The Order of the Elders/Library

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The Library of the Elders

Welcome to the Library of the Elders, contained within are the translated texts of the Ancients from which we derive our knowledge of the Elder Gods. The texts of the ancients have been organized into Hymn's and the specific teachings, vows, and oaths relating to each god.

Hymn's to the Elder Gods

Hymn Praising the Elder Gods

To Seek Guidance and Virtues

Odin, Father, Eldest of the Gods we ask you heed this, your children's call. Guide us, bestow your widom, grant your insight, reveal our woes we ask of you Father to soothe our souls.

Thor, protector, Patron of Pilgrims, Bless me with your favour make my journey swift, with clear an' pleasant skies. Watch ov'r and shield me, from th' harm of natures wrath, for I travel seekin' truth along pious paths.

Hildr, Maiden, Mistress of the Blades hear the dyings' praise, collect the val'rous fallen an t' Asgard lead their way. Leth'rgy soaks the muscles worn, let your pow'r through us flow, for ev'ry crimson morn' we rise t' meet the foe.

Loki, Trickster, Beguiler of All Master of misfortune. Teach us with our failures, give us humility for we are fools. Yet let not poisoned edge by stayed nor glitt'ring chain deflect the Fates shadowy display that a Heretic they shant protect.

Hel, Guardian, Keeper of Lost Souls, Keep us from despair. Let us not slip from th' path and fall into blasphemy. Grant us unwav'ring strength to rout out and fight heresy, with sharp'nd steel an' faith, temper'd by grace an' chivalry.

--written by Phellan Rothach, Knight of Apelen, Monk of the Order

Odin

The Texts of Odin

Odin (or, depending upon the dialect Woden or Wotan) was the Father of all the gods and men. Odin is pictured either wearing a winged helm or a floppy hat, and a blue-grey cloak. He can travel to any realm within the nine Nordic worlds. His two ravens, Huginn and Munin (Thought and Memory) fly over the world daily and return to tell him everything that has happened in Midgard. He is a god of magick, wisdom, wit, and learning. He is a chooser of those slain in battle. In later times, he was associated with war and bloodshed from the Viking perspective, although in earlier times, no such association was present. If anything, the wars fought by Odin exist strictly upon the mental plane of awareness; appropriate for that of such a mentally polarized god. He is both the shaper of Wyrd and the bender of Orlog; again, a task only possible through the power of mental thoughts and impressions. It is he who sacrifices an eye at the well of Mimir to gain inner wisdom, and hangs himself upon the World Tree Yggdrasil to gain the knowledge and power of the Runes. All of his actions are related to knowledge, wisdom, and the dissemination of ideas and concepts to help Mankind. Because there is duality in all logic and wisdom, he is seen as being duplicitous; this is just an illusion and it is through his actions that the best outcomes are conceived and derived. Just as a point of curiosity: in no other pantheon is the head deity also the god of Thought and Logic. The day Wednesday (Wodensdaeg) is named for him.

The Doom of Odin

"I find no comfort in the shade under the branch of the Great Ash.

"I remember the mist of our ancient past, as I speak to you in the present, my ancient eyes see the terrible future.

"Do you not see what I see?

"Do you not hear death approaching?

"The mournful cry of Giallr-horn shall shatter the peace And shake the foundation of heaven.

"Raise up your banner and gather your noble company from your great hall Father of the Slain.

"For you shall go to your destiny.

"No knowledge can save you, and no magick will save you.

"For you will end up in Fenrir's belly,

Thor

The Texts of Thor

Thor, or Donnar, also known as the Thunderer, was considered to be a son of Odin by some, but among many tribes Thor actually supplanted Odin as the favorite god. He is considered to be the protector of all Midgard, and he wields the mighty hammer Mjollnir. Thor is strength personified. His battle chariot is drawn by two goats, and his hammer Mjollnir causes the lightning that flashes across the sky. Of all the deities, Thor is the most "barbarian" of the lot; rugged, powerful, and lives by his own rules, although he is faithful to the rest of the Aesir. The day Thursday (Thorsdaeg) is sacred to him.

Hildr

The Texts of Hildr

("Battle") One of the Valkyries.

The chief of the Valkyries is the goddess Freyja. She is the Norse goddess of love, fertility, and beauty, sometimes identified as the goddess of battle and death. Blond, blue-eyed, and beautiful, Freyja travels on a golden-bristled boar or in a chariot drawn by cats. She resides in the celestial realm of Folkvang. Like Odinn, she received half of those slain in battle, but since ladies go first she was allowed first choice! Freyja possessed a magical cloak of falcon feathers that allowed her to take the shape of a falcon if she wished, making the swan maidens similar to the goddess by having "feather coats" or cloaks that enable their shape-shifting abilities and the power of flight. The Valkyries, as demigoddesses of death, had their legend conflated with the folklore motif of the swan maiden (young girls who are able to take on the form of a swan, sometimes as the result of a curse). If one could capture and hold a swan maiden, or her feathered cloak, one could extract a wish from her. This is why valkyries were sometimes known as swan maidens or wish maidens.

The descriptions of Odinn's hall describe the Valkyries as foster-daughters, just as the einherjar (the chosen warriors of Odinn) are foster sons Freyja is said to be the first of the Valkyries, called Valfreyja, "Mistress of the Slain," she pours ale at the feasts of the Aesir . The Valkyries also have duties in the great hall. There, having exchanged their armor for pure white robes, they will serve the warriors they have chosen.

There are several traditional names for Valkyries mentioned in the sagas and the Eddas:

Brynhildr ("Byrnie of Battle" or "Mail-coat of Battle")

Sigrdrifa ("Victory Blizzard")

Sigrún ("Victory Rune") Sváva

Kára Hrist ("The Shaker")

Mist ("The Mist" or "The Fog")

Skeggjöld ("Wearing a War Axe")

Skögul ("Battle" or "Rager")

Hildr ("Battle")

Þrúðr ("Power")

Hlökk ("Noise", "Din of Battle")

Herfjötur ("War-Fetter")

Göll ("Loud Cry", "Battle Cry")

Geirahöd ("Spear of Battle")

Randgríðr ("Shield of Peace")

Ráðgri'ðr ("Counsel of Peace" or "Gods' Peace")

Reginleif ("Heritage of the Gods")

Gunnr ("Battle") Róta ("She Who Causes Turmoil")

Skuld ("She Who Is Becoming")

Göndul ("Magic Wand" or "Enchanted Stave" or perhaps, "She-Were-Wolf")

Friagabi ("Giver of Freedom")

Loki

The Texts of Loki

Loki, the Trickster, challenges the structure and order of the Gods, but is necessary in bringing about needed change. He is also known as the god of Fire. Being neither an Aesir nor a Vanir, he is of the race of Ettins (Elementals) and thus possesses some daemonic qualities. He is both a helper and a foe of the Aesir; he gets them out of predicaments, but spawns the worst monsters ever seen on the face of the Earth: the Fenris Wolf and Jormurgandr, the Midgard Wyrm. His other children include the goddess Hel (Hella, Holle), and Sleipnir, Odin's 8-legged horse; these beings are at least benign, if not somewhat terrifying to behold.

Loki and the Deceptions of False Faiths

From the ancient texts I have learned little of Loki; it seems the shadows that cloak his minions and activities also are a veil to his mysteries. He is mentioned often thoughtout the texts, mostly in unison with one of the other Elders, contrasting against them. It would appear this duality is part of Loki's being, he contrasts against the other Gods, providing us challenges in our attempts to find their unique truths. From these references I found he is directly linked to false truths--Laying out flase paths, and watching the blossoming flase faiths seem to be a particularily favorite game of his.

Likely this is due to the confrontation between followers of various faiths -- this kind of chaos and the multitude of conflicting ideas and confusing ideals is undoubtedly what comes of Loki's plots. I believe he has partly responsible for Communionism, the false faith spreading through some northern realms.As well, I have little doubt that it was Loki's flase hand that led people to the 'finding' of the herb used to communicate with the dead. At best, he is responsible for the halluncinations that lead many to believe they are speaking to the dead. At worst, he is assisting in the tearing of the deceased from their deserved resting place, be that the great Halls of Valhala, or the black depths of the Underworld.

It seems apparent to me from the writings of the Ancients that Loki has appeared in many false faiths throughout the history of the Elders. Whether he does this simply to lead the people off the path - for us to struggle and test our faith against - or if he draws some power from such false worship, is unclear. I cannot be sure even the ancients themselves knew. We should however approach all such misguided folk the same as you would treat any brother or sister who has been lead off the path by Loki. Show them the folly of his lies show them his manipulations, and you will open their eyes to the truths of the Elders and cast light on the shadows of Loki's deceptions.

We would be wise, however, not to confuse Loki's trickery with that of the beguiling demons and other unnatural and evil spawn. This comes in light of the Chaos Requiem and now we see the stark contrast between Loki and Demons. The demons of the Requiem desire destruction, spreading hate and death where they can. Things so vile and crude that Loki himself would not indulge in their causes, the Demons are unnatural beings not of these lands, nor even the Underworld, for Hel has sworn to banish and destroy them. In truth we have little knowledge of them other than their seemingly endless lust for death and destruction of all that Gods and men have constructed.

--Original Texts Translated by Phellan Rothach, Knight of Apelen, Inquisitor of the Order

--Translation Interpretted and Written by Thraymn, High Priest of the Order, Founder of the Order

Loki and his Deceptions

Greater Deceptions: - False Faiths - There are no Gods - There is no Soul - Doubting the Gods

Lesser Deceptions: - False Paths - Hidden Truths - False Signs - Doubt of the Self - Arrogance of the Faith

Loki decieves us with his deceptions of which there are many, the most destructive of which are undoubtly his falsehoods which lead to lost faith, to us becoming the fallen -- or worse, lead us into heresy.

The Greater Deceptions play on our doubts, our faith in the gods and make us question the Order and it's legitimacy. Such questions have answers but a lack of faith allows Loki's shadow to cloak the truth and misdirects us into wrongful decisions and beliefs, leaving our faith lacking. Be wary of these the Greater Deceptions, that attack our Faith.

Perhaps more devious, despite their name, are the Lesser Deceptions. Here Loki plays on our faith and trust in the Gods. He gives us signs, truths that are not as they appear and so mileads us. Through this a faithful man may act against the fath by believing Loki's messages are from one of the other Elders. This is dangerous, and thus always question your actions for righteousness. For if it seems flawed or unjust then most likely it is Loki trying to decieve you. Failure to do so may result in arrogance, self-righteous action where so zealous are we in the faith that we act with dishonour and act unjustly - shaming our elves and the Gods. Such action not only injuires onself, but the whold of the Order and the innocents as well. Thus pride and arrogance are the greatest threats to faith. When you no longer question yourself or your actions, then Loki has lead you to your own damnation. These are the greatest threats to all of the God's children - the Lesser Deceptions that corrupt our faith.

--Translated by Phellan Rothach, Knight of Apelen, Inquisitor of the Order

Hel

The Texts of Hel

Hel (Holle, Hulda) was the goddess of the dead and the afterlife and was portrayed by the Vikings as being half-dead, half-alive herself. The Vikings viewed her with considerable trepidation. The Dutch, Gallic, and German barbarians viewed her with some beneficence, more of a gentler form of death and transformation. She is seen by them as Mother Holle; a being of pure Nature, being helpful in times of need, but vengeful upon those who cross her or transgress natural law. Odin's son, Baldur, the god of Love and Light, is sacrificed at Midsummer by the dart of the mistletoe, and is reborn at Jul (Yule). Supposedly his return will not occur until after the onslaught of the Ragnarök, which I see as a cleansing and enlightenment more than wanton, purposeless destruction. Baldur's blind brother Hodur was his slayer, whose hand was guided by the crafty Loki. He is married to the goddess of Joy, Nanna.

A Commentary on Hel

A commentary on the faithful and the path of Hel

It should be noted that Hel plays several vital roles in maintaining the balance of souls in the Underworld and in Asgard. While being charged wtih Guarding the Souls of the Lost she is a wise and caring mother. Hel does not wish for the Lost, the Faithless, and the Heretics to inhabit her Realm, she wishes all men of Midgard the glory of entering the gates of Asgard. Thus we her children should always make the attempt to save the fallen and make them Righteous, for this is her greatest wish.

However, she is not forgiving of those with heretical beliefs who would sway the Innocent and lead them into Damnation. Nor does she grant leniancy to those who refuse to accept the righteous truth and cling to their heretical beliefs and thus threaten the innocents of Midgard. Heretics, those who refuse to accept the Elders into their hearts, are the greatest of the Damned, fallen they seek to drag the unwitting and uninformed into Damnation with them. Thus should we, the mortal emissaries of Hel, find such Heretics among us we are obliged to inform them of the truth, and failing in saving them from their fate in the Underworld, ensure the Salvation of the Innocents which they may corrupt.

Hel expects us to be just and honourable in our dealings with those not of the faith, blind hatred of the heretic is not our way--for such blindness leads us away from the mercy and compassion of Hel. She teaches us that faith is like steel, tempered it becomes stronger, more unyeilding in the face of adversity. Thus temper your righteous anger of the Heretic with the mercy granted by Hel, find the strength within yourself to forgive them for their blindness and know that their fate has been decided by their own decisions, and thus we have achieved Compassion, loving our fellow man despite their flaws. Do not however allow Compassion to stay your hand in the salvation of the innocent, wisdom shall grant you the knowledge of when to act and when to hold fast. If Hel's wishes are not clear, fear not consulting those of Odin's path, nor the other faithful, for we are of one body, and should act as one.

--Translated by Phellan Rothach, Knight of Apelen, Monk of the Order

Oath of the Disciple

Hel, mother of our souls, sacred Guardian, I ask of thee, grant your blessing bestow upon me your graces. So that I, faithful to your teachings, May be resolute in my duties; To aid in the salvation of others, To be true to the Elders, And ensure that we fall not, From the path into Damnation.

Aid me, I beseech you mother. Let Odin's wisdom find me, Guide me to Thor's pious paths, Banish my fears so I may honour Hildr, and illuminate Loki's veiled falsehoods. Guide me, assist me in knowing the Elders, So that I may be your worthy vassal.

Grant me Mercy So that I may forgive the misguided foe Grant me Compassion So that I may love those fallen from the path Grant me Knowledge So that I may judge who is damned Task upon me Forgiveness As I vow to save the Damned Task upon me Love As I vow to care for the Fallen Task upon me Judgement As I vow to seek out heresy.

Bless me O' Mother For I am unquestionably yours!

--Translated by Phellan Rothach, Knight of Apelen, Monk of the Order