However, many scholars speculate that Nerthus might be the unnamed mother of the fertility twins. Norse Prayers: To Honour the Godesses Honouring through prayer to the Gods and Goddesses is a basic principle when working with any Deities in any spirituality, it is really simple to do and requires nothing more than your belief and dedication, part of the work however is making these prayers your own, and so writing your own prayers is an essential part of working with them. There are several reasons for this: The Vanir-Æsir War is its own long and fascinating story but after its end, the Vanir and Æsir pantheons were combined. The Vanir practice marriage between siblings similar to the ancient Egyptians ( Isis and Osiris ; Set and Nephthys). Goddess Nerthus statuette. She appears in Norse mythology as Nerthus (Earth), sister-wife of Njord (Sea). [1], Tacitus’s account has been corroborated by archaeology, as a number of finds have demonstrated that practices such as the one he describes here did indeed take place during the period in question, and, in fact, even farther back in the history of the Germanic peoples. According to the Roman historian, several prominent Germanic tribes worshipped a goddess of the Mother Earth named Nerthus. Proponents of this theory can also point to evidence from grammar and the frequent plural usage of the name “Njord” (effectively “the Njords”) in early Old Norse poetry. There is a minor planet called 601 Nerthus as well as several European football/soccer teams named after the goddess (with varying spellings) but that’s about it. We know so little of Hretha that many interpretations are possible, and certainly a goddess called Nerthus was of great importance to at least some of the Germanic peoples Tacitus mentions her in … She is believed to be the mother of Freyja {and Frey} the Norse goddess of beauty and love. Their favoured goddess at that time was known as Nerthus (‘the Earth goddess’). After that, the chariot, the vestments, and (believe it if you will) the goddess herself, are cleansed in a secluded lake. The priest can feel the presence of the goddess in this holy of holies, and attends her with the deepest reverence as her chariot is drawn along by cows. She appears in Norse mythology as Nerthus (Earth), sister-wife of Njord (Sea). Various theories exist regarding the goddess and her potential later traces amongst the Germanic tribes. During this ceremony, the goddess’s priests would wheel a cart draped with her sacred cloth through Germanic villages, causing inhabitants to put aside arms and embrace each other in celebration. What most people skip, however, is the entire second pantheon of deities called the Vanir gods. The priests feel her presence by the cart, and, with deep reverence, attend her cart, which is drawn by heifers. She is so mysterious that no-one knows anything about her except a cult so secret no-one knows anything about that … As the goddess rode through Northern Europe, peace followed, and the tribes were forbidden from warring with each other. Amongst scholars there is some ambiguity regarding Nerthus and Njord because grammatically, Nerthus is “the same form of the name which would correspond to the Old Norse God Njord.” (ibid). Njord and his children, Freya and Freyr, went to live in Asgard as Vanir representatives/hostages. One such “tradition” seems to be that of incestuous relationships. Translated by Harold Mattingly. Nerthus (Proto-Germanic *Nerþus) is a pre-Christian goddess venerated by some of the continental Germanic tribes described by the Roman historian Tacitus in his Germania (authored about 100 CE). Like Njord, she is strongly associated with frith (peace) and fertility rites. Tacitus recorded that each year there was festival where the goddess would supposedly travelled in a chariot pulled by two white heifers, escorted by the priest. [1] Tacitus, Cornelius. Jewish Symbols – History, Meaning and Importance, Star of David Symbol – Origins and Meanings, Celtic Shield Knot – History and Symbolism, Endless Knot – Meaning, Symbolism and History, Ratatoskr – The Norse Messenger Squirrel and Bringer of Doom. *The Vanir referred to celestial beings and gods most known for their healing, wisdom and prophetic powers Tags: Baldur Freyja Freyr Frigg Heimdall Loki Mjölnir Odin Ragnarök Religion Valhalla 2. There’s also the linguistic similarities between Nerthus and Njord. [2] Simek, Rudolf. Nerthus Nerthus was a Norse goddess who was thought to be one of the Vanir deities. The Old Norse Language and How to Learn It, The Swastika – Its Ancient Origins and Modern (Mis)use. How does this Proto-Germanic deity related to the Norse pantheon of gods? She was venerated by the Suebi tribe of Germans. The minor planet 601 … Tacitus details how these Germanic tribes believed Nerthus rode on a chariot drawn by cows, riding from tribe to tribe, bringing peace along with her. The Germanic people followed a lunar calendar, and honoured certain gods at certain times of year. NERTHUS: She was the Norse goddess of peace, happiness and wealth. Nerthus is not a war-like deity like most Norse Æsir or Proto-Germanic gods and instead aims to bring peace and calm to her subjects. In Germania, Tacitus records that the remote Suebi tribes were united by their veneration of the goddess at his time of writing and maintained a sacred grove on an (unspecified) island and that a holy cart rests there draped with cloth, which only a priest may touch. That’s why she’s not technically added to the Njord-Freyr-Freyja family. When thinking about Norse gods, most of us imagine the Æsir/Aesir/Asgardian pantheon of gods led by the Allfather Odin, his wife Frigg, and the god of thunder Thor. Nerthus (Proto-Germanic *Nerþus) is a pre-Christian goddess venerated by some of the continental Germanic tribes described by the Roman historian Tacitus in his Germania(authored about 100 CE). Unfortunately for the latter, the slaves were then killed so that other mortal men could never learn of Nerthus’ secret rituals. Nerthus is thoroughly described by the Roman historian Tacitus around 100 BCE but aside from his account, the rest is up for interpretation. As the Roman legions kept marching through Northern Europe, they encountered dozens if not hundreds of warring Germanic tribes. Given Tacitus’s identification of Nerthus with Terra Mater (“Mother Earth”), it’s also tempting to identify Nerthus with Jord (Old Norse “Earth”), the obscure mother of Thor. The ignorance surrounding her is also rather large. So, given that all communities knew or worshipped other Earth, peace, and fertility deities already, Nerthus was likely just left aside. She was 3. Nerþuz is a Germanic deity. © Daniel McCoy 2012-2019. Seemingly, nothing. Known as a bringer of peace, Nerthus was honored during a ritualistic cart procession. They believe She is interested in humanity's affairs and drives about among them. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Nerthus, ancient Germanic goddess known from a report of her given by the Roman historian Tacitus, who in his Germania (late 1st century ad) refers to her as Terra Mater, or Mother Earth, and says that she was worshiped by seven tribes (among whom were the Angles, who later invaded England). “After them come the Reudingi, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarini and Nuitones, behind their ramparts of rivers and woods. Nerthus is often identified with the van Njörðr who is attested in various 13th century Old Norse works and in numerous Scandinavian place names.The connection between the two is due to the linguistic relationship between Njörðr and the reconstructed Proto-Germanic *Nerþuz, Nerthus being the feminine, Latinized form of what Njörðr would have looked like around the first century. Freyja and Freyr are two of the most prominent and unique Norse deities and even if Nerthus wasn’t their mother after all she was definitely a prominent goddess of peace and fertility in her day, disproving the narrative that the ancient Germanic tribes only cared about war and bloodshed. Nerthus: The Teutonic goddess of fertility; later identified with Norse Njord. The gods and goddesses of Asatru: Njord and Nerthus The name of this North German goddess, Nerthus (coming from a root meaning “under” – the same root that Modern English “north” is derived from), is precisely the same name as that of the Old Norse god Njördhr or Njord; only the gender and linguistic form are changed between the Proto-Germanic and the Old Norse. May 19, 2019 - aka Rheda, Nerthus/Jord, the earth goddess. Everywher… Nerthus is a mysterious Goddess in ancient Germanic cults and religions. Freya Freya may have been the same goddess as Frigg, as there were numerous similarities in Norse mythology between them. In the first, Nerthus and Njord form a divine pair, much like the other two Vanir deities whose names are almost identical to each other, Freyr and Freya. The Vanir practice marriage between siblings similar to the ancient Egyptians ( Isis and Osiris ; Set and Nephthys). Looking for more great information on Norse mythology and religion? Nerthus is attested by Tacitus, the first century CE Roman historian, in his Germania. Nerthus is the Earth Goddess, who was said to have traveled through Denmark in a wagon, from which she blessed people with peace and prosperity, happiness and fertility. Jörð, Thor’s mother, was the “OG” Earth goddess, speculated to be both Odin’s sister and sexual partner by some sources and an ancient giantess/jötunn by others. The confusion comes because the two pantheons eventually merged after the Vanir-Æsir War. In Norse mythology, he was the champion of goodness, innocence and forgiveness. p. 92-96. Nerthus is a mysterious Goddess in ancient Germanic cults and religions. Thus mystery begets terror and a pious reluctance to ask what that sight can be which is seen only by men doomed to die. In fact, even if she wasn’t Njord’s sister at all, why wasn’t she incorporated into the Norse pantheon anyway with the rest of the ancient Scandinavian and Proto-Germanic deities? Nerthus had been known to mingle with humans." Her worship may date to the Bronze Age. With such stiff competition, it’s very likely that Nerthus’ myth simply didn’t survive through the ages. This has led to all sorts of scholarly speculation but within the modern community both Deities are usually worshipped as separate entities. According to the historian Tacitus, Her worship was widespread all over Germania, the Czech Republic, and as far north as the Jutland peninsula and Sweden. The name of this North German goddess, Nerthus (coming from a root meaning “under” – the same root that Modern English “north” is derived from), is precisely the same name as that of the Old Norse god Njördhr or Njord; only the gender and linguistic form are changed between the … Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. As an Earth goddess, Nerthus is a likely pair for Njord – the Vanir god of the sea. Nerthus is not a war-like deity like most Norse Æsir or Proto-Germanic gods and instead aims to bring peace and calm to her subjects. There are also plenty of giants within Norse mythology, which indicates that larger than normal beings did once inhabit our planet. Who Were the Indo-Europeans and Why Do They Matter. Nerthus is a profound Norse/Germanic goddess (of the Vanir clan of gods) whose true might, in my opinion, is merely implied by the often cited … Thanks to them – the Roman legions – we now have a somewhat detailed account of what many of these tribes worshipped and how their beliefs were connected. The Norse goddess of youthfulness and fertility, Idun carried magical apples that preserved youth and prevented aging. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. While little is known about Nerthus outside of this ritual, she was thought to reside in her sacred grove on an as-of-yet unidentified island. Simek considers Nerthus to have been a Baltic and/or Danish Goddess, since the tribes Tacitus specifically refers to settled east of the Elbe River. 1993. One of the several special things about that goddess was a particular peace ritual. Nerthus is attested by Tacitus, the first century AD Roman historian, in his ethnographic work Germania. After that the cart, the cloth and, if you care to believe it, the goddess herself are washed in clean in a secluded lake. Husband of Sigyn, his mistress Angrboda, the giantess. On an island of the sea stands an inviolate grove, in which, veiled with a cloth, is a chariot that none but the priest may touch. Freyr, the male twin god of fertility got married to the giantess/jötunn Gerðr after the Vanir/Æsir merger but before that he’s known to have had a sexual relationship with his twin sister Freyja. Once peace was achieved, Nerthus’ priests brought her chariot, her vestment, and the goddess herself – body, flesh, and all – to her home on an island in the Northern Sea. Ancient religions and mythology survived on a village-by-village basis with most communities believing in most gods but worshipping one in particular. 5 out of 5 stars. And, of course, Freyr and Freyja are also fertility deities – both in sexual and in farming context – and are therefore associated with the Earth and its fruits. In Germania, Tacitus records that the remote Suebi tribes were united by their veneration of the goddess at his time of writing and maintained a sacred grove on an (unspecified) island and that a holy cart rests there draped with cloth, which only a priest may touch. They believe that she takes part in human affairs, riding in a chariot among her people. Name. Experts now believe that Nerthus may have been an early interpretation of the more well known goddess, Freya. All rights reserved. Germania 40. One of the great puzzles of Norse mythology is the problem of Nerthus and Njord. According to the historian Tacitus, Her worship was widespread all over Germania, the Czech Republic, and as far north as the Jutland peninsula and Once there, the goddess was cleansed in a lake by her priests with the help of their slaves. Days of marry-making and rejoicing followed the goddess and every iron object was locked away. Then, and then only, are peace and quiet known and welcomed, until the goddess, when she has had enough of the society of men, is restored to her sacred precinct by the priest. Even though this Earth goddess was left behind by history, her heritage remained. Nevertheless, both the Vanir and the Æsir seem to have been based on the even older Prot-Germanic gods. Tacitus refers to Nerthus as Tera Mater, or Mother Earth, so she was more than just a fertility goddess. I’ve also written a popular list of The 10 Best Norse Mythology Books, which you’ll probably find helpful in your pursuit. 1993. Especially in sea-faring cultures like the Norse and the Vikings, the pairing of Sea and Earth typically meant fertility and wealth. However, it’s highly likely that she was a Vanir goddess whose myths and worship eventually declined. B. Rives of Tacitus’ Germania, which details the worship of Nerthus. No one goes to war, no one takes up arms; every object of iron is locked away; then, and only then, are peace and quiet known and loved, until the priest again restores the goddess to her temple, when she has had her fill of human company. Nerthus, Norse Goddess, Viking Goddess (statue, statuette, figurine) Sérgio Marques Mar 1, 2019. Nerthus or Erda is the Germanic/Norse Goddess of the Earth. In one of the most famous Norse She is the Earth mother that rules over Midgard and was one of the Vanir Deities of the Norse pantheon. the two names translate into each other. Experts now believe that Nerthus may have been an early interpretation of the more well known goddess, Freya. Together, Nerthus and Njord govern the prosperity and wealth … Nerthus is viewed as one of the Vanir (by some the Queen or Mother of the Vanir). She is related to the Norse god Njord. Nerthus, be present at my rite! (2) The second theory argues that Nerthus/Njord was a hermaphroditic deity.[4]. The answer, most likely, is that there already were several “female Earth deities” in Norse mythology and Nerthus was just left behind by the bards and poets who “recorded” the ancient Norse myths and legends. In an island of the Ocean stands a sacred grove, and in the grove a consecrated cart, draped with cloth, which none but the priest may touch. As an Earth goddess, Nerthus is a likely pair for Njord – the Vanir god of the sea. The Germanic goddess Nerthus, whose cult is described by the Roman historian Tacitus, in the first century AD, is not attested in any other source, but her name is linguistically the same as that of the Scandinavian sea-god Njord, who appears in sources roughly 1 000 years later. A German Earth Mother Goddess specializing in fertility, she is nude with naughty bits of over-generous proportions. Nerthus, goddess of sacred rites, I call you now to my devotion. Njord and his children, Freya and Freyr, went to live in Asgard as Vanir representatives/hostages. Freyja herself was the wife of Óðr but she’s also the lover of her brother Freyr. Unfortunately, as a truly ancient Proto-Germanic deity, Nerthus isn’t really represented in modern culture and literature. Interestingly, the Norse deity Njordr has similar attributes compared to Nerthus and it is therefore generally agreed that Nerthus turned into Njord in Scandinavia, basically Njordr is a later, male, depiction of the ancient Goddess And then, there’s the god of the sea Njord who married Skadi after joining the Æsir pantheon but before that fathered Freyja and Freyr with his own unnamed sister – likely, the goddess Nerthus. 1964. Nerthus is a profound Norse/Germanic goddess (of the Vanir clan of gods) whose true might, in my opinion, is merely implied by the often cited excerpts from Tacitus' Germania, which outline several religious practices Two main theories have been put forward to account for this. Nerthus can comfortably be grouped with the Vanir, or can at least be considered to be something of a “proto-Vana” goddess. Associated with Nerthus. Most ancient cultures, including the Norse, paired Earth and Sea (or Earth and Sky) deities together. How had Nerthus undergone a change of sex, still baffled modern scholars. In Germanic paganism, Nerthus is a goddess associated with fertility. p. 230. Here is a translation by J. Though the worshipped of Nerthus seemed to ended in the 5th or 6th century, the later tradition says that she had been identified with Norse god, Njörd (Njord), the Vanir god of the wind and sea. Nerthus – is she yet another Norse goddess of the Earth or is she something truly special? Archaeological finds confirm Tacitus’ writings of Nerthus. Nerthus "They (several of the celto-germanic tribes of northern Germany) have in common the worship of Nerthus, that is Mother Earth. This service is performed by slaves who are immediately afterwards drowned in the lake. Enter Tacitus and his description of Nerthus. Nerthus (Latinized Germanic, from Proto-Germanic *Nerthuz) Latinized form of what Old Norse Njörðr would have looked like around 1 CE. No one goes to war, no one takes up arms; every iron object is locked away. p. 134-135. Nerthus is related to the Greek nerteroi (gods of the underworld), and with Njord, the Norse god of the sea. Nerthus clearly fits the Vanir profile – a fertility Earth goddess that walks around the land and brings peace and fertility with her. Njörd was the male form of Nerthus. If Nerthus was Njord’s sister, why wasn’t she “invited” into Asgard with the rest of the family after the Vanir-Æsir War? The Vanir gods were mostly worshipped in Northern Scandinavia while the Æsir were worshipped all throughout Northern Europe and the Germanic tribes. She was the Earth Goddess. Most ancient cultures, including the … The priest perceives the presence of the goddess in this holy of holies and attends her, in deepest reverence, as her cart is drawn by heifers. Prior to the war, these were two separate sets of gods. Let the tribes … There is nothing noteworthy about these peoples individually, but they are distinguished by a common worship of Nerthus, or Mother Earth. Nerthus is often identified with the van Njörðr who is attested in various 13th century Old Norse works and in numerous Scandinavian place names.The connection between the two is due to the linguistic relationship between Njörðr and the reconstructed Proto-Germanic *Nerþuz, Nerthus being the feminine, Latinized form of what Njörðr would have looked like around the first century. Son of jötunn (giants). What distinguished the two pantheons were a couple of factors: The three most prominent Vanir deities are the god of the sea Njord and his two children, the twin gods of fertility from an unnamed mother – Freyr and Freyja. Translated by Angela Hall. [3], Nerthus’s name also suggests a connection with the Vanir deities. Meili Old Norse = 'the lovely one' God: Æsir: Nanna Old Norse name deriving from Ancient Germanic nanþi = 'daring' Goddess: Ásynjur: Nerthus (Nertous) Goddess: Vanir: lakes and springs: Njord (Njörðr, Njörd, Niördr Niord, Njorth, Nordur) God: Vanir: the sea, the wind, fertility, patron saint of fishermen and sailors: Njorun (Njörun, Niorun) Sonia was super … Nerthus is one of the more prominent Proto-Germanic deities that the Roman Empire encountered during its attempts at conquering the continent. The Vanir gods were predominantly peaceful deities, devoted to fertility, wealth, and farming while the Æsir gods were more war-like and militant. In the Elbe River region of Germany is where the large Suebi tribes came from. Njörðr is often identified with the goddess Nerthus, whose reverence by various Germanic tribes is described by Roman historian Tacitus in his 1st CE century work Germania. Many linguistic scholars speculate that the Old Norse name Njord is the exact equivalent for the Proto-Germanic name Nertus, i.e. Nerthus is represented with a white drape on her face, it must remain concealed when she wanted come up on the surface to keep in touch with humans for a period in which they celebrated the Goddess bringing her on the cart drawn by white cows. Well, in a rather speculative, curious, and incestuous way. Read More About the Goddess: [4] Simek, Rudolf. Translated by Angela Hall. Thus mystery begets terror and pious reluctance to ask what the sight can be that only those doomed to die may see.”. Following a suggestion from a friend i came to Etsy and found this Cerridwen figurine from L' Artefatto Esoterico by Sonia Bartolucci. So, what does Nerthus has to do with the Vanir pantheon of gods? 1948. [3] Ellis-Davidson, Hilda Roderick. Then follow days of rejoicing and merry-making in every place that she designs to visit and be entertained. Nerthus, as in days of old, you are needed once more. Their favoured goddess at that time was known as Nerthus (‘the Earth goddess’). The Old Norse name of the god Njord is exactly what the Proto-Germanic name Nerthus would look like if it were rendered in Old Norse. Nerthus Pocket Prayer Beads in Malachite-Azurite: Norse Goddess of Abundance and Fertility In The Agricola and Germania. Nerthus is a profound Norse/Germanic goddess (of the Vanir clan of gods) whose true might, in my opinion, is merely implied by the often cited excerpts from Tacitus’ Germania, which outline several religious practices, including a wain procession, feasts, recreational events, and a ritual washing of the goddess (in statue form), followed by the drowning of the slaves who looked upon her in order … The first account of her was written by a roman historian before the start of the Viking Age in the 1st century AD when she was mentioned in
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