Ormhäxan - The snake-witch

Snake-witch stone

The Snake-witch (Ormhäxan), Snake-charmer (Ormtjuserskan) or Smiss stone (Smisstenen) is a picture stone found at Smiss, När parish, Gotland, Sweden. Discovered in a cemetery, it measures 82 cm (32 in) in height and depicts a figure holding a snake in each hand. Above the figure there are three interlaced creatures (forming a triskelion pattern) that have been identified as a boar, an eagle, and a wolf. The stone has been dated to 400–600 AD.

Although many scholars call it the Snake-witch, what the stone depicts—an accurate interpretation of the figures—and whether it derives from Celtic art or Norse art remain debated.

It seems to me that various neopagan concerns have never been certain as what to do with the symbolism on this standing stone/grave marker. First of all, is it Odinic, Druidic, Gaulish polytheistic, proto-European witchcraft, or some combination? This style of standing stone, the serpentine symbolism, and its location would seem to suggest an Odinic origin. However, there was snake symbolism in Gaulish culture, and the Gaulish god Cernunnos was found depicted on the Gundestrup cauldron from some centuries earlier in Denmark. Also, the "snake-witch"--like Cernunnos--is depicted holding a snake; although this artifact may have been obtained in trade between Teutons and Gauls. The snake-witch herself seems to suggest an element of proto-European spiritual influence, such as the pre-Olympian "Snake goddess" of Crete.

Also, just as interesting as the "snake-witch," is the powerful design symbol. To fully appreciate it, you must look at it and fill in the two sections which were somehow chipped off on the animal figure on the upper right. After you do that, then it's clear that this is what I would call a "double-triskellion." The boar, eagle, and wolf are formed as serpentine, with both heads and tails interwoven for this effect. The triskellion or "triple spiral" is found in many ancient European cultures. My guess is that the snake-witch stone is Odinic, with proto-European symbolism. The old Gotlanders, somewhat isolated on an island, probably held onto some aspects of pre-Odinic spirituality. As to whether or not this ties into what is known as "Norse witchcraft," I really don't know at this time. I suppose that there is the possibility or concurrent idea that this was tied to something unique to old Gothic culture and spirituality.


Parallels, interpretations, and speculation

The figure on the stone was first described by Sune Lindquist in 1955. He tried unsuccessfully to find connections with accounts in Old Icelandic sources, and he also compared the stone with the Snake Goddess from Crete. Lindquist found connections with the late Celtic Gundestrup cauldron, although he appears to have overlooked that the cauldron also shows a figure holding a snake.

Arrhenius and Holmquist (1960) also found a connection with late Celtic art suggesting that the stone depicted Daniel in the lions' den and compared it with a depiction on a purse lid from Sutton Hoo, although the stone in question does not show creatures with legs. Arwidsson (1963) also attributed the stone to late Celtic art and compared it with the figure holding a snake on the Gundestrup cauldron. In a later publication Arrhenius (1994) considered the figure not to be a witch but a male magician and she dated it to the Vendel era. Hauk (1983), who is a specialist on bracteates, suggested that the stone depicts Odin in the fetch of a woman, while Görman (1983) has proposed that the stone depicts the Celtic god Cernunnos.

It also has been connected to a nearby stone relief on a doorjamb at Väte Church on Gotland which shows a woman who suckles two dragons, but this was made five centuries later than the picture stone.


Snake symbolism

Snakes were popular as a motif on later picture stones which show snake pits, used as a painful means of execution; this form of punishment also is known through Norse sagas. Snakes are considered to have had an important symbolism during the passage from paganism to Germanic Christianity. They were frequently combined with images of deer, crustaceans, or supernatural beasts. The purpose may have been to protect the stones and to deter people who might destroy them.


See also

Hyrrokkin, a female jötunn in Norse mythology who uses snakes as reins



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3-2-16 ADDITION: I just wanted to add an interesting logo, featuring the Snake-Witch, from a concern called "Heathens and Pagans Against Censorship." Also noteworthy is that this logo---just as with the snake witch/triskellion standing stone---has both proto-European and Teutonic symbolism. However, as covered here before, the proto-Europeans used a different 5-pointed Vehmic rune.

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'Jeremiah Johnson' - movie review

'Jeremiah Johnson' (Wikipedia)

Jeremiah Johnson is a 1972 western film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Redford as the title character and Will Geer as "Bear Claw" Chris Lapp. The film has been said to have been based in part on the life of the legendary mountain man Liver-Eating Johnson, based on Raymond Thorp and Robert Bunker's book 'Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson' and Vardis Fisher's 'Mountain Man'.

The script was written by John Milius and Edward Anhalt; the film was shot at various locations in Redford's adopted home state of Utah. It was entered into the 1972 Cannes Film Festival.

I try to be somewhat objective when typing movie reviews, but I think I will put my own stamp on this one. I saw a lot of symbolism that I wanted to delve into. I think 'Jeremiah Johnson' was a great movie, an original western, and it's a distinctly Ameican story. When I viewed it again recently however, I saw even deeper connections. I saw Odinic connections for one thing. The rugged White characters, with their long beards and survivalist mindset, reminded me of the perception of what Germanic tribesman were like. Perhaps something like the Langobards, and the Camunians were a mountain people. Also, the Amerindians represented the northern Mongolians who have historically shared the northern stretches of the Earth. The "son" at the end of Johnson reminded me of a Norse or Viking name, of which it probably has strong connections to. One scene referred to "Jeremiah" as a "Christian name," and I suppose that it could be said that "Johnson" was symbolically his "Odinic name." The movie portrays pure evolutionary struggle.


All of the actors and actresses were good in their roles.. and I thought that the three primary mountain men (Robert Redford, Will Geer, and Stefan Gierasch as Del Gue) were great.. real "characters" in the other sense of the word. Robert Redford and Will Geer are/were so totally different in every way than their characters here... the magic of the movies. The Pagan Amerindians, as well as the White mountain men (my symbolic "Odinic" survivalists) were pure fighting machines.. and I think the movie gave at least a glimpse of that. Apparently, the real man about whom the film was based, "Liver-Eating Johnson," was so fearsome that the Amerindians--rather than hate him--actually honored him. At one point, Johnson asked a settler what the neat collection of artifacts were near his cabin, and the settler told him that it was a monument to him (Johnson). "Some say that you're dead on account of this. Some say that you'll never die on account of this."

There was an actual Del Gue, who was his trapping partner according to the real account. There were a lot of French who came into probably Quebec mostly, and worked their way down into the United States frontiers like the Rocky Mountains, and established rural trade economies. The Rocky Mountains encompass such a vast highlands region in the center of North America, not just Colorado. They stretch from northern New Mexico to northern British Columbia. According to Wikipedia: Mountain men were most common in the North American Rocky Mountains from about 1810 through the 1880s (with a peak population in the early 1840s). The movie at times, sort've symbolically, showed the Rocky Mountains as "the top of the world"... a tremendous allure.

"The Rocky Mountains is the marrow of the world. I ain't ever seen 'em, but my heart tells me that the Andes is foothills and the Alps are for children to climb." --Del Gue

The soundtrack is worth mentioning. It's a blend of American folklore, the spiritual, and nature... and it worked well within the movie. It reflected both nature's harmonious and innocent side.. and it's harsh and violent side. The bear, to me, represents these dual sides of nature. The movie begins with Jeremiah Johnson arriving by river boat at a trading post at the base of the mountains, ready to begin his trek. Soon, a particular wise-looking Amerindian observes Johnson appearing somewhat buffoonish as he tries to catch fish in a river amid the snow. Much later, well after Johnson has been transformed into a legend, he runs into that same Amerindian... but I don't want to give away the powerful scene.

Numerous scenes during the winter show how harsh and lonely mountain life can be. The vast majority of people today could not survive long if they were placed in that environment, no matter how well equipped they were. The log cabins shown in the movie were great, with a particular wide and low to the ground design. To me, symbolically, this type of transformation of a person is well represented by the "werewolf" concept. Even a soft person could be transformed into a rough, survivalist, fighter if they were pushed to it... and they had the will to survive. In one scene, after he had to fight for his life, he gave out a loud scream... perhaps symbolically like a wolf's howl. A wolf can seem sort've happy-go-lucky... yet can become a ferocious fighter at the drop of a hat. The North American timber wolf is originally from Europe as their DNA has shown; having crossed an ice-bridge long ago. Coyotes are native to North America.

Part of the transformational concept is that a person living in the wild develops a "sixth-sense," which the movie portrayed. "Bear Claw," who became Johnson's mentor, said "The mountain has its own ways." I think he meant the cycle of nature, the cycle of life, the natural process of things. In this world, nature was in full command. That process is enhanced even more in the harsh mountains. There's a certain inherent morality to nature.

There is a book about the real person named John Johnson, known as Liver-Eating Johnson. It's called 'Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson'. The "Crows" were one of the Amerindians tribes, and he went to war with them after they killed his wife and unborn child. That's the account, and the larger "who did what to whom" is something that could be discussed all day. The struggle did symbolize the overall struggle between the two "northern races" over the course of history. Genghis Khan was a northern Mongol who invaded Europe. The earliest fossils in at least North America were proto-European ("Kennewick Man") and were apparently defeated by the incoming Mongols. However, basically these mountain men conducted peaceful trade with the native tribes, and there were missionaries, trading posts, etc.

The other book that the film was based on was 'Mountain Man', a fictional account of that period. I still remember that up to the late 70s, when someone liked a movie, there were no DVDs or even VHS tapes to buy. They would buy soundtracks, books, posters, or novelty items about a popular movie. This movie was popular, as it was the seventh highest grossing film in 1972.

I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but at one point the Crows kill Johnson's family in what was a revenge attack from their point of view. Johnson--my symbolic Odinic survivalist--gives them what appeared to be a "Viking funeal" by assembling the bodies and burning the cabin. I know, it probably wasn't intended to symbolize that... but I saw Odinic symbolism... or Pagan Amerindian symbolism for that matter. At one point, Johnson warned U.S. Cavalrymen not to enter Crow burial grounds... as they "guarded it with spirits."

The Del Gue character was a real wildman, with a real way with words. Near the end of the movie, he is riding away and gives a particularly great rant about being a mountain man... and it only really makes sense upon actually hearing it. Initially, his gregarious personality and headstrong manner overwhelmed Johnson... who was still a novice. However, upon meeting Johnson much later on, he appears somewhat in awe of the legend.. "Jeremiah Johnson." There were a lot of subtle messages like this that perhaps can't easily be put into words... but they helped make it a great movie.

Below, the theme song from the movie: 'The Way That You Wander'

The way that you wander is the way that you choose,
The day that you tarry is the day that you lose.
Sunshine or thunder, a man will always wonder.
Where the fair wind blows.

At the end of the movie... one extra line is added to the lyrics...

“And some folks say…he’s up there.. still…” 




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‘Beowulf’ (2007) movie review

‘Beowulf’ (2007) [Wikipedia]

Beowulf is a 2007 American motion capture computer-animated fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, inspired by the Old English epic poem of the same name. The film was created through a motion capture process similar to the technique Zemeckis used in ‘The Polar Express’. The cast includes Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Wright, Brendan Gleeson, John Malkovich, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman, and Angelina Jolie. It was released in the United Kingdom and United States on November 16, 2007, and was available to view in IMAX 3D, RealD, Dolby 3D and standard 2D format.

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This film is animated in a way that it uses the actors’ “likeness” along with their voice over, which was interesting. I suppose that they almost had to make it that way due to the nature of the mythology, the creatures, and the dramatic action. I had watched this movie before, and I liked it more the second time today; most likely because I was able to view it in the morning, which is always better for watching a movie.

The opening scene begins with the text “Denmark A.D. 507.” Much of the movie takes place in Danish/Viking King Hrothgar’s (Anthony Hopkins) “Mead Hall.” They are soon attacked in the hall by a demon named Grendel. Grendel is huge, absolutely hideous, and vicious; and appears far too strong for the king’s soldiers. Responding to the king’s plea for a “hero” to defeat this beast, a great warrior from Gotland Island named Beowulf (Ray Winstone) arrives. I don’t want to give away the movie—and you can read the plot in the link above—but this is the basic storyline.

King Hrothgar’s much younger wife is Queen Wealtheow (Robin Wright), and I don’t think I would be giving too much away to say that she eventually becomes the future King Beowulf’s queen. Without going into the details, the king presents Beowulf the “Royal Dragon Horn,” which later becomes part of a covenant of darkness, and is a central part of the plot.

The struggle between Odinic spirituality and Christian religion is featured in some instances. Odin and Heimdall are mentioned; as well as the “new Roman god Christ Jesus.” The following quote was given by an older King Beowulf to his lieutenant, Wiglaf (Brendan Gleeson), at one point:

“The time of heroes is dead, Wiglaf. The Christ god has killed it. Leaving human kind with nothing but weeping martyrs, fear, and shame."

Grendel is an underworld figure that seems almost like half physical and half spirit; as well as his mother (Angelina Jolie). Grendel’s mother—another underworld demon—is a central character, but I won’t give away the plot. John Malkovich plays Unferth, one of King Hrothgar’s chief aids.

I was struck by the character of Queen Wealtheow. She was so beautiful and elegant—especially as she played the harp and sang—yet had so much humility. Her face and expression was so docile; of course, in an animated way. Later in the film—without giving away too much—she is shown as the older queen of Beowulf. He openly takes on a concubine named Ursula (Alison Lohman). The queen takes the high road and takes it all in stride.

She doesn’t hold anything against the young Ursula, and even heroicly saves her life at a later point. I guess where I’m really going with this is that—quite frankly—I thought the older queen was more beautiful than the younger woman... having aged like a fine wine. I didn’t like the way she was treated, carrying herself with such class.

I would recommend the film, which was an international box office success and is rated highly. It should be noted that scholars have mentioned certain inaccuracies with the thousand-year old English poem (see above link). Actually, the characters were real historical figures; being set within the framework of Norse mythology. Therefore, where does fact end, and mythology begin?

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Remote Odinic tree carving found in far north California mountains

A woman hiking in the Siskiyou Mountains of northernmost California came upon this seemingly old tree carving. It strikes me as being of an Odinist design.

Her account...

"Old Man Tree"

While hiking in the Siskiyou Mountains, I came across this carving. The Old Man is a reminder of cultures from long ago and seems symbolic. Like a good grandfather, the wood has become a "nurse-log," and you can see the new life spouting around the edges.

--Sarah S.

The lower portion of the carving seems to be an elongated beard, while the upper portion looks a bit like a top-heavy helmet. If you stare at it for a few moments, it's easy to conclude that it has a very three-dimensional look to it.

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