with things from making naturally colored cream cheese frosting and sweet lavender scones to preparing a holiday ham.  Grendal, while happy that I was finding some awesome recipes, was getting annoyed that they didn't have a proper spot, save for a shoe box.  So what does he do?  He finds a three ring binder and some clear page sleeves and hands it to me.  "Make your cook book."  I had balked at the idea in earlier instances but as I sat down and started, I felt insanely giddy.  About an hour later I had a makeshift cook book.  Somewhere in the back of my head I saw it as my own grimoire, which is odd.  While I never considered myself a Kitchen Witch I liked the idea, and seeing how Asatru is about home and family, it kinda works out.  Either way, I was over joyed and have these recipes set up in a lovely fashion.

I've been having the urge to do some tarot readings in general but it's starting to seem like my cards and I aren't clicking anymore.  The current deck I use wasn't mine in the beginning and was, in fact, a deck Grendal gave me.  I felt from the get go that the deck was reluctant to work with me and when we did work together, things went well.  Lately, though, not so much.  My original deck has been retired and kept in a safe place, and I think it's time to do the same with this deck.  Actually, I think it's over do.  So I've been eying decks and I think I found one that can work (Grendal agrees).  All I have to do is order them, hopefully tonight, and begin again.  Eventually, I'll begin working with Runes but I'm a little nervous.  I'll do it, though.  I think flexing my divination muscles may be something useful if not healthy.

30 Days of Devotion: Day 29 & 30

Any interesting or unusual UPG to share?

No, actually. I'm not saying that I don't want to share but I don't have much in the way of interesting UPGs. Since I'm still kinda floundering through this whole thing, I don't know what to bring forth in this situation. I do know, though, that I'll probably cover such things in future posts when they arise.



Any suggestions for others just starting to learn about this deity?

Read the myths and legends, listen to what others have to say about their interactions with Odin, and hear him out.  I've said this time and again: most people see Odin as a harsh deity.  Very manly and war-like.  For some reason he came to me more as teacher and someone I was to journey with.  He has many aspects in the myths and legends, and it shows when you approach each other.  Have an open mind when dealing with him.  Odin has much to teach to those who are willing but you may have to wait. I know I did.

30 Days of Devotion: Day 27 & 28

Worst misconception about this deity that you have encountered?

I suppose the obvious one is the all war and misogynistic aspect of Odin. While Odin has an aspect of war, it's not all encompassing. I also never got a misogynistic feel or view of him.  Odin seems very aloof, at least to me right now.  If you wish to worship him, he would accept you without concern of your gender and demand the same from me as he would of you.  He goes to see a seeress/prophetess without qualm and has learned magic from Frigga.  Why would he seek out such information only to 'spit' on those who were his teachers?  Odin won't come out and say he favors one gender over the other, and I think those old tales paint him in such a way that isn't favorable to some.  It is up to the person to go out and learn whether or not these are true.











Something you wish you knew about this deity but don’t currently.

How to REALLY stay in contact with him.  I've stated before that I'm not fit for god spouse status but I do want to work with Odin more often and in a close way.  I see him as a teacher and would love to take an apprenticeship(best thing I can think of) with him.  His responses to me and ways of watching are through my own thoughts at him and the birds I hear and see through out the day.  Since my job keeps me far away from doors and windows, though, I can't see them during my shift and all seems quiet.

I suppose I just have to keep working at this.

30 Days of Devotion: Day 26

How has your relationship with this deity changed over time?


Oh my relationship has changed greatly.  Odin is no longer a deity that is just kinda there and I kinda sorta pay homage to him.  Odin is the one I turn my thoughts to and the one I put most of my energy out to.  He watches over me in his way, making sure that I know he listens and that he sees me through the sighting of his birds.

I am nothing like a 'god phone' or one of those people who has constant contact with their deity.  I've read posts by others who see deities constantly, have those long conversations, and so much more.  I am not fit to be a godspouse (I am honestly a little frightened by the idea, I love my Grendal).

I have opened up communication with Odin through my thoughts and offerings.  I think shedding the neediness that I had and the constant want of validation has helped.  I have grown in my relationship and it is for the better.

30 Days of Devotion: 23, 24, & 25

Yes, I missed one more day then usual.  -_-;   Worked until early evening yesterday and when I came home my two youngest nieces were here. All I wanted to do was hide.  Anyway, on with it!


Your own composition – a piece of writing about or for this deity

 Um, very iffy about sharing my work but I'll do it. This is very much a work in progress but this novel, when it gets finished, will be dedicated to Odin and even features him and the rest of Norse pantheon.

Harald looked down at the homeless man.  He recognized him, remembered the tattered clothes and the distant look in his visible eye.  The man didn't seem to notice any of them standing beside him, more intent at looking at the ruins of the temple district.

"This is him."

Erik cocked an eyebrow and looked between the homeless man and Harald.  "Him?  Are you certain?"

"Why would the Allfather choose to be homeless?" Vanessa snorted.

"He is a wanderer.  He must have been traveling when the others began to sleep and when his own identity and powers slumbered."  Harald sat beside the man and followed his gaze, "Isn't that right, Vofuth?"

The man looked at Harald out of the corner of his eye, for once seeming to focus on him, but said nothing.

Harald smiled; that was all he needed.  "Give me the drinking horn."

Vanessa hesitated, finally relinquishing the horn when Harald held out his hand.

"This is for you," Harald whispered, holding the horn before the man.  "Drink deep."

Those gnarled hands shook as they took hold of the horn......

That's all I got for that bit.


A time when this deity has helped you.

I get a lot of help when I'm trying to center myself and calm down, as weird as that sounds. Whenever I'm feeling down I either hear or see a few crows, which lifts my spirits right rather instantly. There have been no specific moments when there was something huge and Odin was there to aide me. I think he wants me to do it on my own and he'll keep a protective watch over me. And as much as that may annoy me, I think it's for the best. Being dependent and constantly asking for help would defeat the purpose of growing.


A time when this deity has refused to help.

Like I mentioned above, it seems often that I don't get much 'help'. I don't think I am nor do I want to be one of those people who say/think 'If it didn't happen, then (insert deity here) didn't mean for it to be.'  Looking back on some of the things I've asked for help on, they were all pretty damn petty. The only one that may not have been was asking for some help on a job interview. That didn't pan out but looking at my current situation I think working with a certain person will probably train me to be a bit more calm and keep my emotions in check when it comes to annoying people. That and trying to bribe a deity isn't the best idea in the world.  I got some bad habits that I'm breaking in that regard, don't judge me.

30 Days of Devotion: 21 & 22

Music that makes you think of this deity.

I don't remember how I stumbled across this and I had listened to the whole album. LOVE it and this thong really made me think of Odin. Don't know why, but yup.



A quote, a poem, or a piece of writing that you think this deity resonates strongly with.

Ooo, this is a hard one.  I'm not much for poems and quotes, and pieces of writing are few and far between unless I'm reading a book. I am reading something right now, Fellowship of the Ring, but I don't know if I can throw a passage from that in here. I suppose I could, especially after saying that Gandalf reminds me of Odin in a way.

Um, how about "It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule."

I don't know. XD  If anything else strikes me, I will post it.

30 Days of Devotion: 19& 20

What quality or qualities of this god do you most admire? What quality or qualities of them do you find the most troubling?

The qualities that I admire would be the ones in the vein of writing (I.E. Poetry, songs, novels) and wisdom. I'm always writing or thinking up stories, and knowledge and wisdom is something I strive for constantly. Just ways of bettering myself I suppose.

What I find troubling would be Odin's war aspect. Conflict is not my thing.  I understand that it is a large part of Him but I try to bring the peace as much as possible. I mean, if there is conflict that I cannot avoid then I'll wade through it and weather any blows that come my way, but I don't search them out.


Art that reminds you of this deity.

There has been a bunch of pieces that remind me of Odin, ones that purposely do so and others that aren't supposed to. I mean, I look at Ian McKellen as Gandalf and see Odin more than anything else.  Looking around the collected pieces over the years I suppose this one sticks out:

It is from an artist on Deviantart (LINK) and it's a wonderful piece. Love this to no end.

30 Days of Devotion: 17 & 18

How does this deity relate to other gods and other pantheons?

I believe Odin would mesh rather well. We have the Romans comparing him to Mercury, so those two could possibly do well together.  Then there is the similarities between Odin and Lugus as well.  I think any deity dealing with wisdom and magic could be on decent terms with the Allfather and vice versa. He could also work alongside the deities of war without an issue.  Other than that I believe he could move amongst them with little problem, being a voice of wisdom in needed times.  He seems more like the type just to wander and pop in when he decides to.




How does this deity stand in terms of gender and sexuality? (historical and/or UPG)

I mentioned this in a previous post, but the majority of people seem to pin Odin as being very misogynistic and he-manish. Very much a man's man. Me? When it comes to gender and sexuality I think Odin is very much relaxed with it. While I haven't seen any note of him laying with another man, he seems to have little if no reaction to Loki saying he is less then a man because he was taught 'woman's magic'(by Frigg). Odin has probably reached a point that both subjects mean little to him until, perhaps, he feels the urge to lay with someone.  Gender wise, who know who that could be with.

30 Days of Devotion: 15 & 16

Any mundane practices that are associated with this deity?


None that I know. I think one could argue that composing some form of written work or performing in a play could be a mundane practice for Odin.  Honestly I don't know much about this.  Not many people really set out how the worship a deity point by point, and it always seems like the one you want to know about isn't present.

So personally, it is the composing of written work.  I write stories and if/when they are published, I will dedicate it to Odin in thanks.




How do you think this deity represents the values of their pantheon and cultural origins?


There are nine virtues which I think you could say are the values of the pantheon.  Here is what I've been told:

1. Courage
2. Truth
3. Honour
4. Fidelity
5. Discipline
6. Hospitality
7. Self Reliance
8. Industriousness
9. Perseverance

I do think Odin represents these virtues, though some may argue. I suppose the only argument would be against Fidelity. There are stories of Odin laying with other people, his wife doing much of the same, but the two always come back to each other. Odin loves Frigg and vice versa. For me, I don't think I need to explain each point and how Odin represents them. I will if someone speaks up, but He speaks for himself.

Did it again....30 Days of Devotion: 11& 12

I hope this isn't a habit but I do know my work schedule next week is a little hectic. :I  On with the show, yes?


Day 11-  Festivals, days, and times sacred to this deity.

Well, I do know that Wednesday was Wodansday, which made said day Odin's. He's not the only one with a specific day of the week but since I'm discussing him, I'll just stick with that. I'm not sure if anything special was done on this day in honor of Odin but I suppose in this day and age one could present offerings to him.

The only other thing I can think of in terms of days, festivals and what not is the Wild Hunt during Yule. Kids would leave their boots by the hearth filled with hay and sugar for Sleipnir and, in return, Odin would leave little gifts. Over time and with the changing of influencing religion, Odin morphed into our modern day Santa Clause and Sleipnir become a multitude of reindeer.


Day 12- Places associated with the deity and their worship

This one......this one seems hard to answer. All my searches uncover nothing on the idea of specific places for Odin.  There are places with his name in the name but other than that there is no 'holy site' that I can dig up.  I suppose one could argue that Odin's place is the battlefield, and I could argue that it could be in places of learning as well.  In my opinion Odin's places are where ever you feel him most.  He seems more like a wanderer these days and with many of the old Norse settlements gone and being discovered he needs a new place.  Until something is brought to my attention to better answer this question, this is it.