Viking Heritage

February 10, 2020July 27, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Viking Longboat, Viking Museum, Keflavik, Iceland

“Then, when it was least expected, Gisli turned around and ran from the ridge up onto the crag known as Einhamar. There he faced them and defended himself. Everyone in Eyjolf’s party was badly wounded, and Gisli died with so many great wounds that it was an amazement to all. They say he never once backed off, and as far as anyone could see, his last blow was no weaker than the first.”

Gisli Sursson’s Saga

Our last thing to do has been done today. We visited “Viking World” near the Keflavik airport. Though the name sounds like some rip-off carnival, it was an absolutely fascinating museum in which I learned a lot about the epic history of the Vikings.

The Wyrm of Blessi Pool

February 10, 2020July 23, 2010 by Jonathan Weir-Wakely

Jonathan, Haukadalur, Geysir, Iceland — The Blessi Pool.

Here I recount the tale as I remember it of my encounter with the Wyrm of Blessi pool. I was wandering within the Hell-warmed area around the Great Geysir when I came upon a hole known as Blessi pool. The tunnel went down into the earth for an undeterminable depth, but just inches below the sulfuric water was a wealth of coins. The dragon who was said to live in the cave is very fond of coins, as all dragons are, and I thought that as long as I returned the pieces into the watery trove, the coins I took out would bring no ill will with them.

Norse Cosmology of Yggdrasil

February 10, 2020July 19, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Norse Cosmology– The Worlds of Yggdrasil

This is a very poor drawing that I worked very hard on, my map of Yggdrasil and the Norse cosmology: Muspell, world of fire giants, Alfheim, world of light elves, Asgard, world of the gods, Utgard, world of the giants, Midgard, world of man, Dvergard, world of dark elves, and Niflheim, world of ice and darkness, land of the dead.

Unexpected Companions

February 10, 2020July 19, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Ashleigh, Jonathan, Saemis, Peter, Black Sand Beach, Iceland

After our excursion down to Reykjavik’s harbour, and after eating all the whale meat we could afford (Jonathan had the lobster soup), Ashleigh led the way into a jewelry shop in which I immediately became extremely bored. The store owner struck up a conversation with us right away in near perfect English, and we discovered she had connections in Winnipeg, Canada! (she’s related to the owner of the Round Table restaurant and knows some professors in the University of Winnipeg).

Bifröst and the Footsteps of the Gods

February 10, 2020July 16, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Bifrost, Iceland — Bifröst, the bridge to Asgard.

These are the words from the journal of Nathanael Weirson:

“Bifröst seems to be everywhere. In every new place we visit in Iceland, Bifröst is already there, a glowing arch on the horizon. In the old legends it is said that Bifröst is composed of burning fire, the golden colour of the sun, growing grass, and running water. Scandinavians, once believers of the Norse religion, knew what we call a “rainbow” was really a bridge to the world of the gods.”

Skaftafell

February 10, 2020July 15, 2010 by Ashleigh Westphal

These are words from the journal of Ashleigh of Westphalia: “Today I felt tested and rewarded, physically and spiritually. Nathanael and I hiked roughly 17 kilometres around the mountains of Skaftafell, bordered by the largest glaciers in Europe. It was a huge endeavour, but the views are so worth it. Svartifoss was truly a wonder. … Read more

Hidden People

February 10, 2020July 14, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

These are the words from the journal of Nathanael Weirson:

“There is a story we learned about how the elves of Iceland came to be:

“When the human world was just beginning, Adam and Eve existed. They had many children together, so many that they were hard to count. God one day asked Eve if He could meet all of her children personally. Eve brought her children before Him, all, that is, but for a handful who hadn’t washed for a while and were very dirty. Eve was ashamed to show them to God at the time, and hid them while He met the others. God, knowing of her folly, proclaimed from that day forth these ‘dirty’ children shall forever be the ‘hidden people’ and be invisible to all eyes”

The Great Geysir

February 10, 2020July 13, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

These are the words from the journal of Nathanael Weirson,

“It was halfway through our trip when we arrived at the geyser. “Geysir” is the oldest, largest, and the mother of all geysers, from which all are named. The massive gusher is dead, or very nearly, and has been so for many decades. So it was to our surprise when she churned and boiled, as if upset, when we passed by. Some growling force bubbled beneath the earth; steam and hot water fled from dozens of vents spread out like worshippers around The Great Geysir.”

Egill Skallagrímsson

February 10, 2020July 11, 2010 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

“With bloody brand on-striding My bird of bane hath followed; My hurtling spear hath sounded In the swift Vikings’ charge. Raged wrathfully our battle, Ran fire o’er foemen’s rooftrees; Sound sleepeth many a warrior Slain in the city gate.” ~Egill Skallagrimson Egill Skallagrímsson was a peculiar character in the history of Iceland. Egill’s brash and … Read more

The Void

February 10, 2020July 9, 2010 by Jonathan Weir-Wakely

These are the words from the journal of Jon the Weir: “I, Jon the Weir, descended into a crack in the earth. I climbed precariously for many fathoms in the evening heat when suddenly I came upon a chamber and the temperature suddenly dropped. Beyond a still pool of ice filled water, there lay a … Read more