Discovered by Dean Young, this gold ring has gone on display at Epping Forest Museum. The garnet stone design depicts one of Woden’s ravens.

Wessex Nomad mentions in his post here how Sunne is represented as a sun god and not as a goddess. The sculptor of both the Thunor and Sunne statues (housed at the V&A museum) was John Michael Rysbrack. Thunor and Sunne where part of a series of seven statues representing the Anglo Saxon gods who gave their names to the days of the week. Mona, Tiw, Woden, Frig and Sætere sculptures can still be found at Stowe Gardens, Buckinghamshire.

Rysbrack took his inspiration from artist Richard Verstegan (1550-1640) who in 1605 produced an etched engraving of the Saxon gods. It was his work that was used as the bases for much of the imagery associated with the gods throughout the Georgian era, including his impression of the largely unknown god Krodo. Not only was his art the inspiration for Rysbrack’s sculptures but William Burges’ stained glass windows (each of the same gods) which can be seen at Cardiff castle in Wales.

A man shall not boast of his keenness of mind - but keep it close in his breast. To the silent and wise does ill come seldom - when he goes as guest to a house.

Havamal (stanza 6)

A tiny early Anglo Saxon gilt bronze mount, with a spiral swastika surrounded by four Salin I-style animal legs. Found in Suffolk, 5-7th Century. 𖥹

Anglo Saxon dragons carving by the Sutton Hoo Ships Company.

Naenigne ic under swegle
selran hyrde
hordmaththum haeletha,
sithan Hama aetwaeg
to thaere byrhtan byrig
Brosingamene,
sigle ond sincfaet;

I have heard tell of
no better treasure fit
for princes
Since Hama carried back
to the Shining Citadel
Brisingamen
that ornament and Gem

There is very little reference to Freya in Old English, but in Beowulf there is reference to Freya's necklace Brísingamen or Brosingamene. It was returned by Hama, an OE name for Heimdallr, who in the Skáldskaparmal is called 'Seeker of Freyja's Necklace'.

Gæð a wyrd swa hio scel
Fate goes ever as she shall.

Some interesting thoughts on the use of AI in heathenry, from Raven Folk United.

Post 1 and post 2.

It is England’s national day today and the imagery often presented in celebration is George the Dragon Slayer. Legend describes George killing the dragon at Dragon hill, under the Uffington White Horse. The christian George is but a folk memory of our own dragon slayers - Thunor, Beowulf and Sigeweard. So tonight our family-hearth will be honouring the English Nation, our folk and history.

Hāl the White Dragon of England, hāl the dragon slayer!

woodcut Albrecht Dürer (c1501)

Green Man carvings like this 15th century example from Sampford Courtenay, Devon could depict ethem (OE Æþm, ON Önd) or breath. Woden’s divine breath gave Ash and Embla life. Such carvings can be found throughout England dating back to the 12th century. The name ‘green man’ was coined by Lady Julia Somerset Raglan in March 1939 for the journal Folklore. Prior to this these faces were known by such names as Green George and Jack in the Green, the latter figure being associated with English May day celebrations.

Pictured here is the reconstruction of a 6th century tablet woven band that was found in a grave on a farm in Snartemo, Norway (source) and was clearly the inspiration for the pattern used on the reconstruction of king Rædwalds belt at the Sutton Hoo museum. The fylfot is a symbol of Woden and many stylised fylfots, very similar to the examples above appear on Anglo Saxon burials urns found across East Anglia, England.

Not only is it the Ēosturmōnaþ full moon tonight but the first day of May so my family hearth will tonight honour both Ēostre and Bældæg.

Many folk associate Ēostre with hares and one (perhaps modern) name for this full moon is Hare-moon. Bældæg is of course associated with the May Day celebrations, his name meaning Bæl ‘pyre/fire’ and dæg ‘day’ which has parallels the with German Pholtag and is similar to the Celtic Beltane.

Wes þu Ēostre hāl! Wes þu Bældæg hāl!

Cremation Urn from North Elmham, Norfolk