Tag: norse
Norse Mythology and Advice
Be steadfast like Sigyn, but don’t take any shit.
Be shining like Freyja, but know to put yourself first above all others.
Be humble like Iðunn, but know that you hold powers unimaginable that even they don’t see.
Be careful and shrewd like Frigg, but know when to cherish what you have before it’s gone.
Be wild and free like Skaði, but know that there is no shame in longing for what is home.
Be strong in your convictions like Hel, but know when to have your heart turn toward a worthy cause.
Be enchanting like Gerðr, but know that your radiance is something they can never take from you.
Be a comforting pillar like Sif, but know that it is alright to ask for a helping hand in return.
Be clever like Loki, but know that not everyone can distinguish between cunning and harmful trickery.
Be righteous like Njörðr, but do not bend others to your will and mind like a tyrant.
Be proud of achievements like Bragi, but do not forget the many hands that go into one great piece of work, and dole out thanks accordingly.
Be tender and loving like Freyr, but don’t forget how to fight for your survival with tooth and nail.
Be forever fighting for your loved ones like Týr, but be weary of those who would call you friend and kin only to feed you to the wolves.
Be full of grace and charm like Baldr, but know that not every battle can be fought with the power of soft speech and courtesy when life is on the line.
Be a lover of justice like Forseti, but know that not everyone is looking for advice to their ills.
Be ever keen of eye like Heimdallr, but know that not all secrets that your gaze sees should be shared in others company.
Be blameless like Höðr, but know that even then, all our hands will be stained blood red with some lie or deed eventually.
Be willing to stand tall by your own merits like Ullr, but do not shy from friendly hands that would see you whole and hale to the end.
Be ferocious and strong like Þórr, but know when to stay hand upon weapon and offer kind word instead.
Be a searcher of knowledge like
Óðinn, but be mindful that while we cannot know everything, that does not mean we should stop seeking.
Pronunciation of “Sigyn”
Someone just “liked” an old post of mine where I described how to say Sigyn which is a little bit of a weird word. I did okay at answering but I didn’t really have as well a grasp on what I was talking about as I thought I did, and I said the wrong thing.
Anyway there is actual policy determined by the Íslensk Málstöð, a division of the ministry of education and culture, about the name Sigyn. It says:
Við framburð nafnsins Sigyn hefur hefð skapast fyrir því að bera g-ið fram eins og gert er í orðinu gista.
Concerning the pronunciation of the name Sigyn, it has become customary to pronounce the ‘g’ like is done in the word gista.
That is, like what is written [c] in IPA – sort of like a “k” sound but a little further forward in the mouth.
You can hear a pronunciation by a native Icelandic speaker here: http://forvo.com/search/Sigyn/
For Old Norse the g-sound would most likely have been [ɣ], like in Icelandic saga. But at the time the y would be like it is in modern Danish/Swedish/Norwegian, sort of like a u-sound but further forward in the mouth, or like an i-sound but with rounded lips.
Loki and Sigyn by Lorenz Frølich
9. Ver Sigynjar (“Husband of Sigyn”):
Symbol: Cauldron (such as the meat of the god’s sacrifices were boiled in)
Colors: Orange, yellow, pale-blueSkáldskaparmál 23
In this aspect Loki represents the fire of the hearth and home and the fire of the heart. He is the sacramental fire that Sigyn pours offerings to in order to carry strength to the gods. This aspect is the husband of Sigyn and the father of Váli and Narvi. This aspect of Loki is also the defender of children, as can be seen in the poem Loka Táttur.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/samflegal/fateful-signs-the-illustrated-havamal
If you’ve been following me for the last few months or more, you know that back in December 2015, I dedicated 31 days to illustrate “The Hávamál.”A lot of folks have been asking me to collect all the drawings into a book, so I did!
Signal boosting a fellow artist’s really cool book project!
I might have to back this one. Looks super cool.
Oh my god, you guys, LOOK AT THE DRINKING HORN.
Inspiration to be strong,
to break chains that bind me down.
Loyalty, devotion, hard work:
Aspects I’ve grown to love of myself,
reflections of your strong, gentle hands.Hail to you, Incantation-Fetter,
For no magic binds you,
No will that is not your own can pass your gate.Lend me your strength, wise mother,
so I may follow in your path.Hail to you, fiery spirit, so beloved.
For yours is the flame that stole the Sky-Treader’s heart.
Hail to you, equal of the World-Breaker.Hail to you, goddess, guardian, guide.
Hail to you, mentor, mother, mender.Hail to you, Sigyn
Holding the Bowl 