Nerthus

Mother of Vanaheim

Nerthus, Great Goddess of the Northlanders

by Rede Seeker

“Goddess on Her Throne!”

How many times have I cried this giving voice to the frustrations of Life among closed-minded people? 

“Goddess on Her Throne!”

How many times have I received a wave of peace in return to my cry?

“Goddess on Her Throne!”

How many times have I sought Her identity beyond the Veiled Lady on a Throne?

“Goddess on Her Throne!”

Who are you? Why do I feel peace when I call upon You? Why the Throne? Why the Veil?

The Veil hides Her tears. The mileage was not kind to Her as She trod the road to Her Throne. Having ascended in Glory, Enshrined, She remembers the roads traveled, pieces of HerSelf shed along the way, new pieces arising only to be worn away in another mile or two or twenty.

She remembers the pieces of HerSelf left in the Earth as Fjorgynn. So much of Her Other Worldly DNA remains for the Earth to bear Her name and retain Her identity as Earth Mother.

She remembers the pieces of HerSelf risen in bright youth, strong, intense, revered - the Battle Maiden Njorun. Boar-emblazened, Shining, Calling Forth the Best within Mankind as they claimed their right to existence as free men and women. Crushed to near-nonexistence, but Her emblem remained upon the battlefield for future generations to find. A spark to memory, kindles fire in the mind and desire in the heart. The blood-in-the-Earth shed long ago, is drawn upon once more. Those deaths ensured rebirth.

She honors those Dead-in-Her-Name, ascends the Throne, Her fame in folklore written and read to children by parents who will not let the Legends fade. With each line read to a child warm in bed, another Ancestor awakens and kisses the child good-night.

She honors the Earth into which those Dead bled as She led them forth. The Earth, richly fed, held Her essence and fed their children in turn. Njorun is set aside that Fjorgynn may lead. 

She honors Her journey. Fjorgynn is set aside that Nerthus may ascend Her Throne - Sovereign but not alone. All those who knew Her as Njorun stand with Her. All those who knew Her as Fjorgynn feast at her table. Sovereign Lady - Triple Goddess - Veiled to blunt the brightness of Her pride beaming as only a Mother-of-Heroes may show. 

Her beaming pride answers my call to the Goddess on Her Throne. Warmed, Welcomed, Made Whole once more.  

“Child of the Northlanders, I am here.”