Wyrd Updates

The last few months have definitely been hectic and have kept me on the move.  In October I went to the Netherlands and had an amazing trip with my partner.  Showing him the land of my ancestors and my homeland was really fun and exciting. It feels wonderful to be back in the country that is a second home to me.

A wonderful part of the trip was to travel to Leiden to see the Nehalennia votive stones at the Rijksmuseum Oudheden. The stones were carved by merchants to honor her and thank her for their safe travels. Nehalennia is a Goddess of the region and is likely associated with the Vanir. 

We later traveled to Colijnsplaat to visit a temple that is maintained on her behalf.  Unfortunately it was closed and we could not find the caretakers, but it was wonderful to make the trek, leave some offerings, and see the temple in person.

 

After returning to the States, I completed some episodes for podcast and in January, we adopted two kittens from the local shelter. They had been there for a while so were a bit wild and in a flurry one day crashed the computer hard-drives. We spent a couple weeks recovering data and then had just raw data (sometimes 3 or 4 copies) but no directory files. So they are just files that are not organized and the recovery often just renumbered the file and did not preserve the file name.  So we are still going through – separating photos from documents and placing them into new folders.

Along with that, a program I use for recording skype calls failed. Fortunately, my friend Lonnie at Weird Web Radio found a very good replacement.  Yeah Lonnie!!!!

Work has had me on travel and some family illness and death have kept me travelling and pre-occupied that I haven’t been able to sit down and work with the new program and get a new episode out.

This podcast will continue and I appreciate your patience as I work on these issues and get order restored. I am in contact with some very cool people about coming onto the podcast and getting back to a regular production schedule.

Thank you again for your continued support and patience.

May Braggi guide the podcast and may Nehalennia watch over our travels.

Jan Tjeerd

Vanir Challenge Coins

Being a veteran of the military, I love challenge coins. They are great items to share with others and have a bit of camaraderie with others of similar experiences. The coins are great collectible items to exchange or give out as a token or reminder of something special. They are usually brass and about 1.75″ in diameter. Some are designed with colors as well.

Last year, I thought it would be great to have a Heathen challenge coin. I decided to honor the Vanir using the Vanatru Boar designed by Ember (interviewed on episode 7 of the podcast). The Vanatru boar is based on an image she found that was discovered on a coin in an archaeological find. She stylized it for use to represent today’s Vanatru movement.

On the reverse I placed the elder futhark runes in circle and created a bindrune talisman for propserity. It is Elhaz bringing the blessings of the Gods into Ingwaz for fertility to go out into Fehu – prosperity.

If you are interested in a Vanir Challenge coin please contact Jan at giftsofthewyrd@gmail.com. $10 for each coin which will pay for manufacturing and shipping in the U.S.  Any proceeds support the podcast and other inclusive Heathen organizations.

Catching up on listing the podcasts

Hello folks.

I have been sorely remiss in updating the blog. So much happening since October – making sure all is done is a challenge.  My apologies.

With this this post I want to just update the podcast listing then will follow with an update.

Thank you for your patience.

Episode 8 Heathen Practices

• 1) Inclusive vs exclusive Heathenry.
• 2) Localizing your Heathenry.
• 3) Writing prayer devotionals and poetry/praise to the Gods and Goddesses.

Episode 9: Yule Traditions

Rune Reading for 2017: Jan pulls runes for the incoming 2017.

• Rune pull for 2016 – what it was like
• Where we are now and 2017
• How we can move into 2017

Episode 10:  Bindrunes – Creating Rune talismans to aid your personal workings and magic. (using the Elder Futhark runes). 

 

Featured image courtesy of Huginn’s Heathenhof.

Music used with permission from Hauk and Varttina.

For Gifts of the Wyrd listeners: Hauk has made available four of his CDs for a special price of $25 including First-Class shipping to U.S. addresses (Priority Mail shipping $2 additional. Foreign addresses actual shipping price). This is a limited time offer and only while supplies last. CDs include: No Mercy for the Slain; Love Songs, Lamentations, and Lifthrasir; To Hear the Trumpets Call; and Hard Lemonade. (offer good for these four CDs only).  email giftsofthewyrd@gmail.com.