This book is an effort to restore the ancient meters and forms so that they can live again and fulfill their traditional purposes again. It is also a challenge, one that declares that the dead end of modern free verse doesn’t have to be the end of poetry, that the way forward is by a return to tradition.
The poems in this book fulfill that mission by leading through example. True to its name, the majority of poems in this collection were written for use in many different parts of heathen ritual. Among other things, the poems here hallow space, call to the gods, memorialize heroes and ancestors, give praise, and bring the power of ritual to everyday life. They educate, inspire, and help one align with higher principles.
Many of these Viking poems have previously appeared on my blog (“The Skaldic Eagle” at press time, formerly called “Eirik Westcoat, Skald”), but I won’t attempt to recount their original appearances there. Other poems have been published elsewhere, and these I will recount. “Öfundarmál” first appeared in Idunna 96 (Summer 2013). “A Tale of Wisdom’s Well” first appeared in Idunna 97 (Autumn 2013). Three of the poems have won victory in skaldic competitions at the annual East Coast Thing: “The Six Treasures” in 2011, “Yggdrasilsdrápa” in 2012, and “A Tale of Wisdom’s Well” in 2013.
This book is laid out with the following structure. First, there is an introduction to the meters that I use, followed by a section on the types of poems, so that the poems can then be read uninterrupted in the main text as follows:
• Chapter 1 presents short pieces that can be used for hallowing and warding ritual space through various means.
• Chapter 2 features poetic retellings of prose tales, most of which appeared in Snorri’s Prose Edda but did not have counterparts in the Poetic Edda. My award-winning poem, “The Six Treasures,” is in this chapter.
• Chapter 3 features a nearly exhaustive set of two-stanza calls to many gods and heroes, ideal for ritual use.
• Chapter 4 contains longer calls to Óðinn, Freyja, and Thor.
• Chapter 5 contains three ritual dramas — dialogue only, you’ll need to supply stage directions for performance.
• Chapter 6 demonstrates another function of the ancient skald — formal praise poems to those who deserve them. My two other award-winning poems, “Yggdrasilsdrápa” and “A Tale of Wisdom’s Well,” are in this chapter. “Thor Processional Chant” debuted at East Coast Thing 2016, with music developed by Josh Rood. (These first six chapters are roughly in the order that they might be used in a heathen blessing.)
• Chapter 7 is similar, except these are short pieces written as sumbel toasts to gods, ancestors, heroes, and other wights.
• Chapter 8 also contains sumbel toasts, except these were written and recited as sequences presented over the three rounds of a heathen sumbel.
• Chapter 9 is something unusual for heathenry: prayers to the gods.
• Chapter 10 presents various short charms for waking, eating, sleeping, and similar for use in daily life.
• Chapter 11 finishes the book with various heathen-related poetry that didn’t fit elsewhere.
Many of the poems, especially those in chapters 2 and 6, are lengthy enough to stand on their own and be recited in a hall or around a campfire to entertain or inspire an audience. They were written to be heard! Of course, I can’t put a live campfire performance in a book. However, I’m doing the next best thing: offering quality digital audio recordings of many of the poems — look for them available separately.
In addition to poetry that you can recite in your own rituals, you will find beauty, inspiration, lore, and more in these pages. Through poetry, Óðrœrir returns to Midgard for both Ash and Elm.