Nerthus
Appeal:
Peace,
Fertility, Prosperity, Abundance
Amongst
scholars there is some ambiguity regarding Nerthus and Njord because
grammatically, Nerthus is “the same form of the name which would correspond to
the Old Norse God Njord.” (ibid). This
has led to all sorts of scholarly speculation but within the modern community
both Deities are usually worshipped as separate entities.
In Germanic paganism, Nerthus is a Goddess associated with
fertility. Nerthus is viewed as one of
the Vanir (by some the Queen or Mother of the Vanir). She is the Mother of Freyr and Freya. Like Njord, she is strongly associated with
frith (peace) and fertility rites. Together,
Nerthus and Njord govern the prosperity and wealth of men, fertility of the
land and good harvests. Very
little of her and her worship is known. She was the 'Mother Earth'
worshipped by the North Sea Germans, according to the Roman historian Tacitus
(writing in the first century of the Christian era).
While
Jord took care of the more wild natural places on Earth, Nerthus was more
nurturing and gift giving Goddess of the Earth.
But, like Jord, there was two sides.
Nerthus was also the terrible Goddess of earthquakes, famine, flood,
storm and destruction. There was bounty,
but also tremendous danger and outright terror all contained at once in
the holy presence of this Goddess.
Tacitus specifically talks about the mysteries of Nerthus as begetting
“terror and a pious reluctance to ask what that sight can be which is only seen
by men doomed to die.” (Tacitus, chapter 40).
Her
worship included the springtime procession of a wagon in which her image was
kept, which ended on a holy island.
Everywhere the Goddess then deigns to visit, she is met with
celebration, hospitality, and peace. All
iron objects are locked away, and no one will leave for war. When the Goddess has had her fill she is
returned to her temple by the priests.
Tacitus adds that the Goddess, the cart, and the cloth are then washed
by slaves in a secluded lake.
In addition to having influence over fertility,
she holds other Godly offices that are not stated by Tacitus. Beyond Tacitus, we have archeological
evidence of bog contents including bent iron weapons, grand strings of amber,
domestic animals and human sacrifices which some scholars believe are
consistent with what we know of Nerthus’ worship.
In surviving Anglo-Saxon
writings, there is a ritual for blessing the fields prior to ploughing and
planting. During Charming of the Plough,
which usually occurs in late February, a customary activity is turning the
soil, mixing it with an offering of milk, flower and water. Even if you don’t have a garden, turn a
little dirt near your apartment or home and leave a similar gift. This action rejoices in Nerthus’s awakening
and draws the Goddess’s peace and prosperity to your residence. Take a little of that same blessing with you,
just collect a bit of the soil-milk mixture in a container and put it wherever
you need peace or prosperity the most.
In days of old, the many tribes
gathered to give you honor.
On your island where sat the
scared grove,
the priest tended your cart and
sacred heiffers.
Around the land was your
carriage led.
No war was made. Weapons
were cast aside. Iron was covered.
The Folk knew peace and
happiness.
Nerthus, goddess of sacred
rites, I call you now to my devotion.
Nerthus, be present at my rite!
Nerthus, as in days of old, you
are needed once more.
Let the tribes of men gather to
honor you.
Let war cease and let weapons
be cast aside.
Let peace and happiness pour
forth through the lands.
Let the Children of Earth know
and honor their Mother once more.
