Thorshof would like to promote research into the true nature of the goddesses (Asyniur) of the North and encourage folk to feel free to express the devotion felt for them and therefore is setting forth the concept, for interested twentieth century readers, of a 'virtual guild' for modern heathens.
The name has been taken from the name Snorri Sturluson gave for the communal hall for the goddesses, as opposed to the individual goddess halls he also named, within Ásgard:
'... in the place called Idavoll ... They built another hall, this was the sanctuary that belonged to the goddesses, and it was very beautiful. This building is called Vingolf'.2
This then is the archetype for the modern "virtual" sanctuary for adherents of the Asyniur. This virtual guild, as opposed to the average organisation, has some notable characteristics:
* There is no meeting place or formal organisation - it will simply exist through the hearts of those who love any of the Asyniur.
* You can 'enrol' simply by sending an email to Thorshof and stating your interest. Please let us know what information you would like to see on this website and feel free to contribute any articles, poems or stories.
E-mail address: skegga@nildram.co.uk
Or write to Vingolf at PO Box 16071, London, SE16 3XJ, England.
* A number of suggestions for appropriate ways of honouring your patroness, or any other Northern goddess with whom you wish to work, can be found below.
This website has an index which lists a number of the native goddess of the North, and the areas where they are known to have been worshipped (or, because a number have only survived in the writings of Snorri, simply been listed as 'Scandinavian'). There are also a few articles on this site about the major goddesses in the North for your interest.
The following suggestions are ideas from various people, inspired by hints of traditional devotion accorded to the Asyniur:
1) Dedicate a tree, pond (water area) or stone in your garden to the goddess. If you have not been blessed with a home that includes a garden, dedicate a small shrine to her. This could include such items as a candle, blessing bowl, fresh flowers, incense or perfume burner in a secluded spot such as a shelf, dedicated corner on a small cupboard to act as an altar (harrow) or even an entire room as sacred space (to be a Vé or a mini hof).
2) Perform an act to honour your patron goddess on a regular basis. This is only limited by your imagination - a simple act would be to light a candle and sit quietly in meditation for a while. Friday is most appropriate day for this day is actually named for a northern goddess in the English speaking world: 'Frige-daeg' or Frigga's day. It was likely known as day of the goddess throughout the Indo-European world as the Roman name for Friday was 'Venus dies'. It should be remembered that for Northern folk the day began on the evening before the morning so when Thursday evening has grown totally dark could be the start of your devotion.
3) Take up an activity strongly associated with the goddess such as
* Being a Parent - Though this is not something that can simply be picked up and put down as you desire and is probably more accurately described as a vocation or lifelong role rather than an 'activity'. Especially relevant to mothers though men should not be excluded from the ways of the goddess. An essential role in all societies which should be honoured and the 'Mothers' of the North, such as Frigga, are a great aid to the folk who have embarked on what will hopefully be a lifelong duty and reward.
* Spinning & weaving - These are crafts strongly associated with the goddesses through folklore and can be seen on one level as being the creation of useful and beautiful artefacts out of base material. Traditional crafts should not be despised because our current society's technology allows us to live without having to learn the old crafts. That said, any suggestions for a modern equivalent skill to these older 'technologies' would be gratefully listened to.
* Gardening/Pot Plants/Herblore - A number of goddesses are often associated with fertility and healing, nurturing aspects. Not least of which is Jorð/Nerthus (Mother Earth) herself.
* Magical Crafts - This is a sub-section within itself and includes
Hexcraft : This tradition has been especially retained amongst American settlers of German extraction (the Pennsylvanian Dutch or 'Deutch'). These are complex and carefully designed pictures and/or traditional signs within a circle.
Runecraft : Despite accounts of the god Óðinn being the deity who hung in self-sacrifice and seized the runes, there are historical accounts of women called Haljarunae or those who 'runed to Hella'. Seiðr : A shamanistic skill described in as being carried out on a raised platform, with at least one member of those gathered around the volva, singing the song to summon the spirits).
Soulcraft : This is what Tony Lindsell defined as psychology and magic and there are suggestions that both written and chanted magic was practised in the North. Spaecraft : Divination or 'far-seeing'
* Guthcraft : This is Old English for 'war-like power'. The goddesses were not only nurturing, loving and magical beings - they could also be extremely martial. There is the Scandinavian huntress Skaði who stormed into Asgard in full battle-gear to demand her rights when her father was killed and the vanic goddess Freyja who went onto the battle-field to pick her dead.
1 Snorri Sturluson (Anthony Faulkes trans.), Edda, (Everyman 1992) 2 Snorri Sturluson, ibid., (Everyman 1992), Gylfaginning [14]