The Aesir (pronounced “ICE-ear”; Old Norse Æsir for multiple gods, Ásynjur for multiple goddesses, Áss for one god, and Ásynja for one goddess) were one of the two main tribes of deities venerated by the pre-Christian Norse and other Germanic peoples. (The second tribe was the Vanir). Most of the best-known Norse gods and goddesses belong to the Aesir, including Odin, Thor, Frigg, Tyr, Loki, Baldur, Heim-dall, Idun, and Bragi. Their home is Asgard,Continue reading “Æ is for Æsir”
Author Archives: Sandra Yeaman
A is for Asgarðr
Asgard (Old Norse Ásgarðr, “Enclosure of the Aesir)” is one of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology and the home and fortress of the Aesir, one of the two tribes of gods (the other being the Vanir, who have their home in Vanaheim). Asgard is located in the sky[1] (albeit spiritually rather than physically, of course) and is connected to Midgard, the worldContinue reading “A is for Asgarðr”
The Easter Message
Jacob Meyer
A to Z Challenge Reveal: Norse Mythology
[Caption for above: The god Thor wades through a river while the Æsir ride across the bridge Bifröst in an illustration by Lorenz Frølich (1895)] This year I am once again taking part in the April A to Z Blogging Challenge. And today is my Reveal for 2018: Norse Mythology. My reason for taking on the topic for this year’s challenge isContinue reading “A to Z Challenge Reveal: Norse Mythology”
Zarathustra aka Zoroaster
Last week I attended a lecture at OASIS in San Diego on Zoroastrianism. I worried that there might not be enough interest in the topic for the lecture to be held. I hadn’t preregistered because I am on call for jury duty this month so I couldn’t commit to attending. When I arrived, I wasContinue reading “Zarathustra aka Zoroaster”
Mărțișor, My Romanian Valentine’s Day
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași, Romania, served as my home for the 1977-1978 academic year. Life in Romania was simpler than life had been in Iran the two years before. Whenever I heard one of my American colleagues complain about something uncomfortable in Romania, such as having to wait in so many long lines,Continue reading “Mărțișor, My Romanian Valentine’s Day”
Barbados and the Mongoose
We had a cold snap this week in San Diego, so my thoughts turned to one of the countries I lived in that was never cold: Barbados. The temperature in Barbados was always warm, between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The average daily high temperature is 86 degrees. In fact, I suffered from a seriousContinue reading “Barbados and the Mongoose”
A Twist on Valentine’s Day
Every year February 14 is Valentine’s Day, a Hallmark holiday that traditionally includes cards, chocolates, flowers, and often dinner out and perhaps a new bauble or other token of affection. This year February 14 is also Ash Wednesday, a Christian holiday that marks the beginning of 40 days of fasting in preparation for Easter, theContinue reading “A Twist on Valentine’s Day”
Transnistria: Just One More Little Country You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
This week I posted a video about Transnistria, a country in limbo at the edge of Europe, on Facebook. The reaction made me realize I haven’t done enough to tell my personal story about living next door to Transnistria. Here is my story, Traveling Through Transnistria, as published in the Third Edition of The Guilded Pen,Continue reading “Transnistria: Just One More Little Country You Probably Haven’t Heard Of”
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