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At the end of the World, the great Ash tree Yggdrasil dies...
According to Norse myths, the end of Asgard the world of the gods, and home to Odin, Thor, and Loki is brought about by the death of Yggdrasil, the great ash, tree of life and wisdom from which Odin hung upside down for 9 days and lost the sight of one of his eyes in exchange for the wisdom of the runes, and intuition of the goddesses or norns. The tree had been kept alive by these three women of fate (past, present, and future), Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, who cared for the tree giving it water from Mirmir’s Well of wisdom, and covered its wounds, inflicted by goats and deer, with white clay. Despite their care, the great tree dies from its roots, slowly strangled by the great serpent Nidhogg, whose body was entwined throughout the roots of the great tree, and who symbolizes the inevitable cycles of life, death and renewal. "...fueled a lifelong fascination with my Scandinavian heritage, including the history, mythology, folklore, and traditions that I felt was entirely missing from my formal education. The journey I have taken in recovering my cultural heritage eventually led me to a Norwegian word, friluftsliv, a concept that bridges the mythopoetic folklore of Scandinavia with a way of being with nature that invokes a sense of wonder, respect, and joy in being present and at home in nature. The direct translation of friluftsliv means “free air life”. My perspectives of friluftsliv are still developing, and my hope is that this essay will trigger an understanding and desire to explore its application to the American relationship to, and use of, nature. A special tradition that is shared by many Scandinavians is the planting or the knowing of a special tree in Swedish called a vårdtrad, and Norwegian a tuntre; a sacred tree planted in the center of the yard on a family farm that reflects an intimacy with a place. The caring for the tree is a moral reminder of caring for the farm or place where one lives. One Norwegian told me that the tuntre provided a direct connection with the nature spirits that lived underground at his farm. Douglas Hulmes is continuing his research in Norway and Sweden of this fascinating tradition. So far, finding no direct evidence either written or in practice of this tradition being brought to America." We would like to hear from anyone who knows if this tradition was practiced by Scandinavian immigrants, and if not, perhaps it is time to revive the tradition here in America. - Go to Douglas Hulmes, Professor tab for the full story on the Scandinavian tradition of planting a sacred tree at the farm or yard.
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jillellyn.com links events and participants together!
Programs are being scheduled now for Fall 2010 ____________________________________________ Roar Moe and Litle Færøy Fall and Winter 2007 dates available for scheduling multimedia presentations by Roar Moe at your school, office or event.
 Sailing, Fishing, and Farming before the Engine - Learning teamwork and self-sufficiency on a one man island near Hardbakke, Norway. 
The OPPORTUNITY: Fill old bottles with new wine
Gordon Lightfoot on Tour
Go to UTube for many concert videos by search for Lightfoot!
Link to the tour schedule here. | |
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