Noble Virtues Wordle

I wanted to make a word-cloud of our Noble Virtues. So I headed over to the Wordle website. And I entered the following list of words, which represent our values as describe on our Noble Virtues page, here at the Temple of Our Heathen Gods.

Family, Frith, Loyalty, Honor, Responsibility, Self-Reliance, Respect, Hard-Work, Industry, Determination, Truth, Honesty, Wisdom, Generosity, Hospitality, Fairness, Justice, Equity, Bravery, Courage, Boldness, Strength, Endurance, Steadfast, Moderation, Self-control, Self-Rule, ASATRU, HEATHENRY

And with a few of the settings changed, this is what it came up with...

Click on the image to see it larger.

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

Current Photo of Everyone in JBK

I really like this recent photo of Jotun's Bane Kindred.  It shows everyone involved in our kindred effort moving forward into 2013...including oathed members, applicant members, and prospects.

Mark Ludwig Stinson

Jotun's Bane Kindred

Temple of Our Heathen Gods

http://www.heathengods.com

Gear Bind-Rune Design

Gear Bind-Rune Design

I was just messing around with design elements...and this idea of combining a gear image with our bind-rune came to mind. For me...it is just such a clear design element. And it communicates (for me at least) the interconnected nature of our kindred with other kindreds and heathens families. It also communicates a certain working-class frame of mind that I don't mind communicating about our kindred as well.  Click here to see the various designs.

Mark Ludwig Stinson

Jotun's Bane Kindred

Temple of Our Heathen Gods

How Hard Would You Work?

In our Lore, Thor is a tireless defender against the chaos and harm that destructive Jotuns threaten to bring about.

Just how hard are you willing to work in defense of our Folkway and our way of life? Does your family, your kindred, and your friends count on you for their protection, and do they see you as a stalwart defender? Just something to consider now and again.

The hammer pictured in the graphic image was made by Jan Fibiger, and is used here with his permission. He is an amazing artist. His Deviant Art page is here: http://fibacz.deviantart.com/

Click the image above to see a full-size version of it.

Mark Ludwig Stinson

Jotun's Bane Kindred

Temple of Our Heathen Gods

http://www.heathengods.com

Frigga's Sorrow

The beginning of this story is that Baldr the Good had some terrible dreams that threatened his life. When he told the Æsir these dreams, they took counsel together and it was decided to seek protection for Baldr from every kind of peril. Frigg exacted an oath from fire and water, iron and all kinds of metals, stones, earth, trees, ailments, beasts, birds, poison and serpents, that they would not harm Baldr. And when this had been done and put to the test, Baldr and the Æsir used to amuse themselves by making him stand up at their assemblies for some of them to throw darts at, others to strike and the rest to throw stones at. No matter what was done he was never hurt, and everyone thought that a fine thing. When Loki, Laufey's son, saw that, however, he was annoyed that Baldr was not hurt and he went disguised as a woman to Fensalir to visit Frigg. Frigg asked this woman if she knew what the Æsir were doing at the assembly. She answered that they were all throwing things at Baldr, moreover that he was not being hurt.

Frigg remarked: "Neither weapons nor trees will injure Baldr; I have taken an oath from them all."

The woman asked: "Has everything sworn you an oath to spare Baldr?"

Frigg replied: "West of Valhalla grows a little bush called mistletoe, I did not exact an oath from it; I thought it too young." Thereupon the woman disappeared.

Loki took hold of the mistletoe, pulled it up and went to the assembly. Now Höð was standing on the outer edge of the circle of men because he was blind. Loki asked him: "Why aren't you throwing darts at Baldr?"

He replied: "Because I can't see where Baldr is, and, another thing, I have no weapon."

Then Loki said: "You go and do as the others are doing and show Baldr honour like other men. I will show you where he is standing: throw this twig at him." Höð took the mistletoe and aimed at Baldr as directed by Loki.

The dart went right through him and he fell dead to the ground. This was the greatest misfortune ever to befall gods and men.

------------

So worried was Frigg for her son's life, that she elicited oaths from everything not to harm her son, but tragically underestimated Mistletoe. This story underlines the lengths to which parents will go to safeguard their children, and the lengths to which we all go to safeguard our loved ones (among other lessons).

Click on the image above to see a full-sized version of it.

Mark Ludwig Stinson

Jotun's Bane Kindred

Temple of Our Heathen Gods

http://www.heathengods.com

The Love of Your LIfe

Frey is an exceedingly famous god; he decides when the sun shall shine or the rain come down, and along with that the fruitfulness of the earth, and he is good to invoke for peace and plenty. He also brings about the prosperity of men.

-------------

'There was a man called Gymir whose wife Aurboða was of the family of cliff giants. Their daughter is Gerð, who is an exceedingly beautiful woman. One day when Frey had gone to Hliðskjálf and was looking out over the whole world, he looked towards the north and saw in one place a large and beautiful dwelling. To this house went a woman; and, when she raised her arms to open the door, they illuminated the sky and sea, and the whole world grew bright from her. So, for the presumption he had shown in seating himself on that holy seat, he paid by going away full of sorrow. When he came home, he neither spoke nor slept, nor did he drink anything, and no one dared to address him.

Njörð summoned Frey's chamberlain, Skirnir, and bade him go to Frey and ask him on whose account he was so angry that he would speak to no one. Skirnir said that he would go, but he was not eager and he said he expected an unpleasant answer from him. When he came to Frey, he asked him why he was so downcast that he would not speak with anyone. Then Frey replied, saying that he had seen a beautiful woman and on her account was so distressed that he would not live long if he could not obtain her. "And now you are to go" (he said), "and woo her for me and bring her here whether her father wishes it or not. I will reward you well for it." Skírnir answered saying that he would go on that errand but Frey was to lend him his sword, which was such a good one that it fought by itself Frey agreed to that and gave him the sword. Then Skírnir went and wooed the woman for him and obtained her promise that, nine nights later, she would come to a place called Barrey and there marry Frey. When, however, Skírnir told Frey the result of his mission, Frey said:

"One night is long, long is a second, how shall I three endure? shorter to me has a month often seemed than this half bridal-eve."

This was the reason why Frey had no weapon when he fought with Beli but killed him with a hart's horn.'

Then Gangleri said:
'It is very strange that a chieftain like Frey should give away a sword and leave himself without as good a one. It was a very great drawback to him when he fought with the man called Beli. Upon my word, he would regret his gift on that occasion.'

Then High One answered:
'It was a small affair when he and Beli met. Frey could have killed him with his bare hands. The time will come when Frey will find it worse to be with out a sword -- when the sons of Muspell ride out to harry.'

-Prose Edda

Click on the image above to see it at full-size.

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

How Brave Could you Be?

Tyr is a one-handed god,
and leavings of the wolf
and prince of temples.

According to the Lore, the gods decided to shackle the Fenrir the wolf because he threatened to eat all the worlds. The beast broke every chain they put upon him. Eventually the Gods had the dwarves make them a magical ribbon called Gleipnir. It appeared to be only a silken ribbon but was made of six wondrous ingredients: the sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, bear's sinews, fish's breath and bird's spittle. Fenrir sensed the gods' deceit and refused to be bound with it unless one of them put his hand in the wolf's mouth. Tyr, known for his great wisdom and courage, agreed, and the other gods bound the wolf. After Fenrir had been bound by the gods, he struggled to try to break the rope. When the gods saw that Fenrir was bound they all rejoiced, except Tyr, who had his right hand bitten off by the wolf. Fenrir will remain bound until the day of Ragnarök. As a result of this deed, Tyr is called the "Leavings of the Wolf"; which is to be understood as a poetic kenning for glory.

It begs the question as to how brave are you on behalf of your Folkway. Do you live openly as a heathen? What are you willing to risk in order to safeguard your family, your kindred, and your close friends? Do you stand up for yourself and your Folk against all threats, including those that would harm emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually?

Click on the image above to see it in all its glory. :-)

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

New Banner Regarding Sacrifice

I know where Othin's eye is hidden,
Deep in the wide-famed well of Mimir;
Mead from the pledge of Othin each morn
Does Mimir drink: would you know yet more?

It is said that Odin's eye rests in the well of Mimir...and that Odin traded his eye for just one drink from the wisdom-rich waters of that well. What work will you do for wisdom? How hard will you work and what will you sacrifice of yourself to attain it?

Click on the image to see it in all its glory.

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods

New Heathen Gods Banner

A free resource website for all asatruars and heathens.
http://www.heathengods.com/ 

Click on the image to see it in all its glory.
 
Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods

In Gods We Trust

The vast majority of people just take for granted a monotheistic point-of-view...a Christian point-of-view.  Despite the separation of church and state and the prohibition against the establishment of a state religion, the phrase "In God We Trust" has been on our coins since 1864...and has been required by law on our coins since 1908.  

I create these images to make a small point about the separation of church and state.  How would Christians react to the phase "In Gods We Trust" being put on our coins and paper money?  They feel it is perfectly reasonable to represent their religious point-of-view on our nation's money...but it is highly unlikely they would tolerate our religious point-of-view being stamped or printed there.

This one-sided approach of the vast majority extends to other areas of our lives.  In Missouri, teachers in public schools can teach Christian church hymns to our children for their "educational value."  But, you can imagine the reaction to anyone teaching religious songs about Odin or Thor in the public school classroom.  In rural Kansas, churches are allowed to hand out Bibles to students as they exit their public schools.  But you can imagine the reaction if Heathens were to hand out religious materials to children leaving their public schools.

Plus the images above just sort of bring a smile to my face.  :-)

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://heathengods.com

Iceland Trip - Day 1

Two members of Jotun's Bane Kindred, Will Burris and I, traveled to Iceland from April 2-10, 2009. These are some of our photos from the trip. It was an absolutely amazing experience. I really dream about a day when I can take my wife and children there, so they can see and experience what we saw and experienced. Hail Iceland! Hail Asatruars in Iceland!



Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

Kindred Trip to St. Louis on 3-28-2009

Back on March 28th, the members of Jotun's Bane Kindred (kids and all), travelled to St. Louis, MO to meet with heathens in the St. Louis area. We gathered at a pizza place where the kids could play, and then went to Sean Cook's house for a going away party and a Symbel.  Click on the play button to view the slideshow:



Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com/

JBK Heathen Pubmoot - March 1, 2009

These photos are from back in March 2009.  Jotun's Bane Kindred has always held Open Pubmoots every couple months so that we can gather with other heathens, eat, drink, talk, and laugh a lot. This pubmoot was our largest up until that time, with about 26 people there. As I type this in 2011...our pubmoots are usually right around 40 to 50 people.  Click the play button to watch the slideshow...



Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

Carved Purpleheart Godhi Hammer

A Mjolnir necklace...a Thor's Hammer carved from purpleheart wood. It is a large hammer fit for a Godhi or Chieftain, and I gave it as a gift to Magni Thorsson, the Godhi of Mjornir Kindred in Denver, CO on a recent visit by Jotun's Bane Kindred to an event Mjolnir Kindred was hosting.  Click on the photo slideshow to start it:





Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

Carved Steam Birch Mjolnir

This hammer necklace was carved from "Steam Birch." That rich brown color is essentially the natural color of the wood, though there is a bit of linseed oil on there that enriches the color. I gave this as a gift to Jsun of Fimbul Winter Kindred when we were in Colorado this past weekend for a gathering.  Click here to start the photo slideshow:




Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

JBK's Cookout Poker Night Photos - 07.09.2011

On the weekend of July 8-10, 2011 many of the women of Jotun's Bane Kindred went down to a lake cabin for a girl's weekend. That left the boys, the kids, and Melissa (who had to work) up in Kansas City. On Friday night we had a big steak dinner and movie night and Saturday night we had a hamburger cookout and poker night. These photos are mostly from the cookout and poker night.

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com/

Bo & Melissa Hopkins get their Daily Hammers

Bo and Melissa Hopkins have begun the applicant process to Jotun's Bane Kindred. Over then next year they will learn and participate as members of our kindred, and at the end of the year our kindred and they will decide whether it is time for a kindred oath. At the beginning of the applicant process, new members receive a "daily hammer" from the kindred. Kindred member Craig Winkler makes these hammers from brass.
We'd like to publicly welcome Bo, Melissa, and Kella to our kindred... 






Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com

JBK's Fourth of July Photos - 07.04.2011

On the 4th of July, some of the members of Jotun's Bane Kindred drove out to Fort Leavenworth for the Fireworks display there. It was a very family oriented event, and everyone had a great time.  Here's 44 photos from that day...

Mark Ludwig Stinson
Jotun's Bane Kindred
Temple of Our Heathen Gods
http://www.heathengods.com