Germanic paganism refers to the pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices of the Germanic peoples, who inhabited areas of Northern Europe around the 1st to 5th centuries CE. This ancient polytheistic religion focused on the worship of various gods and goddesses, each associated with different aspects of life and nature. One of the most well-known Germanic gods is Odin, also known as Woden or Wotan. He was the chief god in the Norse pantheon and was associated with wisdom, knowledge, war, and the pursuit of poetic inspiration. Odin was often depicted as a wanderer, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long cloak, accompanied by his two ravens, Huginn and Muninn. He was also said to be the ruler of Valhalla, a majestic hall located in Asgard where fallen warriors would go after death.
Odin/Óðinn (Norse), Wōden/Wōdan (Anglo-Saxon) – Chief of the Norse gods, ruler of the Aesir. God of war, death, wisdom and magic. ‘All Father’. Ruler of Valhalla. Husband of Frigg/Frige, father of Thor. Namesake of Wednesday. Could also be Wod.
There was a complex relationship between Germanic Teutonic, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon deities, with many similarities between them given the cultures mixed heavily before and during the Viking Age the ninth to eleventh centuries. There was a complex relationship between Germanic Teutonic, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon deities, with many similarities between them given the cultures mixed heavily before and during the Viking Age the ninth to eleventh centuries.
He was also said to be the ruler of Valhalla, a majestic hall located in Asgard where fallen warriors would go after death. Thor was another prominent god in Germanic paganism. As the god of thunder and lightning, he was associated with protecting humanity from evil and ensuring fertility and abundance.
Norse/Germanic Deities
Norse deities can be divided into two major groups; the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir lived in Asgard, one of the Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology. The Aesir (Æsir) are mainly associated with order, justice, wisdom, war, and agriculture. Odin is the High God of the Aesir. Other key Aesir gods include Thor, Balder, Frigga, and Týr. The Vanir lived in Vanaheim, another of the Nine Worlds. The Vanir are mostly associated with fertility, presiding over the earth and sea, and the natural forces of the world, including magic, and the ability to see the future. Key Vanir gods include Freyja, Freyr, and Njord. There were many Aesir-Vanir wars, the last of which resulted in an Aesir victory, after which Freyja, Freyr, and Njord came to live in Asgard as an act of good will.
In Anglo-Saxon paganism, the Aesir are referred to as Ēse and the Vanir as Wēn. There was a complex relationship between Germanic/Teutonic, Scandinavian, and Anglo-Saxon deities, with many similarities between them given the cultures mixed heavily before and during the Viking Age (the ninth to eleventh centuries). Many of these deities could be described as Anglo-Scandinavian as a result. The Scandinavian Vikings predominantly worshipped Odin, Thor, and Týr. The Saxons centered their worship on Wōden (Odin) and Thunor (Thor), while the Angles primarily worshipped Ing/Ingui (Freyr). However, to say one was precursor to another would be a generalization, as all seem to be a result of a complex cultural interchange, constantly evolving. (The deities of the Anglo-Saxons)
Balder (Norse), Baldaeg (Anglo-Saxon) – God of light, purity, immortality. Handsome son of Odin/Wōden and Frigg/Frige. Killed by Loki.
Bragi (Norse) – God of poetry and poets (skalds). Son of Odin, husband of Idunn.
Ēostre, Ostara (Anglo-Saxon, Celtic) – Goddess of springtime, the dawn, purity and rebirth. Written about by Bede, namesake of Easter. Associated with Idunn.
Freyja (Norse), Fréo (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of love, fertility, war, divination and magic. ‘The Fair One’, ‘Mistress of the Slain’, ‘The Lady’. Ruler of the Valkyries. Associated with elves and the goddess Idunn. Twin sister of Freyr/Ing, daughter of Njord.
Freyr, Yngvi Freyr (Norse), Fréa Ing, Ing, Ingui (Anglo-Saxon) – God of virility, fertility, and prosperity. ‘The Lord’. Twin brother of Freyja/Fréo, son of Njord.
Frigg (Norse), Frige (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of love, marriage, motherhood and the household. Wife of Odin/Wōden. Namesake of Friday.
Fulla (Norse, Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of plenty, and the moon. Handmaiden of Frigg/Frige.
Gearde (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of the fields, ‘Lady of the Walled Garden’.
Gefion, Gefjon (Norse) – Goddess of plenty, agriculture, and the plough. Associated with Frigg and Freyja. Could also be Rheda/Hretha.
Heimdallr, Hallinskiði (Norse), Rig, Mannaz, Hama (Anglo-Saxon) – Watchman of the gods, guards Bifrost, the rainbow bridge leading to Asgard. Also called Gullintani (“gold tooth”). Associated with Týr/Tiw.
Hel, Hella (Norse) – Goddess of the dead and underworld, ruler of the Land of Mist, Helheim. Daughter of Loki.
Idunn/ Iðunn (Norse) – Goddess of vitality and health, said to keep the apples that grant the gods with eternal youthfulness. Associated with Ēostre.
Jord/Jörð, Fjörgyn, Hlóðyn (Norse), Eorðe (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of the earth, Earth Mother. A female jötunn (giant). Mother of Thor. Associated with Nerthus.
Loki (Norse), Lok (Anglo-Saxon) – Trickster god and shape-shifter. Son of jötunn (giants). Husband of Sigyn, his mistress Angrboda, the giantess.
Máni (Norse), Mona (Anglo-Saxon) – God of the moon. Namesake of Monday.
Nerthus/Nerðus, Hertha (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of the earth and fertility, Earth Mother. Associated with Jord. Could also be Njord.
Njord/Njörðr (Norse) – God of the sea. Father of twins Freyja/Fréo and Freyr/Ing. Married to Skadi. Could also be Nerthus.
Odin/Óðinn (Norse), Wōden/Wōdan (Anglo-Saxon) – Chief of the Norse gods, ruler of the Aesir. God of war, death, wisdom and magic. ‘All Father’. Ruler of Valhalla. Husband of Frigg/Frige, father of Thor. Namesake of Wednesday. Could also be Wod.
Rheda, Hretha/Hreðe (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of victory, the ‘Glorious One’. Written about by Bede. Could also be Gefion.
Seaxnēat, Saxnot (Anglo-Saxon) – God of the Saxons, the family, battle and nobility.
Sif (Norse) – Goddess of fertility. Golden-haired wife of Thor.
Skadi/Skaði (Norse), Sceadu (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of winter, snow, mountains and hunting. A female jötunn (giant). Associated with Ullr and Njord.
Sól (Norse), Sunne (Anglo-Saxon) – Goddess of the sun. Namesake of Sunday.
Thor/Þórr (Norse), Thunor, Donar (Anglo-Saxon) – God of thunder and lightning, strength and protection. Possessor of the mighty hammer Mjölnir. Son of Odin and Jord, husband of Sif. Namesake of Thursday. Linked to the Teutonic god Donner or Taranis.
Týr (Norse), Tiw, Tiwaz (Anglo-Saxon) – God of justice, war, and the sky. Namesake of Tuesday.
Ullr (Norse), Wuldor (Anglo-Saxon) – God of the winter, skiing and archery. Associated with Skadi.
Wayland, Völund (Norse), Weland (Anglo-Saxon) – God of metalworking. ‘The Blacksmith’.
Balder (Norse), Baldaeg (Anglo-Saxon) – God of light, purity, immortality. Handsome son of Odin/Wōden and Frigg/Frige. Killed by Loki.
Thor was often depicted as a burly, red-bearded figure, wielding his mighty hammer, Mjölnir. This powerful weapon was said to be capable of leveling mountains and stopping the mightiest of foes. Frigg, the wife of Odin, was the goddess of marriage, motherhood, and the household. She was known for her wisdom and foresight and was often associated with weaving and spinning. Freya, on the other hand, was the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She was considered to be one of the most beautiful of all the gods and was known for her passion and sensuality. Other gods and goddesses in Germanic paganism included Baldr, the god of light and purity; Tyr, the god of law and justice; Loki, the trickster god associated with chaos and mischief; and Freyr, the god of fertility and prosperity. Each deity had their own specific role and significance in the Germanic pantheon. While Germanic paganism eventually gave way to Christianity with the spread of the Roman Empire, remnants of these ancient beliefs and gods can still be found in the folklore and mythology of modern Germanic cultures. Through the study of these gods, we gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the Germanic peoples and their rich mythological traditions..
Reviews for "Germanic Paganism and the Worship of Fulla: Goddess of Abundance and Plenty"
1. Jenny - 1 star
I found Germanic paganism gods to be unappealing and uninteresting. The mythology seemed convoluted and lacked the depth and complexity that I enjoy in other mythologies. The gods themselves lacked the charisma and allure that make other pantheons captivating. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unengaged with Germanic paganism gods.
2. Mike - 2 stars
As someone who appreciates mythology and the stories of different gods, I have to say that Germanic paganism gods didn't leave a positive impression on me. The pantheon seemed rather limited, with only a handful of notable gods compared to other mythologies. Additionally, the stories surrounding these gods were often repetitive and lacked the depth of other mythologies I have encountered. Overall, I felt that Germanic paganism gods were not as captivating or intriguing as I had hoped.
3. Emily - 3 stars
While I didn't dislike Germanic paganism gods, I found them to be a bit lacking in terms of unique qualities and distinctive features. The gods often shared similar attributes and didn't stand out as individual entities with their own remarkable characteristics. Compared to other mythologies, Germanic paganism gods didn't capture my imagination or leave a lasting impression. However, there were elements of their mythology that were interesting and worth exploring, albeit in a more limited scope.
4. Tom - 2 stars
Germanic paganism gods didn't resonate with me as much as other pantheons. I found their stories to be less compelling and their actions less memorable. The gods seemed distant and disconnected from the human experience, which made it challenging for me to relate to them or care about their stories. While I understand that every mythology has its own unique qualities, Germanic paganism gods left me feeling uninspired and disinterested.