Nerthus...the Veiled Lady

Image by Thalia Took, all rights are the artists

Translation of Tacitus' Germania, passage from Chp. 40.

A. R. Birley translation:

By contrast, the Langobardi are distinguished by being few in number. Surrounded by many might peoples they have protected themselves not by submissiveness but by battle and boldness. Next to them come the Ruedigni, Aviones, Anglii, Varini, Eudoses, Suarines, and Huitones, protected by river and forests. There is nothing especially noteworthy about these states individually, but they are distinguished by a common worship of Nerthus, that is, Mother Earth, and believes that she intervenes in human affairs and rides through their peoples. There is a sacred grove on an island in the Ocean, in which there is a consecrated chariot, draped with cloth, where the priest alone may touch. He perceives the presence of the goddess in the innermost shrine and with great reverence escorts her in her chariot, which is drawn by female cattle. There are days of rejoicing then and the countryside celebrates the festival, wherever she designs to visit and to accept hospitality. No one goes to war, no one takes up arms, all objects of iron are locked away, then and only then do they experience peace and quiet, only then do they prize them, until the goddess has had her fill of human society and the priest brings her back to her temple. Afterwards the chariot, the cloth, and, if one may believe it, the deity herself are washed in a hidden lake. The slaves who perform this office are immediately swallowed up in the same lake. Hence arises dread of the mysterious, and piety, which keeps them ignorant of what only those about to perish may see.

One thing that strikes me when I think about Nerthus and Njord is the intersection of water and earth. I have always held the common belief that these places of intersection hold a magical energy, as a place of meeting between the elements. And dare I say, a sexual energy as well. Therefore, the assumption of fertility makes sense to me.

But to me, the goddess Nerthus is much more than just a vague symbol of fertility. When I think of Nerthus, I think of the dark earth, my own element. I think of the underside of our world, a world which to most is largely hidden. I think of all that energy of life which lies quiet yet always awake within the earth beneath us. I wonder at the little information we have about this mysterious lady, and if it is not a purposeful omission? Or if it is simply a reflection of the hidden nature of the energy she represents?

Sacred, I think, is a good word in relation to Nerthus. It reflects an uncommon knowledge. It reflects a depth that the mundane does not possess. She reflects the knowledge which is buried, which we have to dig for, within the world and within ourselves. Something which is fiercely protected from those found unworthy. A knowledge so sacred it is worth dying for. Perhaps the knowledge of life and death itself?

But still I think I have much to learn about her...

Love and Light

Cena