Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, & Norse Magic - Diana L. Paxson 2017
Music
Appendix
Notes to the “Gjallarhorn”
The premise behind this song is the identification of the jotnar (the Norse giants), with the spirits of elemental forces such as fire, frost, earth, wind, and sea. So long as they remain in balance, all is well. But when the system becomes so disordered that only the destructive forces remain, the giants will march on Asgard to battle the gods and end this Age of the World.
1. Muspelheim, the Sons of Surtr
Muspelheim is the home of the Muspelli and the Sons of Surtr, the fire-giants. When they march, Ragnarok will begin.
2. Heimdall, Himinbjorg
Heimdall is the watchman of the gods who guards the Bifrost Bridge. Himinbjorg is his home.
3. the Gjallarhorn
This is the horn on which Heimdall will blow to announce Ragnarök.
4. the etins
Etin is the Anglo-Saxon word for giant.
5. Bergelmir
Bergelmir is the ancestor of all the frost giants.
6. Rime thurses
A group term for the frost giants.
7. Aegir
Aegir is the giant who rules the sea.
8. Hraesvelg
In eagle form, Hraesvelg sits in the north and fans the winds with his wings.
9. Skadhi
Skadhi is a giantess who married into the family of the gods. She is associated with hunting and the wilderness.
10. the Muspelli
The Muspelli are lesser fire etins.
11. Nerthus
Nerthus is a goddess of the fertile earth and agriculture.
12. Aesir, Asgard
The Aesir are the Norse gods, and Asgard is their home.
13. Ragnarök
Ragnarok is the great war in which the gods will lose to the giants; Midgard (our world) will be destroyed, giving way to a new and different Age in the world.
14. Ymir
Ymir is the primal being who was dismembered by the gods and his parts recycled to create Midgard. His blood became the seas, his bones the rocks, etc.
15. Ríg
Rig is the name under which Heimdall wandered the world, begetting the different classes of humankind.
An Odinic Discography
Here is some of the music—classical, folk, and pop—that will get you in the mood for working with Odin. Many thanks to friends on the Troth-members' list who suggested their favorites.
Classical
Hugo Alfven
Midsummer Vigil
Swedish Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 19
Maurice Duruflé
“Prelude and Toccata” from Suite, Op. 5 (for organ)
Edvard Grieg
“In Autumn,” Overture, op. 11
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” from the Peer Gynt Suite
“Invocation”, Act I, Olav Tryggvason
Old Norwegian Romance with Variations, Op. 51
Symphonic Dances, Op. 64
Norwegian Dances, Op. 35
“Wedding Day at Trollhavn”, lyric pieces, Book 8, Op. 65, No. 6
Johan Halvorsen
Air Norvegien
Norse Dans, Nos. 1, 2, 3
Gustav Holst (from The Planets)
“Mercury”
“Neptune”
“Saturn”
“Uranus”
Jon Leifs
Edda
Gustav Mahler
SymphonNo.5, 1st movement
Oscar Merikanto
“Stormbird”
“Hail, Thee, Life”
Franz Schubert
“Spuéte dich, Kronos”
“Geistertanz”
Jan Sibelius
all of the symphonies
The Lemminkaïnen Suite, Op. 22
Johan Svendsen
Two Icelandic Melodies
Richard Wagner (the Ring Cycle)
Das Rheingold
Die Walküre
Götterdammerung
I especially recommend the video of the Metropolitan Opera's 1990 production, starring James Morris. An album of orchestral selections from the opera, is also useful, especially “The Entry of the Gods into Valhalla.”
Siegfried
Folk
An immense amount of Scandinavian folk, folk rock, and metal has become available in the past few years, much of it available on YouTube. I especially recommend:
Corvus Corax (a German group)
Dråm
Gramarna
Hedningarna
Krauka (especially the CD “Odin”)
Nordic Roots collections
Kari Tauring
Wardruna
Popular
“The Blood of Odin,” “Odin,” and “Sword in the Wind” by Manowar
“Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
“Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
“Cult of Personality” by Living Colour
“The Dogs of War” by Pink Floyd
“Emergence” by Shylmagognar
“Ephemeral” by Insomnium
“Ghost Riders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash
“Highway to Hell” by AC/DC
“Into the Sky” by Tyr
“Magic Man” by Heart
“Misshapen Steed” by Agalloch
“Moonspell” by Funeral Bloom
“Mr. Hangman” byStone Foxes
“My Way” by Frank Sinatra
“Nine” by Autechra
“One-Eyed Old Man” by Bathory
“Papa Was a Rolling Stone” by The Temptations
“Possession” by Sarah McLachlan
“Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
“Riders on the Storm” by The Doors
“Stormbringer” by Heather Alexander
“Striving for the Fire” by Darkseed
“Time Is the Fire” and “To Our Ashes” by Agathodaimon
“Wanderer” by Leslie Fish
“Wherever I May Roam” by Apocalyptica
“The Will to Give” by Woods of Ypres