Part 9 (1/2)
In Holland she was called Vrou-elde, and from her the Milky Way is known by the Dutch as Vrou-elden-straat; while in parts of Northern Germany she was called Nerthus (Mother Earth). Her sacred car was kept on an island, presumably Rugen, where the priests guarded it carefully until she appeared to take a yearly journey throughout her realm to bless the land. The G.o.ddess, her face completely hidden by a thick veil, then sat in this car, which was drawn by two cows, and she was respectfully escorted by her priests. When she pa.s.sed, the people did homage by ceasing all warfare, and laying aside their weapons. They donned festive attire, and began no quarrel until the G.o.ddess had again retired to her sanctuary. Then both car and G.o.ddess were bathed in a secret lake (the Schwartze See, in Rugen), which swallowed up the slaves who had a.s.sisted at the bathing, and once more the priests resumed their watch over the sanctuary and grove of Nerthus or Hlodyn, to await her next appearance.
In Scandinavia, this G.o.ddess was also known as Huldra, and boasted of a train of attendant wood-nymphs, who sometimes sought the society of mortals, to enjoy a dance upon the village green. They could always be detected, however, by the tip of a cow's tail which trailed from beneath their long snow-white garments. These Huldra folk were the special protectors of the cattle on the mountain-sides, and were said to surprise the lonely traveller, at times, by the marvellous beauty of the melodies they sang to beguile the hours at their tasks.
CHAPTER IV: THOR
The Thunderer
According to some mythologists, Thor, or Donar, is the son of Jord (Erda) and of Odin, but others state that his mother was Frigga, queen of the G.o.ds. This child was very remarkable for his great size and strength, and very soon after his birth amazed the a.s.sembled G.o.ds by playfully lifting and throwing about ten great bales of bear skins. Although generally good-tempered, Thor would occasionally fly into a terrible rage, and as he was very dangerous at these times, his mother, unable to control him, sent him away from home and entrusted him to the care of Vingnir (the winged), and of Hlora (heat). These foster-parents, who are also considered as the personification of sheet-lightning, soon managed to control their troublesome charge, and brought him up so wisely, that the G.o.ds entertained a very grateful recollection of their kind offices. Thor himself, recognising all he owed them, a.s.sumed the names of Vingthor and Hlorridi, by which he is also known.
”Cry on, Vingi-Thor, With the dancing of the ring-mail and the smitten s.h.i.+elds of war.”
Sigurd the Volsung (William Morris).
Having attained his full growth and the age of reason, Thor was admitted to Asgard among the other G.o.ds, where he occupied one of the twelve seats in the great judgment hall. He was also given the realm of Thrud-vang or Thrud-heim, where he built a wonderful palace called Bilskirnir (lightning), the most s.p.a.cious in all Asgard. It contained five hundred and forty halls for the accommodation of the thralls, who after death were welcomed to his home, where they received equal treatment with their masters in Valhalla, for Thor was the patron G.o.d of the peasants and lower cla.s.ses.
”Five hundred halls And forty more, Methinketh, hath Bowed Bilskirnir.
Of houses roofed There's none I know My son's surpa.s.sing.”
Saemund's Edda (Percy's tr.).
As he was G.o.d of thunder, Thor alone was never allowed to pa.s.s over the wonderful bridge Bifrost, lest he should set it aflame by the heat of his presence; and when he wished to join his fellow G.o.ds by the Urdar fountain, under the shade of the sacred tree Yggdrasil, he was forced to make his way thither on foot, wading through the rivers Kormt and Ormt, and the two streams Kerlaug, to the trysting place.
Thor, who was honoured as the highest G.o.d in Norway, came second in the trilogy of all the other countries, and was called ”old Thor,”
because he is supposed by some mythologists to have belonged to an older dynasty of G.o.ds, and not on account of his actual age, for he was represented and described as a man in his prime, tall and well formed, with muscular limbs and bristling red hair and beard, from which, in moments of anger, the sparks flew in showers.
”First, Thor with the bent brow, In red beard muttering low, Darting fierce lightnings from eyeb.a.l.l.s that glow, Comes, while each chariot wheel Echoes in thunder peal, As his dread hammer shock Makes Earth and Heaven rock, Clouds rifting above, while Earth quakes below.”
Valhalla (J. C. Jones).
The Northern races further adorned him with a crown, on each point of which was either a glittering star, or a steadily burning flame, so that his head was ever surrounded by a kind of halo of fire, his own element.
Thor's Hammer
Thor was the proud possessor of a magic hammer called Miolnir (the crusher) which he hurled at his enemies, the frost-giants, with destructive power, and which possessed the wonderful property of always returning to his hand, however far away he might hurl it.
”I am the Thunderer!
Here in my Northland, My fastness and fortress, Reign I forever!