Naming and dedicating

[Loki's Advocate]

This is an idea that I've discussed a little in a different context, and tried out, but it isn't what I would call anything approaching my best idea or anything... so bear with me a little. ;) It will be one of the few times I make a post of this nature, because quite frankly, it always ends up sounding pretentious when I do it, and so I don't like doing it.

For everyday objects, this doesn't apply so much. It applies mostly to valuable tools that are symbolic of what you do the most of, what you would call your 'calling', as well as objects that are definitely functional and often maintained, but that you use very rarely and never use lightly nor ever for a frivolous purpose. Like valuable pens, swords and other weapons, firearms, and what have you.

Also, these objects must be valuable, very well crafted, or otherwise genuinely have some great value to you personally.
_____
Think of all the ways that 'elevate' the gods above us. Now, what is the single area in which us mere mortals (not just humans, in Norse cosmology, don't forget) are 'greater' than the gods, and which area is it that the gods seem to be OK with us being greater than them?

Artifice, right? Even if you literally placed the gods into our real-life context, that would still be the only area in which we would outstrip them. After all, why did the dwarves remain the premier artificiers in the myths?

...anyway, that's why I think this idea has some real place, and isn't just some 'eclectic' Wicca-type thing (not knocking Wicca or anything :D ). Also, think of the all the significance naming has, and all the references made to it in the sagas... phew, nice save :D

My favourite sword is a beautiful Toledo-made estoc which I've named Mistelteinn, and which is only ever used in home defence). In this post I'll use it as my example.

Anyway, this is how I do it. I mark the object with something that will be pleasing to the god in question, in more than one way if possible.

So when I named my sword, I first made a mixture of flammable liquid (near-pure grape alcohol made by a relative) and a mixture of essential oils from a batch I just bought, and applied it to the sword blade and hilt, so the brief flame and the smell might be pleasing to Loki, who is after all the end of everyone, even violent home-invaders who conceivably choose to assert their presence in our abode in the future. In light of his generally unreliable character, though, I also then inscribed a thurisaz on the hilt right below the blade.

I make an inscription (or an embroider, or whatever's appropriate) of the name of the object, in runes, on the object on an appropriate spot.

In the case of my sword, I inscribed 'Mistelteinn', in runes, on the hilt, just below the thurisaz.

Then I say, 'This whatever is called whatever, by whomever's grace. May it serve until the twilight comes of the powers.' (or whatever seems appropriate)

My estock has a genuine bell-hilt; it's perfectly concentric, shallow, and makes a pure bell tone when struck with metal. So I took a small metal bar, about a pencil's thickness, struck it against the hilt, and said, 'This sword is named Mistelteinn by Loki's grace. May it never rust until the twilight comes of the powers' while the tone sounded.

And it was named, and it's only been uncovered or handled when being maintained or balanced, in light of its intended nature. In the case of a non-weapon which is dedicated to any non-unreliable god, I don't suppose this precaution is necessary...

If it's felt any lighter or any more well-balanced, or any keener on going through a hanging sheet of linen (and I swear it has), it's because of this, because the maintenance schedule hasn't changed- so who cares if it's been a 'placebo' effect, in all likelihood?

... so call me weird now, if you must. :-D

[Teufelhunden]

Man what a pretensious wierdo.. <W> lol :)
Good post, hey never worry about stuff like that, it is easier to speak the mind than to keep yout thought bottled up.. Pretty good idea also, I like to do simmular things with objects to dedicate them, One thing a bit off topic that I have found also is that with one of my patrons being Freya, If you are going to name a huge cat Loki, be prepared for said cat to be loveable but a rea pain in the butt lol... :D

[Lonnie]

Think of all the ways that 'elevate' the gods above us. Now, what is the single area in which us mere mortals (not just humans, in Norse cosmology, don't forget) are 'greater' than the gods, and which area is it that the gods seem to be OK with us being greater than them?


I would have to doubt that very seriously... :rolleyes:

[battleax]

I named some of my hand tools that I use at work. I have had a lot of these tools since I started my trade when i was 18 and have seen me through quite a bit

When some of my co-workers ask to borrow something they know the name I call it and they call it the same. It is actually kinda funny.

[pinlighter]

I'd have to dedicate a computer program, I think . . . . :p


Wonderful post, Loki's Advocate

[Loki's Advocate]

I would have to doubt that very seriously... :rolleyes:

Fair enough, heh heh.

How about this? Don't you find it odd that a mortal race produced all the most valuable 'artifacts' of the gods? If the gods never learned how to make the like of Mjollnir or what-have-you, don't you think it's possible that they might be incapable of doing so?

(Why this is, I couldn't say for sure.)

So, you dedicate especially useful, meaningful, and well-made objects to the gods... I guess, in part, to show that your head hasn't gotten too big for itself.

[Lonnie]

Fair enough, heh heh.

How about this? Don't you find it odd that a mortal race produced all the most valuable 'artifacts' of the gods? .


Ummm, Last I checked, the Dvergr are not "mortals" as humans are mortal...

[battleax]

There are other thoughts on how artifacts like Mjollnir were made.

Now I get the chance to post a long and meanless post. hehe jk

Here is something I wrote a while ago and never finished fully. There are spelling and grammer mistakes. ignore them



Intro


Mjollnir -
Or what is commonly knows as "Thor's Hammer" has been a ancient symbol of a powerful gift, smithed and
given to Thor by the Primal Artists Brokk and Sindre. It is worn for protection and as a symbol of belief in the
Northern Gods. Mjollnir could not be lost and would return to the owners hand when thrown. Thor had to wear a
special glove to handle mjollnir. It is also said that it could shrink to be small enough to fit in your pocket. Thor will
carry Mjollnir into Ragnarok and crush the head of Jormungand but will be bitten and poisoned anyways and die
after taking 9 steps. The Hammer will be passed down to his sons Modi and Magni to defend the new earth that
will come after Ragnarok.
The symbolism of the power of Mjollnir can be felt today in the world around us. We are able to harness massive
amounts of physical energy and control it. We can use it for whatever purpose we choose and direct it. While
doing this we need to take special precautions similar to Thor's glove. We must keep in mind when using a
powerful force like mjollnir that we can't just throw it out there and be done with it. It will always come back. It will
always return to its owner in one form or another. Like a cycle that has begun, it always returns to the beginning.
There are a few different myths that tell of how Mjollnir came to the Gods. The most common myth is the one told
in the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson. I want to present to you a different myth that I have referenced
from the book Odinic Mythology Part 2 researched and presented by the The Circle of Ostara and written by
Hervor, OR.


Main


Before the great Winter War Loki set out to stir up trouble in the Primal World. He thought up of a contest
between the Primal Artists. The Primal Artists were called Smiths by our ancestors. They had the ability to create,
mold and shape powerful artifacts and treasures for the Aesir and Vanir.
Loki, wanting to cause strife between the gods and the Primal Artists sought to have to the smiths compete with
each other to see who could make the better artifact.
He went to Mimir's Holt and spoke to Brokk and Sindre. He told them how how much he admired their work and
that it is better than all other Primal Artists work. He also went to the home of Ivalde and spoke to his son, and
Primal Artist, Volund. He spoke highly of him and told him he was the most skilled of the Primal Artists. Volund
accepted his praise and felt quite full of himself.
With the Primal Artists now feeling quite boastful and proud of the gifts they have given the Gods, Loki then payed
a visit to the Gods themselves. There he plotted to have the Gods judge the gifts the Primal Artists had gave
them. He begun pointing out the strengths and apparent flaws of the different treasures and artifacts. The Gods
began to look at the gifts in a way they have never before. They begun to judge each item and began putting one
gift ahead of another. The skill and talent of the Smith who created each individual object was then discussed.
The once great and powerful "gifts" now became objects of judgment laid against each Smiths talent and skill in
the Primal World. The first seed was planted. The contest could begin.
The Primal Artists upon hearing the tales of judgment laid upon their works by the Gods began to feel resentful
and at the same time the fire of competition had grown between them. They began looking at each other with
jealous eyes.
Next Loki went to the Primal Artist Brokk and made a wager that in a contest ,between his Brother Sindre and
Volund, Volund's work would be judged to be finer. Brokk asked what he would get if Sindre won the contest.
Loki replyed that Brokk could take his head. Brokk half heartedly took Loki up on his wager. The second seed
was planted.
Loki then returned to the house of Ivalde and spoke to Volund. He told Volund that he thought he was the most
skilled of the Primal Artists. Volund, already feeling the sting from the Gods judgment upon his work and the new
fire of competition between the Primal Artists gladly accepted his praise. Loki then proceeded to plant the final
and third seed. He proceeded in telling Volund a lie. He told him that Brokk was spreading the word that in a
contest between Volund and his brother Sindre, Sindre would put Volund's work to shame. Loki then continued
the lie and told Volund that Brokk came to him with talk of a contest between Sindre and Volund. Loki then said
he replied that if Volund lost the contest then Brokk could take his head. Volund surprised that his new admirer
and confidant Loki would make such an offer gladly accepted the contest between Primal Artists.
The work to be judged at the contest from Volund was Odin's Spear; Gungnir , Sif's Golden Hair (to replace the
head of hair Loki took earlier) and Frey's ship; Skidbladnir
Sindre produced three items to go up against Volund. They were the Great Golden Boar; Slidrugtanni for Frey
and Freya. He made a great golden ring for Odin called Draupnir, which from it spawns more golden rings. And
finally he made a Hammer for Thor called Mjollner. Thor was very pleased with this gift as he lost his last
hammer in a battle with warriors sent from the Frost King Frodi. This new hammer could not be lost this time and
would always return to its owner when thrown.
The Gods could not all agree who was the better smith. Each God had its favorite artifact and they were at a
stalemate. Thor decided to settle the matter. He then ventured out and tested his new hammer in battle against
the Frost King's armies. He came back glowing with pride and astonishment. He claimed that the Hammer was
the best gift ever given to the Gods. He told the Gods the tales of his battles, which would now become the first
of many in the The Winter War, and how well mjollnor crushed his enemies.
Loki's work had now come full circle. The cycle complete. Volund bursting with anger and contempt for the Gods
could not contain himself. He cursed the God's, Brokk and Sindre. He felt that they were in it together. He fled the
hall seething with anger and found dark cave in the mirkwood forest to brood in. There in his hatred and malice
towards the Gods he forged the Great Sword of Victory.