Traditional Norse/Germanic Heathenry for Warriors and Events for Active and Veteran Military

NEXT EVENTS

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY MUSEUM TOUR AND MOOT — JULY 12. 2025

Odin’s Warrior Tribe is inviting a select number of active and veteran military Heathens to an exclusive and historic gathering on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

This private event includes:

A guided tour of the Naval Academy Museum, honoring the legacy of warriors past and present

The opportunity to meet Tribe members and learn more about our mission and sacred brotherhood

Drinks and camaraderie afterward at a respected seafood restaurant and pub in Old Town — hosted by the Tribe

Tickets for the Naval Academy tour will be provided by Odin’s Warrior Tribe.

Space is extremely limited. This is a private event and not open to the public.

If slots are filled, email us at odinswarriortribe@protonmail.com to be placed on a waitlist. We may be able to expand access.

In your registration, be sure to include your military status (active or veteran).

FLASH - SAE ULFR BEST IN SHOW: SPECIAL JUDGES PICK AT THE PRESTIGIOUS WOODENBOAT SHOW AT MYSTIC SEAPORT

Mystic, Connecticut — On Saturday night, Odin’s Warrior Tribe and our master builders at Leetes Island Boatworks were awarded a Special Judges Prize – Best in Show for Sae Ulfr in the Concours d’elegance at the prestigious WoodenBoat Show, held at the world-renowned Mystic Seaport Museum.

Sae Ulfr, an authentic reproduction of the Gislinge boat, discovered in Denmark and dated to 1130 CE stunned an audience of over 10,000 with her graceful lines and deeply historical craftsmanship. A living link to the late Viking Age, the tech did not change by 1130 CE, she quickly became the centerpiece of the show. Throughout the weekend, crowds gathered around her, drawn by her presence and the story she tells—of Norse resilience, tradition, and tribal honor.

Tribe members stood proudly by her side, answering questions and engaging with the public—many of whom expressed strong support for veterans and our mission. The conversations were constant, the energy electric.

Learn More About Our Viking Hall and Workshops at our Veterans Support Website Click Here

To RSVP for other events send an email to odinswarriortribe@protonmail.com

PAST EVENTS - SEE OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR MORE INFO

Viking Day for Veterans 2023

Midsummer 2021

NPR on our Viking Boat

Visit to Teutoburg Forest

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The Sae Ulfr is back at the dock and her axe hewn white oak planks are swelling up part of the process of getting wooden Viking boats ready to sail. The Sae Ulfr was awarded a special judges Best in Show at the prestigious WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport Museum. We will be sailing soon! Stay tuned for military veteran opportunities to sail with us.

#odinswarriortribe #vikingboat #vikinglongship

The Tribe has received some great help from Odin Holsters LLC. Thank you. You might see more tribesmen and tribeswomen with their holsters. Then again you might not see them even though you should realize they are there. A good 1/4 of the Tribe are still on active duty in the military or law enforcement heathens. Among our veteran and retired members are many that have been combat tested.

“A wayfarer should not walk unarmed,
But have his weapons to hand:
He knows not when he may need a spear,
Or what menace meet on the road.”

Havamal

VIKING HALL BUILDING WITH VETERANS IN BRANFORD

More incredible moments from the Veterans Workshop on June 14 in Branford, Connecticut, where construction of the Viking Hall began. With expert support from Leetes Island Boatworks and Handlavet, teaching timber framing and joinery our team of Tribe and veterans made strong progress. Deep thanks to our friend and mentor William Short of Hurstwic for capturing these striking photos and giving the group an inspiring lecture on Viking Age longhouses. We’re also grateful to the Hurstwic members who rolled up their sleeves and helped build alongside us. This is history brought to life—together. The Hall will eventually be raised at our Viking Camp in Southern Maryland. The next Hall building session will be around October or mid-November. The primary builders will be training at the Northmen Institute in Latvia in August. One of the builders also just returned from a family event in Denmark where he visited recreated and studied Viking Halls that inspire us.#odinswarriortribe #vikinghall

FLASH - SAE ULFR BEST IN SHOW: SPECIAL JUDGES PICK AT THE PRESTIGIOUS WOODENBOAT SHOW AT MYSTIC SEAPORT

Mystic, Connecticut — On Saturday night, Odin’s Warrior Tribe and our master builders at Leetes Island Boatworks were awarded a Special Judges Prize – Best in Show for Sae Ulfr in the Concours d’elegance at the prestigious WoodenBoat Show, held at the world-renowned Mystic Seaport Museum.

Sae Ulfr, an authentic reproduction of the Gislinge boat, discovered in Denmark and dated to 1130 CE stunned an audience of over 10,000 with her graceful lines and deeply historical craftsmanship. A living link to the late Viking Age, the tech did not change by 1130 CE, she quickly became the centerpiece of the show. Throughout the weekend, crowds gathered around her, drawn by her presence and the story she tells—of Norse resilience, tradition, and tribal honor.
Tribe members stood proudly by her side, answering questions and engaging with the public—many of whom expressed strong support for veterans and our mission. The conversations were constant, the energy electric.

Yes, we sold many Tribe t-shirts—but more importantly, we were warmly welcomed into the tight-knit wooden boat community. Bonds were forged, stories exchanged, and respect earned.

The honor belongs to every hand that shaped Sae Ulfr, every Tribe member who gave their all over three full days in the blazing sun—bringing her to the show, representing her with pride, and returning her home. All of us veterans and most had been in combat.

So many pros to thank who also helped on our path. Donors and sponsors, Roskilde Viking Ship Museum, Mystic Seaport Museum, and WoodenBoat Magazine.
Hail to the Tribe.
Hail to Sae Ulfr.
Hail to our builders - Leetes Island Boatworks.

The Tribe knife, based on an actual Viking design, crafted by Helle, engraved with our motto in younger Futhark on the blade by them and engraved on the handle with our bindrune by our own hands, and blessed by the Chieftain/Gothi. Our knife reflects our deep respect for tradition and the edge of modern craftsmanship. Presented according to an ancient customs. For Tribe kevel members only, who have been active for over a year.

On June 14th in Branford, Connecticut, Odin’s Warrior Tribe gathered—veterans, active-duty warriors, family, and friends—to begin building something greater than ourselves: the Viking Hall. After some tool and safety briefings the group was shown computer models of the designs for the Hall as they exist now and there was a lot of discussion about Norse carving as interior ornamentation on the posts and beams.

Inside the warehouse of our skilled hall builders, Matt and Tucker, over a dozen Tribe members and Veterans were trained in traditional joinery—mortise and tenon techniques, chiseling, and timber shaping. The warehouse is large, and all the Hall pieces will be cut and joined here before being disassembled and brought to our Viking Camp in Southern Maryland in the fall of 2026. For many, it was their first time using these specialized tools, but with instruction and camaraderie, the skills took root fast. Tucker one of the builders is visiting Denmark this week to study some of our favorite Viking Halls there and attend a family wedding.

Coffee and donuts fueled the morning. Sandwiches filled the noon hour. But the soul of the day came when Dr. William Short of Hurstwic Viking Combat, and author, along with Reynir Oskarsson, of “Men of Terror” delivered a powerful lecture on Viking Age halls and the role of fire as a weapon in saga warfare, fresh from their recent fire festival. Wisdom, history, and flame all met in one place. The Chieftain Tribe gifted him a Helle folding knife with his initials burned into the wood in Elder Futhark. In true Havamal spirit of gifting, Dr. Short gave the Hall building participant participants Hurstwic Viking combat tee shirts as mementos of the great day.

By the end of the day, sawdust and laughter filled the air. The tools were incredibly sharp and there were a few small cuts (and stitches) that marked the beginning—yes, there is blood in the wood now, just like when we built the boat. Our sweat, our stories, and now our blood are part of this hall. It is blessed.
#vikinghall

#norseheathen #odinswarriortribe #germanicpaganism #militaryheathen #norsepagan #heidentum #vikings #militaryheathens #glima

Nestled in Seattle’s historic Ballard neighborhood, the National Nordic Museum offers an immersive journey through 12,000 years of Nordic history and culture. Its signature exhibition, Nordic Journeys, presents a captivating array of artifacts—from 4,000-year-old tools to intricately crafted Viking-era objects and contemporary Nordic design pieces. Among the highlights are Viking navigation instruments, such as a sun compass and a calcite sunstone crystal, alongside a striking reproduction of a Viking longship’s sternpost. These exhibits, enriched by over 100 objects on extended loan from national museums of the five Nordic countries, provide a deep insight into the seafaring legacy and cultural richness of the Nordic peoples.

On a recent Saturday, a tribesman of first-generation Norwegian and Icelandic heritage visited the museum with his spouse, exploring the exhibits that resonate with their ancestral roots. The museum is located at 2655 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Nordic culture, from ancient artifacts to contemporary art, making it a must-visit destination for those interested in the enduring legacy of the Nordic region.
#Nordic Museum #norse #nordicstyle #nordicculture

One of our Master Builders was at Shelter Institute in Maine recently getting ready for the June 14 Viking Hall Timber Framing Workshop for Active and Veteran Military. The builders will be at Northmen Guild in Latvia in the fall before the next Veterans workshop.

We are building the most beautiful Viking Hall in North America!

#odinswarriortribe #vikinghall #vikingbuilding

Tour of Our Viking Camp Part I

#norseheathen #germanicpaganism #odinswarriortribe #militaryheathen #norsepagan #heidentum #vikings #

VIKING BATHHOUSE FOR OUR CAMP

A timber frame Viking style outbuilding donated by a first-class and legendary Viking reenactor couple to the tribe will be turned into a Viking shower bathhouse for our Viking Camp/Longport. The building is all handcrafted with joinery similar in many ways to the way the Viking Hall will be built. We need to clad this building and also give it a roof - cover all in Viking Soup - but the bones are fantastic. Thank you for this wonderful donation. More updates on exciting improvements to our camp on the water in southern Maryland are coming.

#norseheathen #germanicpaganism #militaryheathen #norsearchitecture #vikingarchitecture

PUB MOOT AT BRIMMING HORN IN DELAWARE MAY 17, 2025

Join us for an epic Spring Moot for those seriously interested in and possibly joining Odin’s Warrior Tribe at Brimming Horn Meadery in Milton, Delaware - 28615 Lewes Georgetown Hwy, Milton, DE 19968. We will meet at 1400 hours (2pm) on Saturday May 17, 2025. You must register in the Tribe store – there is no cost – and you will receive a password and other details. In your registration, please include a note or send a separate email to us at odinswarriortribe@protonmail.com that tells us of your military, law, or first responder service. Those who register and are provided a password will be allowed to join us. We are welcoming active, reserve, and veteran military, law enforcement, and first responders who are heathens or in the process of becoming one and if you ask, and there is room, you may bring a spouse. You must be 21 years or older. The first horn of Brimming Horn’s excellent mead is on the Tribe. Come and meet the heathen warriors of the Tribe.

https://www.odinswarriortribe.com/product-page/pub-moot-may-17-at-brimming-horn-meadery-in-delaware

We are a real Norse/Germanic Heathen Warrior Tribe composed of active and veteran military, law enforcement, and first responders. Many of us are combat veterans. We are a real IRS recognized Church and registered charity in Virginia and Maryland. We are an international brotherhood of the best heathen warriors and in six European countries. We are the premier military heathen organization and do more charitable events for veterans than any other heathen group!

If you are a true heathen Warrior get in touch with us. Wherever you are! We have a Viking boat, a three acre camp, and are building a Great Viking Hall.

But, just keep scrolling if you are a LARPER, or poseur and long for bubble blowing mermaids at the Renn Faire, blogging AI and meme nonsense from your parents basement, a druggie, or new age worshipper of forces of chaos.

Real Heathen Warriors - join us and start the journey!

#norseheathen #germanicpaganism #militaryheathen #norsepagan #heidentum

FIRE & FELLOWSHIP: BLACKSMITHING BROTHERHOOD IGNITES NEAR LEONARDTOWN

On the morning of April 5th, 2025, the clang of hammers and the roar of several forges echoed across the farm fields near Leonardtown, Maryland. Just a short distance from our Viking camp, steel met fire and fellowship in an all-day blacksmithing event that drew nearly 20 dedicated participants, most of them veterans, with a strong presence of active duty and combat-seasoned warriors. The weather was cloudy but thankfully cool in the low 70’s as we forged.

Under the banner of camaraderie, craftsmanship, and community, the tribe gathered early as the scent of forge smoke blended with the comforting aroma of fresh coffee and doughnuts provided by the tribe. Throughout the day, sodas and snacks kept the crew energized, fueling a powerful fusion of creativity and grit.

The event was sponsored by the Tribe and hosted by the ever-skilled Bruce—an experienced blacksmith whose knowledge and passion set the tone for the day. Alongside him, his assistant Becka, a sharp and steady shieldmaiden of the anvil, worked tirelessly, guiding hands and steel with patience and purpose. Our tribe’s own assistant blacksmiths were deep in the action as well, splitting time between the indoor and outdoor forges, creating a stunning array of ironwork.

By late afternoon the hum of the hammers paused to make way for a well-earned feast. Mission BBQ from California, MD delivered a mouthwatering spread of smoked chicken, tender pork barbecue, hearty baked beans, golden cornbread, and all the classic sides. Spirits lifted even higher as the tribe gathered under the sun to share food, stories, and laughter. Thank you! Takk to Mission BBQ!

As the sun dipped toward the treetops, the forge fires dimmed—but the energy only intensified. We opened the bar, and bottles of Heineken and Carlsberg flowed as freely as the sea shanties we sang around the fire.

THE TRIBE’S SILVER COIN –FLASH SALE

Ends Monda https://www.owtvikingveteranssupport.com/product-page/viking-coin y evening 31 March at 1700 Hours EST (5pm)

Build the Hall. Claim the Legacy.
To our Tribe, fellow warriors, friends, and faithful Veterans —
The dream is rising. Our Viking Hall and Boat Shelter is being built in Connecticut and then when ready will be brought to our camp in Maryland — and raised beam by beam, breath by breath.

To carry us forward, we now release 15 of our limited-edition Tribe Silver Coin in a flash sale.

This is your chance to hold a piece of custom silver our shared saga.

1 oz of .999 Fine Silver — pure, heavy, honorable
Encased in a protective capsule — for the long haul
Obverse (Front):
Our tribe’s ship, Sae Ulfr – Sea Wolf, sails boldly through serpent waves, wrapped in Norse knotwork
Flanked by runes:
Sowulo (ᛋ) – the sun, victory, illumination
Uruz (ᚢ) – strength, wild force, life
Reverse (Back):
A majestic Viking Hall, standing proud with a Viking-age sword
Surrounded by ancient knotwork
Beneath the Hall: ᚼᚬᚠᚦᛁᚾᚴᛁᛅᚼᛅᛚᛚ — Younger Futhark for Chieftain’s Hall
Marked “silfr” — the Old Norse word for silver

Designed by an Icelandic American who served in the US Army Airborne — a true warrior of both heritage and service

What This Means:
This coin isn’t just a keepsake —
It’s our war chest,

All profit above the $44 production cost is a direct donation to the construction of the Viking Hall and Boat Shelter — a true Great Hall for remembrance, brotherhood, and celebration.

You are not just buying silver.
You are raising timber, and legacy.

The Time is Short — Act Now - We are letting go of only 15 at this price of $75

Sale Ends Monday 31 March at 1700 hours EST (5pm)

Ships protected and tracked

Very limited quantity

https://www.owtvikingveteranssupport.com/product-page/viking-coin

Getting ready for Sigrblot at the next full moon. Thank you to all who came out for the work party. Lots of firewood and the start of a special new Ve - more info to come.

#óðinsvé #norseheathen #germanicpaganism #militaryheathen #norsepagan #heidentum #vikings #militaryheathens #vikingcamp

Urnes style pin for the Chieftain from the amazing silversmiths Alban Depper and Rachel Lee of Northan Viking Silver. If you know, you know.

#Jorvik

Go to https://www.owtvikingveteranssupport.com/
and learn more about our Viking Hall and the Veterans Timber Framing Workshops in Branford, CT starting on June 14, 2025

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

New Blog on our website in Heathen Life

NORSE LUCK AND HAMINGJA: AN EXPLORATION

https://www.odinswarriortribe.com/post/norse-luck-and-hamingja-an-exploration

Nothing like it anywhere else.

#odinswarriortribe #jorvikvikingfestival

Thousands of Vikings march on Coppergate at the Jorvik Viking Festival in Jorvik (York, England).
#odinswarriortribe #jorvikvikingfestival #vikings #militaryheathen #militaryheathens

Þorbjörg Lítilvölva (“Thorbjörg the Little Völva”), was a prominent and powerful Völva in Norse Greenland during the late Viking Age (c. 10th century CE), and she is renowned for her role in “The Saga of Eirik the Red.” Her depiction in the saga provides the most detailed account of a völva’s practices, rituals, and material culture, including her distinctive attire and staff, found in the sagas of Icelanders.

From the Saga:

“A high seat was set for her, complete with a cushion. This was to be stuffed with chicken feathers.
When she arrived one evening, along with the man who had been sent to fetch her, she was wearing a black mantle with a strap, which was adorned with precious stones right down to the hem. About her neck she wore a string of glass beads and on her head a hood of black lambskin lined with white catskin. She bore a staff with a knob at the top, adorned with brass set with stones on top. About her waist she had a linked charm belt with a large purse. In it she kept the charms which she needed for her predictions. She wore calfskin boots lined with fur, with long, sturdy laces and large pewter knobs on the ends. On her hands she wore gloves of catskin, white and lined with fur.”

#Volva #volur

SCENES FROM THE JORVIK VIKING FESTIVAL ENCAMPMENT

The festival is really just getting going and by the weekend there will be more merchants and the March to Coppergate, a tattoo event, and our pub moots on Friday and Saturday for British military heathens. The Viking Boat Co. has their Gislinge type boat at the Encampment and we have connected with this great group. Their beautiful boat was built by British veterans similar to ours being built by active and veteran military though there are differences in the boats.

https://jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk/

Tribe Visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre

Beneath the streets of York, England, lie the remains of Jorvik, a Viking city that thrived over 1,000 years ago. Under Norse rule, Jorvik was a vital Viking center, and thanks to the wet, boggy ground, many artifacts and structures have been remarkably well preserved.

In the 1970s, during the construction of the Coppergate Shopping Centre, a large archaeological excavation took place from 1976 to 1981. This dig unearthed an entire Viking neighborhood, revealing the foundations of buildings that have remained largely unchanged for over a millennium. Among the discoveries were workshops, yards, fences, and pathways, along with skeletons and an array of artifacts.

Rather than simply building over this extraordinary find, a decision was made to reconstruct this ancient part of the town, leading to the creation of the Jorvik Viking Centre. Today, the Centre features a portion of the original excavation site, a meticulously recreated Viking town, and an extensive display of artifacts that bring the Viking Age to life.

By the mid-9th century, it was known in Old English as Eoforwic and served as the capital of the Northumbrian Kingdom. In 866 CE, the city fell to the Great Viking Army, and under Norse rule, it was renamed Jorvik, remaining the capital of Northumbria during Viking control. The last Viking ruler of York was the infamous Eric Bloodaxe.

The Jorvik Viking Centre’s underground recreation is truly magnificent. Life-sized mannequins, some modeled after real skeletal remains, are dressed in historically accurate period clothing and placed in detailed settings that illustrate various aspects of Viking life. Adding to the authenticity, the mannequins “speak” Old Norse—much of which is still intelligible—alongside Old English, creating an immersive and well-executed historical experience. Oh, there are also authentic smells that linger from 1000 years ago.

There was also a storyteller giving a detailed an accurate rendering of The Mead of Poetry.

www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk

#jorvikheathens #jorvikvikingfestival #jorvikvikingcentre #jorvik

STAFF OF A VÖLVA AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM

At the British Museum in London, the Tribe Chieftain saw this iron rod/staff that came from a female grave in Norway. The same type of rod/staff has been found in other burials of females in heathen areas, and they are believed to be items used by völur the plural for völva. The evidence is pretty clear. A völva using a staff is mentioned and the saga of Erik the Red. This staff was deliberately bent before the burial to remove its power. Other words used to refer to a völva include spá-kona and seiðkona. The Tribe has our own völva and one in training as well.

From the Saga of Erik the Red:

“A high seat was prepared for her, and a cushion laid thereon in which were poultry-feathers. Now, when she came in the evening, accompanied by the man who had been sent to meet her, she was dressed in such wise that she had a blue mantle over her, with strings for the neck, and it was inlaid with gems quite down to the skirt. On her neck she had glass beads. On her head she had a black hood of lambskin, lined with ermine. A staff she had in her hand, with a knob thereon; it was ornamented with brass and inlaid with gems round about the knob. Around her she wore a girdle of soft hair, and therein was a large skin-bag, in which she kept the talismans needful to her in her wisdom. She wore hairy calf-skin shoes on her feet, with long and strong-looking thongs to them, and great knobs of latten at the ends. On her hands she had gloves of ermine-skin, and they were white and hairy within. Now, when she entered, all men thought it their bounden duty to offer her becoming greetings, and these she received according as the men were agreeable to her.

Besides this staff at the British Museum, Viking Age graves have yielded more enigmatic iron staffs, often found alongside the remains of affluent women. This suggests that völur—Norse seeresses—held positions of high status within their societies. One striking example is the burial at Fyrkat, which aligns with other lavishly furnished völva graves across Scandinavia.
Appropriately Heilung “Traust” if you know you know.

#volur #völva

ARE YOU IN JORVIK (YORK) FOR THE FESTIVAL WEEK? JOIN THE TRIBE AT VALHALLA YORK FOR A HEATHEN MILITARY VETERANS MEET UP

Odin’s Warrior Tribe members are already in York for the Jorvik Viking Festival and will be linking up with British members. We are looking forward to meeting friends, followers, and those interested in joining. We will share Viking camaraderie this Jorvik Viking Festival so join us for Havamal inspired hospitality at an unforgettable Pub Moot & Meet-Up at Valhalla York! This is for heathens who are active-duty military, a veteran, a first responder, or maybe who walks the warrior path of tradition and honor, this is your moment to connect with the tribe. Mark your calendar:

When: Friday, 21 February 2025, at 3:00 PM
When: Saturday, 22 February 2025, at 3:00 PM
Where: Valhalla York, 4 Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB

What’s Included: Two rounds of drinks on us, camaraderie, and a symbolic toast to honor our fallen comrades.

To join, go to our website www.odinswarriortribe.com and find our email and then send us an email. In your email, include your full name and details of your military, law enforcement, or first responder background. After registering, you’ll receive a password, and the full details needed to spot your tribe. Without the password, no entry.

Meet Odin’s Warrior Tribe members from the US and UK.

#HeathenVeterans #ModernVikings #JorvikHeathens #militaryheathens #jorvikvikingfestival #jorvikvikingcentre⚔️ #valhallayork

Tribe Visit to The British Museum and the Lewis Chessmen.

12th Century Norway of walrus ivory and whale’s teeth, including a Berserkr biting his shield.

#lewischessmen #berserkr

VISIT TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM TODAY - SUTTON HOO ARTIFACTS

Sutton Hoo is the site of two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries dating from the 6th to 7th centuries, located near Woodbridge in Suffolk, England. Archaeological excavations of the area began in 1938 and led to one of the most significant discoveries in British history: an undisturbed 27-meter-long ship burial filled with an extraordinary collection of artifacts. There was a burial chamber on the ship. This discovery has provided crucial insights into the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia and the broader early medieval period, which lacks substantial historical documentation. Many of these artifacts are now displayed at the British Museum in London, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship, wealth, and warrior culture of Anglo-Saxon England.

Among the most iconic finds from Sutton Hoo is the famous ceremonial helmet. This iron and tinned-bronze helmet, featuring intricate decorations and a distinctive faceplate with stylized eyebrows, a nose, and a mustache, is believed to have belonged to a high-status warrior or even a king, possibly King Rædwald of East Anglia. The helmet, now painstakingly reconstructed, is one of the most recognized symbols of Anglo-Saxon heritage and warfare.

Another remarkable artifact is the Sutton Hoo sword, a finely crafted weapon that underscores the martial culture of the Anglo-Saxons. The sword features a pattern-welded blade, a technique used to create strong and flexible steel, and a hilt adorned with gold and garnets. This weapon was likely a sign of status and power, possibly wielded by a great warrior or leader. Alongside the sword, a collection of exquisite gold and garnet fittings, including belt buckles and shoulder clasps, showcase the wealth and artistic sophistication of the era.

The burial site also contained an array of treasure, including a large, ornate belt buckle made of solid gold, inlaid with intricate animal interlace designs. This artifact is not only a testament to the high level of Anglo-Saxon metalwork but also indicates the wealth and status of the individual buried at Sutton Hoo.

We will see some of you at the Jorvik Viking Festival.
#Suttonhoo

BALDR WILL RETURN

In Völuspá, looking far into the future, the Völva says that Höðr and Baldr will come back after Ragnarök,

“Then fields unsowed bear ripened fruit,
All ills grow better, and Baldr comes back;
Baldr and Hoth dwell in Hropt’s (Odin’s) battle-hall,
And the mighty gods: would you know yet more?”

#baldr

HEL- RULER OF HELHEIM

Hel, deriving from Old Norse tradition, is a formidable female entity in Norse faith who presides over underworld realm of death that bears her name and where most will go. This domain, known simply as Hel, serves as the final destination for a significant portion of the dead, particularly those who pass away due to illness or old age. Hel is prominently mentioned in key Norse literary sources such as the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, both compiled in the 13th century, drawing from much older oral traditions. Additionally, references to Hel appear in historical texts like Heimskringla and Egils saga, dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, and even in the Latin chronicle Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus from the 12th century. Archaeological artifacts from the Migration Period, such as bracteates, may also depict her image.

Hel is the daughter of the trickster and deceiver Loki and the giantess Angrboða, making her sibling to the monstrous wolf Fenrir and the world-serpent Jörmungandr. According to Gylfaginning in the Prose Edda, Odin, chief of the Aesir gods, sent Hel into Niflheim, appointing her as the ruler of the underworld. In this realm, Gylfi is furthermore informed that when Loki had engendered Hel, she was cast into Niflheimr by Odin: “Hel he cast into Niflheim, and gave to her power over nine worlds, to apportion all abodes among those that were sent to her: that is, men dead of sickness or of old age. She has great possessions there; her walls are exceeding high and her gates great.”

Hel’s appearance is striking and symbolic of her dominion over life and death. She is described as having a dual-colored complexion—half of her body appears livid blue or black, representing decay, while the other half is flesh-colored, symbolizing life. This dichotomy not only highlights her role as the boundary between life and death but also instills an aura of gloom and stern authority. She is depicted as somber, fierce-looking, and downcast, reflecting the nature of her duties.

#Hel #Helheim #niflheim

Rán, is a compelling yet enigmatic figure in our Norse faith and she embodies the darker, more perilous aspects of the sea. In many cultures the sea has a feminine aspect. As the wife of Ægir, the sea giant often regarded as a god of the ocean, Rán’s domain lies within the treacherous depths, where she wields influence over the watery abyss that both gives and takes life. Unlike the gods associated with fertility and prosperity, Rán represents the ocean’s consuming and deadly power, a force that claims sailors and treasures alike.

The name Ran in Old Norse means robbery and the Goddess Ran can drown sailors and bring them down the depths to her realm at the bottom of the Sea where they spend their afterlife vice in Valhalla, Fólkvangr, or Hel, or perhaps another Godly Hall where the record is not clear. Ran catches and drags drowning sailors with her huge fishing net. Because of this she is seen as more sinister than her husband.

Though Rán’s appearances in the Poetic Edda are sparse, her presence resonates through the texts, hinting at her formidable role. In Grímnismál (The Lay of Grímnir), Odin, disguised as Grímnir, speaks of the various realms and deities, mentioning Rán in connection with her dominion over the sea. The verse states:
“Rán owns a net, and with it she seizes men who venture upon the treacherous waves.”

In Egil’s Saga she is in the poem Sonatorrek composed by Egill who had lost a son to the sea,

“Greatly has Rán afflicted me.
I have been despoiled of a great friend.
Empty and unoccupied I see the place
which the sea has torn my son.”

Their nine daughters, the personifications of waves, further illustrate this theme. Each daughter represents a different aspect of the sea’s temperament, from gentle ripples to violent tempests, all under the watchful gaze of their mother, Rán.

The Nine Daughters of Rán and Ægir:

The nine daughters of Rán and Ægir in Norse faith are personifications of the waves. Their names are recorded in Old Norse sources such as the Prose Edda, and each name reflects aspects of the sea’s ever-changing nature.
#norseheathen #norsepagan #heidentum #militaryheathens

ARE YOU READY TO RETAKE JORVIK FOR A WEEK? JOIN THE TRIBE AT VALHALLA YORK FOR A MEET-UP DURING THE JORVIK VIKING FESTIVAL TWO ROUNDS ON US AND A SOME STICKERS!

US based members are packing for the Jorvik Viking Festival and will link up with British members. We are looking forward to meeting friends, followers, and those interested in joining. We will share Viking camaraderie this Jorvik Viking Festival and join us for Havamal inspired hospitality at an unforgettable Pub Moot & Meet-Up at Valhalla York! Whether you are heathen who is active-duty military, a veteran, a first responder, or maybe who walks the warrior path of tradition and honor, this is your moment to connect with the tribe. Mark your calendar:
When: Friday, 21 February 2025, at 3:00 PM
When: Saturday, 22 February 2025, at 3:00 PM
Where: Valhalla York, 4 Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB
What’s Included: Two rounds of drinks on us, camaraderie, and a symbolic toast to honor our fallen comrades.

To join, go to our website www.odinswarriortribe.com and find our email and then send us an email. In your email, include your full name and details of your military, law enforcement, or first responder background. After registering, you’ll receive a password, and the full details needed to spot your tribe. Without the password, no entry.

Meet Odin’s Warrior Tribe members from the US and UK.
Forge bonds with like-minded warriors who value honor, tradition, and the martial spirit.

Take home exclusive Tribe swag like the stickers shown.
Participate in a heartfelt toast to honor fallen comrades, a moment of remembrance you won’t forget.

On our website new book review:

https://www.odinswarriortribe.com/post/book-review-the-demise-of-norse-religion-dismantling-and-defending-the-old-order-in-viking-age-s

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